Ahead of Bank of America CEO Ken Lewis' testimony before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, we put together the top ten questions that employees, consumers, taxpayers and shareholders would like reporters and legislators to ask Ken Lewis.

"SEIU hopes members of the Committee are as tough on Ken Lewis as we would be if we could get him under oath and the bright lights," said SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger.

Here are the top 10 questions to ask Bank of America CEO Ken Lewis:

1. How can you commit to pay for former Countrywide CEO Angelo Mozilo's legal defense--"a million a month" according to Bloomberg--while Bank of America announced layoffs for 35,000 employees and refuses cost-of-living raises for its lowest-wage workers?


2. Why do you nickel and dime your lowest paid workers (tellers earn $10.50/hour without access to affordable health insurance) at the same time you shower lavish perks and deals for executives and traders?


3. As Bank of America employees speak out about unpaid overtime and a predatory sales culture, what do you plan to do to improve employment practices?


4. 4. Given dismal economic performance, low-staff morale, and a core business model of pushing debt on consumers, what has Bank of America done to meet its stated goal of being "the world's most admired company?"


5. After reportedly receiving tax breaks, and more than $195 billion in bailouts, government guarantees, and taxpayer-funded healthcare for its workers, what is Bank of America's plan to reduce its dependence on the U.S. taxpayer?


6. After being bailed out by hard-working taxpayers facing the toughest economic times since the Great Depression, do you think it's right for Bank of America to lobby against laws that would helps working families--like the Employee Free Choice Act, healthcare reform, and credit card reform?


7. As you argue against any laws that would create greater transparency in the industry, could you tell us what other calamities on your books you are hiding? First it was the Merrill Lynch deal--what's the next shoe to drop?


8. During your time as CEO, at what point did cutting costs and gouging customers with unnecessary products and skyrocketing fees become more important than customer satisfaction?


9. At a time when people are struggling, have you considered lowering banking and overdraft fees that are already higher than many other non-bailed-out banks?


10. Why do you create incentives for Bank of America employees to push further debt on customers?

"Ken Lewis was at the center of Bank of America's disastrous 'bigger at any cost' model of banking," said SEIU Secretary Treasurer Anna Burger. "Today, as Bank of America stock prices have dropped by more 90 percent and after the bank received access for up to $195 billion in taxpayer bailout funds, workers, consumers and taxpayers are footing the bill for Ken Lewis' failed gamble."

"Now, Bank of America workers have started speaking out and demanding change. Enough is enough. It's time for Bank of America and Ken Lewis to do what's right and spell out steps to become a partner for America's families instead of a toxic asset."

Today's Senate Judiciary Hearing "Comprehensive Immigration Reform in 2009, Can We Do It and How?" kicked off the immigration debate in the 111th Congress. Under the leadership of Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), the Subcommittee heard from an array of prominent witnesses who shared their perspectives on the urgent need for comprehensive immigration reform.

Just after 4 p.m., SEIU Executive VP Eliseo Medina gave his testimony at the hearing in front of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees and Border Security. "The current broken system has given rise to a three-tier caste worker system in America--citizens, guest workers and undocumented workers," said Medina. "This onerous system depresses wages for all workers because, unfortunately, too many employers seek out the cheapest, most vulnerable workers in order to gain a competitive advantage. This helps no one, not American workers, not immigrants, not businesses that play by the rules and certainly not taxpayers who wind up paying for an ineffective enforcement system focused on arresting nannies, farm workers and gardeners instead of stopping drug smugglers, gang members or other larger threats to our national security."

Medina shared his personal story of coming to the U.S. in the 1950s and detailed how seeing undocumented workers and guest workers being mistreated has played a prominent role in framing his views on the need for immigration reform. "I saw this system firsthand with my father and brother and later as an adult working with sugar cane cutters in Florida under the H2A program," said Medina. "These workers are not treated as 'guests' in our country but more like indentured servants."

Medina framed the desires of immigrants and workers in our country, saying that the labor movement endorses a better way to bring in future workers that is based on sound policy instead of politics as usual. He detailed the unified proposal of Change to Win and AFL-CIO to enact real immigration reform that recommits our resources to working towards allowing millions of undocumented workers to come out of the shadows. Check out liveblogging of the Senate hearing on immigration reform at America's Voice here.

New national polling numbers show that the American people strongly support comprehensive immigration reform and expect President Obama to follow through on his campaign promise to address the issue. It's important that the American public understands the connection between immigration reform and our nation's economic recovery. If you need more proof, watch C-SPAN's video coverage of the Senate Judiciary hearing on immigration reform and hear it straight from the mouth of Alan Greenspan, NCLR's Janet Mergulia and SEIU's Eliseo Medina.

[Eliseo Medina's testimony begins at 1:39:30] Read the entire transcript of Medina's testimony here.

Want to participate in a May 1 immigration reform march? Join the virtual Immigration march or find a march in your local area:

* http://elrinconcitodeaurora.blogspot.com/...
* http://www.anewdayforimmigration.org/

Note: Theo is a Grassroots Lobbyist through SEIU's Change That Works campaign. You can read more about the program here. Video included below.

I attended a hearing at the Rayburn building about "Family Friendly Policies". For the first time in my life I was proud of some members of Congress; most especially Mr. Hare of Illinois, and Ms Carol Shea-Porter of New Hampshire.

A very brave woman named Rebia Mixon Clay told a very compelling and powerful story about the vicissitudes of life that she faces every day as a home health care Worker. Ms. Mixon Clay, was succinct, on point and eloquent. In a very personal and uplifting way she brought home the plight of many people in this country. I felt honored to be there to hear this incredibly brave and valiant woman speak.

Rebia did not ask for any handouts, she did not ask for pity or sympathy. She simply demanded the respect due to all American workers. And (as far as I am concerned) she fully deserves it.

I have the privilege of working with Rebia, and SEIU, and I must say that Rebia is an extraordinarily accurate snapshot of the people, and the passion of SEIU.

"Our members recognize there are many economic challenges that face our country. We believe there is now a once in a lifetime chance to finally address a strategic economic challenge that has been unsolved for too long and that is to solve our health care crisis," stated SEIU President Andy Stern at Wednesday's hearing before the Senate Finance Committee.

Pointing to the combined impact of the health care and economic crises on the lives of working families nationwide, Stern called on President-Elect Barack Obama and key leaders in Washington to work together to address the nation's ailing health care system in the short-term, saying, "This is an American problem. The time has come...it is within our reach."

Watch him address the Senate Committee on Finance:

Yesterday afternoon, SEIU International President Andy Stern sent out an email to healthcare activists asking for input on the testimony he will be offering on the combined impact of the health care and economic crisis on working families at a hearing before the Senate Committee on Finance at 10:00 a.m. tomrorow, November 19.

Full text of the email below:

Dear friend,

I'm starting to get phone calls about our map.

People across the country are amazed by the overnight groundswell of support we received for our call to fix health care now. In fact, both the New York Times and L.A. Times recognized our efforts.

On Wednesday, I'll be testifying before Congress at a special hearing Senator Baucus is holding to discuss plans to solve the health care crisis.

I may be the one doing the talking, but I want it to be your voice they hear. Will you submit your own comments to help me build my testimony to Congress?

http://action.seiu.org/healthcaretestimony

Thousands of you have pledged to help President-Elect Obama sign a universal health care bill into law.

But I want Congress to know that behind every pinpoint on that health care map, there is a story of a real American - many of whom are struggling to make ends meet as health care costs skyrocket.

Tell your own story: http://action.seiu.org/healthcaretestimony

Senator Baucus gets the importance of this issue - and the need to act quickly. That's why he's already released a detailed blueprint for fixing health care.

And it's not a moment too soon. After eight years of failed Bush policies, our country is facing a laundry list of problems; but none is more pressing than the need to fix this broken system that has deprived millions of Americans of vital care.

You've already shared our movement with your friends and family - now will you help take our fight to Washington?

http://action.seiu.org/healthcaretestimony

Together, we can win this,

Andy Stern
President, SEIU

PS - I want to check in with you after my visit to Capitol Hill. Stay tuned for details on an upcoming conference call where I'll discuss the hearing and what's next in the fight for health care for all.

*Media Advisory for Wed., Nov. 19*

Head of nation's largest union of health care workers, leading advocate for reform to address powerful Senate Committee on Finance chaired by Senator Max Baucus

WASHINGTON, DC - With pressure building to address the nation's ailing health care system, SEIU International President Andy Stern will offer testimony on the combined impact of the health care and economic crisis on working families and call for comprehensive health care reform at a hearing before the Senate Committee on Finance at 10AM Wednesday, November 19. With two million members, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) is the largest labor union for health care workers in the country and has been a leading voice in the effort to win quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

WHAT: SEIU Testimony at "Health Care Reform: An Economic Perspective"

WHO: Andy Stern, SEIU International President

WHEN: 10AM Wednesday, November 19, 2008

WHERE: 215 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Capitol Hill

Wednesday's hearing is the latest in a series of hearings on health care reform held by the Senate Committee on Finance. The hearing comes on the heels of a revealing analysis by the New America Foundation entitled "The Cost of Doing Nothing: Why the Cost of Failing to Fix Our Health System is Greater than the Cost of Reform," showing average rising health care premiums outpacing wage increases and a trend that will result in "Americans continu[ing] to pay more for less-generous health coverage; and fewer employers offer[ing] health insurance to their workers."