Senate Convenes: 9:30amET December 21, 2010

Following any Leader remarks, Senator Alexander will be recognized to speak for up to 10 minutes in morning business. Following his remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to concur with respect to H.R.3082, which is the legislative vehicle for the Continuing Resolution (CR through March 4, 2011). At approximately 10:15am, the Senate will proceed to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to HR3082, with an amendment (CR).

Following the cloture vote on the CR, Senator Specter will deliver his farewell remarks to the Senate.

If cloture is invoked on the CR, there would be up to 30 hours for debate. We hope that some of the time will be yielded back. Upon disposition of the CR, the Senate will proceed to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the START Treaty. Senators will be notified when that vote is scheduled.

The Senate is considering the START Treaty post-cloture.

Votes:
288: Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.3082, with amendment #4885: , (Continuing Resolution through March 4, 2011)
Invoked: 82-14.

289: Motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.3082, with an amendment (CR through March 4, 2011);
Agreed To: 79-16

290: Confirmation of Benita Y. Pearson, of Ohio, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Ohio;
Confirmed: 56-39

291: Confirmation of William Joseph Martinez, of Colorado, to be U.S. District Judge for the district of Colorado;
Confirmed: 58-37

292: Cloture on the New START Treaty;
Invoked: 67-28.

293: Ensign #4855 (rail mobile missiles);
Not Agreed To: 32-63

294: Kerry motion to table Risch #4878 (military equipment);
Tabled: 61-32.

295: Wicker amendment #4895: (Bilateral Consultative Commission);
Not Agreed To: 34-59

296: Now Voting on Kyl amendment #4860: (sea launched missiles)

Next vote in relationto Kyl amendment #4893: (telemetry)

Unanimous Consent:
Passed H.R.3481, a bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to clarify Federal responsibility for stormwater pollution (with Cardin amendment).

Passed H.R.5470, a bill to to exclude an external power supply for certain security or life safety alarms and surveillance system components from the application of certain energy efficiency standards under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act.

Passed H.R.4445, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center Clarification Act

Passed S.3903, a bill to authorize leases of up to 99 years for lands held in trust for Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo.

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF DECEMBER 21, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

7:58 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

7:50 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

7:49 P.M. –

UNITED STATES-CHINA ECONOMIC AND SECURITY REVIEW COMMISSION – Pursuant to section 1238(b)(3) of the Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001,(22 U.S.C. 7002) as amended, the Minority Leader appointed Mr. Larry Wortzel to the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission, effective January 1, 2011 .

7:48 P.M. –

INDIAN LAW AND ORDER COMMISSION – Pursuant to Section 235 of the Tribal Law and Order Act (P.L. 111-211), the Minority Leader appointed Mr. Thomas Gede of San Francisco, California to the Indian Law and Order Commission .

7:47 P.M. –

COMMISSION ON KEY NATIONAL INDICATORS – Pursuant to Sec. 5605 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148), the Minority Leader appointed Mr. Marcus Peacock of Washington, DC and Mr. Thomas J. Philipson of Chicago, IL to the Commission on Key National Indicators .

7:46 P.M. –

The Speaker designated the Honorable Donna F. Edwards to act as Speaker pro tempore to sign enrolled bills and joint resolutions through the remainder of the 2nd session of the 111th Congress.

7:45 P.M. –

Mr. McGovern asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Tuesday, December 21, 2010, it adjourn to meet at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 22, 2010. Agreed to without objection.

H.R. 6547:

to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require criminal background checks for school employees

7:44 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

7:43 P.M. –

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 314 – 20 (Roll no. 663).

7:35 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of a motion to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

H.R. 3082:

making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes

7:34 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 193 – 165 (Roll no. 662).

7:06 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

6:07 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with 1 hour of debate on the motion to agree to the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3082.

6:06 P.M. –

Mr. Obey moved that the House agree to the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment.

Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1782, the Chair recognized Mr. Obey for a motion.

H. Res. 1782:

providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the bill ( H.R. 3082) making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes

6:05 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

The previous question was ordered without objection.

5:42 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1782

Considered as privileged matter.

S. 2925:

to establish a grant program to benefit victims of sex trafficking, and for other purposes

5:41 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

4:57 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 2925.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Scott (VA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

4:56 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until later in the legislative day.

4:55 P.M. –

Mr. Polis (CO) filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 1782.

S. 3592:

to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 100 Commerce Drive in Tyrone, Georgia, as the “First Lieutenant Robert Wilson Collins Post Office Building”

4:54 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

Considered as unfinished business.

S. 3243:

to require U.S. Customs and Border Protection to administer polygraph examinations to all applicants for law enforcement positions with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, to require U.S. Customs and Border Protection to complete all periodic background reinvestigations of certain law enforcement personnel, and for other purposes

4:53 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 2751:

to accelerate motor fuel savings nationwide and provide incentives to registered owners of high polluting automobiles to replace such automobiles with new fuel efficient and less polluting automobiles

4:49 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 215 – 144 (Roll no. 661).

4:42 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 2142:

to require the review of Government programs at least once every 5 years for purposes of assessing their performance and improving their operations, and to establish the Performance Improvement Council

4:41 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 216 – 139 (Roll no. 660).

4:32 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 5116:

to invest in innovation through research and development, to improve the competitiveness of the United States, and for other purposes

4:31 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 228 – 130 (Roll no. 659).

4:04 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

4:03 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of motions to concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 5116, H.R. 2142, and H.R. 2751, and motions to suspend the rules, all of which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

H.R. 2751:

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the motion to agree to the Senate amendments to H.R. 2751, the Chair announced that pursuant to the order of the House of December 21, 2010, further proceedings on the motion would be postponed until a time to be announced.

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

3:22 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on motion to agree to the Senate amendments to H.R. 2751.

Mr. Dingell moved that the House agree to the Senate amendments.

Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1781, the Chair recognized Mr. Dingell for a motion.

H.R. 2142:

3:20 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the motion to agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2142, the Chair announced that pursuant to the order of the House of December 21, 2010, further proceedings on the motion would be postponed until a time to be announced.

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

3:10 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House continued with further debate on the motion to agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2142.

The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate agreed to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3082, with an amendment.

H.R. 2142:

3:02 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the motion to agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2142.

3:01 P.M. –

Mr. Cuellar moved that the House agree to the Senate amendment.

Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1781, the Chair recognized Mr. Cuellar for a motion.

3:00 P.M. –

ORDER OF PROCEDURE – Mr. Cuellar asked unanimous consent that the Speaker may postpone further proceedings on the following measures as though under clause 8(a)(1)(A) of rule XX: motion to agree to the Senate amendments to H.R. 2142 and motion to agree to Senate amendment to H.R. 2751. Agreed to without objection.

2:59 P.M. –

Commission on Key National Indicators – Pursuant to section 5606 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148), and the order of the House of January 6, 2009, the Chair appointed Dr. Stephen Heintz, New York, NY and Dr. Martha Tienda, Princeton, NJ .

National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics – Pursuant to section 306(k) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 242k) and the order of the House of January 6, 2009, the Chair appointed Dr. Vickie M. Mays, Los Angeles, CA for a term of 4 years .

H.R. 5116:

to invest in innovation through research and development, to improve the competitiveness of the United States, and for other purposes

2:57 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the motion to agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 5116, the Chair announced that pursuant to the order of December 21, 2010, further proceedings on the motion would be postponed until a time to be announced.

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

2:21 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House continued with further debate on the motion to agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 5116.

The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 3481.

H.R. 5116:

to invest in innovation through research and development, to improve the competitiveness of the United States, and for other purposes

1:40 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the motion to agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 5116.

1:39 P.M. –

Mr. Gordon (TN) moved that the House agree to the Senate amendment.

Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1781, the Chair recognized Mr. Gordon (TN) for a motion.

H. Res. 1781:

providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill ( H.R. 5116) to invest in innovation through research and development, to improve the competitiveness of the United States, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the Senate amendments to the bill ( H.R. 2751) to accelerate motor fuel savings nationwide and provide incentives to registered owners of high polluting automobiles to replace such automobiles with new fuel efficient and less polluting automobiles; and providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the bill ( H.R. 2142) to require quarterly performance assessments of Government programs for purposes of assessing agency performance and improvement, and to establish agency performance improvement officers and the Performance Improvement Council

1:37 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

The previous question was ordered without objection.

1:09 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1781

1:08 P.M. –

Considered as privileged matter.

H.R. 6540:

to require the Secretary of Defense, in awarding a contract for the KC-X Aerial Refueling Aircraft Program, to consider any unfair competitive advantage that an offeror may possess

1:06 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 325 – 23 (Roll no. 658).

1:01 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

12:59 P.M. –

H. Res. 1771:

waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules, and providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 199 – 151 (Roll no. 657).

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

12:30 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered without objection.

12:19 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1771

Considered as privileged matter.

12:16 P.M. –

Mr. McGovern filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 1781.

H.R. 1746:

to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to reauthorize the pre-disaster mitigation program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency

12:15 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

12:05 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 1746.

Ms. Norton moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.

H.R. 4748:

to amend the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 2006 to require a northern border counternarcotics strategy, and for other purposes

12:03 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

11:55 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 4748.

Mr. Scott (VA) moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.

S. 3243:

11:54 A.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Ms. Jackson Lee (TX) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

11:43 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3243.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Jackson Lee moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

S. 1481:

to amend section 811 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to improve the program under such section for supportive housing for persons with disabilities

11:42 A.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

11:26 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1481.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Murphy (CT) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

S. 118:

to amend section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959, to improve the program under such section for supportive housing for the elderly, and for other purposes

11:25 A.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

11:12 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 118.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Lynch moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H.R. 6547:

to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require criminal background checks for school employees

11:11 A.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

11:04 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6547.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Miller, George moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H.R. 6540:

to require the Secretary of Defense, in awarding a contract for the KC-X Aerial Refueling Aircraft Program, to consider any unfair competitive advantage that an offeror may possess

11:03 A.M. –

10:41 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6540.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Inslee moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H.R. 5809:

to amend the Controlled Substances Act to provide for take-back disposal of controlled substances in certain instances, and for other purposes

10:40 A.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by voice vote.

10:25 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to concur in the Senate amendments to H.R. 5809.

Mr. Waxman moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments.

H.R. 81:

to amend the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to improve the conservation of sharks

10:23 A.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

10:19 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 81.

Ms. Bordallo moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.

10:18 A.M. –

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until the conclusion of general debate on all suspensions.

10:17 A.M. –

The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on December 20, 2010 at 3:00 p.m.: That the Senate passed H.R. 2751, with amendments.

10:16 A.M. –

The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on December 20, 2010 at 9:49 a.m.: That the Senate passed S. 118, H.R. 4915 with amendments, H.R. 6510, H.R. 6473, H.R. 6533, and H.Con.Res. 335.

10:15 A.M. –

The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on December 18, 2010 at 3:54 p.m.: That the Senate concurred in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2965.

10:14 A.M. –

The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on December 17, 2010 at 8:40 p.m.: That the Senate passed H.J.Res. 105.

10:12 A.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House resumed one minute speeches.

10:11 A.M. –

The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 81 amended, H.R. 6412, H.R. 4748 amended, and H.R. 1746 amended.

10:04 A.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.

10:03 A.M. –

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Wilson of SC to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

10:02 A.M. –

The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

10:01 A.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by Monsignor Stephen J. Rossetti, Catholic University of America, Washington, DC.

10:00 A.M. –

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

~ Recent Post

Senate DREAM Act vote: Senators’ true colors show

12/20/2010 Nativegrl77

Share This Message:

We won’t forget
And we won’t give up

On Saturday in the Senate, we saw small-minded, heartless politicians show their true colors.

In an appalling show of callousness, the Senate stopped the DREAM Act. A few Republican senators broke from their party to stand with us on the side of justice, but the rest of them voted no. Even a handful of Democrats joined them in stalling the dreams of millions.

To every single Senator who voted against deserving youth: we will not forget this. And to the courageous Senators who stood with us: we won’t forget you either.

Send a message to brave Senators who voted yes: we’ll remember what you did.

The courageous DREAMers will continue to lead and will continue to fight. The work you’ve done to stand with them and get this far won’t be forgotten. We won’t forget who stood up for us, and we’ll definitely remember who killed the DREAM.

This battle isn’t over. Not by a long shot. Our movement will always stand together, and we’ll never stop fighting.

Thank you,
Marissa Graciosa

We’re fighting to fix our broken immigration system, but we can’t win without you!
contribute $30 today to sponsor 80 faxes and 100 calls to Congress.

~ Recent Post

DADT victory: Find out how your senators voted

12/20/2010 Nativegrl77

Human Rights Campaign

Did Washington senators stand up for equality? Or did they vote to keep discrimination on the books?

Click here to find out – and let them know how you feel about their vote.

On Saturday, 65 senators sent a message to the nation and the world: In the U.S. military, what matters is what you can do – not who you are.

But 31 senators made it clear that they would cling to old prejudice and time-worn hate – ignoring clear messages from the military’s top brass, the troops, and the American people.

Which side were your senators on? Find out – and call them about it.

Once President Obama signs this bill, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” will no longer be the law of the land. The Department of Defense will then begin to phase it out. This shameful chapter in our nation’s history will be finished.

And you were critical in making it happen. The years of political groundwork laid by people like you, veterans and civilians alike, truly humble me. From the moment Eric Alva, the first soldier wounded in Iraq, came out publicly and began advocating with HRC to repeal this law… through two national tours of veterans speaking out against this policy… through 550,000 emails to congress, 20,000 phone calls in the past five weeks, 1,000 lobby visits… You made this happen.

It took every ounce of political will to overcome a filibuster attempt by John McCain and Senate Republican leaders, but you did it. This doesn’t mean our work is over. We need to make our voices heard once again, and calling your leaders right now – to say “thank you,” or express how disappointed you are – is a critical way to let them know we’re watching what they do.

So call your senators right now and speak out about the votes they cast.

Thank you for helping us reach this moment. Thank you for being a part of this fight.

Onward,

Joe Solmonese
President

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

AFGHANISTAN: Grading America’s Nine-Year War

12/20/2010 Nativegrl77

One year after announcing its Afghanistan strategy, which involved sending approximately 30,000 new U.S. troops to implement a broad counterinsurgency strategy to reverse the Taliban‘s gains, the Obama administration released a new review Thursday noting “some real military gains, but [which] acknowledges that they remain fragile and that NATO troops will need more time to achieve their goals.” Reviewing the strategy, Center for American Progress expert Caroline Wadhams wrote in Foreign Policy, “One year later, tactical successes on the battlefield do not add up to lasting strategic progress in the war in Afghanistan. Des pite a huge infusion of money and troops, we appear to be standing in place.” Appearing on Meet the Press on Sunday, Vice President Biden spoke about plans to begin transferring security authority to the Afghans themselves next year: ” We’re starting it in July of 2011 and we’re going to be totally out of there, come hell or high water by 2014.” The same day, a member of the NATO-led force was killed, “taking the total number of foreign troops killed in 2010 to 700, by far the deadliest year of the war since the Taliban were toppled in 2001.”

IS THE SURGE WORKING? : The administration’s review states that Taliban “momentum has been arrested in much of the country” and “reversed in some key areas.” However, analyst Josh Foust wrote that the review “gives no indication of what to expect moving forward. … While the implied threat of al Qaeda is peppered throughout the review document, there is no indication of how the large military campaign under way there now actually contributes to the national security of the United States — there are no details of which threats are being undone in Afghanistan or Pakistan.” Wadhams writes that “without shifts in the current political structures in Afghanistan, it will be sim ply futile for the United States and its NATO allies to wage continued war on behalf of a government that cannot consolidate domestic political support without indefinite massive international assistance and troops.” Meanwhile, Wired Magazine reported that “the air war over Afghanistan has reached a post-invasion high,” and “Afghan anger over air strikes is soaring as well.” Noting the problem of insurgent safe havens in neighboring Pakistan, Wired’s Spencer Ackerman characterized the strategy review this way: “One year and 30,000 new troops later, Afghanistan is peripheral to the Afghanistan war,” adding that the administration’s review makes clear that “this is a U.S. drone war in Pakistan with a big, big U.S. troop component next door.”

PAKISTAN: According to a November report by the Center American for Progress, core U.S. security interests in the region “center on reducing the risk of terrorist attacks by Al Qaeda and its affiliated networks against the United States and its allies. They also include increasing the political stability of the Pakistani state, a country of 170 million people with nuclear weapons.” The report concluded that “current U.S. efforts in Afghanistan are fundamentally out of balance, and they are not advancing U.S. interests and stability in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the region.” A National Intelligence Estimate released earlier this month stated that “there is a limited chance of success unless Pakistan hunts down insurgents operating from h avens on its Afghan border.” Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, assured reporters that “[Pakistani military chief] General Kayani and others have been clear in recognizing that they need to do more for their security and indeed to carry out operations against those who threaten other countries’ security.” But Bruce Reidel, a former C.I.A. official who led a White House review of Afghan strategy last year, said, “[W]e have to deal with the world we have, not the world we’d like. We can’t make Pakistan stop being naughty.”

AFTER HOLBROOKE: On December 13, Richard Holbrooke, “the Obama administration’s special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan since 2009 and a diplomatic troubleshooter who worked for every Democratic president since the late 1960s and oversaw the negotiations that ended the war in Bosnia,” died in a Washington, D.C. hospital due to complications from a torn aorta. President Obama paid tribute to Holbrooke as “atrue giant of American foreign policy who has made America stronger, safer, and more respected.” Responding to Petraeus’ remembrance of Holbrooke as “my diplomatic wingman,” Center for American Progress Action Fund’s Matthew Yglesias wrote, &quo t;The affection and respect Petraeus expressed were doubtlessly both genuine, but the sentiment is mistaken. It reverses the proper relationship between civilian and military authorities — generals and their troops are supposed to serve political objectives outlined by civilians, not view civilians as adjuncts to military campaigns.” As CAP’s November Afghanistan report asserted, “[m]ilitary operations drive our strategy while the political and diplomatic framework essential for long-term stability in Afghanistan remains undeveloped.” Reversing this dynamic is a key challenge for the Obama administration, one that reaches beyond Afghanistan.