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| Carson Authors Bill to Force GM, Chrysler to Cover Future and Current Liability Claims |
June 29, 2009
When Chrysler filed bankruptcy in April, Jeremy’s mediation date was cancelled and his case has now been grouped with a number of other pending claims—likely never to see any payout due to the agreement struck in the bankruptcy court earlier this month. The court has absolved “New Chrysler,” which emerged from bankruptcy, from any liability for future claims related to vehicles made before the creation of the new company.
To help Jeremy and thousands of future crash victims have their day in court, Congressman André Carson has filed the “Jeremy Warriner Consumer Protection Act,” a bill that would require the newly-restructured GM and Chrysler to carry liability insurance and force the carmakers to cover claims made against them for any defective products produced by their predecessor company.
“I want to see a stronger GM and Chrysler arise from bankruptcy, and I believe in the quality American vehicles being built by the thousands of union workers across our country,” Congressman Carson said. “But I also believe strongly in consumer protection and preserving the right of an injured crash victim to have his or her day in court.
“This fundamental American ideal is in jeopardy right now unless this legislation is passed and prevents Jeremy’s tragic story from playing out for thousands of Americans.”
The Congressman applauded GM for this weekend’s announcement that it would be responsible for covering future claims made by drivers injured in cars manufactured pre-bankruptcy, but he noted the move did not go far enough.
“GM’s announcement does not eliminate the need for legislative action,” said
In total, Jeremy Warriner has had more than 30 surgeries and racked up more than $1 million in medical expenses.
The lack of accountability from the two auto manufacturers could mean mounting medical expenses not only for drivers but states too. They would be forced to pay out more from programs like Medicaid and Medicare to cover health care costs for car-crash victims who have no legal recourse to seek damages from GM and Chrysler.
The unprecedented action taken by the federal government to save GM and Chrysler from collapse has created a situation where the bankruptcy courts, in an effort to aid the two automakers in ridding their book of bad assets, can agree (and have agreed in Chrysler’s case) to let the newly- restructured company leave behind liability from past products.
There are an estimated 10 million Chrysler and 30 million General Motors vehicles currently on the road that are subject to safety recalls. Thousands of these vehicles will be involved in crashes that result in serious auto injuries or fatalities over the next decade.
Carson reiterated his overall support for the restructuring plans of GM and Chrysler, saying that the end of the two companies would have been “devastating to our already troubled economy—especially here in Indiana, which ranks 6th in the nation in terms of jobs dependent on the Big 3 automakers’ survival.”
And he also noted that his bill does not reflect any concerns he has about the quality or safety of American-made automobiles.
“As with any complex, manufactured product, there have been and will continue to be defective parts in automobiles being produced by companies around the world,” said | |
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| Advisory: Carson to Tour Community Health Center, Meet With Local Center Directors on Health Care Reform |
June 29, 2009
WHEN: TOMORROW, Tuesday, June 30 10:30 a.m. WHERE: HealthNet is Indiana’s largest federally qualified health care center, with five locations in Indianapolis that provide health services to more than 47,000 uninsured individuals every year. “HealthNet and the other community health care centers are on the front lines of our broken health care system,” Congressman Carson said. “They’re seeing patients every day who walk through their doors with illnesses and injuries that have gotten worse simply because they wait until the last possible minute because of money concerns. Their work is living proof of the fact we have a disease care system—not a health care system. “I want to hear from the leaders of these centers and understand the types of reforms that must be accomplished in order to benefit their struggling patients.” ### | |
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| Advisory: Carson to Join Crash Victim Today in Launching Legislation to Protect Legal Rights of Drivers |
June 29, 2009 WHEN: TODAY, June 29 at 11:30 a.m. WHERE: Strange’s Garage*, (*Note to media outlets: This is where the wreckage of Warriner’s Jeep Wrangler is being kept. Media will be able to access the garage to get footage of the vehicle.) In 2005, Jeremy lost both of his legs in a traffic accident that allegedly caused his Jeep’s faulty brake fluid container to catch fire. Because of Chrysler’s bankruptcy, Jeremy has been left without legal recourse to seek compensation to help pay his nearly $2 million in medical expenses. Unless action is taken, any future accident victim driving vehicles made by Chrysler or GM before their bankruptcy proceedings would be stripped of any legal recourse to seek damages against the automaker in the event of a defective product, ### | |
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| Carson: Energy Legislation Will Create Jobs, Reduce Dependence on Foreign Oil |
June 26, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman André Carson issued the following statement after the House passed the historic American Clean Energy and Security Act, which will decrease the nation’s dependence on foreign oil, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create millions of jobs across the United States:
“My support today on the American Clean Energy and Security Act was a vote for spurring the creation of new renewable energy resources, reducing the burden of rising energy prices, addressing the effects of global warming and transitioning the United States to a clean energy economy—creating hundreds of thousands of new good-paying, green jobs in the process.
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“The bill contains important provisions that will protect households and businesses in
Additional information about the American Clean Energy and Security Act:
Analysis by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) shows that "households in the lowest income quintile would see an average net benefit of about $40 in 2020" under the American Clean Energy and Security Act. The CBO also notes that this figure "does not include the economic benefits and other benefits of the reduction in GHG [greenhouse gas] emissions and the associated slowing of climate change."
Furthermore, American consumers are currently exporting $400 billion each year to pay for foreign oil, a bill that is set to increase by an estimated $420 billion annually over the next five years. The American Clean Energy and Security Act will cut our use of expensive foreign petroleum by 1.4 million barrels per day by 2030 by facilitating the creation of a green energy infrastructure that will allow us to transition away from foreign energy. This transition in turn will create 1.7 million new clean energy jobs, four times as many as we could expect with a similar investment in oil and gas.
According to the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, “the African American community will benefit from climate policies that slow climate change” in part because “African Americans are already disproportionately burdened by the health effects of climate change, including deaths during heat waves and from worsened air pollution.”
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| Carson: Funds Will Jumpstart Stalled Affordable Housing Projects, Put Hoosiers Back to Work |
June 22, 2009
The financing is meant to jumpstart affordable housing initiatives, which have been stalled in recent months because the frozen financial system has made it nearly impossible for developers to sell low-income housing tax credits. These credits act as a key financing tool for many affordable housing projects.
“The Recovery and Reinvestment Act was intended to create jobs addressing the real needs of working people and struggling communities. That’s exactly what today’s announcement reflects.
“The need for more quality, affordable housing has never been greater. Just last week, an annual count of the homeless population in
“A way to address both of these critical issues is to jumpstart many of the stalled, affordable housing construction and revitalization projects—all of which are ready to go from a development standpoint, but just lack the capital to get off the ground.
“This significant investment of more than $164 million will allow the State of
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| Floor Statement on Bill Awarding Congressional Gold Medal to Muhammad Ali - June 3, 2009 |
REMARKS BY
THE HONORABLE ANDRÉ CARSON FLOOR REMARKS ON H.R. 2648, AWARDING MUHAMMAD ALI THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2009 Madam Speaker, yesterday I introduced a bill that will award the Congressional Gold Medal to Muhammad Ali.
Years ago, many of my colleagues watched Ali defeat Sonny Liston for the heavyweight title and saw him capture a Gold Medal at the 1960 Olympics. His epic fights inspired a generation.
But it was outside the ring that Ali has truly made his mark. Fighting for civil rights and racial harmony. Combating world hunger and disease.
Under the shadow of 1960s discrimination, few could have imagined that an African American and fellow Muslim would transcend race, religion and culture to promote peace around the world.
I believe that today, as so many around the world are struggling, it is more important than ever to pay tribute to those who selflessly devote their lives to others.
I encourage all of my colleagues to recognize a great humanitarian who will remain a role model for generations to come. Join me in supporting H.R. 2648. | |
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| Floor Statement on DTV Extension Legislation - February 4, 2009 |
REMARKS BY
THE HONORABLE ANDRÉ CARSON FLOOR REMARKS ON DTV EXTENSION LEGISLATION WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2009 Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this legislation and extending the DTV deadline. As a father, I try and limit how much television my daughter watches. However, that does not mean I want to completely deny her access to this informative medium. But that’s exactly what the minority would have us do here today. They would have us deny television access to millions of Americans. Americans who rely on TV not only for their entertainment but for their safety. Mr. Speaker, two major winter storms have passed through my district in the last two weeks. And thousands of people stayed off the icy roads during these storms because of the winter advisory alerts that went out on our local TV affiliates in Indianapolis. By having access to these alerts, thousands of my constituents were able to remain safe. So I would implore the minority not to politicize this issue. This is a serious issue that demands we act swiftly and responsibly. I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation and I yield back the balance of my time. | |
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| Floor Statement on SCHIP - January 14, 2009 |
| REMARKS BY THE HONORABLE ANDRÉ CARSON FLOOR REMARKS ON SCHIP WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2009 Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the thousands of uninsured children in Indianapolis, Indiana. In this recession, many of my constituents can no longer afford the skyrocketing cost of health care. Without checkups or medication for their children, they sit powerless. So, I implore those who oppose this bill to think of the uninsured children in their congressional districts. Should they be made to suffer from rising health care costs and an unstable job market? And should your constituents suffer because their children hang between Medicaid and private insurance? The answer to both of these questions should be an unwavering no. There are few opportunities in this body where the right decision is so obvious. Support our children by voting yes on SCHIP! Thank you Madam Speaker and I yield back the balance of my time. | |
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| Floor Statement on HEARTH- October 2, 2008 |
REMARKS BY Mr. Speaker, I come to the Floor today in support of H.R. 7221. I also come to the Floor today to honor my late Grandmother, Congresswoman Julia Carson. | |
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| Floor Statement on September 11 Anniversary - September 11, 2008 |
REMARKS BY
THE HONORABLE ANDRÉ CARSON FLOOR REMARKS ON SEPTEMBER 11 ANNIVERSARY THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2008 Mr. CARSON of
But Madam Speaker, I also come to the floor today with a feeling of resilience and determination, a resilience and determination that says we must remain vigilant in dismantling those terrorist networks intent on doing us harm; a resilience and determination that mandates that we give our intelligence agencies the resources they need to neutralize these rogue organizations that target our citizens and threaten the security of our homeland.
Having served as a police officer and a supervising watch officer with the | |
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| Energy Legislation; Preventing Military Suicides; Reducing Recidivism - June 26, 2009 |
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| Promoting Financial Education; Celebrating Juneteenth; Congressional Art Competition - June 22, 2009 |
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| Preventing Recidivism; Promoting Fatherhood; Encouraging New Car Sales - June 15, 2009 |
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| Congressman Carson Honoring Senior Airman Ashton Goodman |
Congressman Carson Honoring Senior Airman Ashton Goodman – June 16, 2009 | |
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| Congressman Carson on Recidivism Reduction Act |
Congressman Carson on Recidivism Reduction Act – June 12, 2009 | |
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| Congressman Carson on Executive Compensation |
Congressman Carson on Executive Compensation – June 11, 2009 | |
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| Congressman Carson CNN Interview After President Obama’s Cairo Speech |
Congressman Carson CNN Interview After President Obama’s Cairo Speech - June 4, 2009 | |
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| Congressman Carson CNN Interview Before President Obama’s Cairo Speech |
Congressman Carson CNN Interview Before President Obama’s Cairo Speech – June 3, 2009 | |
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| New Passport Requirements |
On June 1, 2009, new passport requirements took effect for American citizens returning to the
Please note that requirements for air, land and sea travel differ slightly. Those returning to the | |
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