December 21, 2005
Right Now In Congress
After the jump, an e-mail from a senior Senate leadership aide explains the day from a GOP perspective.
Budget Reconciliation:
Conrad will (has) raised three points of order. these are "technical" issues and have no budgetary impact.
I suspect these points of order to be upheld with votes along party lines (requires 60 votes to waive points of order)
As a result then the offending sections must be struck, and the bill, as amended, will have to be repassed by House before being sent to President to sign into law.
Thus, final passage of budget reconciliation would be delayed until the House reconvenes at end of Jan. They would thwart the will of the majority of Americans who want us to reduce federal spending.
As a result of Democrats delaying the budget reconciliation bill:
-- The Federal welfare program - TANF (Temporary Assistance on Needy Families) expires. As a result, welfare families and the working poor would see their cas payments and child care assistance evaporate.
-- Two billion dollars in federal aid for medical assistance to Katrina victims (Katrina Medicaid) would be denied.
--Medicare reimbursements to physicians serving the elderly would be cut 4.4% driving good doctors out of the Medicare program.
-- transitional medical assistance for families how have worked their way off welfare would be eliminated.
-- we lose $15m a day in deficit reduction.
DoD Approps:
Close but, after working for 20+ years on ANWAR, Ted Stevens deserves his shot on this.
If there are 60 votes, then we would proceed to passage.
If not, then we will need his and the Dems consent to pass an enrolling resolution without ANWAR
We would then pass DoD approprations
House would pass similar resolution later this week by consent.
Vote on Labor, HHS and Defense Reauthorization later in day
Either way, we end year in good shape. Democrats have nothing to offer but obstructism. Patriot Act, Deficit Reduction. No Agenda.
Senate GOP delivers on money for War on Terror, our troops, Avian Flu, aid to Katrina victims.
Posted at 11:10 AM
Comments
"As a result then the offending sections must be struck, and the bill, as amended, will have to be repassed by House before being sent to President to sign into law.
Thus, final passage of budget reconciliation would be delayed until the House reconvenes at end of Jan. They would thwart the will of the majority of Americans who want us to reduce federal spending."
WHY IS THIS A GIVEN? WHO TOLD THE HOUSE TO PACK BAGS & GO HOME? WHY IS CONRAD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HOUSE'S IRRESPONSIBILITY?
Jeff H | 12.21.05 11:31 AM
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Who's fault is it that DoD appropriations was used as a tool to drill in National Wildlife Refuge, or give blanket immunity to drug manufacturers?
And what do they have to do with providing armor and support for our troops?
The Republicans in Congress really cared about the troops, they wouldn't fill this bill with crap AFTER the stacked conference committee agreed not to include these items.
DaveB | 12.21.05 12:54 PM
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I'm sorry to burst this aides bubble.
"Either way, we end year in good shape. Democrats have nothing to offer but obstructism. Patriot Act, Deficit Reduction. No Agenda."
Remember, you can fool some of the people some of the time, you can fool some of the people all the time, but you can't fool all the people all the time.
The majority of Americans are taking notice of the Republicans double standard. When push comes to shove, I'll rather be on the side of the Democrats on both of these bills, because the facts about spending, taking care of the poor, students aid, etc. are on our side.
Come January, the distinction would be much clearer to the American people.
David M | 12.21.05 03:09 PM
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It's interesting to hear the chain of events from the republican Senate Leadership aide.
But, sneakily placing items (approval for drilling in ANWR)in a bill after it had passed a conference committee, is wholly irresponsible and undemocratic. I don't care what side of the aisle you are on or what the issue is.
Kudos to those Senators who had the integrity and backbone to stand against such an affront on the democratic process!
Sen. Stevens' selfishness is to blame for holding up the funds for Katrina, troops in Iraq, etc... As far as I'm concerned - You're Fired!
Cliff Z | 12.21.05 06:37 PM
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