Washington, DC—The Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) is proud to announce the launch of the Asian Pacific American Political Database, a searchable online resource that contains profiles of hundreds of Asian Pacific American (APA) elected officials and political candidates. The database was made possible through the generous support of Yum! Brands, Inc., and will be hosted on the APAICS website at www.apaics.org.

On March 21, 2010, the House made a historic event with the passage of H.R. 4872, Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010.  After more than a year of fierce debate, President Obama has won a major legislative victory.

The Senate healthcare bill passed the House in 219-212 vote. An overwhelming majority of Democratic House members voted in support of the bill. However, thirty-four Democrats voted nay, and, as expected, all Republicans voted against the bill.

President Barack Obama will meet a group of Democratic Senators on Sunday on Capital Hill. The senators have been hoping that President Obama would provide a direction for them as they discuss the healthcare bill. Senator Brown of Ohio has been publicly urging President Obama to take a lead in order to pass a bill that includes a public option by Christmas.

"I’d like to hear him push what we’re doing," Senator Brown said. "I like the bill now the way it is, the president pushing the people who are more reluctant to vote for it, to vote for it."

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and other Democrats unveiled the senate’s healthcare plan known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to the public on Wednesday on Capital Hill. The proposed 2,074-page senate healthcare bill would overhaul the existing healthcare system while reducing the federal budget deficit. 

Last week, sex offenders and their family and friends met with Honorable State Representative Jay Goyal at a restaurant. They came to voice their concerns about the current law towards sex offenders in Ohio. They discussed how the state public policy is affecting them. Concerned citizens believe the state registry system fails to distinguish fairly between severe sex crimes and lesser offenses. Rep.

Today is a pivotal vote on healthcare legislation. The healthcare reform bill is expected to happen soon. President Obama just had a discourse with Democratic leaders at the Cannon House. The President reminded nervous House Democrats that voting against the healthcare bill will not protect them from Republican attacks. 

Representative Mike Honda recently introduced Viral Hepatitis and Liver Cancer Control and Prevention Act of 2009.

The bill has support from various politicians, both Democrats and Republicans, that addresses a national problem infecting many Americans with the diseases.

According to the National AIDS Treatment Advocacy Project (NATAP), hepatitis b infects 1.25 million Americans, half of whom as Asian Americans.

Public option is still alive and running.

Today Senate Majority Leader Senator Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has announced that the Health Care Bill will include a public option plan.

In order to galvanize support from various sides of the political spectrum, he has included a bill that allows individual states to 'Opt-Out' Public Option.

I've concluded --with the support of the White House, Senators Dodd and Baucus -- that the best way to move forward is to include a public option with the opt-out provision for states

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Philip Spooner, 86, a lifetime Republican and World War II veteran is a great American hero who has served our country. Surprise to most people, he happens to support gay marriage. Back in April, 2009, the honorable veteran gave a poignant speech in support of gay marriage at Maine's Judiciary Committee.

His voice stumbles as he gives his life story, serving in multiple battles in Europe, helping wounded Americans, and, more importantly, explaining that he is a true American. At the end he states there is nothing more American than fighting for equality.

The rambunctious debate on healthcare reform has finally gained momentum. During the Senate Finance Committee meeting, GOP Senator Snowe (R-Maine), along with leading Democratic senators, voted yes on approving legislation to reform the healthcare system. Senator Snowe, the only Republican senator who voted yes, and other Democratic politicians agreed to a $810 billion Health Bill.