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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

WA to Congress: Stop Talkin’ and Start Fixin’

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Tuesday, January 13, 2009   

Washington, D.C. - Congress is getting a loud-and-clear message today (Tuesday) – 1.6 million messages, in fact. More than 20,000 of them are from Washingtonians, and they're being hand-delivered to make the points that Americans want affordable, quality healthcare; long-term financial security; and no more infighting and rhetoric from politicians.

The "Divided We Fail" campaign has rounded up the pledges and comments in public meetings across the country. It is a joint effort of AARP, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and employers, including the Business Roundtable and National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).

Doug Shadel, state director of AARP Washington, says the group is pushing lawmakers for specific plans and prompt action, to solve two of the nation's biggest concerns.

"This is because we have seen years and years of partisan bickering, and special interests controlling what Congress did. So, all of these organizations came together and said, 'Let's see if the people really believe in this set of principles contained in the pledge.' And 1.6 million of them did."

"Divided We Fail" began as an election year push to urge candidates to listen to voters. The next phase of the campaign, says Shadel, will be to get results from those who were elected.

"We're very closely watching the confirmation of Senator Tom Daschle to be HHS Secretary; and to see what President-elect Obama does, once he's in office, in terms of specific proposals."

Together, the groups that make up the "Divided We Fail" coalition represent 53 million people. Shadel says their goals include strengthening Social Security, and making healthcare and prescription drugs more affordable. The pledge, and more information about the campaign, can be found online at www.aarp.org.



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