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Congress …Thursday July 1, 2010


On Thursday, July 1, 2010 Senator Byrd will lie in repose in the Senate Chamber from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Senator Byrd’s family will be in the Chamber from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, and Members are encouraged to pay their respects from 10:15 a.m.-12:00 noon. Senate staff with floor privileges and a Congressional ID are invited to pay their respects from the Senate floor and should enter the Chamber via the North door. Members of the public and Senate staff without floor privileges are also invited to pay tribute to Senator Byrd from the Senate Galleries from 10:15 a.m.-3:45 p.m. The public and staff without floor privileges should enter via the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC).

The Senate will convene at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, July 12.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to a period of morning business with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each. Senators should expect a roll call vote at approximately 5:30 p.m. on confirmation of a judge

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JULY 1, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

The House votes to reinstate employment benefits 269yeas and 153nays.

11:59P.M –

Mr. Gohmert moved that the House do now adjourn.

On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.

The House adjourned pursuant to H. Con. Res. 293. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on July 13, 2010.

11:01 P.M. –

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

10:58 P.M. –

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

10:56 P.M. –

The House received a communication from James L. Oberstar, Chairman. Mr Oberstar notified the House that on July 1, 2010, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure met in open session to consider 15 resolutions to authorize appropriations for the General Services Administration’s (GSA) FY 2010 Capital Investment and Leasing Program. The leases authorize $225.9 million for various agencies. The Committee adopted the resolutions by voice vote with a quorum present.

H.R. 4899:

making emergency supplemental appropriations for disaster relief and summer jobs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes

10:54 P.M. –

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

On motion that the House concur in the Senate amendment to the text with the fifth portion of the divided question (amendment 5) Failed by recorded vote: 162 – 260 (Roll no. 433).

10:47 P.M. –

On motion that the House concur in the Senate amendment to the text with the fourth portion of the divided question (amendment 4) Failed by recorded vote: 100 – 321 (Roll no. 432).

10:41 P.M. –

On motion that the House concur in the Senate amendment to the text with the third portion of divided question [amendment 3] Failed by recorded vote: 25 – 376, 22 Present (Roll no. 431).

10:33 P.M. –

On motion that the House concur in the Senate amendment to the text with the second portion of the divided question [amendment 2]. Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 239 – 182, 1 Present (Roll no. 430).

10:05 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

10:04 P.M. –

ORDER OF PROCEDURE – Mr. Obey moved to concur in the Senate amendment to the text to H.R. 4899 with amendments. Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1500, the motion to concur in the Senate amendment with amendments shall be divided into each of its 5 portions. The first portion is considered as adopted pursuant to H.Res. 1500. The Chair shall put the question on adoption of each of portions 2 through 5 separately in their turn.

8:15 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1500, the House proceeded with 90 minutes of debate on the motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the text with amendments.

8:14 P.M. –

Mr. Obey moved that the House agree to the Senate amendment to the text with amendments.

H. Res. 1462:

expressing support for the people of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador as they persevere through the aftermath of Tropical Storm Agatha which swept across Central America causing deadly floods and mudslides

8:13 P.M. –

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

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 403 – 1 (Roll no. 429).

8:02 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 1493:

providing for budget enforcement for fiscal year 2011

Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1500, H. Res. 1493 is considered passed House.

H. Res. 1500:

providing for consideration of the Senate amendments to the bill ( H.R. 4899) making emergency supplemental appropriations for disaster relief and summer jobs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 215 – 210 (Roll no. 428).

7:37 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

7:36 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of H.Res. 1500 and a motion to suspend the rules, both of which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

Call of the House Quorum responded: 419 present (Roll no. 427).

H. Res. 1500:

providing for consideration of the Senate amendments to the bill ( H.R. 4899) making emergency supplemental appropriations for disaster relief and summer jobs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes

7:05 P.M. –

Mr. McGovern moved to a Call of the House.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H.Res. 1500, the Chair put the question on adoption of the resolution and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Dreier demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the resolution until later in the legislative day.

5:41 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1500

5:40 P.M. –

Considered as privileged matter.

5:39 P.M. –

Mr. McGovern filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 1500.

H. Con. Res. 290:

expressing support for designation of June 30 as “National ESIGN Day”

5:38 P.M. –

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

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 397 – 15 (Roll no. 426).

5:29 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 5609:

to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit any registered lobbyist whose clients include foreign governments which are found to be sponsors of international terrorism or include other foreign nationals from making contributions and other campaign-related disbursements in elections for public office

5:28 P.M. –

The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

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 the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 408 – 4 (Roll no. 425).

5:21 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

5:20 P.M. –

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

Call of the House Quorum responded: 416 present (Roll no. 424).

H.R. 5609:

to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit any registered lobbyist whose clients include foreign governments which are found to be sponsors of international terrorism or include other foreign nationals from making contributions and other campaign-related disbursements in elections for public office

4:52 P.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.

4:17 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5609.

4:12 P.M. –

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Conyers moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 5503:

to revise laws regarding liability in certain civil actions arising from maritime incidents, and for other purposes

4:11 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.

3:29 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5503.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Conyers moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

3:28 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.

H.R. 5618:

to continue Federal unemployment programs

3:27 P.M. –

Under clause 10(c)(3) of rule XXI, the Chair announced that the presiding officer was supposed to have put the question of consideration on H.R. 5618 but omitted to do so. That omission has been overtaken by the subsequent actions on the bill.

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

On passage Passed by recorded vote: 270 – 153 (Roll no. 423).

3:03 P.M. –

On motion to table the appeal of the ruling of the chair Agreed to by recorded vote: 220 – 196 (Roll no. 422).

2:44 P.M. –

Mr. Levin moved to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chair

Mr. Camp appealed the ruling of the chair. The question was then put on sustaining the ruling of the chair.

2:43 P.M. –

Mr. Levin raised a point of order against the motion to recommit with instructions. Sustained by the Chair.

Point of order sustained against the motion to recommit with instructions.

2:36 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House with an amendment to use stimulus funds to offset spending in the bill.

Mr. Camp moved to recommit with instructions to Ways and Means.

Considered as unfinished business.

Pursuant to clause 1 of Rule XIX, the House continued with further proceedings on H.R. 5618.

H. Res. 1412:

congratulating the Government of South Africa upon its first two successful convictions for human trafficking

2:34 P.M. –

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

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 414 – 1 (Roll no. 421).

2:03 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 5618:

to continue Federal unemployment programs

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, the Chair announced that further consideration of H.R. 5618 would be postponed.

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

1:12 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5618.

1:09 P.M. –

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5618 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments. The resolution waives all points of order against consideration of the bill except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The amendment printed in this report shall be considered as adopted. The resolution waives all points of order against the bill, as amended.

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1495.

H. Res. 1405:

congratulating the people of the 17 African nations that in 2010 are marking the 50th year of their national independence

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

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 410 – 0 (Roll no. 420).

1:02 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 1321:

expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the political situation in Thailand be solved peacefully and through democratic means

The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

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

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 411 – 4 (Roll no. 419).

12:53 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

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

H. Res. 1495:

providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 5618) to continue Federal unemployment programs, and waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules

12:52 P.M. –

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 231 – 189 (Roll no. 418).

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

12:25 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered without objection.

11:18 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1495

Considered as privileged matter.

H. Res. 1460:

recognizing the important role pollinators play in supporting the ecosystem and supporting the goals and ideals of National Pollinator Week

11:15 A.M. –

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

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 412 – 0, 1 Present (Roll no. 417).

11:08 A.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 2340:

to resolve the claims of the Bering Straits Native Corporation and the State of Alaska to land adjacent to Salmon Lake in the State of Alaska and to provide for the conveyance to the Bering Straits Native Corporation of certain other public land in partial satisfaction of the land entitlement of the Corporation under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act

11:05 A.M. –

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 410 – 0 (Roll no. 416).

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

10:57 A.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 1228:

honoring the veterans of Helicopter Attack Light Squadron Three and their families

10:56 A.M. –

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

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 410 – 0 (Roll no. 415).

10:30 A.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

10:29 A.M. –

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

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. Heinrich 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 Reverend Bradford Braley, First Presbyterian Church, Cedar Falls, Iowa.

10:00 A.M. –

The Speaker designated the Honorable Jesse L. Jackson Jr. to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

President Obama on immigration


Organizing for America

This morning at 10:55 Eastern Time, President Obama will call on Congress to tackle comprehensive immigration reform in a major speech at American University.

This is a great opportunity for Americans to hear directly from the President on how his administration will address the need for common-sense, comprehensive immigration reform, grounded in the principles of responsibility and accountability.

Here are the details:

What: National town hall on immigration
With President Obama and Cecilia Munoz

Where: http://whitehouse.gov/live

When: 10:55 a.m. Eastern Time

Following the speech, Cecilia Munoz, a top advisor to the President on immigration issues will answers questions about the Obama administration’s immigration policies, so make sure to watch that, too.

You can see the whole speech here:

http://whitehouse.gov/live

Thanks,

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America
~ my 2cents ..., ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

thoughtful Thursday &some News


The President Obama will deliver an address at American University, hopefully giving Americans a clear plan for immigration reform that affects an estimated 11 million people who live in the U.S. undocumented. Reports are that Obama met with lawmakers this week to discuss a strategy for passing immigration reform but as we, all know other things have been happening and have taken his eye off immigration. We all know that immigration has been an issue that most people try to avoid; it also affects certain parts of our economy. Another fact is that elections are coming; and it would be in our President’s interest and for the rest of us if he finally addresses immigration in a way that can move us toward progress not exclusion like Republicans seem to want to do and require of their party members.  We need a new but comprehensive way for people to live and work just as all Americans want and strive for their own families. Apparently, Senator Coburn felt some folks more than others deserve to be free and strive for a better way of life. I for one do not want to go back to the days when women and minorities were expected to be seen not heard and failed to have rights like the white men who liked to control every aspect of people’s lives.

If anyone was listening or watching the Elena Kagan hearings yesterday, it was again another eye opening moment of what seemed to be racist behavior by senator Coburn. It went from asking about her background to what seemed like an attack on women that was then followed by an attack on people of colour and thank goodness, Senator Amy Klobuchar decided to not just challenge the comments she definitely schooled this man as well as the public who happened to be tuned in. It was one of many moments in this hearing that have been made a stage for comments filled with vitriol, Republican talking points,  just rude behavior on so many levels and so offensive to anyone who vaguely believes in compassion or true freedom for Americans.

Other News …

**Toyota: over 270thou faulty engines

**reports from cnn are that immigration advocates will use a strategy for comprehensive immigration and that is to challenge Republicans to come on board

C-SPAN …

watch Pres. Obama on Immigration

Panel Presses Goldman & AIG on Relationship During Financial Crisis

The Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission continues its investigation into the 2008 Financial Crisis with a second day of testimony on how the institution used derivatives within the market and when they were used during 2007-2008. Witnesses include current and former executives of Goldman Sachs and AIG, as well as the chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

The financial crisis panel was created by Congress and is due to report its findings this December. Former California Treasurer Phil Angelides serves as chairman.

Questioning Wraps Up for Supreme Court Nominee

Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan finished her last day of questioning on Wednesday. Over the past two days Ms. Kagan was challenged over her treatment of military recruiters while dean of Harvard Law School, and asked to share her perspective on gun rights. When questioned on the subject of partial-birth abortion, Kagan described it as “an incredibly difficult issue.”Read More »

Outside witness testimony will begin Thursday afternoon at 4pm following the U.S. Senate’s adjournment for the arrival of Sen. Robert Byrd’s casket on Capitol Hill. These witness panels will include those both in favor of and opposed to Kagan’s nomination.The Committee hopes to approve her nomination and hold a floor vote in late July. If confirmed, she would replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens and become the fourth woman in the Supreme Court’s history.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

UNDER THE RADAR

ETHICS — GAO STUDY FINDS BUSH ADMINISTRATION ‘BURROWED’ POLITICAL APPOINTEES: A recent study by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reveals “seven instances of improper burrowing — political appointees shifting to career civil servant positions in a given agency — during the Bush Administration.” In several cases, the GAO found that agencies followed improper procedures in personnel practices by hiring “former political appointees who appeared to have limited qualifications and/or experience to the career positions.” One case indicates that the Department of Justice placed a political appointee in a career position “despite unfavorable recommendations from interviewing officials.” The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Treasury both hired political appointees “who lacked the specialized experience for the position.” While none of these seven transitions occurred near the 2008 presidential election, it is not the first time such “eyebrow-raising” career conversions have occurred under the Bush administration. Between March and November, 2008, the Bush administration “burrowed” at least 20 political appointees into career civil service posts, “initially depriving President-elect Obama of the chance to install his appointees in key jobs.” The New York Times previously reported that in the month after the 2008 election, President Bush “made roughly 30 personnel moves…some in nominations that will require Senate approval, and others in direct appointments that will last well into President-elect Barack Obama’s term and beyond.” Critics argue that converting unqualified political appointees to career positions can have an indelible, profound effect on not only an agency’s credibility and quality, but also its forthcoming policy. In a memo from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) last November, director John Berry announced agencies “must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level.”

~ my 2cents ..., ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

weary Wednesday &some News you might not know about


Today, we are in a  We the People moment from now on … choice needs to be made by us; do we let Republicans continue saying No to the things that will help fix what brought us to a near depression … or

Who would you vote for most -a Political Party who has outed themselves as Corporatist or one with the Democratic ideology and belief of the Constitution. The choice is an easy one if you just remind yourself of the events prior to the 2008 Presidential Elections and the choices we had, an old  guy who definitely served his country in a great way but seemed out of touch, a little creepy and when our economy was tanking he said,” our system was fundamentally sound” top that off with his VP choice who most sane people on both side of the aisle agree was completely unqualified to be considered our next President if anything happened to the old guy let alone the Vice President.

My take  -Republicans are now completely responsible for all negative effects our economy incurs from here on. People may want to ask why? it is because after repeated efforts to pass any jobs bill for homeless Vets, ui benefits, home buyer tax extensions, Republicans have voted them down, now 1.2 or more people will be out on the street. It is my opinion that any jobs numbers announced by Cable heads, The Media, Radio or Newspapers are solely because of the inaction of Republicans to continue to stimulate the economy and help people who are under employed or unemployed due to the financial crash of 2008.

Today, The President will be in Wisconsin for another town meeting, talk about our economic recovery as well as answering questions about recover and hopefully good questions about what he intends to do about Republicans who continue to just say No.

I resent every Republican who has made negative comments about the people out of work people on Social Security, our Homeless Vets as well and their willingness to outsource jobs is just offensive. We need to update, reform and move forward into the 21st Century not go backward, as Republicans obviously want.  If the public is listening and or watching now know where Republicans stand and or maybe remind them what has gone on with Republicans, what with all the stalling, blocking and just say no to any and everything needed to put America back on track.

In addition,  General Patreus is being confirmed and  taking over the military effort in Afghanistan, while Elena Kagan is getting abused, I mean questioned for the third day, the Supreme Court confirmation and hearing process has been an eye opener given the things Republicans have said about Thurgood Marshall, the activist Judge label they gave her and Judge Marshall has been offensive and was meant as a bad thing. I would have to say my response would be to ask Senator Sessions tell everyone who Citizens United is and what exactly they do for your party.

More recently, sadly after Senator Byrd died the reform bill was pulled because a Republican named Scott Brown put up a fuss so Democrats agreed to pull it and hopefully adjust it adequately enough to be voted into law and major financial reform finally happening for Americans today.

My 2nd rant today is this…

Pundits, the Media the GOP will say the President numbers are due to not being able to get the employment numbers down the GOP thinks people will blame our Democratic Party and or our President. It is a time to stop being fooled, any and all negative numbers coming in from now can be attributed to Republicans just say no attitude though Congress leaders are required to do the peoples business. It is clear Republicans are not doing the peoples business but trying to make this President fail but are Republicans just unable to understand that if this President fails all of America fails, our economy goes back to how it was before January 20, 2008. As Americans, we voted them into office but apparently, the GOP decided after the 2008 elections that the only way to move Democrats out of office is to crucify, target and ruin the President whenever possible. In my opinion, this President has accomplished much more than the last guy did and it was for the rich or We the People not for a select few. The Democratic Party with the exception of a couple of Conservadems has tried and is still trying to move Americans into the 21st Century. The constant votes of no regarding any and all legislation that should help all Americans including Health care reform, Climate and Clean Energy and now the Jobs Bill, which according to many in Congress has let other important legislation stack up. Unfortunately, even our own Democratic Party seemed to have felt it is time to move on,  we all know they are tired, have done what they can to get the extensions needed to keep stimulating our economy but it is obvious that is what Republicans want, it’s a great move because they have made our Democrats in the Senate tired. Again, I ask the public to not be fooled if the extensions are voted down again and the people that need to be held accountable is Republicans please do not allow media heads, other politicians, fox news, msnbc anyone make you believe this is the President’s fault.

The day Congress announced they had to move on was the day Republicans became the sole group responsible for any and all negative effects their No Votes will have on homeless Vets, Outsourcing jobs away from America. In addition, there will be 1.2 million people who will no longer be stimulating the economy because they have nothing coming in from anywhere because there are no jobs out there. I ask everyone to think about the domino effect that is coming if the UI benefits extensions continue to be voted down by Republicans. I feel what will happen is the creation of the new poor consisting of not just the real poor but also the middle class, those of us that work all their lives who have a certain amount taken out of their checks in order to live on at the end of their work lives. These are the people Jon Boehner, Bachmann and mostly all Republicans talk about, those who receive entitlements should be slashed and used to pay for wars, raise the retirement age to 70 and those that are wealthy should not get benefits at all as reported in a Pittsburgh Newspaper interview, though Boehner people deny the statements, there is a video. In response to Boehner, House Democratic Whip James Clyburn stated, “Boehner and the GOP want to raise the retirement age to pay for Bush’s war and their failed policies of the past.” Fortunately, for us Mr. Clyburn said, “Democrats will not stand for this.” Moreover, House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi has a fact sheet to go to for information.

The bottom line is this … our population is getting older but living longer and learning to say healthier. The idea of raising the retirement age appears to be something no one can avoid and it is a bipartisan issue, which led to a bipartisan commission appointed by President Obama to find ways to reduce the debt and deficit are considering raising the age to 70. Currently, you have options to retire and receive partial payback or stay in the workforce until your reach full retirement age, which btw is different for everyone or continue until age 70 and get even more money. It is something that might be inevitable and in these times of, we just might have to accept the changes but the suggestion to slash it or end Social Security is not an option that should be considered. I think if the options to stay in at three different levels as they have now people will accept and go on with life. The problems we are having with our economy is because the last guy did nothing to update adjust or change our system with reforms, now most people do need to work longer to recoup money lost from bets made with worker investments in stocks that seemed to be meant to fail. I can accept raising the retirement age but I do not agree with anything that is even close to privatizing it; who can trust Republican ideas -they believe in Corporations not providing for the people who pay their salaries.

Other News …

“The recession has directly hit more than half of the nation’s working adults, pushing them into unemployment, pay cuts, reduced hours at work or part-time jobs, according to a new Pew Research Center survey.” Nearly half of the survey’s respondents said “they are in worse financial shape as a result of the downturn, which destroyed 20 percent of Americans’ wealth.”TP

House Democrats have attached $10 billion to the long-stalled war funding bill “to help local school districts avoid teacher layoffs when schools reopen.” The $70 billion bill “is anchored by President Barack Obama’s $30 billion request for the troop surge in Afghanistan and contains money for disaster aid accounts, foreign aid and disability benefits for Vietnam veterans.”TP

Foreclosed homes accounted for nearly a third of all home sales in the first three months of 2010, according to new data from foreclosed property marketer RealtyTrac, Inc. During 2009 alone, 1.2 million property sales dealt with foreclosures. “That number boggled my mind,” said RealtyTrac spokesman Rick Sharga, referring to the jump in foreclosures. “A 2,500% increase over a four-year period surprised even us.”TP

Although nearly every GOP lawmaker has vowed to repeal health care reform, only 30 House Republicans have “actually signed the discharge petition calling for such a repeal.” The petition, if signed by 218 members, would force a vote on repeal. But so far, the measure introduced by Rep. Steve King (R-IA) and pushed by the Heritage Foundation’s new political group has fallen very short.TP

C-SPAN …

watch Hearing on Arlington Cemetery

watch Senate Confirmation Hearing: Part One watch Senate Confirmation Hearing: Part Two

watch Conference Committee


Kagan: People Need to trust the Court as Non-Political

The confirmation hearing of Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan continues today with more questions from Senate Judiciary Committee members. Beginning with a line of questioning by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ms. Kagan defined the relationship of politics to the Supreme Court. She stated, “the people need to trust the court as a non-political body.” Read More »

The nominee then answered questions from Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) on legal judgment at the Supreme Court level as “not a robotic quality with no judgment in the process.”

Outside witness testimony was scheduled for Thursday, but due to events surrounding the death of Sen. Robert Byrd, the committee schedule is uncertain. The committee hopes to vote out her nomination in July with a Senate floor vote in late July. If confirmed, she would replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens who served his last day on the Supreme Court yesterday.

Commission Questions the Extent of AIG and Goldman Sachs Contribution to the Financial Crisis

The Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission has begun a two-day hearing on “The Role of Derivatives in the Financial Crisis,”. They will hear testimony from current and former executives from AIG and Goldman Sachs including former AIG executive Joseph Cassano and Goldman Sachs President Gary Cohn.

The congressionally appointed panel is looking into the ties between the two companies and how their derivatives transactions may have contributed to the financial crisis.

CBO Presents Budget Outlook to President’s Debt Commission

The Presidential Commission charged with finding bipartisan solutions to lowering the nation’s trillion-dollar budget deficit met for the third time since April.

The group heard from Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Director Doug Elmendorf who presented CBO’s 2010 long term budget outlook which was released earlier today. In remarks, Dir. Elmendorf said that if no changes took place, federal spending on health related programs will grow from 5% of GDP today to 10% of GDP in 2035 which at current rates is an increase of spending of $700B dollars.

The commission is co-chaired by former Senator Alan Simpson (R-WY) and former Clinton White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles. Its non-binding recommendations are due in December.