Today in Washington D. C. - March 4, 2008
On The Floor: Senate reconvened at 10 AM today. Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) overhaul bill (S. 2663). Roll call votes are likely today. Yesterday, the Senate voted to proceed to the CSPC bill. After failing to get cloture on the motion to proceed to their Housing bill (S. 2636), Democrats have pulled the bill from the floor while they decide how to move forward on it. According to The Hill, the bill is not likely to return until after the Easter recess. Also, the Senate confirmed Mark Filip as Deputy Attorney General by voice vote. Filip’s confirmation had previously been blocked by Majority Whip Dick Durbin. This week marks the beginning of the yearly budget debate, with the Senate Budget Committee scheduled to mark up the Democrats’ fiscal 2009 budget proposal on Wednesday and Thursday.
From Senate & News Sources: The Washington Post reports this morning that discussions among Congressional Democrats continue on a way to bring FISA modernization legislation to the House floor. Of course, the Democrats always have the option of simply passing the Senate bill in the House, which would then be swiftly signed by the president.
Sen. Judd Gregg, ranking Republican on the Senate Budget Committee, offered his own preview of the Democrats’ budget. Gregg warned of potential Democrat plans to let the Bush tax cuts expire which could lead to a $1.3 trillion tax increase, and he chided the Democrats for last year’s “dishonest” budget. Shopfloor.org presents part of Sen. Gregg’s discussion of the reconciliation process which he warned could be used to bypass Senate filibusters on programs like SCHIP. Democrats have been quick to condemn such filibusters and accuse Republicans of obstructionism. Their accusations fall flat when examined as they seem to think that any vote to move forward on a bill actually counts as a filibuster. At the same time, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has used of cloture extensively to prematurely cut off debate.
Senate Republicans have offered positive proposals on a number of issues, and held a press conference recently to discuss their ideas on the economy and housing. The Republican package includes a proposal by Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) for a $5,000 per year tax credit for a family buying a vacant house, tax relief for entrepreneurs and families, and long overdue tort reform measures to help curb frivolous lawsuits and rising healthcare costs. On judicial confirmations Republican Leader Mitch McConnell noted that judicial nominations remain stalled: “There have been no judicial confirmations so far this year, and there has been only one hearing on a circuit court nominee since September of last year. . . . I hope my Democratic colleagues resist the desire by some to drag us back into judicial confirmation brinksmanship and establish a precedent they will regret. I hope they will treat these nominees fairly before it is too late.”
Tags: Budget, product safety, US Congress, US House, US Senate, Washington D.C. To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
From Senate & News Sources: The Washington Post reports this morning that discussions among Congressional Democrats continue on a way to bring FISA modernization legislation to the House floor. Of course, the Democrats always have the option of simply passing the Senate bill in the House, which would then be swiftly signed by the president.
Sen. Judd Gregg, ranking Republican on the Senate Budget Committee, offered his own preview of the Democrats’ budget. Gregg warned of potential Democrat plans to let the Bush tax cuts expire which could lead to a $1.3 trillion tax increase, and he chided the Democrats for last year’s “dishonest” budget. Shopfloor.org presents part of Sen. Gregg’s discussion of the reconciliation process which he warned could be used to bypass Senate filibusters on programs like SCHIP. Democrats have been quick to condemn such filibusters and accuse Republicans of obstructionism. Their accusations fall flat when examined as they seem to think that any vote to move forward on a bill actually counts as a filibuster. At the same time, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has used of cloture extensively to prematurely cut off debate.
Senate Republicans have offered positive proposals on a number of issues, and held a press conference recently to discuss their ideas on the economy and housing. The Republican package includes a proposal by Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) for a $5,000 per year tax credit for a family buying a vacant house, tax relief for entrepreneurs and families, and long overdue tort reform measures to help curb frivolous lawsuits and rising healthcare costs. On judicial confirmations Republican Leader Mitch McConnell noted that judicial nominations remain stalled: “There have been no judicial confirmations so far this year, and there has been only one hearing on a circuit court nominee since September of last year. . . . I hope my Democratic colleagues resist the desire by some to drag us back into judicial confirmation brinksmanship and establish a precedent they will regret. I hope they will treat these nominees fairly before it is too late.”
Tags: Budget, product safety, US Congress, US House, US Senate, Washington D.C. To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
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