Today in Washington D. C. - March Feb 6, 2009
Last night, Senate Democrats were unable to get 60 votes to cut off debate and amendments to the omnibus bill, so amendments will continue to be offered today. Currently, the pending amendment is one from Sen. John Ensign (R-NV) to remove a provision designed to kill the D.C. school voucher program. Votes on amendments are scheduled to resume Monday evening.
The House is expected to pass a continuing resolution this morning to fund the government through Wednesday. The Senate resumed consideration of H.R. 1105, the fiscal year 2009 omnibus appropriations bill. The $410 billion bill combines the 9 unpassed appropriations bills from last year and funds the federal government through September. A continuing resolution passed last fall expires today.
Yesterday, the Senate rejected five Republican amendments to the omnibus bill. Among them were an amendment from Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) to prevent funds from going to any organization that supports coercive abortions or sterilizations and an amendment from Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) to delay the implementation of a regulation classifying polar bears as threatened by global warming.
Regarding the Senate Democrats failing to get 60 votes last night to cut off debate and amendments on the $410 billion omnibus appropriations bill, The New York Times writes, “[t]he delay of the bill was an embarrassment for Democrats . . .” and Politico says, “the episode was a major embarrassment and leaves President Barack Obama exposed to another weekend of Republican calls on television news shows, demanding that he veto the $409.6 billion package.” The New York Times said: “The ability of the diminished minority to delay the bill signaled growing unease in Congress, among Democrats and Republicans, over the unprecedented levels of government spending in recent months and the staggering increase in the federal deficit.” The Times also points out, “The drama in the Senate came as some Democrats in Congress had voiced growing discomfort with the recent rise in government spending. Congress approved a $700 billion bailout for the financial system last fall and recently adopted a $787 billion economic stimulus package. With Mr. Obama’s $3.6 trillion budget for the 2010 fiscal year next on the agenda, the unease among some Democrats over the omnibus bill could be a warning to the White House.”
Indeed, Sens. Bayh (D-IN) and Feingold (D-WI) have already announced they can’t support the bill. Politico reported earlier this week that 15 moderate senators met to discuss how to influence the level of spending in Obama’s massive $3.55 trillion budget. Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) said, “Right now. I’m concerned about the amount that’s being offered in [Obama’s] budget.” And Sen. Mary Landrieu said, “We want to give the president a chance, but our concern is going to be on the budget, looking forward.”
Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) said in his response to the president’s radio address last week, “It’s long past time to show restraint and to make the tough choices that will help put our fiscal house in order. Generations of Americans past have often been called on to make great sacrifices for their country. . . . Is it not time for government to make sacrifices for future generations?” Hopefully, Democrats’ unease over this omnibus bill and the budget means that some of them may agree.
Tags: Congressional Pork, Excessive spending, omnibus bill, 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!
The House is expected to pass a continuing resolution this morning to fund the government through Wednesday. The Senate resumed consideration of H.R. 1105, the fiscal year 2009 omnibus appropriations bill. The $410 billion bill combines the 9 unpassed appropriations bills from last year and funds the federal government through September. A continuing resolution passed last fall expires today.
Yesterday, the Senate rejected five Republican amendments to the omnibus bill. Among them were an amendment from Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) to prevent funds from going to any organization that supports coercive abortions or sterilizations and an amendment from Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) to delay the implementation of a regulation classifying polar bears as threatened by global warming.
Regarding the Senate Democrats failing to get 60 votes last night to cut off debate and amendments on the $410 billion omnibus appropriations bill, The New York Times writes, “[t]he delay of the bill was an embarrassment for Democrats . . .” and Politico says, “the episode was a major embarrassment and leaves President Barack Obama exposed to another weekend of Republican calls on television news shows, demanding that he veto the $409.6 billion package.” The New York Times said: “The ability of the diminished minority to delay the bill signaled growing unease in Congress, among Democrats and Republicans, over the unprecedented levels of government spending in recent months and the staggering increase in the federal deficit.” The Times also points out, “The drama in the Senate came as some Democrats in Congress had voiced growing discomfort with the recent rise in government spending. Congress approved a $700 billion bailout for the financial system last fall and recently adopted a $787 billion economic stimulus package. With Mr. Obama’s $3.6 trillion budget for the 2010 fiscal year next on the agenda, the unease among some Democrats over the omnibus bill could be a warning to the White House.”
Indeed, Sens. Bayh (D-IN) and Feingold (D-WI) have already announced they can’t support the bill. Politico reported earlier this week that 15 moderate senators met to discuss how to influence the level of spending in Obama’s massive $3.55 trillion budget. Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) said, “Right now. I’m concerned about the amount that’s being offered in [Obama’s] budget.” And Sen. Mary Landrieu said, “We want to give the president a chance, but our concern is going to be on the budget, looking forward.”
Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) said in his response to the president’s radio address last week, “It’s long past time to show restraint and to make the tough choices that will help put our fiscal house in order. Generations of Americans past have often been called on to make great sacrifices for their country. . . . Is it not time for government to make sacrifices for future generations?” Hopefully, Democrats’ unease over this omnibus bill and the budget means that some of them may agree.
Tags: Congressional Pork, Excessive spending, omnibus bill, 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!
Posted by Bill Smith at 11:15 AM - Post Link
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