Russ Carnahan

NPR has a really impressive analysis and interactive map on their website today breaking down the uninsured population in each Congressional district. As has been noted elsewhere, some of the strongest health care obstruction efforts are coming from leaders who represent huge uninsured populations. NPR:

Of the 100 congressional districts with the highest percentage rates of uninsured people, 53 are represented either by Republican lawmakers who are fighting the overhaul, or by conservative Blue Dog Democrats who have slowed down and diluted the overhaul proposals.

In anticipation of hearings in Rep. Ike Skelton's House Armed Services Committee, a number of pro-equality groups are stepping up their efforts to demand the repeal of the nation's misguided "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) policy.

Passed by Congress in 1993, DADT is a law mandating the discharge of openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual service members. Under the law, at least one individual per day on average is fired because they are gay or lesbian. Incredibly, almost 13,000 service members have been discharged since 1994. Since President Obama was sworn into office, almost 300 have been discharged.

For the first time, US House members are required to publicly disclose their earmark requests. The deadline to do so came and went on Saturday, and according to Taxpayers for Common Sense, Roy Blunt, Todd Akin and Blaine Luetkemeyer had not complied as of 1:45 this afternoon. 

Following up on TCS's research, Blunt and Akin have definitely posted their requests on their websites -- we don't know if TCS missed the info, or if their documents were added after being called out on The Huffington Post for noncompliance, but they're up now. 

• Blunt's requests for appropriations are available on his website. 
• Akin's requests are on the front page of his website now.

We haven't had any luck finding Luetkemeyer's list of earmark request yet -- if it's there and we've missed it, please leave a note in comments or drop us a line.

Links to view the requests from the full delegation can be found after the break.

The Drum Major Institute for Public Policy has issued its 2008 Congressional Scorecard breaking down the most important votes for middle class and low income families from last year.  It was a mixed bag from the Missouri delegation:

To create the rankings, the Drum Major Institute looks at "the good and the bad decisions Congress made in 2008—from the February stimulus bill to the Senate filibusters that killed legislation to address the home mortgage crisis and to assist the struggling auto industry."

The full scoop is at www.TheMiddleClass.org.

• Outrage with AIG is overflowing. Russ Carnahan and others are pushing legislation to recoup bonuses from bailout firms. [Post-Dispatch] [CNN][CQ]

• Treasurer Zweifel struck a deal with bankers to increase the interest rate banks pay for state time deposits. Under the agreement, banks would gradually phase in the payment of competitive interest rates for state deposits. At the same time, the state’s linked deposit program, which loans money through local banks at low interest to small businesses, will grow to serve companies of 100 or fewer employees. [Daily Tribune]

At Wednesday's DNCC Missouri delegation breakfast, three members of the Carnahan family addressed the delegates and special guests...

Congressman Russ Carnahan reminds the delegation of the importance of the 2008, and how winning this year will allow Democrats to break out of a forty year long stretch of Democratic Presidential difficulties.

Secretary of State Robin Carnahan compares the work to be done by an Obama administration to the long list of things to be done on the farm-- lots of things to be fixed.

Senator Jean Carnahan concludes her speech by noting that the courage it take to fight and win in 2008 is the same courage it takes to help our fellow man and make the world a better place.