tagged w/ House of Representatives
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Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) says that he will not apologize to the House of Representatives for his outburst when President Barack Obama addressed the joint session of Congress last Wednesday.
Democratic leaders have stated they will propose a resolution condemning Wilson's heckling of the President if he does not first apologize on the floor of the House for violating House rules.
"People know my civility, they know this is a one-time event," Wilson told Chris Wallace on Fox News. "I believe in the truth, what I heard was not true."
Wilson had apologized to President Obama immediately after the President's address, although Wilson said that it was through Obama's Chief of Staff rather than to the President directly, and that it was only at the insistence of Republican leaders. President Obama said on Thursday that he accepted the congressman's apology.Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) says that he will not apologize to the House of... more
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Insurance companies are companies. They're in business to make money and when it comes to my health care, I don't want the "almighty dollar" to be deciding factor. Politicians are influenced by their constituents (which is good) and by those who make large donations to their reelection campaigns (which is bad). Unfortunately, those who have the most money to donate are special interests such as the insurance lobby. I think we should all question: "Who's influencing who?" and "Why?" This begs the questions: "Who supports health care reform? Who's against reform?" and "Why?"
One specific example is the public option. Opponents say that insurance companies cannot compete with a public option. They say that the public option rates will be so low (because they will be supplemented by taxes) that most people will drop their private insurance for the public option thus driving the private companies out of business.
The problem with this argument is that the public option will not be supplemented by taxes. It will receive its money from the rates that it charges, so the rates can't be outrageously lower than a private option. However, the public option rates will be lower due to increased efficiency, not to mention that a public option will be a non-profit organization. It's obvious to me that if profit is not the motivating factor, then rates can be kept at a reasonable level. So people will have another option, with reasonable rates, and public companies will be forced to maintain reasonable rates themselves to remain a viable option. Yes, I believe this will provide a "happy medium" between allowing private companies to price-gouge us and driving them out of business.
In a capitalist society like ours, usually competition keeps prices low. But when there is a lack of competition, the few companies in the industry can set their own prices, often to the detriment of the public. And unlike many consumer goods, health care is a necessity. Even those who choose not to be covered are covered any time they go to an emergency room. I can choose not to buy a cell phone or a new car. If I have a heart attack, I cannot choose not to go to the hospital. And if there is not enough competition in the marketplace to keep the rates of this (for lack of a better word) mandatory product reasonable, then a public option will provide it.
But, rather than speculate, lets look at a working example... The United Postal Service is a public shipping organization in direct competition with such private companies as FedEX, UPS and DHL. This system of public and private shipping competition has existed for years in what I would consider a very harmonious state.
Now, lets apply our questions: "Who's against a public option?" Naturally, insurance companies are. "Why?" Because they will be forced to keep their rates reasonable. With less profit, they will be forced to become more efficient, maybe even cut some executive salaries. As such, these companies are using their influence with politicians and via advertising to fight a public option.
A public option is just one part of the overall health care proposal and it may or may not become reality. But I think it's important to end on a more positive note. "Who's for health care reform?"
The American Medical Association (AMA) supports health care reform. The following statement is attributed to the President of the AMA, J. James Rohack, M.D.
"President Obama recognized what physicians have long known - that medical
liability reform is needed to bring down the cost of health care."
The American Nurses Association (ANA) and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) also support reform. I consider this to be validation that the reform being proposed is needed. But don't take my word for it. Ask the critical questions for yourself.Insurance companies are companies. They're in business to make money and when it... more
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President Barack Obama faces great challenges in getting his 2.5 trillion dollar health care plan through Congress, from both Conservatives and centrist Democrats who are on the fence. The proposal is expensive and controversial, and is meeting a lot of obstacles on its way to becoming law - even with the Democrats having a Senate majority. Time will tell if the bill passes, and also, even if it does, how much of it will have to be compromised.President Barack Obama faces great challenges in getting his 2.5 trillion dollar... more
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During a recent discussion with my brother on health care reform, he brought up a Fox News report on one of Arlen Spector's town hall meetings. I personally don't find Fox to be a credible source of news, but this report showed regular people "quoting" from one of the House bills. Regardless of my opinion of Fox, what I heard was disturbing, and if these people were actually reading it from the bill, there was cause for concern.
On the other hand, is it reasonable to think that even the "liberal" media would look the other way while Congress established death panels and based health care eligibility of someone's ability to contribute to society (i.e. their income)? I don't think so. But I had to ask, "is my opinion of what news source is reliable (my choice is CNN) and what is not based on my political opinions?" Possibly.
So I decided the best way to determine what these bills actually say (there are actually several versions of the health care bill in Congress) was to read them. Of course, I have a life and a job which makes reading these bills line-by-line a very difficult task. My solution was to search for key words such as "life" to find all references to such things as "end of life" or "stages of life." Other searches included "tax" and "income" to name a couple. I started with the 1000+ House bill and here is what I found so far:
The bill provides counseling for the various stages of life, including end of life counseling. While it makes this counseling available, it does not mandate it. I did not find anything regarding euthanasia or panels that would refuse care to someone based on their stage of life. On a personal note, I think that optional end of life counseling is a great idea. It can provide emotional support to people going through a very difficult time.
I also found mention of collecting people's tax information. This concerned me at first. After all, why would the government need to access my tax or income information when providing me health care? As I read, I understood that the information is to be used to determine someone's eligibility to pay for services versus subsidizing the costs with government funds. This sounded reasonable to me, although I can understand someone's reluctance to having their financial information combined with their health information in a database.
Of course, concerns over health care cannot be reduced to the two paragraphs above. The basic premise of this discussion is that we are all responsible for educating ourselves on the important issues of society today. Let's face it, all news outlets need good ratings to attract advertisers and make money. There is nothing wrong with that. What's wrong is letting the news media provide our opinions for us.
I don't know what those folks at the town hall meeting were quoting, though admittedly I have more to read. I have included the URL to the House bill I've looked at, and I encourage you to review it and let me know what you think.During a recent discussion with my brother on health care reform, he brought up a Fox... more
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What does it mean when something so serious goes by so quiet? Look at the invasion of Panama, look at the trillions the FED gave out without congressional oversight to banks
(friends), look at NAFTA and manufacturing in the U.S...... It means that people are about to experience great suffering for the profit of a few....What does it mean when something so serious goes by so quiet? Look at the invasion of... more
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When news first broke that North Carolina's ban wind turbines from being installed on mountains--on the grounds that they were too ugly--it generated some lively debate. But now, it appears the debate is over and the state senate has voted overwhelmingly in favor of the ban (a stunning 42 to1). And thus, large wind turbines will be left out cold--along with two thirds of the state's potential wind power capacity.
From Green Inc:
The 42-1 vote on Thursday represents the strongest stand against wind turbines taken by lawmakers in any state. The bill would amend a 1983 “ridge law” to allow only turbines that are 100 feet or smaller to be placed on ridgelines above 3,000 feet. This effectively bars industrial-sized turbines — which can reach several hundred feet in height — from the windy mountaintops.
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This is just plain stupid. Mountaintop removal is still legal there. Wind is "too ugly", but ripping the tops off the mountains is fine.When news first broke that North Carolina's ban wind turbines from being... more
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For years now, earmarking has been conducted behind the scenes, but the House and Senate recently required their membership to reveal earmark requests. The door to the smoke-filled room has been unlocked, and now we’re going to kick it down!
The problem is that earmark information is spread out across congressional Web sites, and it’s in many different formats. The solution? We’ve created a system for compiling earmark data in one place—actually, for you to compile it.
We want you to add earmarks to our database through our earmark entry form. Pick your hometown member of Congress or Senator, your favorite representative—or your least favorite—and put their earmarks in the database.
As we collect it, we’re going to make this information available to anyone who wants it—other Web sites, reporters, and researchers. Everyone in the country will be able to see who requests earmarks and where these taxpayer dollars go.For years now, earmarking has been conducted behind the scenes, but the House and... more
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sforte
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added this
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3 years ago
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President Barack Obama's student loan plan has been approved by the House Education Committee chairman, George Miller (D-Cali). For decades private banks have profited off of government student loans. But if Obama's student loan plan is approved, private insures will have no role in the lending process. The plan would save the government approximately $87 billion dollars over the next ten years. Despite the approval of Chairman Miller, the Bill will face heavy opposition from the private lending industry.President Barack Obama's student loan plan has been approved by the House... more
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Congress on Wednesday sent to President Obama a bill that makes it tougher for credit card issuers to raise fees and interest rates.
The move caps a years-long crusade by consumer groups and Democrats to rein in what they say are abusive practices that prey on consumers. The approval came despite strong objections by banking industry advocates, who say it could result in tightened credit to Americans.
The House voted 361-64 in favor and also approved by 279-147 an unrelated measure allowing people to carry guns into national parks.
The Senate passed the credit card bill, along with the unrelated gun measure, by a 90-5 vote on Tuesday.
President Obama will sign the bill on Friday, a White House spokeswoman told CNN.
The credit card rules would take effect in February. The bill is moderately tougher on banks and card issuers than are new Federal Reserve rules set to take effect July 2010.
(Full article at link)Congress on Wednesday sent to President Obama a bill that makes it tougher for credit... more
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islek
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added this
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3 years ago
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WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Democrats unveiled a $410 billion spending bill on Monday to keep the government running through the end of the fiscal year, setting up the second political struggle over federal funds in less than a month with Republicans.
The measure includes thousands of earmarks, the pet projects favored by lawmakers but often criticized by the public in opinion polls. There was no official total of the bill's earmarks, which accounted for at least $3.8 billion.
The legislation, which includes an increase of roughly 8 percent over spending in the last fiscal year, is expected to clear the House later in the week.
Democrats defended the spending increases, saying they were needed to make up for cuts enacted in recent years or proposed a year ago by then-President George W. Bush in health, education, energy and other programs.
Republicans countered that the spending in the bill far outpaced inflation, and amounted to much higher increases when combined with spending in the stimulus legislation that President Barack Obama signed last week. In a letter to top Democratic leaders, the GOP leadership called for a spending freeze, a step they said would point toward a "new standard of fiscal discipline."
Either way, the bill advanced less than one week after Obama signed the $787 billion economic stimulus bill that all Republicans in Congress opposed except for three moderate GOP senators.
Apart from spending, the legislation provides Democrats in Congress and Obama an opportunity to reverse Bush-era policy on selected issues.
It loosens restrictions on travel to Cuba, as well as the sale of food and medicine to the communist island-nation.
In another change, the legislation bans Mexican-licensed trucks from operating outside commercial zones along the border with the United States. The Teamsters Union, which supported Obama's election last year, hailed the move.
The Bush administration backed a pilot program to permit up to 500 trucks from 100 Mexican motor carriers access to U.S. roads.
The legislation covers programs for numerous Cabinet-levelWASHINGTON (AP) -- House Democrats unveiled a $410 billion spending bill on Monday to... more
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gooma2
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added this
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4 years ago
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If you call a spade a pitchfork, does it make the spade a pitchfork? No.
If you give government money to Corporate Banking bigwigs after they have run their company in the ground, and you call it a 'retention fee', does it make it somehow NOT a bonus? No.
Where is the outrage?
No retention fees from bailout money (or anything you decide to call it).If you call a spade a pitchfork, does it make the spade a pitchfork? No.
If you... more
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Whew! What a rollercoaster ride the House and Senate versions of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009 have been in recent weeks. “There’s too much pork and not enough tax cuts!” we hear from GOP members. And from the left come reprisals of “You’re hardly in a position to point fingers when it comes to overspending” and “Haven’t the last eight years demonstrated well enough that tax cuts don’t work?” Both sides claim to be pushing for jobs creation and yet have different opinions on what constitutes “jobs.”
Proponents of Education have watched the sparring with wringing hands and petitions flying as spending on Education got whacked, and then replaced, then whacked again and now half remains on the cutting room floor waiting for the two houses of government to meld their tentatively approved plans together into something the President can sign.Whew! What a rollercoaster ride the House and Senate versions of the American Recovery... more
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"The US House of Representatives has passed President Barack Obama's $825bn (£576bn) economic stimulus package.
Passed by 244 votes to 188, no Republicans backed the plan, saying it was too expensive and would not work.
It must now be approved by the Senate, where it could face stiff opposition as the Democrats have a slimmer majority.
After the vote, Mr Obama urged members of Congress not to 'drag our feet or allow the same partisan differences to get in our way'.
The president has said his package, which he hopes to sign into law next month, would help create a favourable climate for American business to thrive.
The bill would cut taxes for people and businesses by $275bn, while pumping more than $540bn into a range of initiatives including road and bridge repair, increased unemployment benefits, investment in new technology and renovations to 10,000 schools.""The US House of Representatives has passed President Barack Obama's $825bn... more
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You just got Rick Rolled.. By Nancy Pelosi?!
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Rahm Emanuel might be the President-elect’s right hand man, but Nancy Pelosi is the leader of the House and she’s not letting him forget it. The Speaker has laid down some ground rules what she expects from Obama, the biggie being no backdoor efforts around her and party leaders to cut deals with moderate Democrats. And just make sure that doesn’t happen, she wants to known when and why representatives of the White House have any contact with rank-and-file Democrats. Pelosi, who helped make Emanuel a national figure, is trying to avoid the situation Dennis Hastert found himself in during much of the Bush Administration.Rahm Emanuel might be the President-elect’s right hand man, but Nancy Pelosi is... more
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The Louisiana man who Saturday became the first Vietnamese-American elected to the House says he hopes his win will push more young people to become politically active.
"I am very honored and at this point, somewhat speechless to be the first Vietnamese-American congressman," Anh "Joseph" Cao told CNN on Sunday. "But I also hope that many of our young people will consider being more politically active and being move involved in the community. Because as you can see, really anything can happen."
The Republican defeated nine-term Democratic Rep. William Jefferson in the mostly African-American and heavily Democratic New Orleans-area district. Jefferson had been expected to win a 10th term despite battling scandals and a federal indictment for the past three years.
The contest, which drew a light turnout, was delayed until Saturday after Hurricane Gustav swept through southern Louisiana in late August. Had the vote been held during the November 4 general election, Jefferson -- who is black -- may have benefited from the heavy African-American voter turnout for Barack Obama.
Cao conceded that low voter turnout aided his victory.
"We were hoping for a low turnout because it would provide us with the greater chance of winning," said Cao, a lawyer and community activist. "Based on the demographics of the district, a high voter turnout would have gone to our disadvantage."
Cao also may have been helped by the scandal that has plagued Jefferson. Jefferson, who pleaded not guilty to 16 criminal counts of racketeering, bribery, money laundering and obstruction of justice, denies any wrongdoing.
In 2005, Jefferson's private homes in Washington and New Orleans were raided, and FBI agents say they found $90,000 in cash stashed in one of his freezers.
Officials say the money was part of a payment in marked bills from an FBI informant in a transaction captured on videotape. Jefferson also is accused of soliciting and receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes for himself and his family in exchange for promoting their products and services to countries in Africa.
Cao said he came to the United States at the age of 8 after his family fled Vietnam as it fell to communists.
"When I [was] 9 years old, I received a letter from my father while he was in the re-education camp," Cao said. "He told me to study hard, to work hard and to give back to your country and to your community. So I hope to do that in Congress."The Louisiana man who Saturday became the first Vietnamese-American elected to the... more
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Innovative biodegrable bottles, as harmless as the water they contain, to replace conventional plastic containers
On September 23, at a press conference at the Longworth Cafeteria, the House of Representatives will announce that it will no longer offer "traditional" bottled water in any of its dining facilities. Instead, the House's food vendor, Restaurant Associates, will begin selling water in biodegradable, corn-based bottles as part of the House's Green the Capitol Initiative.
The House sells over 100,000 bottles of water a year. In the past, purchasers of those bottles have been encouraged to recycle them through the House's recycling program, administered by the Architect of the Capitol (AOC).Innovative biodegrable bottles, as harmless as the water they contain, to replace... more
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It was widely publicized that Congress had very low approval ratings coming into the election. According to these polls, it has been hovering between 15% and 20%.
So, with these low approval ratings, how did they fare?It was widely publicized that Congress had very low approval ratings coming into the... more
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This would be not more of the same: "Representative Henry A. Waxman wrested the chairmanship of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee from Representative John D. Dingell on Thursday in a coup that is expected to accelerate passage of energy, climate and health legislation backed by President-elect Barack Obama."This would be not more of the same: "Representative Henry A. Waxman wrested the... more
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The U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday passed a landmark consumer protection measure aimed at leveling the playing field for credit card users.
The Democratic-controlled House voted 312-112, mostly along partisan lines, to support the Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights. The vote came amid a tumultuous week for Wall Street and the credit markets and days before Congress considers an administration plan for a $700 billion bailout of mortgage lenders.
The banking industry was quick to condemn the passage and issued a statement within minutes of the vote. The bill, "while well-intentioned, will increase the cost of credit for consumers and small businesses across the country, result in less access to credit for consumers and businesses alike, and may further roil the securities markets -- all at a time when our economy can least afford it," Edward Yingling, president and CEO of the American Bankers Association, said in a statement. JP Morgan Chase, the No. 2 U.S. credit card issuer, expressed disappointment at the House vote.
The White House issued a statement Monday expressing opposition to the bill. Although the administration is "concerned about unfair and deceptive credit card practices," they felt curbing abuses was a task best left to the Fed: "Regulations are better suited to addressing these problems than legislation because they can be adapted more readily to changes in market conditions."The U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday passed a landmark consumer protection... more
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