From: “Speaker Nancy Pelosi” SpeakerNancyPelosi@gmail.com

To: “NghiaSinh International” NghiaSinh@gmail.com

Subject: The Capitol - June 2008

Date: Mon, Jun 30, 2008 12:21 PM

June 30, 2008

Dear Friends:

In June, I met with leaders of the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) to discuss issues critical to the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. They brought to the table their concerns regarding the World War II Filipino veterans, the lack of information available to AAPI homeowners during the mortgage crisis, immigration issues, and the health disparities facing communities of color.

These priorities are the priorities of Democrats in Congress and we will continue to work with our partners like NCAPA to make life better for all Americans.

The New Direction Congress has also taken action on issues affecting both the AAPI community and country with recent legislation such as extending unemployment insurance benefits to those Americans who have been laid off during this economic downturn, Medicare improvements, and energy solutions to help bring the rising cost of gas and energy prices down.

We are committed to providing much-needed relief to 3.8 million unemployed workers, including those in the AAPI community, to assist them with rapidly rising gas and food costs, while they continue to struggle to find work in the slowing economy. On June 12, the House passed the Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act, which will provide an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits to workers who have extended their 26 weeks of regular benefits. This legislation is now on its way to the President's desk.

On June 24, the House passed the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act, which would greatly benefit those in the AAPI community who serve as physicians and those who collect Medicare by preventing the pending 10 percent payment reduction for physicians in Medicare. It would also enhance Medicare preventive and mental health benefits, improve and extend programs for low-income Medicare beneficiaries, and extend expiring provisions for rural and other providers.

The New Direction Congress will continue work in a bipartisan way to find solutions to jumpstart and rebuild this economy that will assist the AAPI community and the American people.

Best regards,

NANCY PELOSI

Speaker of the House

United States Congress