Yarmuth lands spot on House Ways and Means

“The Committee on Ways and Means will be the front line for many of the tough challenges that confront our nation in the coming years,” Congressman Yarmuth said. “I look forward to working for solutions that will revitalize our economy, provide affordable health care to all Americans, bolster retirement security, and ensure that every child in America has the opportunity to succeed.”

“Congressman John Yarmuth will be a powerful voice for the people of Kentucky and indeed all Americans as a new member of the Ways and Means Committee,” Speaker Pelosi said. “His experience and dedication will be instrumental to the efforts of the 111th Congress to take America in a new direction that restores economic security and gets our nation back on track.” ...

Hat tip to Page One:

Conference focuses on civics in schools

This from Toni Konz at The Courier-Journal:


National and local leaders joined education officialsfrom 14 states at a conference in Louisville over the weekend to discuss the importance of restoring civic education in America's schools.


The three-day meeting let participants exchange ideas, share resources and develop materials promoting civic education, said Donna Shouse, a social studies consultant with the Kentucky Department of Education.



Annette Pitts, executive director of the Florida Civic Alliance, said in this era of high-stakes testing, civic education is being pushed to the side.


"We are trying to evaluate what is currently happening and we hope to advance public policy and enhance curriculum in all grade levels," Pitts said. "It's such an important task; if students don't know what the Constitution says or know how to be involved in a democratic system, we are at great risk of losing this form of government."


About 40 people attended the Southern Coalition on Civic Education and Engagement's conference at The Brown hotel, including Jefferson County Public Schools Superintendent Sheldon Berman, Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson and U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, D-3rd District...

John Yarmuth takes on Stephen Colbert; and...

Why any Congressman would agree to go on the Colbert Report is beyond me.

If Stephen's logical fallacies don't get you the video editing will.

But recently John Yarmuth bravely (actually, you may want to insert your own adverb here) debated the relative merits of throwing kittens into woodchippers - Yarmuth arguing in the affirmative. “Well, you know, there are times when you have to find a way to dispose of kittens," Yarmuth stammered and blinked.

Since Yarmuth's performance, Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.), the Democratic Caucus chairman, has told new Democratic members of Congress to steer clear of Stephen Colbert where Rep. Zack Space (D-Ohio) recently spent time trying to explain to Colbert that he is not his predecessor - convicted felon Bob Ney (R).

Yarmuth, it turns out, is a fan of the show. So, he knew what he was in for. His hour and a half interview was shot on February 9 and then was edited down to the most embarrassing six -minute segment.

Go here to see the Colbert Report segment: Better Know a District...starring Louisville's John Yarmuth.

After the interview he told the Courier-Journal, "We had a lot of fun," Congressman Yarmuth said. "I know he'll make me look silly, but when you spend a lot of time in Washington, you run the risk of taking yourself too seriously. I hope some Louisvillians will be able to join me for a laugh-- even if it is at my expense."

Good sport.

Yarmuth's six cats were unavailable for comment.