Tag Archives: white people

what’s going on in Congress Wednesday -debates/votes on employment,home buyer tax credit extensions


Updates when needed

The Senate Convenes: 9:30amET June 30, 2010

Following any Leader remarks, there will be 2 hours of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. Senators will be permitted to pay tribute to Senator Byrd during this period of morning business.

Following morning business, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination of David Patreaus to be General. There will be up to 20 minutes for debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Levin and McCain or their designees. Upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will proceed to vote on confirmation of the Patreaus nomination (around 12:00 noon).

Upon disposition of the nomination, we hope to resume consideration of HR5297, Small Business Jobs bill.

Additional roll call votes are expected to occur throughout the afternoon and evening in relation to the Small Business Jobs bill and/or Unemployment Insurance/Home Buyer Tax credit extension (House Message on HR4213, Tax Extenders), if an agreement can be reached.
Votes:
203: Confirmation of the nomination of David Petreaus to be General;
Confirmed: 99-0

204: Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to HR4213, with amendment #4425: (UI/Homebuyer Tax Credit);
Not Invoked: 58-38

Unanimous Consent:
HR5623, the Homebuyer Assistance and Improvement Act; and
HR5569, to extend the authorization of the National Flood Insurance Program until September 30, 2010.

Passed HR5611, FAA Extension (through August 31, 2010)

Adopted S.Con.Res.67, celebrating 130 years of US-Romanian diplomatic relations.

Adopted S.Res.576, National ESIGN Day 2010.

Adopted S.Res.577, Chaplian Henry Vinton Plummer.

Adopted S.Res.578, Summer Food Service Program Awareness Month.

Adopted H.Con.Res.293, Adjournment resolution.

The Senate confirmed the following nominations by unanimous consent:

to be a Member of the Broadcasting Board of Governors

– Michael P. Meehan
– Dana M. Perino
– Walter Isaacson
– Victor H. Ashe
– Michael Lynton
– Susan McCue
– Dennis Mulhaupt
– S. Enders Wimbush

Theodore Sedgwick to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Slovak Republic

S. Leslie Ireland to be Assistant Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis, Department of the Treasury

and calendar #964-992 all military promotions and all nominations on the Secretary’s Desk.

————————————————————————-

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JUNE 30, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

9:09P.M.

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

9:05 P.M. –

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

H.R. 5610:

to provide a technical adjustment with respect to funding for independent living centers under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 in order to ensure stability for such centers

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.

8:59 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5610.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Chu moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H. Con. Res. 290:

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

8:58 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. McDermott 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.

8:49 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 290.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. McDermott moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

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

8:47 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Ms. Watson 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.

8:39 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1462.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Watson moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

S. 3104:

to permanently authorize Radio Free Asia, and for other purposes

8:38 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.

8:20 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3104.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Watson moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H. Res. 1412:

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

8:19 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Ms. Watson 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.

7:58 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1412.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Watson moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H. Res. 1405:

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

7:56 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Ms. Watson 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.

7:42 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1405.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Watson moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H. Res. 1321:

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

7:40 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Ms. Watson 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.

7:27 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1321.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Watson moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H. Con. Res. 289:

directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make a technical correction in the enrollment of H.R. 3360

7:26 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 voice vote.

7:24 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 289.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

7:23 P.M. –

Mr. Cummings moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H.R. 3360:

to amend title 46, United States Code, to establish requirements to ensure the security and safety of passengers and crew on cruise vessels, and for other purposes

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.

7:06 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3360.

Mr. Cummings moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.

7:05 P.M. –

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

7:03 P.M. –

Ms. Hirono filed reports from the Committee on Rules, H. Res. 1495 and H. Res. 1496.

H.R. 4445:

to amend Public Law 95-232 to repeal a restriction on treating as Indian country certain lands held in trust for Indian pueblos in New Mexico

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

7:02 P.M. –

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 411 – 0 (Roll no. 414).

6:54 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 4173:

to provide for financial regulatory reform, to protect consumers and investors, to enhance Federal understanding of insurance issues, to regulate the over-the-counter derivatives markets, and for other purposes

On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 237 – 192 (Roll no. 413).

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

6:45 P.M. –

On motion to recommit the conference report with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 198 – 229 (Roll no. 412).

6:17 P.M. –

The previous question on the motion was ordered without objection.

Mr. Bachus moved to recommit with instructions to the conference committee.

6:16 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

3:34 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1490, the House proceeded with 2 hours of debate on the conference report to accompany H.R. 4173.

Mr. Frank (MA) brought up conference report H. Rept. 111-517 for consideration under the provisions of H. Res. 1490.

H.R. 1554:

to take certain property in McIntosh County, Oklahoma, into trust for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and for other purposes

3:33 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 the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 421 – 1 (Roll no. 411).

3:24 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 1490:

providing for consideration of the conference report to accompany the bill ( H.R. 4173) to provide for financial regulatory reform, to protect consumers and investors, to enhance Federal understanding of insurance issues, to regulate the over-the-counter derivatives markets, and for other purposes

3:23 P.M. –

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 234 – 189 (Roll no. 410).

3:15 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of agreeing to H.Res. 1490, and a motion to suspend the rules, both of which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

H. Con. Res. 293:

providing for a conditional adjournment of the House of Representatives and a conditional recess or adjournment of the Senate

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 222 – 186 (Roll no. 409).

2:47 P.M. –

Considered as privileged matter.

H. Res. 1490:

providing for consideration of the conference report to accompany the bill ( H.R. 4173) to provide for financial regulatory reform, to protect consumers and investors, to enhance Federal understanding of insurance issues, to regulate the over-the-counter derivatives markets, and for other purposes

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H.Res. 1490, the Chair put the question on adoption of the resolution and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Sessions demanded the yeas and nays, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the resolution until later in the legislative day.

2:46 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered without objection.

1:37 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1490

1:36 P.M. –

Considered as privileged matter.

H.R. 4505:

to enable State homes to furnish nursing home care to parents any of whose children died while serving in the Armed Forces

1:35 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): 420 – 0 (Roll no. 408).

1:28 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

1:27 P.M. –

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

H. Res. 1487:

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

1:23 P.M. –

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 237 – 189 (Roll no. 407).

1:13 P.M. –

On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 243 – 182 (Roll no. 406).

11:51 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House resumed debate on H.Res. 1487.

The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 285 and S. Res. 574 .

H. Res. 1487:

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

11:37 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1487

Considered as privileged matter.

11:35 A.M. –

Mr. McGovern filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 1490.

H.R. 4307:

to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Artesia, New Mexico, as the “Alejandro Renteria Ruiz Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic”

11:34 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 the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 417 – 0 (Roll no. 405).

11:28 A.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 1446:

recognizing the residents of the City of Tracy, California, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the city’s incorporation, for their century of dedicated service to the United States

11:27 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 the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 419 – 0 (Roll no. 404).

11:18 A.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 5395:

to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 151 North Maitland Avenue in Maitland, Florida, as the “Paula Hawkins Post Office Building”

11:17 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 the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 409 – 0 (Roll no. 403).

11:12 A.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Con. Res. 284:

recognizing the work and importance of special education teachers

11:11 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): 415 – 0 (Roll no. 402).

10:44 A.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

10:43 A.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.

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

S. Con. Res. 65:

providing for the use of the catafalque situated in the Exhibition Hall of the Capitol Visitor Center in connection with memorial services to be conducted in the United States Senate Chamber for the Honorable Robert C. Byrd, late a Senator from the State of West Virginia

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.

10:42 A.M. –

Mr. Boccieri asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker’s table and consider.

Considered by unanimous consent.

10:11 A.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.

10:09 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.

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

10:08 A.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Dr. Robert Henderson, First Baptist Church, Lincoln, Illinois

The House convened, starting a new legislative day

Judgment


Receive a  special invitation for our Strategy Call

CRITICAL DEADLINE: MIDNIGHT TOMORROW
$113,545 to go to beat the Republicans. All Gifts Matched 2-to-1! Contribute Today >>

My strategists at the DCCC just informed me that the Republicans have already met their fundraising goal with the help of a $1 million dollar pledge from Republican Leader Boehner.

That means we now have until just Midnight Tomorrow to surpass them.

The world is watching our next move. The media will use our grassroots totals to measure our response to Leader Boehner and also as a referendum on President Obama’s leadership.

As a special thank you, with your contribution you will receive a special invitation to join me for our upcoming Grassroots Strategy Call. But you need to act before Midnight Tomorrow.

Contribute $5, $10 or more before tomorrow’s crucial Midnight FEC deadline and Democrats will match your generosity 2-to-1, tripling your gift’s impact.

Deadline Tomorrow

Republicans are raising record amounts from Wall Street special interests so they can defeat financial reform and continue letting recklessness reign supreme on Wall Street.

The world is closely watching our grassroots response to the Republicans’ record-breaking fund raising from these Wall Street special interests.

We are just $113,545 away from our grassroots goal. Please contribute before tomorrow night at Midnight and send a powerful message of grassroots strength and an undeniable show of support for President Obama’s leadership. As a special thank you, you will receive an invitation to join me for our upcoming grassroots strategy call.

Thank you,
Nancy  Pelosi
Nancy Pelosi
Speaker of the House

Stop anti-choice groups from posing as abortion providers


NARAL  Pro-Choice America
This is an ad for a “crisis pregnancy center.” It does not provide abortion care.

Anti-choice crisis pregnancy center ad example

Ads for CPCs should not be listed under “abortion services.”

Call on SuperPages.com and YellowPages.com to take down all misleading CPC ads.

Anti-choice “crisis pregnancy centers” (CPCs) do whatever it takes to block women from choosing abortion.

Many even stoop to advertising under “abortion services” and “abortion clinics” in popular online search directories. Let’s be clear: CPCs do not provide abortion care.

We’re calling on two of the biggest search directories, SuperPages.com and YellowPages.com, to take down all misleading CPC ads.

Add your name to our letter by June 30 so you can be part of our delivery!

Never heard of a CPC? They look like women’s health-care clinics. But most of the estimated 4,000 CPCs are unlicensed and unregulated storefronts staffed by anti-choice volunteers.

Their number-one goal is to make women feel too guilty or scared to choose abortion by providing information that is medically inaccurate and manipulative.

It’s fine for groups that oppose abortion to advertise. But they shouldn’t be allowed to advertise under “abortion services” or “abortion clinics.” It’s just cruel to lie to women facing an unintended pregnancy.

Help us end the lies. Sign onto our letter to SuperPages.com and YellowPages.com today.

YellowPages.com and SuperPages.com have 125 million monthly searches and 30 million unique visitors per month, respectively. The vast majority of people who use these directories contact the merchants or organizations they find.

CPCs didn’t miss a beat. Just a few years ago, CPCs advertised on billboards, street-level signs, and even in the phone book. Now they are flooding the Internet, reaching even more unsuspecting women.

Tell SuperPages.com and YellowPages.com that CPCs are using their sites to trick women. The fraud against women must stop.

Can you imagine facing an unintended pregnancy and accidentally going to a CPC staffed by anti-choice volunteers when you thought you were visiting a legitimate health center? It sounds horrific.

We need to stop CPCs from using popular sites like SuperPages.com and YellowPages.com to advertise abortion services that they clearly don’t provide.

Thanks for adding your name to our letter today.

Nancy Keenan

Nancy Keenan
President, NARAL Pro-Choice America

toxic Tuesday &some News


Toxic Tuesday?

Today seems like a day when we all need to breathe in slowly in deeply  -breath out, repeat as needed.

The Elena Kagan confirmation hearings gave me that eerie  feeling of how it must have felt back in the day when folks of colour and women were treated so poorly

A whole lot of folks are engaging in toxic talk that seems embattled and begs us to ask ourselves where Republicans are regarding race. And do they know the public is now seeing on national TV -it effects how immigration as well. America is of diverse backgrounds and if you listen to the vitriol being put out there, on the airwaves you would have to wonder if racism is coming from folks we vote into office and how can we stop that before they get there.

Is there a voice of reason on that strange panel of Republicans for the Elena Kagan confirmation hearing asking questions on national TV that should have people of colour deciding just who they will be voting for in the up coming elections and it is not for Republicans, as the rhetoric seem very racist and disrespectful. The man Elena Kagan clerked for Thurgood Marshall just so happens to have a lot of respect from a hell of many people so the comments will not be forgiven or forgotten.

The latest news reports are that 10 Russian spies were picked up recently because as our President was telling their President they were friends and while the airwaves were wondering if our President knew about it all, I had to laugh at the question itself. The President is Commander in Chief not an actor who is just pretending on camera. The office of President should be given more respect. It would be nice to find out what exactly did President Obama say to Medevei after the information crossed his desk. Though we probably will never find out the total sum of the conversation but one can always hope. If there was a conversation, someone will ask the press secretary and the gist will be watered down and life will go on. In other news that was sad, made me laugh and has to have folks become more aware of Republican hypocrisy to such a degree anyone listening should have cringed.

Yesterday, Elena Kagan’s confirmation hearings started; she has been labeled as an elitist and while she worked hard in school did well and moved on to a prestigious college she is from a modest background as her dad is an attorney, a tenant lawyer and her mom a teacher. I personally do not find her anything but middle class, a great work ethic, and the capacity to excel.

Then we hear Senator Jeff Sessions begin the Republican talk, which by all accounts is not just negative it is offensive. In my opinion, Senator Sessions epitomizes the ridiculous stance most Republicans have but are smart enough to keep it to themselves. The question was it Racism in all its glory on national TV and will it continue? Mr. Sessions has stated in the past, that if he had his choice he wouldn’t have tried any Civil Rights cases and has also known to call Black men “boy” which not only provides evidence that he is out of touch with today’s society another question for him and the other Republicans would be is were they against the decision of Brown vs The Board of Education or not?

It seems like it would be in their best interest not to beat up on Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American to serve on the Supreme Court who Kagan clerked for, respected, and has repeated some of his thoughts out of respect and admiration. Senator Sessions and his Republican associates verbally beat up on Marshall as an activist Supreme Judge as if this was a bad thing, so far only a few people have responded with oh please just remember “Citizens United.” It was uncomfortable for me hearing this vitriol coming from human beings let alone coming from people voted into office. In my opinion Senator Sessions was too comfortable making demeaning comments about the President, Thurgood Marshall, and the Democratic Party on national TV, which was a strategy that needs to be challenged. The Supreme Court voted 5-4 to make Corporations equal to individuals without taking into account that Judge John Roberts has cinched the “activist judge” title in my eyes with his ruling for Corporations.

The question is will Judge Roberts and the other four obviously conservative Justices continue trying to be a policy destructor and is his behavior because of some grudge he had during his confirmation hearings and has the power and decided to use it.

and last, can i just say that someone should figure out by now that after being in Afghanistan for 6 to 9 years it seems obvious that the people there are not all in to what it will take to become more self sufficient because if they were the locals would have more control.

Other News …

Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) said that he will vote against Congress’s financial regulatory reform bill, arguing that it doesn’t go far enough to prevent future catastrophes. “As I have indicated for some time now, my test for the financial regulatory reform bill is whether it will prevent another crisis,” he said. “The conference committee’s proposal fails that test and for that reason I will not vote to advance it.”TP

Nevada GOP Senate candidate Sharron Angle “has steadfastly refused to talk to reporters” in the state. “I can’t remember a time that we’ve ever had trouble with interviews,” said Mary Beth Farrell, the news director at KRNV. KRNV finally got an interview with Angle “after weeks of private rejections” by taking the “unprecedented step” of publicly asking her “to explain her positions to Nevada voters.”TP

**Macy’s has become toxic and reports are they might be abusing their employees, UFCW has asked people to boycott Macy’s until they start to respect employees

**Reports are that China and Taiwan signed a landmark deal

C-SPAN …

watch Admiral Allen Daily Oil Spill Update

watch Kenneth Feinberg on Executive Pay

watch U.S. Senate: Byrd Tributes watch Senate Tribute (11/09) watch Sen. Byrd on Memoir (6/05)
watch Booknotes Interview (4/89) watch More C-SPAN Programs read Sen. Byrd official website
read Politico: WV Law Murky on Byrd Succession read Charleston WV Gazette

watch Defense Dept. Briefing

Questioning begins in Kagan confirmation

“One thing I do know is that my politics would be, must be, have to be completely separate from my judging,” said Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan at the second day of her confirmation hearing. Questioning by members of the committee on issues related to the judiciary began on Tuesday and will continue into Wednesday. Outside witnesses are expected to testify on Thursday.

If confirmed, Elena Kagan will replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens on the Court.

Gen. Petraeus faces congress to discuss war in Afghanistan

General David Petraeus is now appearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee in his confirmation hearing to replace General Stanley McChrystal as lead commander of troops in Afghanistan.

Gen. McChrystal resigned last week in the wake of a recently released Rolling Stone article. In the story, Gen. McChrystal and members of his staff are quoted as criticizing the Vice President and other members of the Administration.

Vice President Biden to Visit New Orleans and Pensacola

Vice Pres. Biden will visit the Gulf today to assess clean-up efforts and tour affected areas. He will stop in New Orleans and Pensacola, visiting the Unified Area Command, the Naval Air Station Pensacola and Pomes Seafood to meet with Gulf residents impacted by the spill. Other government officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and presidential environmental advisor Carol Browner also visited the region.

Tropical Storm Alex, which has already sent heavy rains to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, appears likely to miss Gulf areas affected by the oil spill. However, while current paths predict Alex will pass to the west of the spill site, there is a possibility that strong waves will delay BP’s plan to increase the rate of containment, Adm. Thad Allen said in a briefing yesterday.