usdemocrats.com political news weblog
MAY 2008
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usdemocrats.com political news weblog
MAY 2008
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Iraqi lawmakers visiting Iran
to discuss ’sufficient evidence’ of Iranian backing
for militias in Iraq -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — Iraqi lawmakers were making a “brief” visit to Iran to confront officials there with “sufficient evidence of Iran’s support for militias and outlaws in Iraq,” an Iraqi prime minister’s adviser told CNN. Sami al-Askari, an adviser to Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, said parliament members from the ruling United Iraqi Alliance (UIA), the Shiite coalition, left for Tehran on Wednesday for meetings. He said the delegation intends to discuss how Iran’s training and arming of militias is harmful for Iraq and also Iran as a neighbor. While he said it is “likely” the lawmakers will meet with “security officials linked to Iraq,” they are also seeking a meeting with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader. They don’t have plans to meet with
Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, whose Mehdi Army militia members
are said to be battling U.S. and Iraqi forces in Sadr City. Al-Sadr
is in Iran. |
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Report: Tehran protesting
Hillary Clinton’s tough talk on Iran -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (CNN) — The Iranian government is protesting remarks from Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton — who said the United States could “totally obliterate” Iran if it made a nuclear attack on Israel, an Iranian news outlet reported on Thursday. The state-run Islamic Republic News Agency said Iran sent a letter of protest, dated Wednesday, to the United Nations and the U.N. Security Council over remarks it calls “provocative, unwarranted and irresponsible.” Clinton told ABC’s “Good Morning
America” that “I want the Iranians to know that if
I’m the president, we will attack Iran (if it attacked Israel).” |
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Guam prepares for presidential
caucus -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- read at source> http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200804/s2230991.htm?tab=latest
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I really need your support
today. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The April financial reporting deadline is at midnight tonight, and the media and superdelegates, whose backing we need, will be watching closely. Your support will strengthen our efforts before Tuesday's primaries in North Carolina and Indiana, but it will also help build our movement in all 50 states as we prepare for the general election. Senator Clinton just launched another round of false attack ads in Indiana and North Carolina, and she's determined to continue her negative campaign until we close out the primary season. In the meantime, we need to prepare ourselves to face similar tactics from Senator McCain. Make a donation of $25 today to help us fight this two-front battle and show our strength before tonight's deadline: https://donate.barackobama.com/match If you make a contribution before midnight tonight, a fellow supporter -- who has already donated in April -- will match your gift and double your impact. You can even choose to exchange a note with this person about why you're supporting this campaign. Make a donation of $25 today and own a piece of this movement before the April reporting deadline: https://donate.barackobama.com/match Thank you for your support, Barack |
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Look in the Mirror: President
Fails to Accept Responsibility for Failed Policies -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Read more here +>> http://majorityleader.house.gov/docUploads/Look-in-the-mirror-econ.pdf
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Senator Obama wants to close
out this race before -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This race isn't decided yet, no matter what the Obama campaign would like you to think. After our big win in Pennsylvania, more Americans have voted for me than for any other candidate. And just next week, we've got races in North Carolina (where Governor Mike Easley endorsed me yesterday) and Indiana (where we're in a tight race right next door to Senator Obama's home state). But before those big races on May 6, we're facing a critical deadline. Tonight at midnight, we close the books on our April fundraising -- and the number we report has the power to shape the story of this election. I can't put it any stronger than this: every dollar we bring in by midnight tonight can make the difference in this race. That's why some of my active supporters have agreed to match contributions from new donors made before the midnight deadline. And because your contribution is matched, it's worth twice as much -- every $25 gift is worth $50. Even a $5 gift is twice as valuable. If you've never made a gift online, there will never be a better time than right now. Contribute before our midnight deadline,
and your gift is worth twice as much. Over the course of this campaign, I have relied on you and hundreds of thousands of people just like you. Your time, your hard work, your generosity, and your heart have all sustained me through the ups and downs of this incredible journey. Some people, including my opponent, would like to declare this race over. They want you and me to just give up. Why? Because every time they think we're out of it we come roaring back -- and now we have a clear path to victory. Our first step on this path is to show that our campaign is as strong as it has ever been. We have until midnight tonight to get every dollar in the door before our April fundraising deadline. And if you give before midnight tonight, your gift is doubled thanks to our matching program. Double your impact and help us win by contributing before the midnight deadline. I want to thank you for your personal and powerful involvement in this race. It makes such a difference to me to know you're a part of our campaign.
Sincerely, |
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C-SPAN Daily Alert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- C-SPAN Highlights Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: * Sens. Clinton (D-NY) & Obama (D-IL)
at NC Democratic Party - Fri., C-SPAN, 8pm ET LIVE * Newspaper Articles & Viewer Calls * The Senate opened debate Wednesday on a major aviation policy overhaul with an argument over proposed changes in airline pension rules that key senators warned could threaten the solvency of some major airlines...- Full Story at www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight/ * How many House Republicans represent
districts that favored Democrat John Kerry for president in 2004?
- Answer at www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight/ |
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Thanks to you, we're putting
a new ad on the air in Indiana and North Carolina responding
to Senator Clinton's attacks ahead of next Tuesday's primary. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It's only possible because of the outpouring of support we received from supporters like you before tonight's financial reporting deadline. The topic is a pressing issue in the race right now: how to solve the energy crisis and get gas prices under control. The ad shows Barack at his best, cutting through the Washington gimmicks and talking about real solutions. I hope you take a look now: Video: New Gas Prices Ad http://my.barackobama.com/gasprices Both Senator McCain and Senator Clinton have demanded that we suspend the gas tax, which would not lower gas prices -- experts say it's likely to increase the amount that oil companies charge for gas. Economists on both the Democratic and Republican sides have called the McCain-Clinton proposal a "gimmick" and "pointless." Clinton aides even bragged to the Washington Post that the plan is just a political ploy to help their candidate sound like she's against Big Oil. Watch the ad that you helped air and see how Barack addresses this important issue: http://my.barackobama.com/gasprices Thanks for helping us share this important issue with the voters of Indiana and North Carolina. David David Plouffe |
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FLOOR SCHEDULE FOR THURSDAY,
MAY 1, 2008 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
House Meets At…
Last Vote Predicted…
10:00 a.m.: Legislative Business
Five “One Minutes” Per Side 3:00 p.m.
H.Res. 1167 - Providing for consideration
of motions to suspend the Rules (Rep. Slaughter – Rules) H.R. 493 – Genetic Information Nondiscrimination
Act as Amended (Rep. Slaughter – Education and Labor) (Subject
to a Rule)
Suspensions (3 Bills): 1) H.Con.Res. ___ - To make technical correction in the enrollment of H.R. 493 - Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (Rep. George Miller (CA) – Education and Labor) 2) H.R. 5715 - To ensure continued availability
of access to the Federal student loan program for students and
families as Amended (Rep. George Miller (CA) – Education
and Labor) 3) S. ___ - A bill to provide for a temporary extension of programs authorized by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Rep. Peterson – Agriculture)
Kind Motion to Instruct Conferees on H.R.
2419 - Food and Energy Security Act of 2007
Ryan (WI) Motion to Instruct Conferees
on H.R. 2419 - Food and Energy Security Act of 2007
Postponed Vote on Flake Motion to Instruct
Conferees on H.R. 2419 Food and Energy Security Act of 2007
Postponed Suspension Vote (1) 1) H.Con.Res. 308 - Authorizing the use
of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers’
Memorial Service (Rep. Norton - Transportation and Infrastructure) |
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Poll shows Obama ahead with
NJ Democrats -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- read at source> http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/n....0,5458012.story
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Top Michigan Democrats suggest
splitting delegates -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- read at source> http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/index.ssf....st=newsmichigan
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Democrats prepare for 5-year
anniversary of "Mission Accomplished" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- read at source> http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/0....complished.html
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Hillary Clinton Super-D/Bill
Clinton DNC chair Switches to Obama -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Liberal group goes after McCain
over Iraq remark -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Obama Catches Up In Support
From Hill |
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Clinton, Obama pick up new
superdelegates -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Obama gains support of 2 key
superdelegates -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Obama picks up three superdelegates;
Clinton adds one from Pa. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Kennedy voice speaks for Obama -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Report Slams US Food Safety
System -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Record gas prices boost Exxon
Mobil earnings to second-highest profit on record -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Record gas prices lifted Exxon Mobil earnings sharply higher in the first quarter — to the second highest U.S. corporate profit on record — but the nation’s largest oil company still fell short of Wall Street expectations Thursday. The company posted first-quarter net income of $10.89 billion, or $2.03 a share. That’s up 17 percent from the $9.28 billion, or $1.62 a share it earned a year earlier, but it missed the earnings per share consensus forecast of $2.14 from analysts surveyed by earnings tracker First Call. Revenue hit $116.85 billion, up 34 percent from a year earlier when sales hit $87.2 billion, but it fell short of forecasts of $124.4 billion. The profit was still enough to be the second
highest U.S. corporate profit on record, falling just short of
the record $11.66 billion Exxon Mobil earned in the fourth quarter.
The profit came to $1,385 a second, enough to buy nearly 382
gallons of gas at current prices. |
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Obama says he grew up less
privileged than rivals -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Millions vote in the local
elections in UK -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Clinton Talks to Fox TV About
Obama and Wright -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Senator proposes ban on U.S.
funding of Iraq reconstruction projects -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — A powerful Democratic senator Wednesday proposed a ban on U.S. funding of Iraqi reconstruction projects costing more than $2 million. “American taxpayers are paying for
too many things in Iraq that the Iraqis ought to pay for out
of their surplus,” said Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan, who
chairs the Senate Armed Services committee. |
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Pakistan’s new government
has reached an agreement on restoring judges -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CNN) — Pakistan’s new government plans to announce Friday how and when it will restore dozens of judges who were ousted last year by President Pervez Musharraf. “The nation will hear very good news tomorrow on the issue of the restoration of judges,” Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) spokesman Wasif Syed said Thursday. In the wake of an emergency order that Musharraf issued last November, at least 60 judges were arrested — some jailed, others placed under house arrest. The arrests included nearly all of the justices on Pakistan’s Supreme Court, which was set to rule against the legitimacy of Musharraf’s third term in office. He had been re-elected president just a month earlier by a parliament that critics contend was stacked with his supporters. –From CNN’s Reza Sayah |
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Congress looking at impact
of food inflation on families -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNNMoney.com) — A joint committee of Congress on Thursday started scrutinizing the impact of rising food costs on middle-class families already stung by rising gas prices. Americans spent an average of $1,926 on groceries per person in 2007, a 4.2 percent increase from the prior year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The department projects another 4.5 percent increase in 2008, to $2,013. “The anxiety felt over higher food prices is going to be just as widespread, and will equal or surpass, the anger and frustrations so many Americans have about higher gas prices,” said Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York, chairman of the Joint Economic Committee. Dr. Joseph Glauber, chief economist for
the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is expected to testify, as
well as George Braley, senior vice president of America’s
Second Harvest and Tom Buis, president of the National Farmer’s
Union. |
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Feds target “unfair”
and “deceptive” credit-card practices -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Federal regulators are pushing ahead to stop abuses by credit card issuers at a time when the $2 trillion industry has come under increasing scrutiny. On Thursday, the Office of Thrift Supervision, responsible for overseeing the nation’s savings and loans, endorsed a seven-point plan to tackle “unfair” and “deceptive” practices by companies that issue credit cards. The plan would allow consumers more time to pay their monthly bill. It would prevent companies from applying interest-rate increases retroactively to pre-existing balances. And it would ban “double cycle billing,” a practice that computes finance charges based on previous billing cycles. “Today’s proposal addresses practices
that have raised concern about fairness and transparency,”
the office said. |
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Iraqi lawmakers visit Iran
to discuss ‘evidence’ of Iranian backing for militias
in Iraq -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From CNN’s Jomana Karadsheh BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — Iraqi lawmakers were making a “brief” visit to Iran to confront officials there with “sufficient evidence of Iran’s support for militias and outlaws in Iraq,” Iraqi officials said Thursday. The delegation arrived in Tehran, the Islamic Republic’s state-run news agency IRNA said, and its members were meeting with Iranian officials to discuss Iraqi security issues. Sami al-Askari, an adviser to Prime Minister
Nuri al-Maliki, said parliament members from the ruling United
Iraqi Alliance (UIA), the Shiite coalition, intend to discuss
how Iran’s training and arming of militias is harmful for
Iraq — and for Iran as a neighbor. This comes amid comments
on Wednesday from U.S. military officials that the Iraqi government
has evidence of Iranian support to militants in Iraq. |
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Al-Jazeera cameraman released
from Guantanamo -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (CNN) — Al-Jazeera cameraman Sami al-Hajj arrived in the Sudanese capital Khartoum early Friday after nearly six years in the U.S. Navy prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. “I was so happy that I cried,” al-Hajj told the Arabic news network by phone from his hospital room, where he was taken after arriving at the airport. “It is our right to be happy and to rejoice, but we also miss our brothers that we left behind and who live in very difficult conditions.” Al-Hajj, a Sudanese citizen in his late 30s, was captured in Afghanistan in December 2001 by Pakistani intelligence officers and handed over to the United States, which accused him of being an “enemy combatant.” Al-Jazeera, the Qatar-based network, said he was on a legitimate assignment and was carrying a work visa at the time of his capture. He was released on Thursday, a senior Pentagon
official aware of the details of the release told CNN, and Al-Jazeera
reported he was taken to Al-Amal Hospital. |
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Poll shows Democrats almost
evenly split on Clinton-Obama race -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — A new national poll suggests the battle for the Democratic presidential nomination between Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama is a virtual tie, and that Democrats’ enthusiasm for both candidates may be fading. Forty-six percent of registered Democratic voters questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Thursday support Obama as their party’s nominee and 45 percent back Clinton, a statistical dead heat when taking into account the poll’s 4.5 percent sampling error on that question. “In mid-March, Obama had a 52 percent-to-45 percent edge over Clinton, but his support has dropped 6 points while she has not gained any ground,” said CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. He adds that “6 percent now volunteer that they want neither one to be the nominee; no Democrats in the March poll felt that way.” A separate question showed that the number
of Democrats who would feel enthusiastic if Clinton were the
nominee has fallen from 45 percent in January to 38 percent in
March to 33 percent now. Enthusiasm for an Obama victory has
also dropped, from 45 percent in March to 36 percent now. |
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Dems tout their blue-collar
appeal -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (CNN) — The Democratic presidential hopefuls are trying to woo working class voters as they rally support for next week’s contests in Indiana and North Carolina. Sen. Hillary Clinton is trying to solidify her hold on blue-collar voters, while Sen. Barack Obama is trying to pull more of them over to his side. Analysts say the blue-collar vote could tip the primary either way. Both candidates are targeting Indiana on Thursday. Obama is speaking from a barn near South Bend and on a family’s front lawn in LaPorte, and Clinton is focusing on jobs at her stops in Indianapolis, Jeffersonville and Terre Haute. Clinton started her day Wednesday driving
to work with a sheet metal worker. The rest of her day was filled
with blue-collar imagery — lunch with workers, stops at
gas pumps and tours of factories. |
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Military encourages troops
to seek mental health assistance -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (CNN) — Military officials Thursday encouraged U.S. troops to seek help for combat-related mental health issues, saying that under a new policy, it will not preclude their receiving security clearance. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, speaking to reporters at Fort Bliss, Texas, announced the policy a day after a survey showed that American soldiers fear that seeking mental health assistance might harm their military careers. Before his announcement, Gates visited a Fort Bliss center that treats soldiers who return from war with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Under the new Department of Defense policy, troops and civilian employees will not be required to reveal previous mental health treatment when seeking security clearance unless the treatment was court-ordered or involved violence, Gates said. “Our people deserve the best mental
health care we can provide without fear of hurting their career
in the long run,” said Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff, in a DOD statement. |
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“Mission Accomplished”
Sad Reminder of Bush Administration Failures -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON, DC – House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today, which marks the fifth anniversary of President Bush’s speech aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln under a banner reading “Mission Accomplished:” “Five years ago today, President Bush climbed out of a Navy jet, walked onto the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln, posed for the cameras beneath a MISSION ACCOMPLISHED banner, and declared: 'Major combat operations in Iraq have ended.' “If only the President had been correct. Instead, his pronouncement was tragically and egregiously wrong – as so many of his statements and judgments on Iraq have been – and it haunts our nation to this very day. “In the five years after President Bush declared victory, nearly 4,000 Americans have died in Iraq – including 48 in April, the highest casualty rate since last September. And since this war began, another 30,000 of our brave servicemen and women have been wounded; the American taxpayer has poured more than $600 billion into this failing war effort – which has no end in sight; and our military readiness has been severely strained. We actually have more troops on the ground in Iraq today than we did on May 1, 2003. “The tremendous courage and sacrifice of our armed forces in the field has not been matched with a strategy for success by our Commander in Chief and top civilian leaders. In fact, Iraq remains a shattered country. Reconstruction projects sit delayed or abandoned. Shells continue to pound the Green Zone. Progress seems contingent on the willingness of militia leaders to stand down. And political reconciliation is still a distant hope. “Five years ago, and thousands of lost lives ago, President Bush declared: 'Our nation is more secure. . . . The tyrant has fallen, and Iraq is free.' We all wish that this were true. But Iraq is still not free – not from fear, bloodshed, or the sectarian violence that remains a fact of life for millions. “History will forever remember President Bush’s rash, inaccurate remarks, no matter how hard the Administration tried to backpedal and make excuses today. We all hope that the weeks and months ahead will be marked by a renewed focus on the fight against al-Qaeda, a commitment to restore our armed forces’ readiness, and a new direction in Iraq.”
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Genetic Information Nondiscrimination
Act -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "I strongly support this historic, bipartisan legislation – the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) – which is the product of more than a dozen years of work and which is long overdue. "The simple fact is, this bill will protect individuals from being discriminated against – by both insurers and employers – on the basis of genetic information. "Under this legislation, employers will not be allowed to consider genetic information when making decisions about hiring, firing, promotions and job assignments. Nor will insurers be allowed to consider genetic information when making decisions about eligibility, premium levels, and applying pre-existing condition exclusions to policies. "In other words, insurers cannot raise premiums or deny coverage based on genetic information. "These prohibitions will not only protect individuals from discrimination, but also will trigger advances in genetic research. "More than one-third of people with a family history of a disease have declined to participate in studies on genetic testing – because they are afraid their genetic information will be misused. "This legislation provides critical safeguards and protections for that information, and, as a result, will contribute greatly to the advancement of personalized medicine. "The NIH National Human Genome Research Institute, for example, has said that it believes legislation that provides comprehensive protection against all forms of genetic discrimination is needed to make sure that biomedical research continues to advance. "We need GINA to make sure that the Human Genome Project reaches its full potential. "Furthermore, let me note that the more than 500 proponents of this legislation include diverse groups such as the Cleveland Clinic, Eli Lily, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Family Physicians and the National Education Association. "These groups and organizations believe that this legislation will help usher in an age of genetic medicine in which DNA tests might help predict if a person is at risk of a disease, and encourage people to take action to prevent it. "This landmark legislation’s protections will help enable our medical and scientific communities to improve their vital research and potentially make critical medical breakthroughs that will improve the quality of life for this generation and future ones."
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Asian Pacific American Heritage
Month -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “This month, we celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, an opportunity to honor the contributions of 15.9 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. During May, we will mark two important anniversaries in the history of this vibrant community: the arrival in the U.S. of the first Japanese immigrants, on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad—due in large part to the hard work of Chinese immigrants—on May 10, 1869. For more than a century and a half, the story of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders has been an integral part of the American story. At every stage, and in every walk of life, they have contributed so much to the success of our nation. “The AAPI community—one of our fastest-growing—embraces a diverse range of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. It includes more than 320,000 veterans, more than 48,000 brave troops who have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001, more than 1.1 million small business owners, and leaders in fields from education to the arts to public service. “As we celebrate their contributions, Congress is also working hard to improve the lives of Asian American and Pacific Islander families, along with all American families. Small-business tax credits, part of the recent economic stimulus package, will help the millions of AAPI-owned businesses. And last year, Congress raised the minimum wage, benefiting more than 250,000 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and helped cut the cost of college for the more than 176,000 AAPI students enrolled in degree-granting institutions. “May Asian Pacific American Heritage Month inspire all of us to reflect on our shared history, and to work harder toward bettering our shared future.”
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C-SPAN Special Alert! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pulitzer Prize Winner Alice Walker Live on In Depth, Sunday, Noon - 3 pm ET This Sunday on Book TV on C-SPAN2, Alice Walker will be our guest for In Depth, LIVE Noon - 3 pm ET. Ms. Walker is the author of over twenty-five books including “The Third Life of Grange Copeland,” “Living by the Word,” “Warrior,” “In Search of Our Mothers' Gardens,” “Anything We Love Can Be Saved,” “We Are the Ones We Have Been Waiting For” and “The Color Purple,” which won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction and the National Book Award in 1983. E-mail your questions before the program
to booktv@c-span.org, or participate during the program by calling
in. |
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Jewish American Heritage Month -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Throughout the month of May, we recognize the third annual Jewish American Heritage Month, an opportunity to reflect on the long history of Jewish Americans and to celebrate their many contributions to our nation. “The first Jewish Americans arrived in 1654 looking for a place where they could practice their faith freely, joining a nation of immigrants that placed the highest value on liberty and equality. Even in the face of intolerance and prejudice, Jewish Americans have developed a strong community and become an integral part of our society. This nation is a better place as a result of their hard work in numerous fields, including art, medicine, law, public service, and science. “Without the leadership and contributions of Jewish Americans, this nation would not be what it is today. Their history and the history of the United States are inextricably intertwined, and we honor the role they have played in shaping our country. “This week we are also recognizing the Days of Remembrance, our annual commemoration of the victims of the Holocaust. These days are set aside so that we may all reflect on the horrors that occurred over half a century ago, and remind ourselves of why we must never be indifferent to the forces of hatred and intolerance.”
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C-SPAN Daily Alert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- C-SPAN Highlights Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: * Sens. Clinton (D-NY) & Obama (D-IL)
at NC Democratic Party Dinner - Fri., C-SPAN, 8pm ET LIVE * Newspaper Articles * Landmark legislation banning discrimination based on genetic information moved within steps of enactment Thursday. The bill, which President Bush is expected to sign, passed the House by 414-1,...- Full Story at www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight/ * How many Republican senators are running
this year? - Answer at www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight/ |
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Hoyer Applauds FTC Announcement
to Strengthen Protections Against Manipulation of Gas Prices -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “With gas prices breaking records daily, I welcome the announcement by the Federal Trade Commission that it will move forward in fulfilling its statutory obligation to protect consumers against illegal market manipulation by the oil industry. American families and businesses struggling with rising fuel costs deserve the guarantee that record prices are not the result of such manipulation. The FTC’s announcement is a good first step that I hope is followed by a commitment to conduct vigorous oversight and enforcement against anticompetitive practices. “Meanwhile, Democrats continue to fight for other measures to address rising fuel costs, such as cracking down on price gouging, holding OPEC accountable for price fixing, and repealing subsidies to the Big 5 oil companies. The multi-billion dollar profits reported for the first quarter of 2008 by these corporations - while Americans pay record prices at the pump - amounts to nothing less than an embarrassment of riches. It makes little sense to continue this policy. “The Democratic Congress has passed legislation to repeal these unnecessary subsidies and instead invest in clean, alternative and renewable energy sources and energy efficiency. Doing so is necessary to becoming more energy independent and ensuring American pocketbooks aren’t beholden to a volatile oil market. We are already paying the price of a misguided energy policy; it’s time for a new direction.” FTC letter below. May 2, 2008 The Honorable Steny H. Hoyer Dear Congressman Hoyer: Thank you for the letter of April 25, 2008, from you and your House colleagues about the Federal Trade Commission's new authority, under Section 811 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of2007, regarding manipulation in wholesale crude oil, gasoline, or petroleum distillate markets. Today, the Commission will make public an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR), and our goal is to complete the Rulemaking process this year. We look forward to working with you and your colleagues as this Rule making moves forward. Our staff has worked hard to move as speedily as possible. To date, an FTC task force has examined the development and use of anti-manipulation authority by other federal agencies, as well as by the states; met with other government officials (including the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and the Securities and Exchange Commission); and, undertaken other tasks, both substantive and administrative, in connection with this legislation. The ANPR announces a comment period of 30 days, following which the agency expects expeditiously to analyze the comments received, draft a proposed rule, and issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPR), with a 30-day comment period. We appreciate your efforts to combat high and volatile gasoline prices, and we will keep you apprised of significant developments throughout the Rulemaking process. The learning that will accompany the ANPRINPR process is crucial. The Commission has not previously sought to develop a legal definition of the term "manipulation" or prosecuted a case alleging manipulation. Moreover, there are challenges involved in appropriately applying this broad concept to markets that, unlike electricity or natural gas, are not subject to comprehensive regulatory, disclosure, or reporting regimes. The pursuit of a case alleging manipulation in wholesale markets for crude oil, gasoline, or distillates may encounter other complexities arising from the differences between such products and the other markets in which manipulation cases have been brought, but we hope to overcome those challenges as we avail ourselves of the methods and opportunities contemplated by the ANPR/NPR procedures. Specifically, we believe that there is no better way to generate meaningful comments that will assist in our development of a workable rule for the benefit of the American public. Enclosed please find a copy of the ANPR which we expect to be published in the Federal Register on Monday, May 5, 2008. The Commission greatly appreciates your interest in this topic. Please feel free to contact Chairman Kovacic at any time with any additional questions or comments, or have your staff call Jeanne Bumpus, the Director of our Office of Congressional Relations, at (202) 326-2195. Sincerely, William E. Kovacic Pamela Jones Harbour Jon Leibowitz J. Thomas Rosch
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In every state across the
country, there are thousands of qualified voters who are not
registered to vote. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Some believe their vote doesn't matter, some have been actively disenfranchised, and some have been overlooked or excluded by a broken system that has lost touch with the concerns of ordinary Americans. Barack and I entered this race because we believe there's a chance to change that. From the beginning, our goal has been to reach out to people of all races, ages, and backgrounds and bring them back into the political process. We must use the rare opportunity we have right now to bring people together and make this a better country for all Americans. That's why I'm excited to announce a 50-state voter registration and mobilization drive we're calling Vote for Change. Beginning with a nationwide kick-off on Saturday, May 10th, more than 100 Vote for Change events will take place in every state, organized by our dedicated volunteers who are leading this campaign for change in their own communities. Sign up to get involved now: http://my.barackobama.com/voteforchange This campaign is about the change in all of us -- it's about demanding that we live in a different world and being ready to fight for the vision that we have for our children. And that starts with being engaged and engaging others. If you're reading this, you're already somewhat engaged in this campaign. But if your experience is anything like mine, you know at least 20 other people who are not engaged, who are not focused on politics, and who may not vote in November. If we are going to change this country, the change must come from the bottom up. That means reaching out in your community, in your circle of friends, and even in your family. You can help get new people involved in the process so together we can finally solve the problems that this country faces. Join Vote for Change today and start registering and mobilizing voters: http://my.barackobama.com/voteforchange Throughout this campaign, we've seen millions of Americans get involved who have never been interested in politics, never volunteered on a campaign, and many who have never even registered to vote before. And some of our greatest successes have been recent. Voter registration drives organized and conducted by supporters like you have registered more than 200,000 new Democrats in Pennsylvania, more than 165,000 new Democrats in North Carolina, and more than 150,000 new Democrats in Indiana. Those numbers just scratch the surface of what's possible. And that's why Barack needs you. He needs regular folks, engaged not just with their dollars, but also with their energy. If you get involved with Vote for Change now, you can help equip enough people in this country with the tools necessary to bring about the kind of change we so desperately need. Politics in this country can no longer be the way it's been: divided, isolated and cynical. We know in our hearts it can be so much better. We've already come this far, and this nation-wide voter registration and mobilization drive is the next step. Be a part of Vote for Change, bring move voices into the political process, and help America move toward a future filled with hope: http://my.barackobama.com/voteforchange Thank you for getting involved, Michelle |
|
Senate approves two-week farm
law extension -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN0143652720080501 |
|
Senate Clears Bill On Student
Lending -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120959989839057851.html?mod=googlenews_wsj |
|
Florida Senate Rejects Ultrasound
Bill -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Senate Bill Would Authorize
$612.5 Billion for Defense Next Year -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Guam Democrats All Set For
May 3 Caucus -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Hispanic Caucus stands up
to right-wing on immigration -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Pew: Obama Losing White Working
Class Dems To Hillary In Landslide -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Democrats Convene Economic
Experts To Discuss Path Forward -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Labor Suffers Broad Losses
in British Local Elections -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Polls show voters drift to
Clinton ahead of next primaries -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
NYC congressman charged with
DWI outside DC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Should the Politicians Raise
the Gas Tax? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Barack Obama is the choice
of free-agent donors -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Small donors increase impact -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
U.S. economy loses 20,000
jobs in April -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Employers trimmed jobs in April for the fourth straight month, according to a government report Friday that was not quite as weak as Wall Street expectations. There was a net loss of 20,000 jobs in the month, according to the Labor Department, compared to the revised loss of 81,000 jobs in March. Economists surveyed by Briefing.com had forecast a loss of 75,000 jobs in April. The unemployment rate slipped to 5% from
the 5.1% reading in March. Economists had been forecasting unemployment
would rise to 5.2% in the latest report. |
|
How Much Did Rumsfeld Know? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- read at source> http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1736831,00.html?cnn=yes Ricardo Sanchez, the commander of U.S.
Forces in Iraq in 2003-2004, has written a new memoir, Wiser
in Battle: A Soldier's Story, an account of his life and his
service in Iraq. Sanchez was a three-star general — and
the military's senior Hispanic officer — when he led U.S.
forces in the first year of the war. He was relieved of his command
by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld in 2004 following the
revelations of the abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison. In
2005, Marine General Peter Pace, the new chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff, called him to say his career was over and he
wouldn't get the promotion to a full general — four stars
— that Sanchez says he was promised. Six months later, at
Rumsfeld's request, he showed up at the Pentagon for a meeting
with the defense secretary shortly before retiring. In this exclusive
excerpt, Sanchez details what happened next: |
|
Poll: More disapprove of Bush
than any other president -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- read at source> http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/01/bush.poll/index.html By Paul Steinhauser WASHINGTON DC (CNN) -- A new poll suggests
that President Bush is the most unpopular president in modern
American history. |
|
Obama Wins The Media While
Clinton Moves Up In The Polls -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Panel considers to subpoena
Rove -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- read at source> http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/02/rove.subpoena.ap/index.html WASHINGTON (AP) -- The House Judiciary
Committee threatened Thursday to subpoena former White House
adviser Karl Rove if he does not agree by May 12 to testify about
former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman's corruption case. |
|
Massachusetts superdelegate
backs Obama -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Clinton endorsed by Indiana's
largest newspaper -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Former DNC Chairman Backs
Obama -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Shiite imam calls for abolition
of militias in Iraq -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BAGHDAD (CNN) — A top Iraqi political figure — who also is an imam at a prominent Shiite mosque in Baghdad — urged the abolition of militias, decried the persistent clashes in Sadr City, and lashed out against pervasive corruption there that he said was generated by followers of anti-American Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. Sheikh Jalal al-Din Ali al-Saghir spoke at Buratha Mosque on Friday, the day Muslims gather at mosques for prayers and sermons. As is typical of sermons in Shiite mosques, religious topics dominated the beginning of the address and political talk followed. Al-Saghir is a member of parliament, representing the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI), and is the most senior representative in Baghdad of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, arguably the most influential Shiite cleric in Iraq. His political group dominates the Iraqi security forces and has been fighting members of a rival Shiite group, al-Sadr’s Mehdi Army militia. –From CNN’s Mohammed Tawfeeq |
|
Poll: 70 percent in U.S. think
things are going badly -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — The vast majority of Americans think things are going badly in the country, according to a new poll. Seven-in-10 people questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Friday say things are going badly, with only 30 percent saying things are going well. “It’s been 16 years since the public gave the country’s condition such a bad rating — January 1992, to be precise, in the last year in office of the last president named Bush,” said CNN Pollster Keating Holland. “Seventy percent is a lot worse than two years ago, when 48 percent thought times were bad and the Republicans lost control of Congress,” adds CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider. –From Paul Steinhauser, CNN Deputy
Political Director |
|
Christian leaders to denounce
politics of faith -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/02/evangelicals.ap/index.html |
|
CNN poll: Economy far ahead
of war as top issue in 2008 race -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- read at source> http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/02/issue.poll/index.html By Paul Steinhauser INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (CNN) -- A new poll
indicates that the economy is issue No. 1 with American voters,
now more than ever. |
|
April Jobs Report Further
Proof of Failed Bush Policies -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “While President Bush continues to dance around the question of whether our economy has tipped into recession, the American people – who are bearing the brunt of his failed economic policies over the last seven years – know the reality and it is jarring. Today’s employment report for April, which shows that the American economy lost 20,000 jobs last month, is just the latest evidence that our economy continues to struggle under this President’s stewardship. “April was the fourth consecutive month of jobs losses – losses which have totaled 260,000 in 2008. And when coupled with the anemic report on gross domestic product earlier this week – which actually showed the economy is contracting when inventories and exports are excluded – it is no wonder that the American people are looking for new leadership and seeking a new direction for our nation. “Democrats are hopeful that the recovery rebates enacted by Congress earlier this year – and which began to reach consumers this week – will provide a critical boost to our economy and give Americans some relief from exploding prices for gasoline, food and other consumer goods. And, given today’s jobs report, we will continue to weigh options for extending unemployment insurance benefits for Americans who have been put out of work. “But the sad truth is that the American economy George W. Bush leaves for his successor will be in much worse condition than the one he inherited when he came to office. For millions and millions of Americans, the answer to the question ‘Are we better off than we were seven years ago?’ is a resounding ‘no.’ What is perhaps most disconcerting is that the Republican Party’s presumptive presidential nominee, Senator McCain, simply promises a continuation of this Administration’s failed policies. Democrats, in contrast, are committed to moving this nation in a new direction.”
### |
|
MESSAGE FROM THE MAJORITY
LEADER -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week, the House passed landmark legislation over a decade in the making that is now headed to the President for his signature. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act will protect individuals from being discriminated against by employers and insurance companies based on genetic information. Many people with a family history of a disease have declined to participate in genetic testing for fear of the misuse of this information. This bill will prevent this from happening, and will allow research in the field of genetic medicine - which could help people take preventative action against a disease - to move forward and make significant advancements. The House also passed legislation ensuring that students and their families will have access to the loans they need to help pay for college. As the costs of college have exploded over the past eight years, this legislation is key to keeping the doors of higher education open to all. This bill is also headed for the President's desk, and will guarantee there is no disruption in loans offered to families of students attending college this fall. Next week, the House will take up several measures that will offer relief to struggling homeowners facing foreclosure and help stabilize the housing market. We are also completing work on a supplemental war funding measure, a Farm Bill that makes record investments in nutrition, and a fiscally responsible budget conference report.
Sincerely yours, |
|
FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2008 Legislative Program - 51600 | Floor Information - 57400 | Whip Information - 63210 MONDAY, MAY 5, 2008 The House will meet at 12:30 p.m. for morning hour debate and 2:00 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m.
Suspensions (11 Bills): 1) H.R. 3658 - To amend the Foreign Service
Act of 1980 to permit rest and recuperation travel to United
States territories for members of the Foreign Service (Rep. Fortuno
– Foreign Affairs) 2) H.Res. 1011 - Calling on the United
States Government and the international community to promptly
develop, fund, and implement a comprehensive regional strategy
to protect civilians, facilitate humanitarian operations, contain
and reduce violence, and contribute to conditions for sustainable
peace and good governance in Chad, as well as in the wider region
that includes the northern region of the Central African Republic
and the Darfur region of Sudan (Rep. Wolf – Foreign Affairs) 3) H.Res. 1109 - Honoring the memory of
Dith Pran by remembering his life's work and continuing to acknowledge
and remember the victims of genocides that have taken place around
the globe (Rep. Sires – Foreign Affairs) 4) H.Res. 1166 - Expressing the sense of
the House of Representatives regarding provocative and dangerous
statements and actions taken by the Government of the Russian
Federation that undermine the territorial integrity of the Republic
of Georgia (Rep. Wexler – Foreign Affairs) 5) H.Con.Res. 317 - Condemning the Burmese
regime's undemocratic constitution and scheduled referendum (Rep.
Holt – Foreign Affairs) 6) H.Res. 1091 - Honoring the life, achievements,
and contributions of Charlton Heston and extending its deepest
sympathies to the family of Charlton Heston for the loss of such
a great generous man, husband, and father (Rep. Young (AK) –
Oversight and Government Reform) 7) H.Res. 1113 - Celebrating the role of
mothers in the United States and supporting the goals and ideals
of Mother's Day (Rep. Fortenberry – Oversight and Government
Reform) 8) H.Res. 952 - Expressing the sense of
the House of Representatives that there should be established
a National Teacher Day to honor and celebrate teachers in the
United States National Teacher Day (Rep. Ron Klein – Oversight
and Government Reform) 9) S. 2929 - A bill to temporarily extend
the programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (Sen. Kennedy
– Education and Labor) 10) H.Res. 1168 - Congratulating charter
schools and their students, parents, teachers, and administrators
across the United States for their ongoing contributions to education,
and for other purposes (Rep. Boustany – Education and Labor) 11) H.Res. 1155 - Honoring the recipients
of the El Dorado Promise scholarship (Rep. Ross – Education
and Labor)
TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2008 The House will meet at 10:30 a.m. for morning hour debate and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business. Motion to go to Conference on H.R. 4040
- The Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act of 2007 (Rep.
Rush – Energy and Commerce) Motion to Instruct Conferees. Suspensions (9 Bills): 1) H.Res. 1086 - Recognizing National Nurses
Week on May 6 through May 12, 2008 (Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson
(TX) – Energy and Commerce) 2) H.R. 4279 - Prioritizing Resources and
Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2007 (Rep. Conyers
– Judiciary) 3) H.R. 1512 - To amend the Immigration
and Nationality Act to provide for compensation to States incarcerating
undocumented aliens charged with a felony or two or more misdemeanors
(Rep. Sanchez, Linda (CA) – Judiciary) 4) H.R. 5690 - To exempt the African National
Congress from treatment as a terrorist organization (Rep. Berman
– Judiciary) 5) H.R. 5512 - Coin Modernization and Taxpayer
Savings Act of 2008 (Rep. Space – Financial Services) 6) H.R. 5614 - Original Saint-Gaudens Double
Eagle Ultra-High Relief Bullion Coin Act (Rep. Castle –
Financial Services) 7) H.R. 2894 - Star-Spangled Banner and
War of 1812 Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act (Rep. Ruppersberger
– Financial Services) 8) H.R. 5872 - Boy Scouts of America Centennial
Commemorative Coin Act (Rep. Sessions - Financial Services) 9) H.R. 5937 - To facilitate the preservation
of certain affordable housing dwelling units (Rep. Towns –
Financial Services) Postponed Vote on Ryan (WI) Motion to Instruct
Conferees on H.R. 2419 Food and Energy Security Act of 2007.
Postponed Vote on Kind Motion to Instruct
Conferees on H.R. 2419 Food and Energy Security Act of 2007.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2008 AND THE BALANCE OF THE WEEK On Wednesday and Thursday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for legislative business. On Friday, no votes are expected in the House.
H.R. 5818 – Neighborhood Stabilization
Act of 2008 (Rep. Waters – Financial Services) (Subject
to a Rule) H.R. ___ - American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 (Financial Services/ Ways and Means) (Subject to a Rule)
Possible Consideration of the Conference
Report on H.R. 2419 - Food and Energy Security Act of 2007 |
|
FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2008 Legislative Program - 51600 | Floor Information - 57400 | Whip Information - 63210 MONDAY, MAY 5, 2008 The House will meet at 12:30 p.m. for morning hour debate and 2:00 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m.
Suspensions (11 Bills): 1) H.R. 3658 - To amend the Foreign Service
Act of 1980 to permit rest and recuperation travel to United
States territories for members of the Foreign Service (Rep. Fortuno
– Foreign Affairs) 2) H.Res. 1011 - Calling on the United
States Government and the international community to promptly
develop, fund, and implement a comprehensive regional strategy
to protect civilians, facilitate humanitarian operations, contain
and reduce violence, and contribute to conditions for sustainable
peace and good governance in Chad, as well as in the wider region
that includes the northern region of the Central African Republic
and the Darfur region of Sudan (Rep. Wolf – Foreign Affairs) 3) H.Res. 1109 - Honoring the memory of
Dith Pran by remembering his life's work and continuing to acknowledge
and remember the victims of genocides that have taken place around
the globe (Rep. Sires – Foreign Affairs) 4) H.Res. 1166 - Expressing the sense of
the House of Representatives regarding provocative and dangerous
statements and actions taken by the Government of the Russian
Federation that undermine the territorial integrity of the Republic
of Georgia (Rep. Wexler – Foreign Affairs) 5) H.Con.Res. 317 - Condemning the Burmese
regime's undemocratic constitution and scheduled referendum (Rep.
Holt – Foreign Affairs) 6) H.Res. 1091 - Honoring the life, achievements,
and contributions of Charlton Heston and extending its deepest
sympathies to the family of Charlton Heston for the loss of such
a great generous man, husband, and father (Rep. Young (AK) –
Oversight and Government Reform) 7) H.Res. 1113 - Celebrating the role of
mothers in the United States and supporting the goals and ideals
of Mother's Day (Rep. Fortenberry – Oversight and Government
Reform) 8) H.Res. 952 - Expressing the sense of
the House of Representatives that there should be established
a National Teacher Day to honor and celebrate teachers in the
United States National Teacher Day (Rep. Ron Klein – Oversight
and Government Reform) 9) S. 2929 - A bill to temporarily extend
the programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (Sen. Kennedy
– Education and Labor) 10) H.Res. 1168 - Congratulating charter
schools and their students, parents, teachers, and administrators
across the United States for their ongoing contributions to education,
and for other purposes (Rep. Boustany – Education and Labor) 11) H.Res. 1155 - Honoring the recipients
of the El Dorado Promise scholarship (Rep. Ross – Education
and Labor)
TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2008 The House will meet at 10:30 a.m. for morning hour debate and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business. Motion to go to Conference on H.R. 4040
- The Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act of 2007 (Rep.
Rush – Energy and Commerce) Motion to Instruct Conferees. Suspensions (9 Bills): 1) H.Res. 1086 - Recognizing National Nurses
Week on May 6 through May 12, 2008 (Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson
(TX) – Energy and Commerce) 2) H.R. 4279 - Prioritizing Resources and
Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2007 (Rep. Conyers
– Judiciary) 3) H.R. 1512 - To amend the Immigration
and Nationality Act to provide for compensation to States incarcerating
undocumented aliens charged with a felony or two or more misdemeanors
(Rep. Sanchez, Linda (CA) – Judiciary) 4) H.R. 5690 - To exempt the African National
Congress from treatment as a terrorist organization (Rep. Berman
– Judiciary) 5) H.R. 5512 - Coin Modernization and Taxpayer
Savings Act of 2008 (Rep. Space – Financial Services) 6) H.R. 5614 - Original Saint-Gaudens Double
Eagle Ultra-High Relief Bullion Coin Act (Rep. Castle –
Financial Services) 7) H.R. 2894 - Star-Spangled Banner and
War of 1812 Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act (Rep. Ruppersberger
– Financial Services) 8) H.R. 5872 - Boy Scouts of America Centennial
Commemorative Coin Act (Rep. Sessions - Financial Services) 9) H.R. 5937 - To facilitate the preservation
of certain affordable housing dwelling units (Rep. Towns –
Financial Services) Postponed Vote on Ryan (WI) Motion to Instruct
Conferees on H.R. 2419 Food and Energy Security Act of 2007.
Postponed Vote on Kind Motion to Instruct
Conferees on H.R. 2419 Food and Energy Security Act of 2007.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2008 AND THE BALANCE OF THE WEEK On Wednesday and Thursday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for legislative business. On Friday, no votes are expected in the House.
H.R. 5818 – Neighborhood Stabilization
Act of 2008 (Rep. Waters – Financial Services) (Subject
to a Rule) H.R. ___ - American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 (Financial Services/ Ways and Means) (Subject to a Rule)
Possible Consideration of the Conference
Report on H.R. 2419 - Food and Energy Security Act of 2007 |
|
Black pastors reaffirm their
support for Obama -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- read at source> http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&ct=....T8E1-MFGZS_4FBA
|
|
Hillary Clinton now set for
a 'Letterman' star turn -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Clinton's Tough Path -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Vote: The Machinery of Democracy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- read at source> http://www.learnnc.org/bestweb/votesi
|
|
Celebrities lining up for
presidential candidates -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
FACTBOX: Presidential candidates
on jobs data -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN0233907820080502 |
|
US health care waits to ignite
as campaign issue -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Bush Says US Faces a `Tough
Economic Period' After Reports -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Sen. Clinton criticizes Exxon
Mobil selloff -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Rice says Mideast peace deal
‘achievable’ by year’s end -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RAMALLAH, West Bank (CNN) — Laying the groundwork for President Bush’s upcoming trip to the Middle East, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Sunday a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians can be reached by the year’s end. “This is very painstaking work … it is labor-intensive work but it is necessary work,” Rice said at a joint news conference with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. “We continue to believe that it is an achievable goal to have an agreement between the Palestinians and the Israelis by the end of the year and by the end of President Bush’s term.” Rice met Saturday night and Sunday morning with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, he said. Her visit — one of many she has made in recent months — has been overshadowed by a police investigation into Olmert, who was questioned by police Friday. In absence of any official details, the
Israeli media has been rife with what Olmert called “a wave
of rumors about the issues of the interrogation.” |
|
U.S., Iraqi forces drop leaflets
on Sadr City asking for cooperation -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — U.S. and Iraqi
government forces have dropped Residents said the leaflets were dropped on Sadr City late Saturday. One of the leaflets bore a graphic of a
militiaman, and said: “The |
|
Obama barely edges Clinton
in Guam, both get same delegates -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (CNN) — Senator Barack Obama of Illinois edged out New York Senator Hillary Clinton in the Guam caucuses Saturday by the narrowest of margins, taking seven more votes than his Democratic rival. Both candidates pick up two delegates from
the vote, which Obama won 2,264 to 2,257. |
|
One Million Calls: Roll Call -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yesterday, in preparation for the start of our GOTV weekend, we asked our grassroots phonebankers to sound off and let us know who was committed to making calls to voters over the next two days. Here are just a few of the people who have pledged to make calls this weekend to help Get Out The Vote in Indiana and North Carolina:
Teresa: I plan to call 1000 people this weekend. I am also canvassing from 1-7 Saturday! I have called about 50 so far, but I am not stopping until 1000! Makeda: I will commit to make 100 calls to Indiana tomorrow.... Doris: I will promise to make at least 10 calls to Indiana Saturday. I will be calling from Florida. We must be a part of this change. Sarah: I will make 100 calls this weekend ... At least! Chris: You can count on me to make at least one hundred calls this weekend. Tracey: I can commit to 25 calls tomorrow, maybe more! It's our 7 year olds' birthday party but I'll do some in the morning. Max: I'll be calling all Saturday and Sunday too! Going for at least 250 calls! Barbara: I plan to make at least 150 calls this weekend. The people I've called in Indiana seem to be interested in discussing the issues -- some of the longest calls yet. Talking about everything from jobs to unions right to organize to taxes to gay rights. It's fun and interesting and feels like it's making a difference. I like seeing the counter click over, knowing that so many others are doing the same thing. Donna: I'll be making 25 calls to IN and 25 calls to NC this weekend. Daniel: At least 10 calls for me Really Hopeful: I am devoting Saturday and Sunday to calling. I am pledging now to call at least 50 numbers each day. Jen: I commit to doing 50 calls this weekend. It is easy. Heck getting into the flow of things I might makes 100 before I even know it. How about you? Cathy: I'll match 100...who else? Eric: I'm good for at least 25 calls on Sunday. I'm hoping we'll be well over 750,000 calls by then. We want change. And we should also make a special mention for Christine, one of our grassroots supporters who has been an inspiration and a help to countless supporters here on the blog (and all of us at HQ). Yesterday, Christine reached her own personal goal: Christine: I just finished my 1001st call to Indiana . . . But 14 other people have committed to make 500 calls each as part of the Christine O'Bama Indiana Call Challenge. That's 7,000 calls pledged! It only takes a minute to get started. (http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vbXku....XVlc3Rpb25zLw==) The Indiana and North Carolina calling campaigns run from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM Eastern time every day. If you're willing to commit to making calls this weekend, let us know in the comments below and we'll add you to the Roll Call. Tuesday truly is one of the last big milestones
of this primary season, and these next two days are our chance
to move the polls and make a difference. |
|
Democrats pick up another
House seat -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
FLOOR SCHEDULE FOR MONDAY,
MAY 5, 2008 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
House Meets At…
Last Vote Predicted…
12:30 p.m.: Morning Hour 2:00 p.m.: Legislative Business
Unlimited “One Minutes” Per Side 7:00 p.m.
Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m.
Suspensions (11 Bills): 1) H.R. 3658 - To amend the Foreign Service
Act of 1980 to permit rest and recuperation travel to United
States territories for members of the Foreign Service (Rep. Fortuno
– Foreign Affairs) 2) H.Res. 1011 - Calling on the United
States Government and the international community to promptly
develop, fund, and implement a comprehensive regional strategy
to protect civilians, facilitate humanitarian operations, contain
and reduce violence, and contribute to conditions for sustainable
peace and good governance in Chad, as well as in the wider region
that includes the northern region of the Central African Republic
and the Darfur region of Sudan (Rep. Wolf – Foreign Affairs) 3) H.Res. 1109 - Honoring the memory of
Dith Pran by remembering his life's work and continuing to acknowledge
and remember the victims of genocides that have taken place around
the globe (Rep. Sires – Foreign Affairs) 4) H.Res. 1166 - Expressing the sense of
the House of Representatives regarding provocative and dangerous
statements and actions taken by the Government of the Russian
Federation that undermine the territorial integrity of the Republic
of Georgia (Rep. Wexler – Foreign Affairs) 5) H.Con.Res. 317 - Condemning the Burmese
regime's undemocratic constitution and scheduled referendum (Rep.
Holt – Foreign Affairs) 6) H.Res. 1091 - Honoring the life, achievements,
and contributions of Charlton Heston and extending its deepest
sympathies to the family of Charlton Heston for the loss of such
a great generous man, husband, and father (Rep. Young (AK) –
Oversight and Government Reform) 7) H.Res. 1113 - Celebrating the role of
mothers in the United States and supporting the goals and ideals
of Mother's Day (Rep. Fortenberry – Oversight and Government
Reform) 8) H.Res. 952 - Expressing the sense of
the House of Representatives that there should be established
a National Teacher Day to honor and celebrate teachers in the
United States National Teacher Day (Rep. Ron Klein – Oversight
and Government Reform) 9) S. 2929 - A bill to temporarily extend
the programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (Sen. Kennedy
– Education and Labor) 10) H.Res. 1168 - Congratulating charter
schools and their students, parents, teachers, and administrators
across the United States for their ongoing contributions to education,
and for other purposes (Rep. Boustany – Education and Labor) 11) H.Res. 1155 - Honoring the recipients
of the El Dorado Promise scholarship (Rep. Ross – Education
and Labor) |
|
FACTBOX: Presidential candidates'
health plans -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.reuters.com/article/vcCandidateFeed1/idUSN0329196120080504 |
|
Democratic presidential candidates
make final Indiana push -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama thanks Guam community
for support during caucus -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama Edges Clinton in Guam
Caucus -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama pre-election day 15-hour
sprint: 2 states, 22 interviews -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2008/05/obama_preelection_day_sprint_2.html |
|
Louisiana Democrat wins closely
watched House race -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (CNN) — Democrats on Sunday cheered a weekend special election in Louisiana, where a Democratic congressional candidate won a seat that has been held by Republicans for decades. State Rep. Don Cazayoux beat Republican Woody Jenkins in the state’s 6th Congressional District by a 49-to-46 percent margin Saturday. Both parties viewed the race as a potential bellwether of November’s congressional races, with the national GOP attempting to tie Cazayoux to Democratic leaders such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and presidential candidate Barack Obama. “Don Cazayoux’s victory this evening proves once again that Americans across our country want real solutions and reject Republicans’ negative attacks,” Pelosi said in a written statement hailing the win. The contest was to replace U.S. Rep. Richard
Baker, an 11-term Republican who resigned in February to become
a lobbyist. It’s the second time since March that the GOP
has lost a special election for a House seat considered solidly
Republican, but the party’s congressional campaign said
trying to connect Cazayoux to Pelosi and Obama helped Jenkins
make up “substantial ground” in the race. |
|
Obama hits Clinton on Iran
remarks -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (CNN) — Illinois Sen. Barack Obama on Sunday accused Sen. Hillary Clinton of echoing the “bluster” of President Bush when she threatened to “obliterate” Iran if it used nuclear weapons against Israel. “This kind of language is not helpful,” he told NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday morning. “When Iran is able to go to the United Nations complaining about the statements made and get some sympathy, that’s a sign that we are taking the wrong approach.” Clinton, the New York senator and former first lady, stood her ground on ABC’s “This Week,” saying warnings of “massive retaliation” are needed to keep the Islamic republic in check. The Bush administration has accused Iran of working to obtain nuclear weapons, an allegation officials in Tehran deny. “I don’t think it’s time
to equivocate about what we would do,” she said. “They
have to know that they would face massive retaliation. That is
the only way to rein them in.” |
|
Average gas prices up another
15 cents -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (CNN) — The average price of gasoline has jumped another 15 cents over the past two weeks to a national average of $3.62 per gallon of self-serve regular, according to a national survey out Sunday. The rise continued at virtually the same rate as the previous two weeks, when the average price went up 16 cents per gallon, according to the biweekly Lundberg Survey. While crude oil prices were “a little tamer” in the past two weeks, the majority of the 15-cent rise “went to some margin of recovery for retailers,” said publisher Trilby Lundberg. Many retailers had seen their take on each
gallon shrivel amid skyrocketing oil prices. Even if crude oil
prices slip in the coming days, “I think we can expect another
10 or 15 cents this month, if not more,” Lundberg said. |
|
Obama faces big tests in North
Carolina, Indiana -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Dems' House wins suggest hard
road for GOP -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Clinton, Obama make final
push before Tuesday primary -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Democratic rivals hit each
other hard as pivotal primaries loom -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (CNN) — Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton hit each other hard Monday, a day before primaries in North Carolina and Indiana that could break the long-running deadlock over who will be the Democratic nominee for president. They traded shots over Clinton’s proposal that the government do away with gas taxes for the summer and make up the budget shortfall by taxing what she calls oil companies’ “windfall profits.” Obama has dismissed the proposal, saying
it’s unlikely to help consumers or to become law, prompting
Clinton to accuse him of being out of touch with “the hard-working
American consumer and the middle class.” |
|
What Really Happened To Pat
Tillman? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Democrats Call Victory a Sign
GOP Tactic Failed -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Bill Clinton Finds A Campaign
Niche -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama chats with “Hillary”
in Indiana -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Clinton, Obama Stress Unity
in Indianapolis -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Experts: NC Primary Could
Be Make-Or-Break Contest -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Republican Ron Paul predicts
a President Obama come January -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://forums.myspace.com/t/3937060.aspx?fuseaction=forums.viewthread Rep. Ron Paul,the House member from Texas who technically remains in the race for theRepublican Party's presidential nomination against Sen. John McCain, predicts that Democratic Sen. Barack Obama will be the next president of the United States. Rep Ron Paul of Texas remains a Republican presidential candidate against Sen. John McCain of Arizona but predicts the next president will be Democratic Illinois Sen. Barack Obama According to the campus newspaper of Maryland's Goucher College, the72-year-old Paul made the surprising statement during campaign remarksThursday at a school presidential forum. The newspaper report said the auditorium was overflowing withstudents and parents, who interrupted the congressman with applausenearly two dozen times during his speech. Paul was very successful in political fundraising during the pastyear, amassing more than $34 million, more than twice the amountcollected by more prominent candidates such as ex-Gov. Mike Huckabee. But Paul, whose views often run counter to standard Republicanpolicies, had very disapppointing showings in party primary elections,with a couple of second-place caucus results but mainly third-, fourth-and fifth-place finishes in primaries. At one point in New Hampshire,... ...Fox News even excluded him from a nationally-televised GOP debate as politically irrelevant. Paul has absolutely no chance of turning his handful of delegatesinto an upset over McCain, who already has sufficient votes to capturethe nomination in Minneapolis-St. Paul come September. But he may hopeto disrupt the candidate's coronation with platform or floor fights. But despite the adverse numbers and his professed belief that a Democrat is destined to winon Nov. 4, Paul has continued to campaign sporadically, often oncollege campuses where he receives large crowds and enthusiasticresponses to his message of drastically smaller government and an endto foreign military involvement. His dedicated followers have scored some recent successesat county GOP conventions that his partisans hope will boost the numberof delegates pledged to Paul at the national convention. Paul, a former ob-gyn who is unopposed for his 11th House term inNovember, was the lone Republican presidential candidate to oppose theIraq war and, as a result, refuses to endorse McCain, a strongproponent of finishing that job without a precipitous withdrawal. As reported in The Ticket,Paul is also traveling to promote his new book, which was released thisweek and, propelled by the eager purchases of his dedicated followers,immediately soared to No. 1 on the Amazon.com bestseller list. According to the Goucher paper, The Quindecim, besides hisunexpected Obama prediction, in his nearly 40 minutes of remarks Paultouched on his standard strict constitutionalist positions, advocatingmuch less federal involvement in citizens' lives. Many of the studentswere apparently more curious than they were devoted Paulunteers. "I told my mom I was coming to see him," said Lindsey Rich, a senior international relations major, "and she was like 'Oh my God, that's the lunatic fringe!' " -- Andrew Malcolm |
|
We can control gas companies -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://forums.myspace.com/t/3937632.aspx?fuseaction=forums.viewthread |
|
78% say Hillary went too far
with "oblitarate" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://forums.myspace.com/t/3937522.aspx?fuseaction=forums.viewthread |
|
Poll: 3 out of 4 Americans
believe $5 gas is near -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Americans are already paying through the nose for gasoline, and they think it’s only going to get worse. A CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll released Monday found that 94 percent of respondents expect they will have to pay $4 a gallon for gas sometime this year, and 78 percent said they figure it will hit $5. The national average for gasoline was $3.61 on Monday, down two cents from the weekend. –By CNNMoney.com’s David Goldman |
|
Recognizing Cinco de Mayo -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Today, millions of Americans, Mexicans, and well-wishers around the world celebrate Cinco de Mayo. The Fifth of May is the anniversary of one of the most inspiring victories in Mexican history: the Battle of Puebla, when a ragtag militia defeated a much larger and better-equipped French force attempting to impose colonial domination on Mexico. In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo has come to symbolize resistance against aggression and the triumph of patriots against overwhelming odds. “In America, Cinco de Mayo has taken on an additional meaning: It’s a day to celebrate the richness of Mexican-American culture and recognize the contributions of millions of Hispanic Americans. Latinos are the fastest-growing minority group in the United States: The 45.5 million Hispanics in the United States now represent 15.1 percent of the population. Hispanics also have the largest minority-owned business community, with a record 1.6 million Hispanic-owned businesses generating annual revenues of $220 billion. In fields from the military to the arts to public service, their hard work is vital to America’s success. “But in these difficult economic times, we know that many Hispanic families—like families across America—are struggling to make ends meet, facing stagnant incomes and skyrocketing prices for gas, food, college, and health care. The Democratic Congress has been working hard to help them. Congress has raised the minimum wage and helped cut the cost of student loans. Small-business tax credits, part of the recent economic stimulus package, will help the millions of Hispanic-owned businesses. And today, Congress is working to pass housing legislation aimed at helping 1 to 2 million Americans avoid foreclosure. “May this Cinco de Mayo inspire us to take strength from our history and work toward a brighter, shared future for all.”
### |
|
Republican losses boost Democrats -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23649603-2703,00.html |
|
Democrats Expected to Surpass
Republicans in Registered Hispanics -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
C-SPAN Daily Alert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- C-SPAN Highlights Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: * Sens. Clinton & Obama Campaign Rallies
- Tonight, C-SPAN2, 8pm ET LIVE * Newspaper Articles * Now that they’ve sent President Bush a bill to shore up the imperiled student loan system, lawmakers are ready to return their attention to a long-delayed overhaul of the entire Higher Education Act...- Full Story at www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight/ * Before Saturday, when was the Democrats’
last Southern House special election takeover? - Answer at www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight/
|
|
Economists Release Letter
Opposing Clinton Gas Tax Plan -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Jonathan Weisman Well, now she's got a truckload of them. More than 230 economists -- Democrats, Republicans, advisers to past presidents and four Nobel laureates -- signed a letter today opposing proposals by Clinton and presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain to suspend the 18-cent federal gas tax for the summer driving season. "First, research shows that waiving the gas tax would generate major profits for oil companies rather than significantly lowering prices for consumers," they wrote. "Second, it would encourage people to keep buying costly imported oil and do nothing to encourage conservation. Third, a tax holiday would provide very little relief to families feeling squeezed." Signatories include four Nobel laureates: Joseph Stiglitz (a Clinton White House adviser), James Heckman, Daniel Kahneman and Roger Myerson. Also signing were: President-elect of the American Economic Association Angus Deaton; former AEA presidents Charles Schultze, Alice Rivlin and Peter Diamond; former Reagan administration economist Clyde Prestowitz and former Clinton economic adviser Jeffrey Frankel. Indeed, former president Bill Clinton's administration is well-represented on the list, with the signatures of Jeffrey Liebman of Harvard University, Rebecca Blank of the University of Michigan and J. Bradford DeLong of the University of California, Berkeley. Others are household names within the smaller household of the economics profession: John Shoven and Lawrence Goulder from Stanford, Alan Auerbach from Berkeley, David Cutler from Harvard, James Galbraith from the University of Texas and Frank Levy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/05/05/economists_r
elease_letter_oppo.html |
|
FLOOR SCHEDULE FOR TUESDAY,
MAY 6, 2008 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
House Meets At…
Last Vote Predicted…
10:30 a.m.: Morning Hour 12:00 p.m.: Legislative Business
Fifteen “One Minutes” Per Side Afternoon
Suspensions (9 Bills): 1) H.Res. 1086 - Recognizing National Nurses
Week on May 6 through May 12, 2008 (Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson
(TX) – Energy and Commerce) 2) H.R. 4279 - Prioritizing Resources and
Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2007 (Rep. Conyers
– Judiciary) 3) H.R. 1512 - To amend the Immigration
and Nationality Act to provide for compensation to States incarcerating
undocumented aliens charged with a felony or two or more misdemeanors
(Rep. Sanchez, Linda (CA) – Judiciary) 4) H.R. 5690 - To exempt the African National
Congress from treatment as a terrorist organization (Rep. Berman
– Judiciary) 5) H.R. 5512 - Coin Modernization and Taxpayer
Savings Act of 2008 (Rep. Space – Financial Services) 6) H.R. 5614 - Original Saint-Gaudens Double
Eagle Ultra-High Relief Bullion Coin Act (Rep. Castle –
Financial Services) 7) H.R. 2894 - Star-Spangled Banner and
War of 1812 Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act (Rep. Ruppersberger
– Financial Services) 8) H.R. 5872 - Boy Scouts of America Centennial
Commemorative Coin Act (Rep. Sessions - Financial Services) 9) H.R. 5937 - To facilitate the preservation
of certain affordable housing dwelling units (Rep. Towns –
Financial Services)
Motion to go to Conference on H.R. 4040
- The Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act of 2007 (Rep.
Rush – Energy and Commerce) Motion to Instruct Conferees.
Flake Motion to Instruct Conferees on H.R.
2419 - Food and Energy Security Act of 2007.
Postponed Vote on Ryan (WI) Motion to Instruct
Conferees on H.R. 2419 Food and Energy Security Act of 2007.
Postponed Vote on Kind Motion to Instruct
Conferees on H.R. 2419 Food and Energy Security Act of 2007.
Possible Votes on Pending Suspensions (9 Bills): 1) H.R. 3658 - To amend the Foreign Service
Act of 1980 to permit rest and recuperation travel to United
States territories for members of the Foreign Service (Rep. Fortuno
– Foreign Affairs) 2) H.Res. 1166 - Expressing the sense of
the House of Representatives regarding provocative and dangerous
statements and actions taken by the Government of the Russian
Federation that undermine the territorial integrity of the Republic
of Georgia (Rep. Wexler – Foreign Affairs) 3) H.Con.Res. 317 - Condemning the Burmese
regime's undemocratic constitution and scheduled referendum (Rep.
Holt – Foreign Affairs) 4) H.Res. 1109 - Honoring the memory of
Dith Pran by remembering his life's work and continuing to acknowledge
and remember the victims of genocides that have taken place around
the globe (Rep. Sires – Foreign Affairs) 5) H.Res. 1091 - Honoring the life, achievements,
and contributions of Charlton Heston and extending its deepest
sympathies to the family of Charlton Heston for the loss of such
a great generous man, husband, and father (Rep. Young (AK) –
Oversight and Government Reform) 6) H.Res. 1113 - Celebrating the role of
mothers in the United States and supporting the goals and ideals
of Mother's Day (Rep. Fortenberry – Oversight and Government
Reform) 7) S. 2929 - A bill to temporarily extend
the programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (Sen. Kennedy
– Education and Labor) 8) H.Res. 1168 - Congratulating charter
schools and their students, parents, teachers, and administrators
across the United States for their ongoing contributions to education,
and for other purposes (Rep. Boustany – Education and Labor) 9) H.Res. 1155 - Honoring the recipients
of the El Dorado Promise scholarship (Rep. Ross – Education
and Labor) |
|
Senate reality check on gas
tax plans -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/05/05/983305.aspx |
|
Senate approves bill to slow
foreclosures -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
State Senate Approves Global
Warming Bill -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
US embargo hurts Cuban democracy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20080505/NEWS/14852943/1010/NEWS05 |
|
Democrats.com Poll: 68% Want
Our Troops Safely Home in 6 Months -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Democrats Set to Defy Bush
on War Bill -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/06/washington/06house.html?ref=middleeast |
|
Democrats set for twin primaries -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/3AA5DC26-1A2E-485B-B533-DD4F0B736813.htm |
|
Ohio Democrats talk impeachment
after AG refuses to resign -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i3k2Ps5iqvjW-e9pCQ9OoaIajAFQD90G2JN00 |
|
Poll: Majority of Democrats
want Clinton-Obama battle to continue -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
US House Democrats favor timetable
for Iraq troops -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
What's Good For Homeowners
Is Good For The Economy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In a speech last night, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke argued that: “High rates of delinquency and foreclosure can have substantial spillover effects on the housing market, the financial markets, and the broader economy. Therefore, doing what we can to avoid preventable foreclosures is not just in the interest of lenders and borrowers. It's in everybody's interest.” Read more about the major housing legislation
on the House Floor this week that will help homeowners while
strengthening our economy. ### |
|
Iraqi elections guideline
legislation would puncture Sadrist power -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — Proposed legislation setting down guidelines for provincial elections in Iraq could hurt the popular political movement of anti-American Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr — whose Mehdi Army militia followers have been battling troops in Baghdad’s Sadr City. The bill — which was given its first reading in parliament Tuesday — would ban parties with militias from partaking in provincial elections that are slated to occur by October 1. Deputy parliament speaker Khalid al-Atiya
said parliament hopes to approve the law in the next couple of
weeks. Parliament has adjourned to Wednesday. Provincial elections
are seen as an important step in empowering Iraqis at the grass-roots
level and creating a political system that includes those who
have been alienated from power. |
|
Senate subcommittee probes
possible abuse of bankruptcy code -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNNMoney.com) — Lawmakers probed allegations Tuesday that mortgage lenders and companies that serve loans are misusing the bankruptcy system to impose questionable fees and apply improper pressure on homeowners facing foreclosure. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York, is considering legislation to expand the government’s oversight of the industry and increase the penalties on “bad-actor lenders that skirt bankruptcy law.” “I fear a vulture mentality is developing
in some quarters,” said Schumer, who chairs the Senate Judiciary
Subcommittee on Administrative Oversight and the Courts. “The
companies know that the hapless homeowner is too poor, too unsophisticated
or too overwhelmed to challenge often blatantly fraudulent demands
for payment.” |
|
Cheney’s chief of staff
subpoenaed in interrogations probe -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — A House committee has subpoenaed Vice President Dick Cheney’s chief of staff as part of its investigation into the treatment of suspected terrorists, the White House confirmed Tuesday. David Addington was served with the subpoena shortly after the House Judiciary Committee approved it Tuesday morning, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said. Cheney’s office had told the committee last week that Addington would appear before a Judiciary subcommittee if subpoenaed, but only if the panel limited its questions. “He said he would respond appropriately,
and I’m sure he will,” Perino said. |
|
Voters turning out for Democratic
primaries -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (CNN) — Poll workers in Indiana and North Carolina on Tuesday reported heavy turnout for two more primaries in the Democratic presidential nomination battle between Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Turnout in the North Carolina Democratic primary was expected to reach 50 percent, according to Gary Bartlett, executive director for the North Carolina Board of Elections. That figure would far exceed the 15 percent to 30 percent that usually turn out for a primary in the state, he said. The Indiana secretary of state’s office
will not release turnout figures until the end of the day, but
Bethany Derringer, a spokeswoman for the office, said voter turnout
has been high. |
|
Washington, Moscow ink civilian
nuclear cooperation agreement -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) — The United States Tuesday signed a nuclear agreement with Russia’s state atomic agency that is intended to speed up the process of U.S. sales of civilian nuclear commodities to Russia. The agreement, which has been in the works for several years, ould also lead to storing U.S. nuclear reactor fuel on Russian soil. President Bush approved the “U.S.-Russia Agreement for Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation” — also known as the “123? Agreement — on Monday. The head of Russia’s state atomic agency Rosatom, Sergey Kiriyenko, and U.S. Ambassador William Burns signed the agreement in Moscow on Tuesday. The 30-year agreement will be reviewed
by the U.S. Congress in the next 90 days. |
|
Mortgage meltdown finally
hits cities where prices had been holding up -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Some of the last, best housing markets — the ones that continued to climb even as the rest of the country cratered — have turned south lately. Seattle, Washington; Portland, Oregon; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Salt Lake City, Utah, all posted home price gains during 2007, even as more than half of the 150 markets tracked by the National Association of Realtors registered declines. Now they’ve joined the losers. “What the numbers are saying is that the trend is broadening out,” said Michael Larson, a real estate analyst with Weiss Research. The downturn started with “the markets that had flown the highest. When the speculative bubble popped, those got hit first.” –By CNNMoney.com’s Les Christie |
|
House committee looking for
way to help truckers deal with fuel costs -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Rising diesel prices have slammed the trucking industry and hurt independent truck drivers, and Congress is looking for solutions. Members of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on Tuesday took up the rising diesel prices that have hampered the trucking industry. “People are losing their trucks and losing their business,” said Rep. Peter DaFazio, D-Oregon. “But there are some places where an appropriate action by Congress might mitigate these problems.” The cost of diesel has risen 26 percent since beginning of this year, compared to an 18 percent rise in the price of regular gas. The national average price for diesel stands at $4.24 a gallon on May 1, while gasoline averages at $3.60 a gallon. –From CNNMoney.com’s David Goldman
|
|
National Teacher Day -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Today, as another school year winds to a close, we honor the men and women whose determination, caring, and seemingly infinite patience made it possible: America’s teachers. Today is National Teacher Day; and while any day is a good day to thank teachers for all they do in the lives of our children, today is an excellent opportunity. Over long hours, for little pay, and under often-difficult conditions, our teachers have dedicated themselves to educating the next generations of Americans. If that generation is ready to meet and overcome the tremendous challenges it will face in the early years of the 21st century – we’ll know whom to thank. “Today is personally meaningful for me, as well. My late wife Judy was a teacher and an early-childhood educator, and not a day went by that I didn’t see her love for children, or her passion for extending a first-class education to even the most disadvantaged. I like to think that many Maryland children were able to have a brighter future because of Judy’s work. And now, Maryland’s 24 ‘Judy Centers’ provide early-childhood education and support services to thousands of Maryland families. “So I hope you’ll recognize a special teacher today – one that made a difference for you, or one that’s making a difference for your children. We owe them our gratitude.”
### |
|
C-SPAN Daily Alert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- C-SPAN Highlights Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: ********************************************************************** * Indiana & North Carolina Primaries
Coverage (7pm) - Ton., C-SPAN2, 7pm ET LIVE * Newspaper Articles * House Democratic leaders outlined a war supplemental spending plan to their rank and file Tuesday that will give members a chance to vote separately on Iraq policy riders and various spending add-ons...- Full Story at www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight/ * North Carolina’s Web site doesn’t
claim credit for which of the following? - Answer at www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight/
|
|
FLOOR SCHEDULE FOR WEDNESDAY,
MAY 7, 2008 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
House Meets At…
Last Vote Predicted…
10:00 a.m.: Legislative Business
Ten “One Minutes” Per Side Late Evening
H.R. 5818 – Neighborhood Stabilization
Act of 2008 (Rep. Waters – Financial Services) (Subject
to a Rule)
H.R. 3221 - American Housing Rescue and
Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 (Financial Services/ Ways
and Means) (Subject to a Rule)
Possible Votes on Pending Suspensions (9 Bills): 1) H.Res. 1166 - Expressing the sense of
the House of Representatives regarding provocative and dangerous
statements and actions taken by the Government of the Russian
Federation that undermine the territorial integrity of the Republic
of Georgia (Rep. Wexler – Foreign Affairs) 2) H.Res. 1091 - Honoring the life, achievements,
and contributions of Charlton Heston and extending its deepest
sympathies to the family of Charlton Heston for the loss of such
a great generous man, husband, and father (Rep. Young (AK) –
Oversight and Government Reform) 3) H.Res. 1113 - Celebrating the role of
mothers in the United States and supporting the goals and ideals
of Mother's Day (Rep. Fortenberry – Oversight and Government
Reform) 4) H.Res. 1086 - Recognizing National Nurses
Week on May 6 through May 12, 2008 (Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson
(TX) – Energy and Commerce) 5) H.R. 4279 - Prioritizing Resources and
Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2007 (Rep. Conyers
– Judiciary) 6) H.R. 1512 - To amend the Immigration
and Nationality Act to provide for compensation to States incarcerating
undocumented aliens charged with a felony or two or more misdemeanors
(Rep. Sanchez, Linda (CA) – Judiciary) 7) H.R. 5690 - To exempt the African National
Congress from treatment as a terrorist organization (Rep. Berman
– Judiciary) 8) H.R. 5512 - Coin Modernization and Taxpayer
Savings Act of 2008 (Rep. Space – Financial Services) 9) H.R. 5937 - To facilitate the preservation
of certain affordable housing dwelling units (Rep. Towns –
Financial Services)
Cantor Motion to Instruct Conferees on
H.R. 2419 - Food and Energy Security Act of 2007
Postponed Vote on Flake Motion to Instruct Conferees on H.R. 2419 - Food and Energy Security Act of 2007 +>> http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:HR2419:/ |
|
Presidential Candidates Tackle
Gas Tax Holiday -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.digtriad.com/news/elections/article.aspx?storyid=103047&catid=117 |
|
Presidential candidates on
the issues -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Presidential Candidates Urged
to Use International Education to ... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Health Care Big Deal to Voters,
Presidential Candidates -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Presidential Candidates Too
Quiet on Space Policy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/05/presidential-ca.html |
|
FACTBOX-US presidential candidates
on nuclear energy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
A made-for-TV election -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Tonight's victory in Indiana
was close, and a margin that narrow means just one thing: every
single thing you did to help us win in Indiana helped make the
difference. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Every call you made, every friend you spoke to about our campaign, every dollar you contributed made tonight's victory possible. And I couldn't be more thankful for your hard work. Every time we've celebrated a victory, we've celebrated it together. And tonight is no exception. This victory is your victory, this campaign is your campaign, and your support has been the difference between winning and losing. Thank you so much for making this campaign possible. Let's keep making history together. Sincerely, Hillary |
|
We just won a decisive victory
in North Carolina thanks to people like you. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Indiana remains too close to call. But what is clear is that we did much better than all the pundits predicted, despite Republicans changing parties to support Senator Clinton, believing she would be easier for Senator McCain to defeat. Here's where we stand. As of Tuesday morning, we needed just 273 delegates to clinch the nomination. When the votes are fully counted Wednesday morning, we will have gained more than a third of them in a single day. We have a clear path to victory. But now is the time for each one of us to step up and do what we can to close out this primary. Please make a donation of $25 right now: https://donate.barackobama.com/results Thank you for everything you're doing, Barack |
|
Top US Democrats expect presidential
nomination race to end soon -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/07/content_8117758.htm |
|
Democrats Unveil War Supplemental
Plans -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Democrats in US Congress Prepare
Iraq-Afghanistan -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Democrats Link Wishes to War
Funding -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Bush, Democrats near deal
on election commission -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
After Promise of Reform, Ohio
Democrats Face Test -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Democrats move boldly in South
Florida -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.tampabay.com/SearchForwardServlet.do?articleId=492377 |
|
Senate Approves State Health
Insurance Pooling Bill -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.courant.com/news/custom/topnews/hc-insurance0507,0,572880.story |
|
Aviation safety bill stalls
in the Senate -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Senate supports coal plant/economic
development bill -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Alabama Senate passes $2 billion
budget -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Senate Approves Major Health
Insurance Bill -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
AP calls Senate for Hagan -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/ap_calls_senate_for_hagan |
|
Clinton loans herself $6.4
million, bringing total to over $11 million -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — Democrat Hillary Clinton has loaned her presidential race $6.4 million over the last month, bringing the total amount of money she has lent herself to $11.4 million. And she is willing to lend herself more money, top advisor Howard Wolfson told reporters Wednesday, a day after Clinton eked out a narrow victory over Sen. Barack Obama in Indiana’s Democratic primary but lost to him by a landslide in North Carolina. The $11.4 million she has lent her campaign
this year is about the same as the amount she earned from book
sales and her Senate salary, Wolfson said. |
|
Aid agencies still waiting
to get into cyclone-devastated areas -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BANGKOK, Thailand (CNN) — Frustration is mounting among aid agency workers who are stuck in the Thai capital, trying to get visas into cyclone-stricken Myanmar. Aid workers who have waited for days to get the necessary paperwork to enter Myanmar, or Burma, formed a long line Wednesday at the country’s embassy in Bangkok. The Thai capital is the main staging area for aid groups trying to bring supplies into Myanmar. The death toll in Myanmar is staggering:
its military government says more than 22,000 people died when
Cyclone Nargis battered country’s low-lying delta region
four days ago. Aid agencies are trying to get food and medical
supplies to the stranded survivors, which include a million without
homes. |
|
Medvedev takes over as Russian
president; names Putin PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) — After eight years with Vladimir Putin as president, Russia has a new leader — Putin’s soft-spoken sidekick and hand-picked successor, Dmitry Medvedev. Two months after winning the election, Medvedev, 42, was inaugurated as president Wednesday at the Kremlin before 2,300 invited guests in a ceremony with marching soldiers and military music. He became the third Russian president since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Within hours, Medvedev named Putin as prime
minister, according to the ITAR-TASS news agency. |
|
Clinton to hit the campaign
trail a day after primaries in Indiana and North Carolina -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — Sen. Hillary Clinton added a previously unscheduled campaign stop Wednesday in West Virginia, soldiering on after a split decision in Tuesday’s voting in Indiana and North Carolina, her aides said. The senator plans to appear at 11:45 a.m. at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, Clinton aides told reporters about 3 a.m. Wednesday. Her daughter, Chelsea Clinton, had already been scheduled to speak at the university. The schedule announcement came hours after
Clinton pledged to keep fighting for the nomination despite long
odds. |
|
Clinton wins the Democratic
primary in Indiana -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (CNN) — Sen. Hillary Clinton won the Democratic primary in Indiana on Tuesday, narrowly defeating Sen. Barack Obama, CNN projected early Wednesday. Clinton won 51 percent of the vote compared with 49 percent for Obama, with 99 percent of the votes counted. The candidates were separated by about 22,400 votes out of 1.2 million cast. A clear winner did not emerge until 1:15 a.m. Wednesday — seven hours after the polls closed — because results were slow to come in from Lake County, a Chicago suburb in northwestern Indiana with several precincts that went strongly for Obama. The county had not reported complete results by 1:20 a.m. Clinton made a strong pitch to blue-collar workers in Indiana. She pulled a majority of the votes in rural and suburban Indiana during Tuesday’s primary. In CNN exit polling, Clinton took 53 percent
of the vote in suburban areas, compared to 47 percent for Obama
of Illinois. She took 68 percent of the rural vote compared to
Obama’s 32 percent. |
|
Rural, suburban Indiana leans
for Clinton -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (CNN) — Seven hours after the polls closed, final results were unavailable at 1 a.m. ET in the Democratic primary contest between Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama. With 99 percent of the vote recorded, Clinton had 51 percent of the vote compared with 49 percent for Obama. About 22,00 votes separated the two candidates, and all eyes were on Lake County, a part of the Chicago suburbs that includes several precincts thought to favor Obama. Results were slow to come in from Lake County, raising questions from people such as Mayor Tom McDermott of Hammond, Indiana, a Clinton supporter. “Obviously, I’m concerned,” he said on CNN. “It’s unfortunate that people are focusing on northwestern Indiana like this … It looks improper. I’m not saying anything improper is happening, but it looks improper.” Hammond is in Lake County. Mayor Rudy Clay of Gary, Indiana, — also in Lake County — said it was taking time to count about 11,000 absentee ballots, which he described as an unusually high number. “We are counting these early votes methodically,” he said about 1 a.m. ET. About 56 percent of the votes from Lake
County had been counted by that hour. |
|
Bush tries to break election
watchdog deadlock -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From CNN White House Correspondent Ed Henry WASHINGTON (CNN) — Senate Democrats accused President Bush Tuesday of withdrawing one of his Federal Elections Commission nominees to protect Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee for president. The president revamped his list of nominees earlier Tuesday in an effort to break a long deadlock that has paralyzed the election watchdog in the middle of a contentious campaign year. But instead of withdrawing the name of
Republican Hans von Spakovsky — a former Justice Department
Civil Rights section lawyer some Democrats believe promoted policies
that harmed minority voters — Bush dropped commission chairman
David Mason, a Republican who has blocked McCain’s attempts
to abandon the presidential public financing system. |
|
McGovern, former Clinton backer,
endorses Obama -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Governor's Race Set in NC;
Indiana Awaits Tally -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Missouri governor, aides accused
of ordering e-mail purge -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By DAVID A. LIEB – 1 day ago JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Gov. Matt Blunt or his top deputies ordered Missouri's backup e-mail tapes to be destroyed to avoid complying with an open-records request from The Associated Press, a lawsuit filed by state investigators alleged Monday. http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gZtCYJch6WZbLaZKT9rrsyJcPZOwD90FR3QG0 |
|
Olmert probe might lead to
new elections -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Back to Michigan and Florida -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Governor's Race Set in NC;
Indiana Awaits Tally -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Indiana's primary turnout
high, despite photo ID law -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Indiana's governor candidates
locked in tight contest -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama wins North Carolina
- Indiana nail-biter -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
A Nancy Pelosi confidant hits
hard at Hillary Clinton's gas-tax gambit -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Clintons To Return To WV To
Campaign -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
WNC Democrats flock to polls,
turnout huge -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Energy Independence -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
McGovern switches sides, urges
Clinton to quit Democratic race -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (CNN) — Former Sen. George McGovern switched sides in the Democratic presidential race Wednesday, urging Hillary Clinton to drop out of the contest and endorsing her rival, Barack Obama. McGovern, the Democrats’ 1972 presidential nominee, endorsed Clinton in October. But after Obama and Clinton split Tuesday night’s primaries in Indiana and North Carolina, McGovern told CNN that Clinton’s chances of winning this year’s nomination have faded. “I think she has waged a really courageous and valiant campaign,” McGovern said. “She will have my affection and admiration for all of my days. But I think mathematically, the race is all but won by Barack Obama, and the time has come for all of us to unite and get ready for the general election in the fall.” –From CNN Political Editor Mark Preston |
|
Gas prices spike to new record -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — After a miniscule slide, gas prices jumped to a new record high Thursday, according to the auto group AAA. The national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline rose to $3.645, surpassing the previous record set May 1, the AAA Web site said. Gas prices have been marching steadily
higher since the start of the year. Drivers now pay 20 percent
more than they did a year ago, when a gallon of gas cost about
$3.034. |
|
Pelosi: Democratic race should
go on -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From Congressional Producer Deirdre Walsh WASHINGTON (CNN) — It is still possible for Sen. Hillary Clinton to win the Democratic presidential nomination, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, said Wednesday, cautioning that the race was not yet over. “I think the race is alive and well and will continue,” Pelosi said during a news conference to promote Democratic energy proposals. Pelosi, who has repeatedly said she remains neutral in the Democrats’ nomination battle, was asked whether Clinton’s slim margin of victory in Indiana meant her campaign was finished. “A win is a win. A win is a win. Let’s
just call it what it is,” Pelosi said. |
|
Superdelegates await Clinton’s
next move -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — The drawn out Democratic presidential race is producing “negative dividends in terms of strife within the party,” concludes a key senate supporter of Sen. Hillary Clinton’s White House bid. A day after the Indiana and North Carolina primaries bolstered Sen. Barack Obama’s candidacy, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-California, and a superdelegate, said she wants to talk to Clinton to “see what her view is on the rest of the race. What the strategy is.” Feinstein, who described herself as “very
loyal” to Clinton, said “the question comes whether
she can get the delegates that she needs and I’d like to
know what the strategy is to do that.” |
|
Top U.S. diplomat: Myanmar
death toll could hit 100,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- YANGON, Myanmar (CNN) — The top U.S. diplomat in Myanmar Wednesday called the situation in the cyclone-devastated country “more and more horrendous” and said the death toll could top 100,000. The estimate is based on data from an international non-governmental organization, Shari Villarosa, U.S. charge d’affaires in Yangon, told reporters in a conference call. She would not name the organization. Based on the same data, 70,000 people are missing in the Irrawaddy Delta, which has a population of nearly six million people, Villarosa said. A United Nations official said nearly 2,000 square miles (5,000 square km) of the hard-hit delta are still underwater. Villarosa also said about 95 percent of
the buildings in the region were destroyed when Cyclone Nargis
battered the area late Friday into Saturday. |
|
Relief flights wait to take
off for storm-ravaged Myanmar -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- YANGON, Myanmar (CNN) — Three planes loaded with 45 tons of relief supplies remained on the ground Thursday, waiting to fly to storm-ravaged Myanmar to provide a small dose of assistance amid a mushrooming humanitarian crisis. The World Food Programme planes sat on runways in Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates and Thailand as the organization awaited permission to land from Myanmar’s government, said Paul Risley, a spokesman for the organization in Bangkok, Thailand. A fourth aircraft sat on the tarmac in Italy, awaiting clearance to deliver 20 tons of relief five days after Cyclone Nargis spawned widespread death and desperation in Myanmar, which is also known as Burma. The official death toll in Myanmar is staggering: Myanmar’s military government says more than 22,000 people died when the killer cyclone battered country’s low-lying delta region over the weekend. The top U.S. diplomat in the country said the toll could top 100,000. The four planes provide a potent symbol of a much-larger relief effort waiting to begin. Even as decomposing bodies litter ditches and fields, relief agencies say, the secretive military junta that governs Myanmar has been slow to issue visas to relief workers and grant relief flights permission to land. “It’s not been as good as we would have liked,” said John Holmes, the top United Nations humanitarian official. “It’s not been as good as it has been in other circumstances.” Meanwhile, concern is growing about the spread of disease, especially in the Irrawaddy delta, and long-term food shortages caused by widespread destruction in rice-producing regions. “The situation in the delta sounds more and more horrendous,” said Shari Villarosa, U.S. charge d’affaires in Yangon. The World Food Programme is distributing rice and cereal in some part of the country. Other organizations are providing a limited amount of relief, too. The delta region had few roads to begin with. Many of them are now under water, and the storm also washed away numerous bridges, Villarosa said. That means international relief teams will face hurdles delivering the aid to those who need it most after they surmount the immediate obstacle — getting visas from Myanmar to enter the country. CNN’s Dan Rivers, one of the few international journalists to have visited the hardest-hit areas of Myanmar, said relief has not reached the people who need it most. “We’re hearing dreadful stories
of hundreds of dead bodies left lying in the fields, decomposing,”
he said. “These people need help immediately.” |
|
Facing her doubters, Clinton
remains stoic -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
5 nations may present new
Iran offer in person -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Food Scientists Say Stop Biofuels
To Fight World Hunger -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Defiant Clinton vows to battle
on -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Clinton gains Shuler’s
support -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Clinton supporter pressures
Pelosi over White House battle -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON — In a heated phone call with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi late last month, Hillary Clinton supporter Harvey Weinstein threatened to cut off campaign money to congressional Democrats unless Pelosi embraced a new plan by the movie mogul to finance a revote of the Democratic presidential primaries in Florida and Michigan, according to three officials who were briefed on the contents of the conversation. The three officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk publicly about the private phone conversation, said Weinstein, a top supporter of Clinton’s presidential campaign, appeared determined to buy Clinton more time in her battle against Sen. Barack Obama by pushing for the revote and pressing Pelosi to back off her previous comments that superdelegates should support the candidate who’s leading in pledged delegates in early June. Weinstein, a co-founder of Miramax Films who now runs the Weinstein Company, called CNN Thursday to vehemently deny that he issued any threats. “Never, ever was the thought about denying funding to Democrats,” he said. Weinstein said the phone call focused on his offer to put together a team of people to help finance a revote in Florida and Michigan. “I told her people felt there would be a disenfranchisement of voters” unless Democrats came up with a remedy, he said. –By CNN White House Correspondent
Ed Henry |
|
Baghdad soccer stadium to
house Iraqis fleeing Sadr City violence -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — A top official in Baghdad said the capital’s biggest stadium is one of three locations being prepped for residents fleeing Baghdad’s Sadr City, where Iraqi and U.S. forces have been fighting Shiite militants for weeks. Tahseen al-Sheikhly, the civilian spokesman for the Baghdad security plan, said Shaab Stadium, a soccer stadium; a smaller stadium; and another facility in Baghdad are being prepared. So far, he said, no more than 400 families have fled the war-torn neighborhood since the fighting began in late March. There have been reports that thousands of people have fled. Those families that are leaving, he said,
are residents who have been cooperating with security forces,
kin of security forces who have been threatened, and people who
have been “held hostage by the criminal gangs.” |
|
In sight -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- News broke this morning that Senator Clinton made three separate loans to her campaign in the past 30 days -- including one as recently as Monday. These loans total more than $6.4 million, which combined with her previous personal loans, add up to at least $11.4 million she's loaned her campaign since February. A spokesman said she may continue to "loan the campaign additional money out of her jointly-held assets" -- which include more than $100 million in income since her husband left the White House. Meanwhile, by winning a double-digit victory in North Carolina and closing the gap in Indiana, Barack won another 100 delegates. Barack Obama is now just 172 delegates away from winning the Democratic nomination. It's within sight. This is a decisive moment in this race. Barack has already won more votes, more delegates, and more than twice as many states as Senator Clinton, whose path to the nomination has grown extremely narrow. But these loans show that her campaign will continue to contest the remaining primaries vigorously. We need to show that the voices of more than 1.5 million ordinary people donating whatever they can afford are more powerful than one person giving more than $11 million to their own campaign. You've helped build this historic movement -- please help close out this nomination by making a donation of $25 to match Senator Clinton's loan: https://donate.barackobama.com/results Here's the math of where we stand ... There are only six contests remaining on the Democratic primary calendar and only 217 pledged delegates left to be awarded. Only 7% of the pledged delegates remain on the table. There are 253 remaining undeclared superdelegates, for a total of 470 delegates left to be awarded. With North Carolina and Indiana complete, Barack Obama only needs 170 total delegates to capture the Democratic nomination. This is only 36% of the total remaining delegates. Conversely, Senator Clinton needs 326 delegates to reach the Democratic nomination, which represents a startling 69% of the remaining delegates. With the Clinton path to the nomination getting even narrower, we expect new and wildly creative scenarios to emerge in the coming days. While those scenarios may be entertaining, they are not legitimate and will not be considered legitimate by this campaign or its millions of supporters, volunteers, and donors. You can help make sure Barack Obama is the nominee. Please make a donation of $25 now: https://donate.barackobama.com/results We want to be clear -- we believe that the winner of a majority of pledged delegates will be and should be the nominee of our party. And we estimate that after the Oregon and Kentucky primaries on May 20th, we will have won a majority of the overall pledged delegates. Evidently, the Clinton campaign agrees. According to a recent news report, by even their most optimistic estimates the Clinton Campaign expects to trail by more than 100 pledged delegates and will then ask the superdelegates to overturn the will of the voters. But we have our own case to make: that millions of Americans volunteering their time and donating in small amounts have built a campaign that has won the most delegates, the most states, and the most votes. And this campaign -- your campaign -- will be the one that wins the presidency in November and delivers a wave of support for Democrats at every level of office. Please make a donation of $25 now to make it happen: https://donate.barackobama.com/results We'll be in touch as the situation evolves. Thank you, David David Plouffe |
|
Michigan Dems accept plan
for delegates to be seated at convention -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (CNN) — Michigan’s Democrats have accepted a compromise proposal in their latest attempt to ensure their state will be represented at this summer’s Democratic National Convention, CNN has confirmed. The state party has voted to sign on to a plan devised a week-and-a-half ago by the working group seeking ways to end the impasse. The state was stripped of its delegates by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) for moving up the date of its primary. The working group urged the DNC to seat the Michigan delegation at this summer’s convention under a formula that would give a 10-delegate edge to Hillary Clinton, and allow all 157 delegates and superdelegates to be seated. – From CNN Associate Political Editor
Rebecca Sinderbrand |
|
Response to the President’s
Comments -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “As the second term of his failed presidency winds to an end, President Bush has little left on the agenda but finger-pointing. With gas prices skyrocketing and with Americans losing their homes to foreclosure at record rates, the president can do little but blame, criticize, and pass the buck. “The President claims to sympathize over high gas prices, but offers next-to-nothing in the way of solutions. From Day One of his presidency he has insisted on drilling in ANWR, a plan aimed more at boosting oil company profits than at helping American families. Democrats have immediate solutions that could help lower gas prices now: cracking down on market manipulation; holding OPEC accountable for price manipulation; fighting price gouging; and repealing taxpayer subsidies to oil companies making record profits. And for the long term, Democrats have taken steps to break America’s addiction to foreign oil, passing a fuel efficiency bill that will eventually save Americans $22 billion per year at the pump. “President Bush has been equally hands-off in the face of a housing crisis unseen since the Great Depression. With more than 2 million Americans facing foreclosure, the Democratic Congress is preparing to pass landmark legislation that will enable hundreds of thousands of homeowners—and possibly up to 1 million—to refinance and keep their homes. Once again, the President has little to add but carping and criticism, pledging to veto a bill that he says 'rewards speculators and lenders.' Nothing could be further from the truth. Our housing rescue bill, which has attracted bipartisan support, specifically excludes speculators, investors, and second homes, and requires lenders to take losses. Democrats have a plan to stabilize the housing market and the economy as a whole; President Bush has a plan to sit on his hands for nine more months. “Meanwhile, household incomes are down, poverty is up, and the numbers of uninsured and unemployed continue to increase. In the face of all that, Americans saw today an Administration out of leadership, and a President out of ideas.”
### |
|
Election 2008: Karl Rove on
Campaign Strategy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama Memo to Superdelegates -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/07/obama-memo-to-superdelegates/ |
|
Obama's focus 'on general
election' -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5glUdSu2giQN5hGt7ALDQ3YqYrQMg |
|
Mike Ellis: Election energizes
as it did in '68 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Hillary Chief Strategist:
North Carolina Represent -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
AP Exit poll for Indiana,
North Carolina -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Today, in every way that I
know how, I am expressing my personal determination to keep forging
forward in this campaign. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- After our come-from-behind victory in Indiana, there are just 28 days of voting left. But we've never campaigned with the stakes as high or the time as short as they will be over the next four weeks. And with you by my side, I'm going to keep fighting for what I believe in until every voter has had his or her say. From the very beginning, you and I have counted on one another, working through every challenge and seizing every opportunity. That's not just the way our campaign works. That's the way America works. As we enter the final four weeks of this contest, let's keep working our hearts out. Contribute now to keep moving our campaign forward. In six days, we have the chance to show our strength in West Virginia. If you'll stand with me, it's an opportunity I intend to make the most of. There's no question about it -- we've got to make every one of these next 28 days count -- starting with today. Contribute now, and let's keep winning
together. As we've told each other time and time again. There will be good days and not so good days in the course of this campaign. But there will never be a day that we can't count on one another. As we enter the final 28 days of voting, I know you'll give it everything you've got. And you know I will do the same. Thanks for being such a wonderful friend
and ally, |
|
NC Primary Watch: Big day
for democracy, Obama -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Benjamin Franklin on Democracy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://goldeconomy.wordpress.com/2008/05/07/benjamin-franklin-on-democracy/ |
|
C-SPAN Daily Alert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- C-SPAN Highlights Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: ********************************************************************** * Sen. Clinton Campiagn Rally in WV &
News Conference - Ton., C-SPAN, 11:25pm ET * Newspaper Articles * President Bush on Wednesday underscored his threat to veto major legislation designed to address the housing and mortgage crisis, even as the House was working to pass the measure later in the day...- Full Story at www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight/ * In a May 2000 poll by the New York Times/CBS,
what was the gap between George W. Bush and Al Gore? - Answer
at www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight/ |
|
Yesterday, Barack won a decisive
victory in North Carolina and finished closer than anyone expected
in Indiana. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Right now, we need your help to carry our momentum forward. The next state to vote in this election is West Virginia, and the enthusiasm for our campaign here is incredible. Thousands of people across the state have turned out for registration drives, office openings, and house parties to show their support for Barack. But with the primary only six days away, we need to channel this energy to get out the vote in West Virginia -- and you can help. In the next week, we hope that you can join us in West Virginia -- just as so many of you did for North Carolina and Indiana -- to go door-to-door and build our movement here. There's no time to waste, so sign up to take a trip to West Virginia before Tuesday's primary: http://my.barackobama.com/CometoWV If there's one thing that the results from North Carolina and Indiana show us, it's the power of grassroots volunteers. Personal contact at a local level is the single most effective way to identify existing Obama supporters -- and introduce undecided voters to the kind of change we're working to bring about. That's what we're working hard to do here in West Virginia -- and in this final push, I hope we can count on you to come be part of our effort. The best part is, no prior political experience is necessary. We'll give you all the tools you need to make a real difference for Barack. You can start making that difference this week by coming to West Virginia. Sign up now -- one of our staff members will contact you with more details: http://my.barackobama.com/CometoWV Thanks for all your support, Rachel Rachel Sigman |
|
Senate Democrats seek to tax
oil companies -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
FACTBOX-Delegate counts for
US presidential candidates -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://in.reuters.com/article/marketsNewsUS/idINN0132533520080507 |
|
FLOOR SCHEDULE FOR THURSDAY,
MAY 8, 2008 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
House Meets At…
Last Vote Predicted…
10:00 a.m.: Legislative Business
Five “One Minutes” Per Side 4:00 p.m.
H.R. 5818 – Neighborhood Stabilization
Act of 2008 (Rep. Waters – Financial Services)
Postponed Amendment Votes: · Hensarling Amendment · Altmire Amendment
H.R. 3221 - American Housing Rescue and
Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 (Financial Services/ Ways
and Means) (Complete Consideration)
· Amendment #1 (Financial Services) · Amendment #2 (Ways and Means) · Amendment #3 (Miller (NC)/LaTourette)
Possible Votes on Pending Suspensions (5 Bills): 1) H.Res. 1086 - Recognizing National Nurses
Week on May 6 through May 12, 2008 (Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson
(TX) – Energy and Commerce) 2) H.R. 4279 - Prioritizing Resources and
Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2007 (Rep. Conyers
– Judiciary) 3) H.R. 1512 - To amend the Immigration
and Nationality Act to provide for compensation to States incarcerating
undocumented aliens charged with a felony or two or more misdemeanors
(Rep. Sanchez, Linda (CA) – Judiciary) 4) H.R. 5690 - To exempt the African National
Congress from treatment as a terrorist organization (Rep. Berman
– Judiciary) 5) H.R. 5512 - Coin Modernization and Taxpayer
Savings Act of 2008 (Rep. Space – Financial Services)
Postponed Vote on Flake Motion to Instruct
Conferees on H.R. 2419 - Food and Energy Security Act
Postponed Vote on Cantor Motion to Instruct Conferees on H.R. 2419 - Food and Energy Security Act
Terry Motion to Instruct Conferees on H.R. 2419 - Food and Energy Security Act
Upton Motion to Instruct Conferees on H.R. 2419 - Food and Energy Security Act
Shimkus Motion to Instruct Conferees on
H.R. 2419 - Food and Energy Security Act |
|
Public urged to report any
suspected vote fraud May 20 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
US House Democrats seek support
on Iraq funding bill -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Democrats seek graceful exit
for Hillary Clinton -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Myanmar allows aid from six
countries to enter; military distributing supplies -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- YANGON, Myanmar (CNN) — Nearly a week after Cyclone Nargis barreled into Myanmar, its isolated government has begun allowing more aid agencies into the country Thursday to respond to the dire needs of cyclone victims. Myanmar Radio and Television (MRTV-4) announced that shipments from Bangladesh, China, India, Singapore, Italy and Thailand arrived at Yangon’s international airport. The station said the military was using
helicopters to deliver medicine, food and several generators
throughout the Irrawaddy delta, the hardest-hit region, specifically
along the areas around Bassein and Pyapon. |
|
Obama campaign shifts to Washington;
candidate glad-hands on House floor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign for president moved to the House of Representatives on Thursday, when the Democrat was greeted enthusiastically as he spent about half an hour on the House floor chatting with members. He denied that he was campaigning, claiming he was “just saying hello,” but said he “let them know we’d love to have their support.” “There are some undecideds” in the House, Obama said as he was leaving. “If they have questions for me, then I’m certainly happy to respond to them.” Obama’s huge victory over Sen. Hillary
Clinton in North Carolina’s Democratic primary Tuesday,
coupled with a narrow loss in Indiana, put him within striking
distance of the number of delegates he needs to cement the nomination. |
|
U.S. mulls food drops to Myanmar -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — The United States is looking at the possibility of air-dropping aid to victims of the cyclone in Myanmar even without permission from the military government, a U.S. official said Thursday. Ky Luu, director of the U.S. Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, said that dropping food and supplies by air to needy victims could be an option if the government continues to limit access of aid workers. When pressed on whether food drops would be legal, Luu said that a recent U.N. mandate called the “responsibility to protect” could pave the way for such action, but he wasn’t entirely sure of the legal ramifications. But he cautioned that air drops are not the most efficient way to get aid to those in need because there is no infrastructure on the ground to deliver it to the affected areas. –From CNN State Department producer
Elise Labott |
|
Poll: Americans split on mortgage
assistance -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Americans remain split on whether homeowners about to default on their mortgages should receive special treatment to help them keep their houses, according to a CNN/Opinion Research Poll. The poll finds 49 percent of those asked believe such homeowners should receive special treatment, while 48 percent feel homeowners should not get assistance. Three percent of those polled had no opinion. The results reflect telephone interviews
with 1,008 adults conducted April 28-April 30. The margin of
error is plus or minus 3 percentage points. |
|
Let’s Keep Winning Together --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Let’s Keep Winning Together
Here is a letter from Hillary Clinton sent out today to all supporters
Today, in every way that I know how, I am expressing my personal determination to keep forging forward in this campaign. After our come-from-behind victory in Indiana, there are just 28 days of voting left. But we've never campaigned with the stakes as high or the time as short as they will be over the next four weeks. And with you by my side, I'm going to keep fighting for what I believe in until every voter has had his or her say. From the very beginning, you and I have counted on one another, working through every challenge and seizing every opportunity. That's not just the way our campaign works. That's the way America works. As we enter the final four weeks of this contest, let's keep working our hearts out. Contribute now to keep moving our campaign
forward. In six days, we have the chance to show our strength in West Virginia. If you'll stand with me, it's an opportunity I intend to make the most of. There's no question about it -- we've got to make every one of these next 28 days count -- starting with today. Contribute now, and let's keep winning
together. As we've told each other time and time again. There will be good days and not so good days in the course of this campaign. But there will never be a day that we can't count on one another. As we enter the final 28 days of voting, I know you'll give it everything you've got. And you know I will do the same. Thanks for being such a wonderful friend and ally, Hillary Rodham Clinton |
|
Obama's got a confident new
strategy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama gets big welcome, fresh
support on Capitol tour -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Clinton aide sets June end
to Democrats' race -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Ex-Edwards campaign manager
backs Obama -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama Says He Will Be the
Nominee -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama confident about winning
Clinton voters -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Feinstein on Clinton -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama adds superdelegate -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Health care among top issues
for voters -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama open to Clinton as possible
running mate -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Barack Obama Says He May Be
Able to Claim Nomination on May 20 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama accuses McCain of 'losing
his bearings' with comment -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
New bill: No ID, no 'mature'
video games for you -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama's magic number: 178 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Clinton Aide Says Race May
Not Go to Convention -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Despite earlier reports, top
Iraqi militant has not been captured, U.S. military says -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — Abu Ayyub al-Masri, the head of al Qaeda in Iraq, has not been captured, a senior U.S. military official told CNN on Friday. Iraqi authorities said Thursday that al-Masri
had been captured in Mosul. |
|
U.N. blasts “unprecedented”
delays in getting aid to Myanmar -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (CNN) — Frustration deepened Friday as authorities in Myanmar continued to keep out a small army of relief workers six days after a killer cyclone smashed into the country, killing tens of thousands of people and leaving many more without food, shelter, or clean water. A United Nations spokesman on Friday called the bureaucratic delays unprecedented, and Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said the military junta in Myanmar has behaved “appallingly” by declining to grant more visas to relief workers. Paul Risley, a spokesman for the U.N. World Food Program, told CNN the agency has never encountered such resistance to offers of help in such a mushrooming humanitarian crisis. “This has never happened before,”
he told CNN on Friday. |
|
U.S. agrees to new incentives
for Iran to end nuclear program -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From CNN State Department Producer Elise Labott WASHINGTON (CNN) — The United States has signed off on a European plan that would offer increased incentives for Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment program, senior State Department officials said Thursday. Leaders from Britain, France, China, Russia and Germany are expected to join European Union Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana — the EU’s normal contact with Iran — at a meeting with Iranian officials to present the offer. That meeting has not yet been scheduled,
the officials said. |
|
Obama closes in on Clinton
superdelegate total as Clinton fights on -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — Sen. Barack Obama closed in Friday on Sen. Hillary Clinton’s lead among superdelegates, the Democratic Party officials who hold the balance of power in determining which candidate will be the party’s nominee for president in November. The Obama campaign announced new support from seven superdelegates Friday — including one who had been backing Clinton. Clinton also announced a new supporter,
maintaining her superdelegate lead over the Illinois senator.
But that lead has shrunk to four, according to CNN estimates
— the narrowest it has been to date. She led by more than
100 superdelegates at the beginning of the year. |
|
U.N. official: Death toll
in Myanmar ranges from 63,000 to 100,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW YORK (CNN) — The death toll from Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar ranges from 63,000 to 100,000, the United Nations’ coordinator for humanitarian affairs said Friday. John Holmes said the exact scale of the catastrophe is unknown, because of the government’s refusal to let outside aid workers into the country, but most of the casualties were in the delta. “The logistical challenge of operating
in the delta is huge,” he said at the United Nations. |
|
Iraqi government confirms
cease-fire with al-Sadr -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — The Iraqi government and Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s movement agreed to a cease-fire to end weeks of fighting in Baghdad’s Sadr City district, spokesmen for both sides said Saturday. The 14-point agreement will “impose the state’s authority and security … in Sadr City,” Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said Saturday. It will end the militias’ armed presence in the sprawling eastern Baghdad slum, he said, and clear the district of roadside bombs and mines that the United Nations Children’s Fund says has rendered many roads inaccessible. Sheikh Salah al-Obeidi, an al-Sadr spokesman,
told CNN the cease-fire will go into effect no later than Sunday
morning. |
|
Assembly Dems likely to scotch
gas-tax moratorium passed by Senate -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/stories/2008/05/05/daily47.html |
|
Senate Passes Toy Safety Bill -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.courant.com/news/custom/topnews/hcu-toybill0507,0,3949696.story |
|
Lance Testifies Before Senate
on War Against Cancer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
American Housing Rescue and
Foreclosure Prevention -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Mr. Speaker, today, through this comprehensive, landmark legislation – the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act – this House will take decisive action to keep hundreds of thousands of families at risk of foreclosure in their homes and will help stabilize housing markets across the nation that have been wracked by an unprecedented drop in home values over the last two years. “Make no mistake: The slumping housing market has had negative, rippling effects throughout our economy. And thus, it is imperative that we take responsible, reasonable steps such as this to strengthen our weak economy, and ultimately benefit all of us. “As Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke pointed out in a speech on Monday at Columbia University: ‘High rates of delinquency and foreclosure can have substantial spillover effects on the housing market, the financial markets, and the broader economy.’ “He continued: ‘Therefore, doing what we can to avoid preventable foreclosures is not just in the interests of lenders and borrowers. It’s in everybody’s interest.’ “Mr. Speaker, that is precisely what this legislation – the product of hard work by Chairman Barney Frank and so many others – is designed to do: avoid preventable foreclosures. “There is little question that after an historic housing boom in the first half of this decade, we now are faced with a housing crisis. “Foreclosures soared to an all-time high in the last quarter of 2007, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. More than 1.2 million properties received foreclosure notices in 2007, up 75 percent from 2006. And, one in 33 homeowners is projected to be in foreclosure over the next two years. “This legislation, in short, will expand the FHA program so that borrowers in danger of losing their homes can refinance into lower-cost, government-insured mortgages that they can afford to repay. “But to be clear, this bill will minimize taxpayer exposure. In fact, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that the cost of putting homeowners into affordable loans under the bill would be $2.7 billion over five years. “Contrary to the rhetoric coming from some, this bill is not a bailout for irresponsible lenders or borrowers. Only primary residences are eligible. Investors and lenders must take significant losses; the owner of the old mortgage can only receive 85 percent of the current value of the home. “And, in return for an FHA guarantee on the mortgage, borrowers must share with the government any profit from the resale of a refinanced home. The government will only have liability if the borrower defaults and the amount recovered in foreclosure is below the outstanding debt still owed. “Furthermore, this legislation includes tax provisions to expand refinancing opportunities and to spur home buying. It increases the VA home loan limit for high-cost housing areas, enabling veterans to have more homeownership opportunities. “And, it includes FHA modernization provisions that have already passed the House, as well as GSE reforms such as strengthening the regulation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and raising their loan limits to increase liquidity in the mortgage market. “I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle: Let’s mitigate the effect of the bursting of the housing bubble. “Let’s prevent hundreds of thousands – and perhaps up to one million – foreclosures and allow American families to stay in their homes through this responsible legislation. “Let’s stabilize our housing market; help millions and millions of homeowners not at risk of foreclosure retain – not lose – value in their homes; and strengthen our economy. “Let’s pass this comprehensive, bipartisan legislation today, and work to get it to the President’s desk without delay. “Vote ‘yes’ on the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008.”
### |
|
FACTBOX: Which Democrat has
won each primary and caucus? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN0521432820080507 |
|
The Caucus: Clinton Signals
Intent to Finish Last -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
C-SPAN Daily Alert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- C-SPAN Highlights Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: ********************************************************************** * Road to the White House - Sun., C-SPAN,
6:30pm & 9:30pm ET * Newspaper Articles & Viewer Calls * The Senate Appropriations Committee postponed its scheduled Thursday markup of this year’s war supplemental spending bill, after the House delayed floor consideration of the legislation until next week...- Full Story at www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight/ * When was the last time Massachusetts
elected a Republican senator? - Answer at www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight/
|
|
Presidential Candidates Come
Out Strong on Iran -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90289419 |
|
Analysts Compare Foreign Policies
of Presidential Candidates -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.voanews.com/english/AmericanLife/2008-05-08-voa32.cfm |
|
C-SPAN Weekend Alert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- C-SPAN Highlights Friday: Saturday: Sunday: Monday: ********************************************************************** Friday: Saturday: Monday: ********************************************************************** Friday: Saturday: Sunday: Monday: Saturday: Sunday: Monday: * Road to the White House - Sun., C-SPAN,
6:30pm ET Saturday: Sunday: Monday: * House Democratic leaders will try again next week to move a war supplemental spending package that their own conservative Blue Dogs have stalled. The Senate plans to finish an overhaul... - Full Story at www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight/ * Which presidential candidate got a key
primary win in West Virginia? - Answer at www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight/
|
|
MESSAGE FROM THE MAJORITY
LEADER -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week, the House passed the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act, a major bill that directly addresses the mortgage crisis. In addition to keeping families who are facing foreclosure in their homes, this bill also indirectly helps millions more families by stabilizing home values that have seen a precipitous drop over the past year. And because the recent economic downturn in large part stemmed from the mortgage crisis, we cannot begin to strengthen our economy until it is addressed. I am pleased that this bill passed yesterday with bipartisan support. Next week, the House will take up a Farm Bill that makes record investments in nutrition programs, begins making reforms to farm payments, commits to land conservation efforts, and promotes the development of ethanol and biofuels from non-corn sources. We will also bring an Iraq supplemental bill to the Floor next week that includes an expanded GI Bill that improves education benefits for veterans, as well as a short extension of unemployment benefits for workers who have trouble finding a job in today's weak economy.
Sincerely yours, |
|
FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2008
First Vote of the Week…
Last Vote Predicted…
Tuesday 6:30 p.m.
Legislative Program - 51600 | Floor Information - 57400 | Whip Information - 63210 MONDAY, MAY 12, 2008 The House will meet at 2:00 p.m. in a pro forma session.
TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2008 The House will meet at 12:30 p.m. for morning hour debate and 2:00 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m.
Suspensions (13 Bills): 1) H.Res. 1176 - Supporting the goals and
ideals of National Train Day (Rep. Brown (FL) – Transportation
and Infrastructure) 2) H.Res. 1133 - Congratulating Winona
State University on winning the 2008 Division II men's basketball
championships (Rep. Walz – Education and Labor) 3) H.Res. 1173 - Recognizing AmeriCorps
Week (Rep. Matsui – Education and Labor) 4) H.Res. 789 - Honoring public child welfare
agencies, nonprofit organizations and private entities providing
services for foster children (Rep. Bachmann – Education
and Labor) 5) H.Res. 1181 - Expressing condolences
and sympathy to the people of Burma for the grave loss of life
and vast destruction caused by Cyclone Nargis (Rep. Crowley –
Foreign Affairs) 6) H.R. 5834 - North Korean Human Rights
Reauthorization Act of 2008 as amended (Rep. Ros-Lehtinen –
Foreign Affairs) 7) H.R. 5614 - Original Saint-Gaudens Double
Eagle Ultra-High Relief Bullion Coin Act (Rep. Castle –
Financial Services) 8) H.R. 2894 - Star-Spangled Banner and
War of 1812 Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act (Rep. Ruppersberger
– Financial Services) 9) H.R. 5872 - Boy Scouts of America Centennial
Commemorative Coin Act (Rep. Sessions - Financial Services) 10) H.R. 406 - Alice Paul Women’s
Suffrage Congressional Gold Medal Act (Rep. Baca – Financial
Services) 11) H.R. 4008 - Credit and Debit Card Receipt
Clarification Act (Rep. Mahoney – Financial Services) 12) H.R.___ - Residency Preferences and Limitations on Housing Assistance (Rep. Foster – Financial Services) 13) H.Res. 1134 - Supporting the goals
and ideals of Mental Health Month (Rep. Napolitano – Energy
and Commerce)
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008 AND THE BALANCE OF THE WEEK On Wednesday and Thursday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for legislative business. On Friday, no votes are expected in the House.
H.R. __ - Iraq/Afghanistan Supplemental Appropriations bill (Appropriations – Rep. Obey) (Subject to a Rule)
Conference Report on H.R. 2419 - Food and
Energy Security Act of 2007 (Agriculture – Rep. Peterson)
(Subject to a Rule)
Postponed Vote on Shimkus Motion to Instruct Conferees on H.R. 2419 Food and Energy Security Act of 2007.
Postponed Vote on Upton Motion to Instruct
Conferees on H.R. 2419 Food and Energy Security Act of 2007.
|
|
Veto override on farm law
by late May: Senator -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN0951177220080509 |
|
House And Senate Reach Compromise
On Farm Bill -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.rttnews.com/Content/PoliticalNews.aspx?Node=B1&Id=601964 |
|
FACTBOX-US food-aid programs
under spotlight -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Emanuel Dubs Obama 'Presumptive
Nominee' -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/05/emanuel-dubs-ob.html |
|
Latin American Group Sues
Dems Over Texas Caucus -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
THE CAUCUS: Obama Won't Rule
Out Easing Clinton Campaign Debt -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Times poll shows Clinton and
Obama beating McCain -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Democratic Presidential Candidates
Set To Visit Kentucky -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
« Thread Started on May 10, 2008, 1:08pm » -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
With Oregon visits, Democratic
presidential candidates move in two ... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
AP: Obama Has Effectively
Caught Up With Hillary In Super-Dels -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama's Super-Delegates Keep
On Coming -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama Huddles With House Democrats -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/05/08/obama-huddles-with-house-democrats/ |
|
Democrats aim at oil prices -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama/Clinton Would Be Good
For Downticket Democrats -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama cuts Clinton's superdelegate
lead to 2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama narrows Clinton’s
superdelegate lead to one -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — Sen. Hillary Clinton’s superdelegate lead over Sen. Barack Obama in the quest for the Democratic presidential nomination continued to shrink on Saturday, according to CNN’s latest delegate estimate. Obama closed to within one superdelegate of Clinton, picking up the support of another four party leaders after a flurry of new endorsements over the past two days. Clinton, meanwhile, picked up the votes of two superdelegates, but lost one to Obama. That brings Clinton’s superdelegate total to 273 and Obama’s to 272. At the beginning of the year, Clinton led the superdelegate race by more than 100. Superdelegates are Democratic officials who hold the balance of power in determining the party’s presidential nominee. Obama holds a commanding lead in the number
of pledged delegates awarded from primaries and caucuses —
1,592 to Clinton’s 1,424. |
|
Iraqi government, Sadr group
sign Sadr City cease-fire -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — Radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s movement has agreed to end its “armed presence” under a cease-fire agreement to end the bloodshed in Baghdad’s Sadr City neighborhood, a government official said Monday. Both sides on Monday signed the agreement, which was reached in principle on Saturday, fine-tuned on Sunday, and then approved by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. It calls for a four-day cease-fire to begin Sunday, a day before it was formally approved. Despite the agreement, the U.S. military
— which was not part of the discussions — continued
to battle “terrorists” and “criminals” Sunday
night into Monday morning in Sadr City, a stronghold of the radical
Shiite cleric. The U.S. military said three armed “criminals”
were killed in the fighting. |
|
Obama takes lead in Democratic
superdelegates -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — Barack Obama pulled ahead of Hillary Clinton in CNN’s count of Democratic superdelegates, 274-273 Monday, winning the endorsement of Congressman and Senate candidate Tom Allen. In a statement released by the Obama campaign Monday, Allen said he both Democratic candidates were “supremely qualified” to be president. “I have been friends for a very long time with former President Clinton and Senator Clinton. I respect their service to our nation. Hillary Clinton has run a vigorous campaign and has attracted a passionate following in Maine and around the country. She loves this country and is a true leader. For her service, I am grateful,” he said. “Most of the primary voters across
the nation have now spoken. It is time to bring a graceful end
to the primary campaign. We now need to unify the Democratic
Party and focus on electing Senator Obama and a working majority
in the United States Senate.” |
|
"Evening Encounter"
With Presidential Candidates Next Week -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Proposed Resolution Targets
Caucus Rules -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.sungazette.net/articles/2008/05/10/arlington/news/nws103b.txt |
|
McCain-Obama Election Preview -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://patterico.com/2008/05/11/mccain-obama-election-preview/ |
|
Candidly speaking: Democracy
demands transparency -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Democracy Hailed at 20th Anniversary
of Peoples' Party -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Will Obama pick up another
Idaho superdelegate Monday afternoon? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.43rdstateblues.com/?q=roark_to_announce_superdelegate_pick_051208 |
|
Some thank yous are just too
important for an email -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please click here to watch. Thank you, |
|
FACTBOX: Presidential candidates
on environment, energy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.reuters.com/article/vcCandidateFeed7/idUSN2231243820080512 |
|
Why the presidential candidates
won't talk about Israel -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
AP/Miami Herald Looks at Democratic
Presidential Candidates ... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=52075 |
|
C-SPAN Daily Alert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- C-SPAN Highlights Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: ********************************************************************** * Democratic Presidential Candidates Campaign
Events in WV - C-SPAN at 8pm ET * Newspaper Articles * The Senate will be the forum Tuesday for an initial exchange of partisan fire over what to do about this year’s soaring gasoline prices and the rising world demand for energy...- Full Story at www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight/ * When did a Democrat last represent Staten Island in the House? - Answer at www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight/ ********************************************************************** • See videos about the election by
C-SPAN viewers at www.youtube.com/cspan. |
|
Big news today: for the first
time since this campaign began, Barack Obama has taken the lead
among superdelegates. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We've won more elected delegates, more states, and more votes than Senator Clinton. But until yesterday we trailed among Governors, Members of Congress, and Democratic Party leaders -- the so-called "superdelegates" who have a vote in the nominating process. As it stands, we have 281 superdelegates who have committed to cast their convention votes for us. That includes 23 since last Tuesday's elections, and 3 who switched their support from Senator Clinton. We have just 150 delegates to go before Barack Obama clinches the nomination. But Senator Clinton intends to compete vigorously in the remaining contests; at the same time we face increasing attacks from Senator McCain and the Republican attack machine. Barack needs your support to close out this nomination and start building for the general election. Now is the time to step up and own a piece of this campaign. Please make a donation of $25 today: https://donate.barackobama.com/superdelegatelead Given the long history the Clintons have with the Democratic Party, it's no surprise Senator Clinton maintained her superdelegate lead for so long. But right now it's clear that the Democratic Party is uniting around Barack's candidacy. Here's what a few superdelegates who recently changed their support had to say: "After careful consideration, I have
reached the conclusion that Barack Obama can best bring about
the change that our country so desperately wants and needs." "He has shown he can connect with
Democrats, Republicans and independents across this country." "It's time to come together as a party
and support Sen. Obama and prepare for a victory against John
McCain in November." We need to act quickly to encourage the remaining superdelegates to join us and close out this race. And we need to start building now to beat Senator McCain this November. Make a donation of $25 today: https://donate.barackobama.com/superdelegatelead Tomorrow, voters in West Virginia -- where Senator Clinton has an enormous lead -- will head to the polls. On Wednesday, Barack will continue to have an insurmountable lead in states, votes, and delegates. He will also have the endorsements of more superdelegates than Senator Clinton -- a clear sign that Democrats across the country and throughout the party are ready for a new kind of politics. This grassroots movement, funded by more than 1.5 million individual donors, has supported Barack when he was up and when he was down. Now, the nomination is in sight, and it's because of you. Thank you, David David Plouffe |
|
FLOOR SCHEDULE FOR TUESDAY,
MAY 13, 2008 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
House Meets At…
Last Vote Predicted…
12:30 p.m.: Morning Hour 2:00 p.m.: Legislative Business
Unlimited “One Minutes” Per Side 7:00 p.m.
Votes will be postponed until 6:30 p.m.
Suspensions (15 Bills): 1) H.R. 6022 - Strategic Petroleum Reserve
Fill Suspension and Consumer Protection Act of 2008 (Rep. Welch/Rep.
Lampson – Energy and Commerce) 2) H.Res. 1134 - Supporting the goals and
ideals of Mental Health Month (Rep. Napolitano – Energy
and Commerce) 3) H.Res. 1176 - Supporting the goals and
ideals of National Train Day (Rep. Brown (FL) – Transportation
and Infrastructure) 4) H.Res. 1133 - Congratulating Winona
State University on winning the 2008 Division II men's basketball
championships (Rep. Walz – Education and Labor) 5) H.Res. 1173 - Recognizing AmeriCorps
Week (Rep. Matsui – Education and Labor) 6) H.Res. 789 - Honoring public child welfare
agencies, nonprofit organizations and private entities providing
services for foster children (Rep. Bachmann – Education
and Labor) 7) H.R. 4008 - Credit and Debit Card Receipt
Clarification Act (Rep. Mahoney – Financial Services) 8) H.R. 6021 – Residency Limitations
on Housing Assistance (Rep. Foster – Financial Services) 9) H.R. 5872 - Boy Scouts of America Centennial
Commemorative Coin Act (Rep. Sessions - Financial Services) 10) H.R. 5614 - Original Saint-Gaudens
Double Eagle Ultra-High Relief Bullion Coin Act (Rep. Castle
– Financial Services) 11) H.R. 406 - Alice Paul Women’s
Suffrage Congressional Gold Medal Act (Rep. Baca – Financial
Services) 12) H.R. 2894 - Star-Spangled Banner and
War of 1812 Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act (Rep. Ruppersberger
– Financial Services) 13) H.Res. 1181 - Expressing condolences
and sympathy to the people of Burma for the grave loss of life
and vast destruction caused by Cyclone Nargis (Rep. Crowley –
Foreign Affairs) 14) H.R. 5916 - Security Assistance and
Arms Export Control Reform Act of 2008 as amended (Rep. Berman
– Foreign Affairs) 15) H.R. 5834 - North Korean Human Rights
Reauthorization Act of 2008 as amended (Rep. Ros-Lehtinen –
Foreign Affairs)
Postponed Vote on Shimkus Motion to Instruct
Conferees on H.R. 2419 Food and Energy Security Act of 2007.
Postponed Vote on Upton Motion to Instruct
Conferees on H.R. 2419 Food and Energy Security Act of 2007.
|
|
Democrats hopeful on prospects
after Clinton-Obama -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Was there Election Machine
Fraud in Franklin Count -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_mj_creec_080509_was_there_election_m.htm |
|
What Does Your Most Recent
Text Message Say? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://forums.myspace.com/t/1345711.aspx?fuseaction=forums.viewthread |
|
Obama in West Virginia with
eye on McCain -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
McCain Breaks With Bush on
Climate Policy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
No Rush for Clinton to Go,
but it's Still Advantage Obama -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama picks up 2 Ohio pledged
delegates -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Clinton eyes landslide primary
win -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/may/13/hillaryclinton.barackobama |
|
Republicans Use Race as Weapon
in House Contest in Mississippi -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&ct=....ci6WpkctxRQH78AA |
|
Obama Gains with Hawaii Superdelegates -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Maine's Rep. Allen to endorse
Obama -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Oil Falls for Second Day on
Expectation of US Inventory Build -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
U.S. envoy calls North Korea’s
handover of documents ‘important first step’ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — North Korea has taken an “important first step” toward coming clean over its nuclear weapons program, the U.S. envoy to North Korea, Sung Kim, said Tuesday. He brought nearly 19,000 pages of documents with him to the United States from Pyongyang, representing what he said appeared to be complete logs of the secretive country’s nuclear program going back to the 1980s. They are in Korean and need to be translated, which will take several weeks, he said. A team of experts will conduct a review and will have preliminary results in a few weeks. He said Congress will be briefed. Sung Kim described his discussions with the North Koreans as “productive.” –From State Department correspondent
Zain Verjee |
|
Congress set to defy Bush
on oil reserve -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON — Several Senate Republicans — driven by fears that high gas prices are damaging both the economy and their re-election chances — will defy President Bush on Tuesday and back a Democratic amendment aimed at reducing gas prices by temporarily suspending oil deliveries to the nation’s strategic petroleum reserve, senators and aides from both parties said. A vote was expected around noon. Many Republicans have “an honest disagreement” with the president, said Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, a member of the GOP leadership. “We are talking to people out there. We are out there. People are really worried. They are worried about the high cost of food (and) transportation,” she said. –From Ted Barrett, CNN Congressional
Producer |
|
Home prices slide in biggest
drop in 26 years -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Single-family home prices dropped 7.7 percent in the first quarter in the largest year-over-year decline since the National Association of Realtors began reporting prices in 1982. The median sales price fell to $196,300, down 4.8 percent compared with the last three months of 2007. Sun-Belt cities were among the biggest losers. In California, Sacramento prices plummeted 29.2 percent to $258,500 compared with last year and Riverside prices fell 27.7 percent to $287,100. Prices in Las Vegas, Nevada, fell 20.2 percent to $247,600 and those in Phoenix, Arizona, dropped 15.4 percent to $222,200. Midwestern cities, hard hit by factory closings, also suffered huge losses with Lansing, Michigan, prices falling 26.9 percent. –By CNNMoney.com’s Les Christie
|
|
Congress to vote on energy
bills -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Congress, as part of a plan to tame record oil prices, is set to vote Tuesday on measures aimed at stopping President Bush from putting oil in the nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). While the bill has wide support in both the Senate and House, analysts say it won’t do much to lower gas prices. The U.S. Energy Information Administration
(EIA) predicts oil prices would fall by only about $2 a barrel
— or shave 4 to 5 cents a gallon off the price of gas —
if the president suspended deliveries to the SPR. |
|
Israeli investigators raid
federal ministry as part of Olmert probe -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- JERUSALEM (CNN) — Israeli police investigators Tuesday raided the Ministry of Industry and Trade building and seized documents related to a fraud investigation of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, a police spokesman told CNN. On Monday, police conducted a similar search of City Hall and other municipal offices in Jerusalem, taking documents as part of the ongoing probe. Police are investigating whether Olmert
received large sums of money illegally while he was mayor of
Jerusalem and the nation’s minister of industry, trade and
labor. Olmert told reporters last week that he has never taken
a bribe, but vowed to resign if he is indicted. |
|
Survey: Nearly a third of
American workers postponing retirement -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — The economic downturn is hitting middle-aged and older American workers hard, forcing nearly one in three to postpone retirement, according to a survey released Tuesday by the AARP. Twenty-seven percent of workers over the age of 45 said they had put their retirement plans on hold because of the slowing economy, the American Association of Retired Persons, or AARP, reported. Baby boomers and retirees agree that the economy is in bad or fairly bad condition and that the government should be doing more to help, the survey said. –By CNNMoney.com’s Catherine
Clifford |
|
Military judge approves charges
against accused 9/11 plotters -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — A military judge
approved charges against five Charges against them were approved Friday,
but Mohammad’s lawyer was not “To me that shows what little regard
the government has for the defense The sixth man, Mohammed al-Qahtani, will
remain in custody as an enemy |
|
U.S. admiral: Myanmar leadership
seems unaware of scope of cyclone disaster -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (CNN) — Myanmar’s government is acknowledging foreign aid but seems unaware of the scope of the disaster a week and a half after a devastating cyclone hit the south Asian country, a U.S. military commander said Tuesday.Admiral Timothy Keating, the commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, has been holding talks with Myanmar’s leadership since he arrived there Monday on the first U.S. aid flight. Two more U.S. military cargo planes flew into the country Tuesday to deliver relief supplies. Keating’s conversations with the ruling
junta were cordial, he said, but resulted in no firm decisions
about U.S. offers of more assistance for the country, which is
also known as Burma. |
|
AAA: Gas prices hit another
record high -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Retail gasoline prices hit record highs for the sixth straight day Tuesday, according to drivers’ advocacy group AAA’s Web site. The national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline edged up to unleaded $3.732, up from $3.718 the previous day. Gas prices have now increased for seven straight days. The climb comes ahead of the Memorial Day holiday and start of the summer driving season. The AAA national average shows gas prices up nearly 11 percent over the past month and up 21 percent from a year-ago levels. The surge in gas prices comes on the back
of climbing crude prices, which have doubled in the last 12 months. |
|
Now the underdog, Clinton
looks for win in W.Va. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Senate Votes to Stop Filling
Reserve -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Ohio Dems seek impeachment
of scandal-scarred AG -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Olmert says understandings
reached in peace talks -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Cease-fire holds in Sadr City
after deadly clashes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Arab League to send mediating
mission to Lebanon -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Civility Reigns as Clinton
and Obama Return to Senate Floor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
For Obama, it's not too early
to think about November -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kansas City Star |
|
Obama comfortably ahead in
Oregon -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama Visits Louisville, Cancels
Lexington Appearance -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Akaka endorses Obama -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Clinton Running Hard in Campaign’s
Last Laps -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Stumping in Missouri and Michigan,
Obama targets McCain, not Clinton -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
More Superdelegates for Obama -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
MoveOn ad features pro-Obama
Republican -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama Focuses on November,
Clinton on West Virginia -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
John Edwards says fighting
poverty is ‘moral cause -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
McGovern Urges Obama, Clinton
To Unite -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Saudis sends sharp warning
to Iran over Lebanon -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
McCain's GOP Divisions Grow
Worse -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama takes the lead in superdelegate
count -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/12/campaign.wrap/?iref=hpmostpop |
|
Obama Confronts the Israel
Issue -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/12/obama-confronts-the-israel-issue/ |
|
Obama Campaign Seeking Staff
For General Election -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
New GI bill benefits proposed
by Democrats -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/military/20080513-0019-gi-bill-glance.html |
|
Majority of Democrats favor
Obama selecting Clinton as running mate -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.gallup.com/poll/107227/Majority-Democrats-Say-Keep-Campaigning.aspx |
|
C-SPAN Daily Alert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- C-SPAN Highlights Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: * Coverage of the West Virginia Primaries
- Tonight on C-SPAN2 at 8pm LIVE * Newspaper Articles * The Senate defied the White House Tuesday with a bipartisan vote to require a temporary halt to the oil deposits in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, as the House prepared to pass its own mandate later in the day...- Full Story at www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight/ * When was the last time Mississippi’s
1st Congressional District was held by a Democrat? - Answer at
www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight/ |
|
House votes to stop filling
petroleum reserve -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — Following an overwhelming vote in the Senate earlier Tuesday, the House of Representatives voted to direct the Bush administration to stop filling the strategic petroleum reserve temporarily. The vote was 385-25. President Bush opposes
the measure. |
|
McCain: Clean energy a ‘national
security issue’ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (CNN) — Sen. John McCain took his weeklong environmental tour to Washington state Tuesday, addressing the need for reducing the nation’s dependency on foreign oil and sparking investment in environmentally friendly technology. The presumptive Republican presidential candidate spoke at an environmental roundtable at Cedar River Watershed Education Center in North Bend, Washington. Washington is among several potential battleground states in the West — along with California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada and Oregon — where voters count the environment as a top issue. McCain said Tuesday that coming up with new forms of clean energy is “a national security issue when we’re dependent on more than $400 billion a year in imported oil from countries that don’t like us very much. … Some of that money is helping terrorist organizations.” –From CNN’s Ed Hornick |
|
U.S. aid flights to continue
into Myanmar on Wednesday -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — Two more U.S. Air Force flights will head into Myanmar on Wednesday with needed aid, and plans for two more flights are in the works for Thursday, Pentagon officials tell CNN. The flights will follow two flights into the storm-ravaged country on Tuesday that brought food, mosquito netting and plastic tarps, Pentagon officials said. Meanwhile the USS Essex, USS Juneau and USS Harpers Ferry are in international waters off the coast of Myanmar with more than 14,000 containers of fresh water and other aid awaiting orders to deliver by air or landing craft, Pentagon officials said. – From CNN Producer Mike Mount |
|
Clinton wins West Virginia,
projections say -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama Picks Up Four More Superdelegates -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama leads in Oregon -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Clinton Advisor: She's Fighting
to Last Primary -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Democrat wins GOP-friendly
Mississippi seat -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (CNN) — A Democrat has won the special election for a Mississippi congressional seat held by Republicans since 1994 — the most recent in a string of results that have the GOP nervous going into November’s general election. CNN has projected that Democrat Travis Childers will defeat Republican Greg Davis in the conservative north Mississippi district. With 93 percent of precincts reporting, Childers led 53 percent to 47 percent. For Democrats, a victory by Childers appears to be the latest in a series of special-election wins for the party and provide a strong tailwind heading into November. Republicans had hoped to dispel notions the GOP is in for a widespread thrashing next fall and prove that efforts to link local Democrats in conservative districts to Barack Obama and his former pastor could be a winning strategy in what appears to be a difficult election year for the party. Instead, Democrats handed them a loss in a district that had been easily held by incumbent Rep. Roger Wicker for nearly 14 years and where President Bush took more than 60 percent of the vote in 2004. Last week, the GOP ran an ad in Louisiana linking Democrat Don Cazayoux to Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, but Cazayoux won the election by three percentage points. The Baton Rouge-area district hadn’t sent a Democrat to Washington since the 1970s. And in March, Democrat Bill Foster won
a special election victory in former House Speaker Dennis Hastert’s
Illinois district, another Republican stronghold. |
|
Please watch this video of
one of the most important days of the campaign so far -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vote for Change video http://my.barackobama.com/vfcvideo Last Saturday, thousands of supporters all across the country came together at more than 100 Vote for Change kickoff events -- including at least one in all 50 states. They heard from speakers like Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius and Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick about how to register new voters effectively. Then they hit the streets and started making a difference in their own communities. Check out the video we pulled together from some of these events, and get involved in Vote for Change today: http://my.barackobama.com/vfcvideo Together, we're doing something that hasn't been attempted on this scale for decades. We're not just building a campaign. We're going to change the political map in this country by reaching out to people whose voices too often go unheard. And voters are responding. Here are two great stories we heard from people who participated in a Vote for Change event this weekend: "It was a really great feeling to see the community united by this effort. All ages, races and walks of life were represented at this event -- it was awesome to be part of a cohesive group working forward toward a common goal." - Erika in Chandler, AZ "The most exciting registrations that I worked on were young people who were registering for the very first time. I assisted two of these voters, and they were both so proud! One was about to graduate from high school and the other was in her first year at a local university. Being able to vote in their first presidential election, and to participate in American democracy, meant something really special to both of them." - Julie in Tulsa, OK This movement has always been about giving ordinary Americans the tools they need to bring about change -- and putting ownership of this effort in your hands. And as we prepare to close out the race against Senator Clinton -- and build a campaign that can compete against Senator McCain in all 50 states -- there's no better time to take this leap. Get involved today -- find a Vote for Change event near you or create your own: http://my.barackobama.com/vfcvideo Thanks to the hard work and enthusiasm of supporters like you, tens of thousands of people will vote for the first time this November -- and many more will re-engage after years of frustration. That's an amazing accomplishment, and Saturday was only the beginning. Right now, grassroots volunteers are organizing their own Vote for Change registration and mobilization drives in towns and cities across America, and you can join them. If you can't find an event near you, you can even create your own -- we've put together a resource page that will help you get organized. Be a part of Vote for Change -- find or host an event near you: http://my.barackobama.com/vfcvideo Thank you, Jon Jon Carson |
|
After tonight's tremendous
victory here in West Virginia, it's clear that the pundits declaring
this race over have it all wrong. The voters in West Virginia
spoke loud and clear -- they want this contest to go on. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'm listening to the voters -- and to you. With your help, I'm going to carry the energy of tonight's victory into the next contests in Kentucky and Oregon. And just as always, I'll be depending on you to share every step of this journey with me. You have worked your heart out, put yourself on the line for what you believe in, and given generously. And I'm not about to turn my back on you. We've proved conventional wisdom wrong time and again in this race. We did it again tonight in West Virginia. Let's keep going. Thank you, Hillary |
|
FLOOR SCHEDULE FOR WEDNESDAY,
MAY 14, 2008 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
House Meets At…
Last Vote Predicted…
10:00 a.m.: Legislative Business
Fifteen “One Minutes” Per Side Late Evening
Conference Report on H.R. 2419 - Food and
Energy Security Act of 2007 (Agriculture – Rep. Peterson)
(Subject to a Rule)
H.Res. 1190 - Providing for the Adoption
of S.Con.Res. 70 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:SConRes70:/)
- the Concurrent Budget Resolution for 2009 (Rep. Spratt –
Budget). Motion to Instruct Conferees.
Possible Motion to go to Conference on
H.R. 4040 - The Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act of
2007 (Rep. Rush – Energy and Commerce). Motion to Instruct
Conferees.
Suspension (1 bill) 1) H.Con.Res. 331 - Supporting the goals
and ideals of National Women's Health Week (Rep. Hinchey –
Energy and Commerce)
Possible Postponed Suspension Votes (11 Bills) 1) H.Res. 1134 - Supporting the goals and
ideals of Mental Health Month (Rep. Napolitano – Energy
and Commerce) 2) H.Res. 1176 - Supporting the goals and
ideals of National Train Day (Rep. Brown (FL) – Transportation
and Infrastructure) 3) H.Res. 1133 - Congratulating Winona
State University on winning the 2008 Division II men's basketball
championships (Rep. Walz – Education and Labor) 4) H.Res. 1173 - Recognizing AmeriCorps
Week (Rep. Matsui – Education and Labor) 5) H.Res. 789 - Honoring public child welfare
agencies, nonprofit organizations and private entities providing
services for foster children (Rep. Bachmann – Education
and Labor) 6) H.R. 5872 - Boy Scouts of America Centennial
Commemorative Coin Act (Rep. Sessions - Financial Services) 7) H.R. 5614 - Original Saint-Gaudens Double
Eagle Ultra-High Relief Bullion Coin Act (Rep. Castle –
Financial Services) 8) H.R. 406 - Alice Paul Women’s Suffrage
Congressional Gold Medal Act (Rep. Baca – Financial Services) 9) H.R. 2894 - Star-Spangled Banner and
War of 1812 Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act (Rep. Ruppersberger
– Financial Services) 10) H.R. 5916 - Security Assistance and
Arms Export Control Reform Act of 2008 as amended (Rep. Berman
– Foreign Affairs) 11) H.R. 5834 - North Korean Human Rights
Reauthorization Act of 2008 as amended (Rep. Ros-Lehtinen –
Foreign Affairs) |
|
McCain Falls Behind Both Democrats
In Recent Polls -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.politicalbase.com/profile/Mark%20Nickolas/blog/&blogId=2133 |
|
Majority of Democrats Want
Obama-Clinton Ticket -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Voters Trust Democrats More
than Republicans on Key Issues -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
DEMOCRATS PUSH REVIVAL OF
GI BILL OF RIGHTS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://prorev.com/2008/05/democrats-push-revival-of-gi-bill-of.html |
|
Democrats Pick Up Republican
US House Seat, Third Since March -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=aeJSSMRzNUEc&refer=home |
|
HOYER, CAPAC, CHC APPLAUD
FARM BILL -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON, DC – Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (MD) today joined with leaders of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) to applaud the nutrition benefits for minority communities in the Farm Bill Conference Report being debated on the floor of the House today. “One of the farm bill’s most notable provisions is the unprecedented investment in nutrition that will ease the strain of rising food costs for millions of America’s most vulnerable children and families,” stated House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. “Its focus on nutrition, as well as other included minority-focused provisions, represents a real victory for America’s minority citizens and indeed for all Americans.” “Right now, 38 million American do not have enough to eat. That’s nearly 11% of the population of the US,” said Congressman Joe Baca (CA-43), Chair of the CHC. “The impact to communities of color is twice as much, and that is why we have taken extraordinary steps to expand the Nutrition title of this bill. This bill also has a historic commitment to diversity in the Agriculture industry.” “Increased nutrition benefits will go a long way in helping American families struggling with rising food costs,” said Congressman Mike Honda (CA-15), Chair of CAPAC. “Only 23.6% of Asian Americans living below poverty level currently receive food stamps, compared to 37.6% of the total population living below poverty level. This bill authorizes food stamp education programs and as a member of the Appropriations committee, I will work to ensure adequate funding for education and outreach so that those eligible in all our communities, including Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, have access to these critical programs.” “I am pleased that the Farm bill takes sustainable steps toward reshaping America’s farm policy and increases our nation’s capacity to support the Hmong community in California, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, and North Carolina,” said Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-4), a member of CAPAC, whose district has the 2nd largest Hmong population the country. “The Farm Bill is the most important opportunity Congress will have this year to address the nutritional needs of disadvantaged children, struggling working families, and seniors in our communities,” said Congresswoman Hilda L. Solis (CA-32), Chair of the CHC Task Force on Health and the Environment. “It will increase the funding for food stamps and food bank programs vital to ensuring that the most vulnerable meet their nutritional needs. With the rising cost of food, housing, and utilities, the increase support for nutrition programs will assist millions of low- and middle-income families that are struggling in today’s economy.” ### |
|
C-SPAN Daily Alert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- C-SPAN Highlights Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: * Road to the White House - Sunday on C-SPAN
at 6:30pm * Newspaper Articles & Viewer Calls * Negotiations between the House and Senate on a supplemental war-spending measure could drag on past the Memorial Day recess, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Wednesday...- Full Story at www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight/ * Since 1968, how many times did West Virginia
vote for the presidential winner? - Answer at www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight/
|
|
I have some very exciting
news. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My good friend John Edwards is endorsing our campaign and joining our movement for change. We're here in Grand Rapids, Michigan -- and if you receive this message in time, you can probably turn on your TV and be part of the moment. I'm deeply honored by John's support. He is a true leader who dedicated his career to improving the lives of ordinary Americans. John ran a strong, principled campaign for president, focusing on a number of important issues where we share common ground -- universal health care, bringing our troops home from Iraq, and eliminating poverty in America. The way he ran his campaign was also important. He ran in a way that reflected our shared conviction that we need to fundamentally change politics. Like our campaign, John's campaign never accepted donations from Washington lobbyists or special interest PACs. Let's welcome John Edwards to the campaign with an outpouring of the kind of grassroots support that is bringing our political process back to the people. Make a donation of whatever you can afford now, and if you choose, include your own note to Senator Edwards. I'll make sure he gets them: https://donate.barackobama.com/johnedwards Thank you for all that you're doing, Barack |
|
FLOOR SCHEDULE FOR THURSDAY,
MAY 15, 2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FLOOR SCHEDULE FOR THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2008
House Meets At…
Last Vote Predicted…
10:00 a.m.: Legislative Business
Five “One Minutes” Per Side 4:00 p.m.
H.R. 2642 - Iraq/Afghanistan Supplemental
Appropriations bill (Appropriations – Rep. Obey) (Subject
to a Rule)
Possible Postponed Suspension Votes (6 Bills) 1) H.R. 5872 - Boy Scouts of America Centennial
Commemorative Coin Act (Rep. Sessions - Financial Services) 2) H.R. 5614 - Original Saint-Gaudens Double
Eagle Ultra-High Relief Bullion Coin Act (Rep. Castle –
Financial Services) 3) H.R. 406 - Alice Paul Women’s Suffrage
Congressional Gold Medal Act (Rep. Baca – Financial Services) 4) H.R. 2894 - Star-Spangled Banner and
War of 1812 Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act (Rep. Ruppersberger
– Financial Services) 5) H.R. 5916 - Security Assistance and
Arms Export Control Reform Act of 2008 as amended (Rep. Berman
– Foreign Affairs) 6) H.R. 5834 - North Korean Human Rights
Reauthorization Act of 2008 as amended (Rep. Ros-Lehtinen –
Foreign Affairs) |
|
John Edwards backs Obama as
top Democrats rally round -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hwbiNiKepAgsGfbifk75TKjLz0_Q |
|
FACTBOX - High-profile, uncommitted
Democrats -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://uk.reuters.com/article/marketsNewsUS/idUKN1454051220080514 |
|
Arab mediators to clinch deal
to defuse Lebanon crisis -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
How Iran pulls the strings
in Iraq -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Gates: US Should Engage Iran
With Incentives, Pressure -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Ohio Official Caught Up in
Scandal Quits Post -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
1st District lawmaker taps
Obama -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama picks up 2 Michigan
superdelegates while in state -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Election 2008: The Latest
Polling -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Clinton Wins in Landslide
in West Virginia -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama courts white working
class; Clinton touts W.Va. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
UN: Death toll in Myanmar
could be ‘100,000 or even more’ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BANGKOK, Thailand (CNN) — The death toll from a killer cyclone in Myanmar could be “in the region of 100,000 or even more,” the chief of the United Nations Humanitarian Affairs said Wednesday. John Holmes, UN under-secretary general for humanitarian affairs, said his organization already has confirmed 38,491 deaths — much more than the 22,000 figure from Myanmar’s government. The weather forecast, meanwhile, calls for rain in the next several days in Myanmar, which is also known as Burma. That could cause flooding in low-lying areas that already are saturated with water left when Cyclone Nargis slammed into the country on May 2. Aid agencies have struggled to gain access to the country from the secretive military junta that rules Myanmar, though some relief flights have arrived this week. The regime has indicated that it would like supplies but not international aid workers. That lack of access makes it hard to bring the scale of destruction into sharp focus Citing figures from 22 organizations in 58 townships, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said estimates of the death toll in Myanmar range from 68,833 and 127,990. “They are all estimates, which may
or may not be right,” said spokesman John Sparrow. “There
is no way to verify the figures, no way any organization could
substantiate them.” |
|
Clinton: It’d be a terrible
error’ to pick McCain -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — Hillary Clinton on Wednesday reiterated her vow to stay in the Democratic presidential race, but said it would be a “terrible mistake” for her supporters to vote for John McCain if Barack Obama wins the Democratic nomination. “Anybody who has ever voted for me or voted for Barack has much more in common in terms of what we want to see happen in our country and in the world with the other than they do with John McCain.” she said on CNN’s “The Situation Room.” “I’m going to work my heart out for whoever our nominee is — obviously I’m still hoping to be that nominee — but I’m going to do everything I can to make sure that anyone who supported me … understands what a grave error it would be not to vote for Sen. Obama.” Exit polls out of West Virginia indicate
only 36 percent of Clinton’s supporters would vote for Obama
if he were the nominee. A bare majority of Obama’s voters
said they would vote for Clinton over McCain. |
|
C-SPAN Daily Alert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- C-SPAN Highlights Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: * Road to the White House - Sunday on C-SPAN
at 6:30pm * Newspaper Articles & Viewer Calls * Brushing aside a presidential veto threat, the Senate on Thursday cleared a $289 billion, five-year farm bill that significantly increases nutrition spending while preserving crop subsidies...- Full Story at www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight/ * Where was presidential candidate George
C. Wallace shot on May 15, 1972? - Answer at www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight/ |
|
Looking Good for Democrats
in Mississippi -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Democrats Capture Deep-Red
Mississippi House Seat -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/05/childers_wins.php |
|
Most Unpopular President In
History Asserts Obama, Democrats Wish ... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Democrats Continue to Win
Republican Seats -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Statement on War Funding Vote -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “I understand the differences of opinion on the war in Iraq. There is little question, in Congress and among the American people, that the prosecution of this war by the Bush Administration has been incompetent and egregious errors have been made. Yet, all of us, on both sides of the aisle, strongly support our men and women who are in harm’s way. “On this war funding vote, Democratic members – to a person – had the courage of their convictions and cast either a yes or no vote. The same cannot be said for the 132 Republicans – or two-thirds of Republican Members – who refused to cast a yes or no vote on this very clear issue and instead voted ‘present.’ They failed to take a stand. And, I can only speculate as to how they intend to explain that to their constituents back home.”
### |
|
Biden calls Bush’s remarks
about appeasement ‘bull -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — The chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Joe Biden, called President Bush’s comments Thursday suggesting Sen. Barack Obama and other Democrats want to appease terrorists “bulls–t.” He added that if the president disagrees so strongly with the idea of talking to Iran, then he needs to fire his secretaries of state and defense, both of whom, Biden said, have pushed to sit down with the Iranians. “This is bulls–t. This is malarkey. This is outrageous. Outrageous for the president of the United States to go to a foreign country, sit in the Knesset … and make this kind of ridiculous statement.” Biden, D-Delaware, said angrily in a brief interview just off the Senate floor. –From CNN Congressional Producer Ted
Barrett |
|
Al-Maliki meets with tribal
leaders, former Hussein army officers in Mosul -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — Iraq’s prime minister, in the northern city of Mosul to oversee an offensive against al Qaeda in Iraq, touched base with tribal leaders and former Saddam Hussein-regime army officers to garner their support for the campaign to oust the insurgents. The offensive, the Mother of Two Springs, began Wednesday in and around Mosul — center for what officials call the last big active urban presence for the predominantly Sunni al Qaeda in Iraq in the war-torn country. The statement said the tribal leaders expressed their full support of the operation and their willingness to cooperate with it. Earlier on Thursday, al-Maliki met with a number of former Hussein-regime army officers and called for their return to the armed forces, for their problems to be addressed, and for their talents to be utilized properly by society. –From CNN’s Jomana Karadsheh
|
|
House panel looks into Pentagon
workers’ compensation program -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — The chairman of a House panel says a Pentagon workers’ compensation program for civilian employees in Iraq and Afghanistan is “inefficient” and a “flagrant abuse of taxpayer dollars” — amounting to millions of dollars in “excessive profits” over the past five years for private insurance companies and defense contractors. Rep. Henry Waxman, chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, made the remarks Thursday, when a hearing began to examine “allegations of waste and abuse in the procurement of Defense Base Act insurance.” Waxman said the law requires contractors to purchase such insurance for their employees. He said the State Department, the U.S.
Agency for International Development, and the Corps of Engineers
“have approached this requirement responsibly” by conducting
“a competition to select an insurance carrier to offer this
insurance at low rates to their contractors. “ |
|
It’s a broken record
— gas prices hit new high -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — In what is becoming a familiar yet still painful daily occurrence, gas prices hit a new record high Thursday — the eighth day in a row, auto group AAA’s Web site reported. The nationwide average for a gallon of regular unleaded gas was $3.776, up from the previous high of $3.758. The AAA national average shows gas prices
up nearly 12 percent over the past month and up 20 percent from
year-ago levels. |
|
Clinton’s WV win ends
up boosting Obama with Edwards’ endorsement -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (CNN) — Hillary Clinton’s decisive win in West Virginia’s primary caused former candidate John Edwards to throw his support to Barack Obama, the Illinois senator’s aides said. Edwards was concerned that the Clinton campaign’s assertion that Obama can’t win white, working-class voters was becoming too damaging to Obama and the party, aides said. Obama had been courting Edwards for four
months. Since Edwards abandoned his presidential bid in January,
he and Obama have talked regularly, Obama said. |
|
Barack Obama blasts President
George Bush terror talk jibe -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Edwards endorsement pays off
for Obama -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Clinton Criticizes Bush, McCain -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
House Republicans Block War
Funds -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Official count shows Clinton
victory margin in Ohio smaller -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Clinton speaks about rural
issues during SD campaign stop -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Talk of an Obama-Clinton dream
ticket wont rest -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Al-Maliki proposes amnesty,
weapons handover plan in northern Iraqi province -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — Iraq’s prime minister has announced an amnesty for some armed gunmen in a restive northern Iraqi province. Gunmen in Nineveh province and its capital of Mosul would be paid and would avert jail if they turn in their medium and heavy weapons to security forces and tribal leaders, according to Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. The amnesty plan — which will be for
10 days beginning Friday — applies to people who were “duped
and carried weapons” against security forces, but “whose
hands are not covered in blood.” And those who have committed
crimes against civilians do not qualify for the amnesty. Al-Maliki
is now in Mosul overseeing military offensive against al Qaeda
in Iraq called Mother of Two Springs |
|
Iran calls Baghdad shooting
an ‘assassination attempt,’ cites ‘distrustful’
U.S. ’safety measures’ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (CNN) — Iran’s Foreign Ministry is calling the shooting of its embassy personnel in Baghdad on Thursday an “assassination attempt.” It also says inadequate U.S. security measures contribute to such incidents, according to a report Friday in the country’s Islamic Republic News Agency. “The onus is on the occupying forces
to ensure security of embassy personnel in Baghdad. The distrustful
safety measures taken by U.S. military forces in Iraq have become
a serious cause for concern as it is stoking instability in the
country,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini
is quoted as saying. |
|
Bin Laden urges Muslims to
liberate Palestine -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (CNN) — Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden — in a blunt new message that coincides with Israel’s 60th anniversary — urges his followers to liberate Palestine, a terrorism analyst told CNN on Friday. In a message entitled “The Causes of Conflict on the 60th Anniversary of the State of Israeli Occupation,” bin Laden reiterates jihadist opposition to the existence of the Jewish state and its policies. Bin Laden’s audio message, released
Thursday, tells listeners that “liberating” Palestine
should be the aim of every Muslim, according to terrorism analyst
Laura Mansfield. |
|
Chavez rejects Interpol report
as ‘clown show’ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (CNN) — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez dismissed as “a clown show” the Interpol report Thursday declaring that computers found in Ecuador by the Colombian military belonged to leftist rebels. In a news conference with international news media held at the presidential palace in Caracas, Chavez called Interpol’s secretary general, Ronald Noble, a “gringo” policeman and “a tremendous actor.” Chavez said Noble had tried to “give the clown show the character of scientific seriousness.” Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has said the computers contain evidence that Chavez supported the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC. Chavez accused him of having “no shame.” |
|
Bush wraps up Israel visit,
heads for Saudi Arabia -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Israel says US sees need for
"tangible action" on Iran -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Why Hillary Clinton will fight
on -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Senate votes to revive ban
on media cross-ownership -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Dollar Declines Against Euro
Before Housing, Sentiment Reports -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama, Clinton to visit Oregon
this weekend -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Eight reasons why Obama should
not choose Clinton as his running ... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama to speak in Billings,
Bozeman on Monday -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
In South, Black Turnout May
Challenge the GOP -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Defying President Bush, Senate
Passes Farm Bill -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Bush to press Saudi king on
oil prices and Iran -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Unions turn toward Democratic
front-runner Obama -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
U.S. to suspend shipments
to petroleum reserve in July -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — The U.S. government said Friday that it will halt deliveries to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in July. In quick response, oil prices retreated from a record high near $128 a barrel. The U.S. Energy Department announcement comes several days after Congress voted to direct the Bush administration to stop shipments to the emergency reserves. The Energy Department decided not to purchase
oil from July to December to protect against liability for unfulfilled
contracts should the bill become law, said Megan Barnett, a spokeswoman
for the department. |
|
Obama: Bush comments ‘appalling,’
McCain gives up ‘civility’ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (CNN) — Sen. Barack Obama slammed President Bush on Friday for launching “exactly the kind of appalling attack that’s divided our country and that alienates us from the world.” Obama was rejecting Bush’s remarks Thursday at a ceremony in Israel that suggested Obama and other Democrats want to appease terrorists. White House officials denied Obama was a target of Bush’s remarks. But privately, White House aides indicated the criticism was aimed at various Democrats, including Obama and former President Jimmy Carter. Speaking at a campaign stop Friday in Watertown, South Dakota, Obama also lambasted Sen. John McCain for “embracing” the president’s “attacks on Democrats,” and “suggesting that I wasn’t fit to protect this nation that I love.” “So much for civility,” Obama
said, noting that McCain had talked about the need for civility
in politics earlier Thursday. |
|
U.S. to resume food shipments
to North Korea -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — The United States announced Friday it will send 500,000 metric tons of food to North Korea, starting next month. A statement released by the U.S. Agency for International Development announced the resumption of food shipments. Assistance had been halted amidst questions about how the aid was being distributed and concerns over U.S. inability to monitor it. “International organizations and experts have expressed concern about a severe food shortage in North Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has explained to the United States that it faces a major shortfall in food supplies,” the USAID statement said. “The two sides have agreed on terms for a substantial improvement in monitoring and access in order to allow for for confirmation of receipt by the intended recipients.” –From CNN’s Charley Keyes |
|
Saudis reject Bush plea to
increase oil production -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — Saudi Arabia has rejected a plea from President Bush to increase oil production, a top White House aide said Friday. The world’s top oil exporter said
it did not see enough customer demand to boost production, National
Security Adviser Stephen Hadley said. |
|
Cease-fire taking hold in
Baghdad’s Sadr City -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) –A cease-fire between Shiite militants and security forces is holding in Baghdad’s Sadr City on Friday, with Iraqi security forces entering the neighborhood and clearing roadside bombs, Iraqi authorities said. Last weekend and Monday, the Sadrists and the United Iraqi Alliance — a powerful political bloc that includes the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq — worked out a deal to end fighting in Sadr City. One of the aims of the deal was to impose a four-day cease-fire and get troops into the district a few days later to impose law and order, clear bombs, and collect weaponry used by militias. “Iraqi Army forces have entered Sadr
City,” Baghdad security plan spokesman Brig. Gen. Qassim
Atta said Friday. They were welcomed by the residents, he said,
and have started removing roadside bombs from the streets. |
|
FACTBOX - Issues on the table
at Lebanon crisis talks -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Iraqi Prime Minister Offers
Cash for Weapons in Mosul -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Pentagon Threatens Layoffs
Over Stalled Iraq Money -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
US Suspends Filling of Strategic
Oil Supply -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Hillary Leads In The Popular
Vote --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Latest Hillary News Leading the Popular Vote: According to ABC News, Hillary's West Virginia victory put her over the top in the popular vote. She now leads Sen. Obama 16,691,283 to 16,647,926 when Florida and Michigan are included in the count. Previewing Today: Hillary Clinton travels to South Dakota and attends a "Solutions for the Rural Economy" town hall in Bath, SD. Automatic Delegate Watch: Yesterday, Tennessee Automatic Delegate Vicky Harwell endorsed Hillary. "Hillary's decisive victory in West Virginia is the latest evidence that she is the strongest candidate to take on John McCain and win back the White House," Harwell said In Case You Missed It: Clinton National Campaign Co-Chair Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones and other Members of Congress held a press conference last night to discuss Hillary Clinton's strong pro-choice record. The Politico's Ben Smith reports "Amie Parnes emails that more than a dozen congresswomen who endorsed Clinton gathered in front of the DCCC to express disappointment in NARAL's Obama endorsement. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz said 'we feel abandoned by this organization today.' Rep. Shelley Berkeley called the endorsement 'extremely unnecessary' and 'inappropriate.' Rep. Jane Harmon called it 'a betrayal.'" Kentucky Endorsement Watch: Four former Kentucky governors endorsed Hillary yesterday. "The people of Kentucky need a President who has the strength, experience, and leadership to lead on day one," said former Governor Julian Carroll. "My friendship with Hillary goes back more than 30 years and I know she'll make a fine President." OR Supporters Standing By Hillary: "Linda Mayer of Eugene knows they're out there: the pollsters and pundits who insist that Sen. Hillary Clinton is on the ropes and should give up her quest for the presidency. But that doesn't mean she has to listen to them…A retired Lane Community College teacher who is giving about 30 volunteer hours a week, [Mayer said:] 'As a woman, I've been waiting for a woman — who is qualified — for a long time…To me, Hillary is the best qualified and also very brave and courageous.'" Why I Support Hillary: Jordan Kokich, a student at Portland State University and a field organizer for Hillary in Oregon remembers meeting Hillary through the Make-A-Wish Foundation when she was only eight years old. She says, "I am 22 now, and in less than four hours I would be meeting Hillary yet again…Upon seeing her at last, I met her half way as she greeted me with open arms. This was history coming full circle." 'Esa es mi candi.. In Puerto Rico, "A group of volunteers took to the busy streets of Río Piedras, handing out bumper stickers, yard signs and, most importantly, one-on-one information on Hillary's comprehensive agenda for the jurisdiction with the largest Hispanic population under the American flag." On Tap: This Friday, Hillary will campaign throughout Oregon.
Help Hillary Win Next Week! |
|
A few reasons why Hillary
Clinton still runs -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Clinton Claims Popular Vote
Lead, Bashes Bush Trip -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama makes first campaign
stop in S. Dakota -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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McCain asks staff to disclose
lobbying ties -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Analysis: Obama reacts fast
to Bush on diplomacy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama Links Bush and McCain
on ‘Failed Policies’ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Defying President Bush, Senate
Passes Farm Bill -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
When Goldman Speaks, People
Buy Oil -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Saudi Production -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
United States to send 2 planeloads
of aid to China -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — The United States will send two plane-loads of aid to China this weekend to help Chinese earthquake victims. State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack said two US Air Force C-17’s will take the supplies, including tents and generators. The U.S. offer of assistance is open-ended and the flights could be followed by others, he told reporters at his regular midday briefing. Earlier, the United States pledged $500,000
to help China in its quake relief efforts and that money has
been delivered by the U.S. Red Cross. |
|
Obama: ‘No separation’
between McCain, Bush on foreign policy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WATERTOWN, South Dakota (CNN) — Barack Obama linked John McCain Friday with what he called “the failed policies” of the Bush administration, accusing the presumptive Republican presidential nominee and the White House of “bombast, exaggerations and fear-mongering” in place of “strategy and analysis and smart policy.” “What we’ve done over the last eight years does not work,” the Democratic frontrunner told reporters. The “track record of George Bush supported by John McCain” includes the failure to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, a longer and more expensive war in Iraq than was initially projected, the continued freedom of Sept. 11 mastermind Osama bin Laden and the strengthening of Iran after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, he said. “The American people are going to
look at the evidence,” he said. “We don’t get
a sense that this has been a wise foreign policy or a smart foreign
policy or a tough foreign policy. This has been a policy that
oftentimes revolved around a lot of bluster and big talk, but
very little performance, and what the American people want right
now is performance.” |
|
Bush to head for Egypt talks
with Palestinians -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama, McCain clash over foreign
policy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
MESSAGE FROM THE MAJORITY
LEADER -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week, Democrats took another step in our effort to lower the record gas prices that are straining the budgets of American families by passing legislation temporarily suspending deliveries of oil to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. This action will increase our petroleum supply, and could help bring down gas prices slightly as a result. This step joins other actions taken by Democrats, including spurring the Federal Trade Commission to investigate market manipulation, passing legislation on price gouging, and passing legislation holding OPEC accountable for price fixing. On Wednesday, both the House and Senate overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan Farm Bill that makes an unprecedented investment in nutrition programs. These programs will assist millions of American families who are feeling the pinch of rising food prices. Yesterday, the House passed two amendments of an Iraq supplemental bill. One amendment calls for a change in policy in Iraq, including a plan to redeploy all American troops within 18 months and a requirement that Iraqis contribute more to the reconstruction effort. The second amendment restores full education benefits to veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, giving them a GI Bill equal to what veterans of WWII received, and making them a key part of our economic recovery. However, Republicans chose to play political games with the third amendment that provides funding for the war. In a clearly cynical move to delay completion of this bill, 132 Republicans refused to vote 'yes' or 'no' on the amendment, voting 'present' instead. Despite their antics, I expect the troop funding to return to the House Floor for another vote in the coming weeks. Next week, the House will take up a tax package that will extend tax relief to millions of families, provide tax incentives to small businesses investing in new technologies so that they remain competitive in the global economy, and offer tax credits to invest in renewable energy. We will also take up a Defense Authorization bill that focuses on restoring our military readiness, taking care of our troops and their families, and returning our attention to the war in Afghanistan. And, for the first time in an election year since 2000, we will pass a budget conference report that invests in America's priorities in a fiscally responsible manner.
Sincerely yours, |
|
Last week, we told you how
John McCain raised over $9 million for his campaign and the Republican
National Committee in 48 hours. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yesterday, he was in Washington, D.C., attending back-to-back receptions for his top donors. The night ended with a "Spring Gala" dinner for those willing to pay thousands of dollars to wine and dine with John McCain and his top campaign staff. The RNC has boasted it plans to raise at least $120 million to support John McCain. That's why Republican operatives are working around the clock to bank as much money as they can, while they can. They're gearing up for a Swift Boat offensive on our nominee. Make a contribution now -- and help match what the Republicans are raising: http://www.democrats.org/NoSwiftBoat We can't let the Republicans get ahead of us. Tom McMahon |
|
FACTBOX - Delegate counts
for US presidential candidates -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
C-SPAN Weekend Alert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- C-SPAN Highlights Friday: Saturday: Sunday: Monday: ********************************************************************** Friday: Saturday: Monday: ********************************************************************** Friday: Saturday: Sunday: Monday: Saturday: Sunday: Monday: * Road to the White House - Sun., C-SPAN,
6:30pm ET Saturday: Sunday: Monday: * When President Bush returns from his Middle East trip, he is likely to confront two major legislative challenges from the Democratic Congress — bills he has repeatedly denounced but probably cannot block... - Full Story at www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight/ * Before President Bush, who was the last
Republican president to visit Israel while in office? - Answer
at www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight/ |
|
Barack Obama is just 17 elected
delegates away from a majority -- and you can help get him there. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- At the start of this race, there were 3253 elected delegates at stake in primaries and caucuses across the country. After winning 32 of 49 contests, Barack is within reach of an absolute majority. We believe that the winner of the majority of elected, pledged delegates should and will be the Democratic nominee. Important primaries are coming up this Tuesday in Oregon and Kentucky. With your help, Barack could win enough delegates to reach this crucial milestone on his way to securing the nomination. We need to do absolutely everything we can to help put Barack over the top. Right now, thousands of people in these states are thinking seriously about what they're looking for from our next president -- and one voice could sway their decision. I'm asking you to be that voice. Use our simple online calling tool to call potential supporters in Oregon and Kentucky and make sure they vote for Barack: http://my.barackobama.com/callnow We've come a long way together in this campaign, and Tuesday could be the day we reach a majority of elected delegates. Passing this milestone will be an unmistakable signal to the media, the superdelegates, and everyone watching this election all across the country -- the people have spoken, and America is ready for change. Use our online calling tool to build our support in this final push -- even if you've never done anything like this before. Here's how it works: 1. When you log in, you'll get a list of 25
names that only you will receive. (If you don't have a My.BarackObama
account, creating one is fast and easy.) If you want, you can even print your numbers and the script and enter your results back into the system later. Get started making a difference now: http://my.barackobama.com/callnow For more than a year, we've relied on everyday supporters like you, reaching out person-to-person to build our movement. We're close to the nomination -- please keep working to help Barack cross the finish line. Thank you, Jon Jon Carson |
|
MONDAY, MAY 19, 2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008
First Vote of the Week…
Last Vote Predicted…
Tuesday a.m. Thursday p.m.
Legislative Program - 51600 | Floor Information - 57400 | Whip Information - 63210 MONDAY, MAY 19, 2008 The House will meet at 10:30 a.m. for morning hour debate and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business. Members are advised that no votes are expected on Monday.
Suspensions (35 Bills): 1) H.Con.Res. 300 - Recognizing the necessity
for the United States to maintain its significant leadership
role in improving the health and promoting the resiliency of
coral reef ecosystems, and for other purposes (Rep. Bordallo
– Natural Resources) 2) S.J.Res. 17 - A joint resolution directing
the United States to initiate international discussions and take
necessary steps with other Nations to negotiate an agreement
for managing migratory and transboundary fish stocks in the Arctic
Ocean (Sen. Stevens (AK) – Natural Resources) 3) H.Con.Res. 325 - Celebrating the 50th
Anniversary of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission's Historical
Preservation and Museum Program, which began on June 15, 1958
(Rep. Stupak – Natural Recourses) 4) H.Res. 1074 - Honoring the 60th anniversary
of the commencement of the carving of the Crazy Horse Memorial
(Rep. Herseth–Sandlin – Natural Resources) 5) H.R. 1464 - To assist in the conservation
of rare felids and rare canids by supporting and providing financial
resources for the conservation programs of nations within the
range of rare felid and rare canid populations and projects of
persons with demonstrated expertise in the conservation of rare
felid and rare canid populations (Rep. Udall (NM) – Natural
Resources) 6) H.R. 1771 - To assist in the conservation
of cranes by supporting and providing, through projects of persons
and organizations with expertise in crane conservation, financial
resources for the conservation programs of countries the activities
of which directly or indirectly affect cranes and the ecosystems
of cranes (Rep. Baldwin – Natural Resources) 7) H.R. 3323 - To authorize the Secretary
of the Interior to convey a water distribution system to the
Goleta Water District, and for other purposes (Rep. Capps –
Natural Resources) 8) H.R. 2649 - To make amendments to the
Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992
(Rep. Bilbray – Natural Resources) 9) H.R. 4841 - To approve, ratify, and
confirm the settlement agreement entered into to resolve claims
by the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians relating to alleged interferences
with the water resources of the Tribe, to authorize and direct
the Secretary of the Interior to execute and perform the Settlement
Agreement and related waivers, and for other purposes (Rep. Bono
Mack – Natural Resources) 10) H.Res. 1144 - Expressing support for
designation of a "Frank Sinatra Day" on May 13, 2008,
in honor of the dedication of the Frank Sinatra commemorative
stamp (Rep. Serrano – Oversight and Government Reform) 11) H.Con.Res. 334 - Supporting the goals
and objectives of a National Military Appreciation Month. (Rep.
Shays – Oversight and Government Reform) 12) H.Res. 1152 - Honoring Arnold Palmer
for his distinguished career in the sport of golf and his commitment
to excellence and sportsmanship Michael Ferguson, Arnold Palmer
(Rep. Ferguson - Oversight and Government Reform) 13) H.Res. 1132 - Supporting the goals
and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day (Rep. Poe – Oversight
and Government Reform) 14) H.Res. 1153 - Celebrating Asian Pacific
American Heritage Month (Rep. Hirono - Oversight and Government
Reform) 15) H.Res. 1026 - Recognizing the 100th
anniversary of the founding of the Congressional Club (Rep. Bishop
(GA) - Oversight and Government Reform) 16) H.R. 752 - Federal Electronic Equipment
Donation Act of 2007 (Rep. Butterfield - Oversight and Government
Reform) 17) H.R. 5787 - Federal Real Property Disposal
Enhancement Act of 2008 (Rep. Moore (KS) -Oversight and Government
Reform) 18) H.Res. 1142 – Recognizing May
25, 2008, as National Missing Children's Day (Rep. Lampson –
Education and Labor) 19) H.Res. 1147 – Congratulating the
Northern Kentucky University Norse women's basketball team, champions
of the 2008 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division
II tournament (Rep. Davis (KY) – Education and Labor) 20) H.R. 2744 – Airline Flight Crew
Technical Corrections Act (Rep. Bishop (NY) – Education
and Labor) 21) H.Res. 1137 - Supporting the goals
and ideals of National Public Works Week (Rep. Oberstar –
Transportation and Infrastructure) 22) H.Con.Res. 309 - Authorizing the use
of the Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics
Law Enforcement Torch Run (Rep. Norton – Transportation
and Infrastructure) 23) H.Res. 339 - Supporting the goals of
Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month (Rep. Burgess – Transportation
and Infrastructure) 24) H.Con.Res. 305 - Recognizing the importance
of bicycling in transportation and recreation (Rep. Blumenauer
– Transportation and Infrastructure) 25) H.R. 6074 - Gas Price Relief for Consumers
Act of 2008 – (Rep. Kagen – Judiciary) 26) S. 2168 - Identity Theft Enforcement
and Restitution Act of 2007 (Sen. Leahy – Judiciary) 27) H.R. 3480 - Let Our Veterans Rest in
Peace Act of 2007 (Rep. Carney – Judiciary) 28) S. 2829 - A bill to make technical
corrections to section 1244 of the National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2008, which provides special immigrant status
for certain Iraqis, and for other purposes (Sen. Kennedy –
Judiciary) 29) H.R. 5571 - To extend for 5 years the
program relating to waiver of the foreign country residence requirement
with respect to international medical graduates (Rep. Lofgren
– Judiciary) 30) H.Res. __ - Commemoration of President Lyndon Baines Johnson on the occasion his birthday centennial (Rep. Sheila Jackson–Lee – Judiciary) 31) H.Res. 1106 - Expressing support for
designation of April 2008 as "National Autism Awareness
Month" and supporting efforts to devote new resources to
research into the causes and treatment of autism and to improve
training and support for individuals with autism and those who
care for individuals with autism (Rep. Reichert – Energy
and Commerce) 32) H.Res. 1124 - Expressing the sense
of the House of Representatives that there should be established
a National Brain Tumor Awareness Month (Rep. Schakowsky –
Energy and Commerce) 33) H.Res. 1022 - Reducing maternal mortality
both at home and abroad (Rep. Capps – Energy and Commerce) 34) H.Con.Res. 134 - Expressing the sense
of the Congress that there should be established a Bebe Moore
Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month to enhance
public awareness of mental illness, especially within minority
communities (Rep. Wynn – Energy and Commerce) 35) H.Res. 369 Supporting the goals and
ideals of National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month
(Rep. Berkley – Energy and Commerce)
TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2008 AND THE BALANCE OF THE WEEK The House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for Morning Hour and at 10:00 a.m. for legislative business. On Wednesday and Thursday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for legislative business. On Friday, no votes are expected in the House
Suspensions (20 Bills): 1) H.R. 6081 - The Heroes Earnings Assistance
and Relief Tax Act of 2008 (Rep. Rangel – Ways and Means) 2) H.Res. 1185 - Expressing the sense of
the House of Representatives that Congress should recognize the
important contributions of Americans who serve as foster parents
and, in doing so, unselfishly open their homes and family lives
to children in need (Rep. McDermott – Ways and Means) 3) H.Res. __ - Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that youth who age out of foster care should be given special care and attention (Rep. Lewis (GA) – Ways and Means) 4) H.Res. 1054 - Honoring the service and
achievements of women in the Armed Forces and female veterans
(Rep. Davis (CA) – Armed Services) 5) H.Res. 986 - Recognizing the courage
and sacrifice of those members of the United States Armed Forces
who were held as prisoners of war during the Vietnam conflict
and calling for a full accounting of the 1,729 members of the
Armed Forces who remain unaccounted for from the Vietnam conflict
(Rep. Boehner – Armed Services) 6) H.Res. 961 - Commending the Alaska Army
National Guard for its service to the State of Alaska and the
citizens of the United States (Rep. Young (AK) – Armed Services) 7) H.Con.Res. 32 - Honoring the members
of the United States Air Force who were killed in the June 25,
1996, terrorist bombing of the Khobar Towers United States military
housing compound near Dhahran, Saudi Arabia (Rep. Miller (FL)
– Armed Services) 8) H.R. 2790 - To establish the position
of Director of Physician Assistant Services within the office
of the Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Health as amended
(Rep. Hare – Veterans’ Affairs) 9) H.R. 3681 - Veterans Benefits Awareness
Act of 2007 (Rep. Boozman – Veterans’ Affairs) 10) H.R. 3819 - Veterans Emergency Care
Fairness Act of 2007 (Rep. Space – Veterans’ Affairs) 11) H.R. 3889 – To require the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs to conduct a longitudinal study of the vocational
rehabilitation programs administered by the Secretary (Rep. Boozman
– Veterans’ Affairs) 12) H.R. 5554 - Veterans Substance Use
Disorders Prevention and Treatment Act of 2008 (Rep. Michaud
– Veterans’ Affairs) 13) H.R. 5664 - To direct the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs to update at least once every six years the
plans and specifications for specially adapted housing furnished
to veterans by the Secretary (Rep. Rodriguez – Veterans’
Affairs) 14) H.R. 5729 - Spina Bifida Health Care
Program Expansion Act (Rep. Ellsworth – Veterans’ Affairs) 15) H.R. 5826 - Veterans' Compensation
Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2008 (Rep. Rodriguez –
Veterans’ Affairs) 16) H.R. 5856 - Department of Veterans
Affairs Medical Facility Authorization and Lease Act of 2008
(Rep. Michaud – Veterans’ Affairs) 17) H.R. 6048 - To amend the Servicemembers
Civil Relief Act to provide for the protection of child custody
arrangements for parents who are members of the Armed Forces
deployed in support of a contingency operation (Rep. Turner –
Veterans’ Affairs) 18) S. 3029 - To provide for an additional
temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act
and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 through February
28, 2009, and for other purposes (Sen. Kerry – Small Business) 19) H.Res. 1195 - Expressing condolences
and sympathy to the people of the People’s Republic of China
for the grave loss of life and vast destruction caused by the
massive earthquake centered in Sichuan Province (Rep. Wu –
Foreign Affairs) 20) H.Res. 1194 - Reaffirming the support
of the House of Representatives for the legitimate, democratically-elected
Government of Lebanon under Prime Minister Fouad Siniora (Rep.
Berman – Foreign Affairs)
H.R. 6049 - The Renewable Energy and Job
Creation Act of 2008 (Rep. Rangel – Ways and Means) (Subject
to a Rule)
Conference Report on S.Con.Res. 70 - the
Concurrent Budget Resolution for 2009 (Rep. Spratt – Budget)
(Subject to a Rule)
H.R. 5658 – The National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Rep. Skelton – Armed Services)
(Subject to a Rule) |
|
Buoyed by recent wins, Democrats
eye Southern seats -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jt8F4BJObNBiuFBzc4i3y0-A3qswD90MTB5O0 |
|
Lieberman Talks About McCain,
Hamas, and the Democrats -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Democrats rap Bush-McCain
'hypocrisy' -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=217688&Sn=WORL&IssueID=31058 |
|
Obama Strikes Back at Bush
On Diplomacy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Election Fraud, not Voter
Fraud, is a National Security Threat -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Presidential candidates make
their way through Oregon -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Contested Nominee To FEC Drops
Out -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Sen. Kerry: Senate Win ‘Great
Sign for Future’ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Bush exchanges views with
young Israelis -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Sadr fighters lay down their
weapons -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Iraqi forces detain 1000 in
al Qaeda push -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Taliban Release Pakistani
Envoy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama draws 7000 to Arena -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Who Is Facebook Trying to
Protect? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
NAACP picks new president -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (CNN) — The board of the NAACP has chosen 35-year-old Ben Jealous as the group’s new president following a contentious debate that lasted late into the night, NAACP board sources said Saturday. When the 34-21 vote was announced, “no one clapped or celebrated,” one board member said after the meeting in Baltimore, Maryland. Sources said Jealous, a former newspaper editor and Amnesty International director, was the lone finalist for the post of president, vacant for more than a year. He was the primary choice of board Chairman
Julian Bond, sources said. |
|
Obama Says Bush and McCain
Are ‘Fear Peddling’ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Bush seeks more oil as Saudis
say output is enough -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Oil sets record near $128;
pump price at high, too -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Bush Says Saudi Oil Increase
`Not Enough' to Ease -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Fed's Lockhart says world
will feel US slowdown -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Oregon AG warns Obama, Clinton
campaigns about automated calls -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
How the Democrats Will Win
the White House -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Week in Review by Zach Ragbourn
(Fri May 16 2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here are some of the highlights in the U.S. Senate races for the week of May 12. Alaska: Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich shared his first-hand experience with global warming in a column for the Huffington Post. Colorado: It must still be 2008, because Republican Bob Schaffer has put his foot in his mouth once again. This time, it was a campaign ad about his “Colorado life,” proudly featuring a famous Alaska landmark. Colorado: Meanwhile, Democrat Mark Udall has hit the airwaves with a new campaign ad, outlining the challenges we face when it comes to fixing the country’s energy policies. Iowa: Senator Tom Harkin has posted a web video talking about the passage of the Farm Bill that’s so important to Iowans. Harkin is also asking people to sign a petition urging George Bush to back down from his veto threat. Maine: A poll released today shows Democrat Tom Allen closing in on Susan Collins. Allen has gained six points in the last month, as more and more Mainers have heard his message, and have learned about Susan Collins’ pro-Bush positions and her failure to live up to her responsibilities in the Senate. Nebraska: Rancher and teacher Scott Kleeb was chosen by Nebraska Democrats to challenge serial job-hopper Mike Johanns for the Senate seat being vacated by Chuck Hagel. Kleeb’s impressive grassroots organization and his message of change will give Nebraska voters a real choice this November. New Mexico: Democrat Tom Udall has launched a brand-new website. Also, polls released this week show Udall with a commanding lead over both his potential Republican rivals. Oklahoma: Amy Rubin brings us the latest videos from the Road To Victory. Check out the footage from her trip to Oklahoma. Texas: Recent polls have shown Republican John Cornyn to be vulnerable this year, especially if the right Democrat steps forward to challenge him. A news broadcast from a Dallas-Fort Worth television station shows why Rick Noriega just might be the kind of candidate who can defeat Cornyn. http://www.dscc.org/blog |
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Begich Leading The Way On
Global Warming Solution -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What does it take to convince a global warming skeptic that we’re facing a real challenge, and that it’s time to take action? Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich answers that question in a blog entry on the Huffington Post: I pulled out a photo of me as a child by the Portage Glacier with three of my siblings, and the ice was just ten feet from me. Then I went out to the same location with my then three-year-old son, Jacob, and took a photo of Jacob. I literally couldn't see the ice. What happened to me in that moment was truly life-changing. The evidence was right there in those two pictures. I went back to Anchorage and I started to act. Begich, who is challenging Republican Ted Stevens in this year’s U.S. Senate race, has committed Anchorage to supporting groups working on climate change issues, and has brought many energy-efficient solutions to his city. Working with other mayors in Southcentral Alaska, Begich is helping Alaska find new and better conservation, development, and energy policies. Almost overnight, Begich has become a state and regional leader on one of the most important issues facing Alaska and the United States. Click here to read the full column.
For more on the Alaska race, check out our race profile page, or visit Mark Begich’s website. http://www.dscc.org/blog |
|
Poll Alert: Begich Leads Stevens
by 5 in Alaska -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A new poll conducted by Research 2000 shows that Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich leads Republican Senator Ted Stevens in Alaska by 5 points, 48% to 43%. Begich has a favorable rating of 52% in the poll, with only 25% viewing him unfavorably. Stevens’ favorability, on the other hand, is only 38%, with a full 58% viewing him unfavorably, including 24% who view him very unfavorably. Begich leads by a commanding 20 points among independents, 56% to 36%. Begich announced his candidacy for the Senate just last month. The poll of 600 likely voters was conducted May 12 through May 14. http://www.dscc.org/blog |
|
Bush calls on Middle East
leaders to build on ‘hopeful beginnings’ towards democracy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt (CNN) — President Bush Sunday called on the leaders of Middle East nations to build on the momentum of the “hopeful beginnings” of democracy in the region that he said were exemplified by Turkey, Egypt, Afghanistan, and Iraq. “We have seen the stirrings of reform from Morocco and Algeria to Jordan and the Gulf States,” Bush told the World Economic Forum on the Middle East. Bush spoke in the Egyptian resort city
of Sharm El-Sheikh on the final day of his Middle East trip,
which he began in Israel on Wednesday. |
|
UN humanitarian chief to visit
Myanmar -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BANGKOK, Thailand (CNN) — UN humanitarian chief John Holmes is expected to arrive in Myanmar Sunday evening to assess the scope of the disaster that a deadly cyclone has wrought, a spokeswoman for the United Nations said. Holmes, UN under-secretary general for humanitarian affairs, will meet with the country’s rulers and try to convince them that a disaster of such magnitude cannot be handled by one nation alone, said spokeswoman spokeswoman Amanda Pitt. Aid agencies have struggled to gain access to the country from the secretive military junta that rules Myanmar, though some relief flights landed. The regime has indicated that it would like supplies but not international aid workers. Holmes is traveling to Yangon at the request
of U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, Pitt said. On Wednesday,
Holmes said the death toll from the killer cyclone Nargis could
be “in the region of 100,000 or even more.” Millions
more are homeless. |
|
Fernandez re-elected in Dominican
Republic -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (CNN) — Dominican Republic President Leonel Fernandez, who led the island nation out of dire economic times, was re-elected to a third term on Saturday, according to election results. Fernandez took nearly 54 percent of the vote in a multi-party race, avoiding a runoff. His main rival, center-leftist candidate Miguel Vargas, took roughly 40 percent of the vote and said he accepted the results shortly after Fernandez declared victory. In an exclusive interview with CNN en Espanol,
Fernandez called on opposition members to work with him to continue
efforts that have turned the Dominican Republic into one of the
fastest-growing economies in the Caribbean. |
|
Bush lectures Arab world on
political reform, women's rights -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama seeks focus on end of
primary campaign -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Iraqi forces detain 1000 in
al Qaeda push -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Reid: No holiday for the gas
tax -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama, Clinton hone critique
of McCain -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama Shifts Campaign Focus
to General Election -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
More on Speaking Out against
the War -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Democratic Raid on House Seats
May Not Be Over -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Campaign Tightens Rules on
Lobbying -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
A majority -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Barack Obama is just 17 elected delegates away from a majority -- and you can help get him there. At the start of this race, there were 3253 elected delegates at stake in primaries and caucuses across the country. After winning 32 of 49 contests, Barack is within reach of an absolute majority. We believe that the winner of the majority of elected, pledged delegates should and will be the Democratic nominee. Important primaries are coming up this Tuesday in Oregon and Kentucky. With your help, Barack could win enough delegates to reach this crucial milestone on his way to securing the nomination. We need to do absolutely everything we can to help put Barack over the top. Right now, thousands of people in these states are thinking seriously about what they're looking for from our next president -- and one voice could sway their decision. I'm asking you to be that voice. Use our simple online calling tool to call potential supporters in Oregon and Kentucky and make sure they vote for Barack: http://my.barackobama.com/callnow We've come a long way together in this campaign, and Tuesday could be the day we reach a majority of elected delegates. Passing this milestone will be an unmistakable signal to the media, the superdelegates, and everyone watching this election all across the country -- the people have spoken, and America is ready for change. Use our online calling tool to build our support in this final push -- even if you've never done anything like this before. Here's how it works: 1. When you log in, you'll get a list of
25 names that only you will receive. (If you don't have a My.BarackObama
account, creating one is fast and easy.) If you want, you can even print your numbers and the script and enter your results back into the system later. Get started making a difference now: http://my.barackobama.com/callnow For more than a year, we've relied on everyday supporters like you, reaching out person-to-person to build our movement. We're close to the nomination -- please keep working to help Barack cross the finish line. Thank you, Jon Jon Carson |
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Pope encourages conference
on cluster bomb ban -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Clinton rallies Kentuckians -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Bush arrives in Egypt, meets
with Mubarak -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
'Meet the Press' transcript
for May 18, 2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Pennsylvania poll offers good
news for Democrats -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
FACTBOX: Oregon and its presidential
primary -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Hillary's Gift to the American
People (and Barack Obama) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
McCain’s campaign finance
co-chair steps down -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — John McCain’s national finance co-chairman has stepped down — the latest adviser to leave the Republican senator’s presidential campaign due to ties with lobbyists. Former Texas Congressman Thomas G. Loeffler, a major fundraiser for McCain, is the fifth person to leave the campaign in the last eight days over questions about lobbying or past connections to lobbyists. “Mr. Loeffler has resigned from his
position with the campaign,” McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds
told CNN Sunday. |
|
Survey: Average price of self-serve
regular close to $4 a gallon -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (CNN) — The average price of gasoline
has jumped another 17 cents a This climb in prices makes it a “high
possibility” that many cities will Four dollars a gallon of regular unleaded
happened in two metro areas in These areas had the highest average gas
prices in the survey. They were |
|
Obama Draws Record Crowd in
Oregon -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Hillary Clinton comes to Bowling
Green -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama makes first campaign
stop in S. Dakota -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Barack Obama is No John Kerry -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Mail-in ballots encouraged -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Countries meet to discuss
cluster-bomb ban -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (CNN) — They are some of the world’s ugliest weapons — large, unreliable and notoriously inaccurate, wreaking havoc long after the end of armed conflict. Cluster munitions, which break apart in flight to scatter hundreds of smaller bomblets, are what the International Committee of the Red Cross calls a “persistent humanitarian problem.” On Monday, representatives of more than 100 countries plan to gather in Dublin, Ireland for a two-week conference to discuss a possible ban on cluster bombs. “Cluster munitions are weapons that
never stop killing,” said ICRC President Jakob Kellenberger. |
|
UN secretary-general to visit
Myanmar -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW YORK (CNN) — United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon is expected to visit cyclone-struck Myanmar this week in an attempt to “accelerate relief efforts” in the aftermath of the devastating storm, which may have killed more than 100,000 and affected 2.5 million others, the UN said Sunday. Ban is scheduled to arrive Wednesday for a three-day visit. He planned to visit the areas most affected by the May 2 storm — especially the Irrawaddy Delta in southern Myanmar — also known as Burma, the UN said in a release. “The whole purpose of the trip is to accelerate the pace of disaster relief,” said Ban spokeswoman Michele Montas. Ban and other senior UN officials, including
Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes — who arrived in
Myanmar Sunday — have been critical of the slow delivery
of aid and humanitarian workers under Myanmar’s ruling military
junta. |
|
Obama eyes general election
while Clinton hangs on -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama: Campaign Less Ebullient,
More Focused -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Bush’s Speech Prods Middle
East Leaders -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Palestinian forces arrest
Islamic Jihad militant -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Oil steady after Friday's
record, stronger dollar -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
The Magic Ingredient: Party
Unity -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama's Executive Sounding
Board -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama Shifts to Countering
Republican Attacks on His Patriotism -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Bunker mentality sets in at
Hillary Clinton campaign headquarters -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama links McCain to unpopular
Bush policies -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
GOP congressman won’t
run again after drunk driving charge, affair revelation -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — A New York congressman who admitted to fathering a child out of wedlock with a woman who bailed him out of jail on a drunk driving charge this month announced Monday that he will not run for re-election this year. “This choice was an extremely difficult one, balanced between my dedication to service to our great nation and the need to concentrate on healing the wounds that I have caused to my wife and family,” Rep. Vito Fossella, a six-term Republican, said in a written statement. Fossella is the 30th Republican to announce he would not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives, setting up potential gains for Democrats in the November election. Democrats hold a 236-199 majority in the
House. |
|
Bush signs bill freezing transfers
to nation’s emergency oil supply -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — Despite being against the measure, President Bush on Monday signed a bill halting U.S. government purchases of oil to replenish the nation’s emergency supply. White House deputy spokesman Scott Stanzel cited strong bipartisan support for the measure in Congress as a factor in Bush’s decision — the measure was passed by veto-proof majorities in both houses last week. It directs the administration to stop new deliveries to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve for six months in order to try to bring the price of gasoline down. The White House does not believe the measure will affect gas prices, but the president will not stand in its way, Stanzel said. “We think that it’s important
for Congress to not get sidetracked with a discussion of the
Strategic Petroleum Reserve,” he had said earlier in the
day, off camera “We hope that they will move on to those
issues that we think will … make a difference in the future,
like domestic production in an environmentally sensitive way”
from Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the outer
continental shelf off the U.S. coast. |
|
White House involved in killing
California emissions plan, lawmaker says -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — The White House played a “significant role” in killing California’s plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions, despite strong support from Environmental Protection Agency analysts, the head of a House committee investigating the decision said Monday. EPA staff reported that Administrator Stephen Johnson had been in favor of the California plan until the White House weighed in, according to documents released by Rep. Henry Waxman, D-California. But in a memo to members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Waxman wrote that the documents give no indication why the state’s plan was shot down. “The Clean Air Act contains specific standards for considering California’s petition,” Waxman, the panel’s chairman, told members. “It would appear to be inconsistent with the president’s constitutional obligation to faithfully execute the laws of the United States if the president or his advisors pressured Administrator Johnson to ignore the record before the agency for political or other inappropriate reasons.” In response, White House spokeswoman Emily
Lawrimore said Johnson “has been clear that he made an independent
decision based on the facts and the law.” And the committee’s
Republican minority accused Democrats of “a gross misunderstanding”
of the policymaking process. |
|
Deal reached on mortgage assistance
bill in Senate -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Senate Banking Committee leaders said Monday they have come to a deal on a housing bill that would prevent foreclosures, create affordable housing and revamp oversight of two of the mortgage market’s biggest players: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. A major part of the legislation would allow the Federal Housing Administration to insure $300 billion in new loans for at-risk borrowers if lenders agree to write down loan balances below the appraised value of their homes. The deal was struck between the top Democrat and Republican on the Banking Committee: Chairman Christopher Dodd, D-Connecticut, and Richard Shelby, R-Alabama. “This legislation is good news for
both the markets and homeowners,” Dodd said in a written
statement. “The bill addresses the root of our current economic
problems — the foreclosure crisis — by creating a voluntary
initiative at no estimated cost to taxpayers which will help
Americans keep their homes.” |
|
Sen. Byrd endorses Obama -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (CNN) — Sen. Robert Byrd, the longest-serving senator in American history, announced Monday he is endorsing Barack Obama’s White House bid. Byrd, 90, has served as West Virginia’s senator for nearly 50 years, and is one of the chamber’s most vocal critics on the war in Iraq. “After a great deal of thought, consideration
and prayer over the situation in Iraq, I have decided that, as
a superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention, I will
cast my vote for Senator Barack Obama for president,” Byrd
said in a statement released by his office. “Both Senators
Clinton and Obama are extraordinary individuals, whose integrity,
honor, love for this country and strong belief in our Constitution
I deeply respect.” |
|
U.S. military task force to
deal with food and fuel crisis, global insecurity -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — A new U.S. military task force considering the world crisis in food and fuel prices is taking the first comprehensive military look at the problem, in anticipation of the armed forces becoming more deeply involved in humanitarian assistance if the global crisis grows. The “food and fuel task force” has been formed by Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. U.S. military officials confirmed details of the task force to CNN, but emphasized strongly there are no plans at this time for any military intervention. The task force is trying to analyze several key issues centering around the question of how bad a food or fuel crisis would have to get before a country reaches the “tipping point” and conflict breaks out. –From CNN Pentagon Correspondent Barbara
Starr |
|
Top Mosul militant, once general
under Saddam, is seized -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — Security forces
in northern Iraq on Monday He is Abdul Khaleq al-Sabawi, and is al
Qaeda in Iraq’s leader in the He was arrested in Tikrit, in Salaheddin
province, but the act is |
|
Talks for a ban on cluster
bombs open in Dublin -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
4 Philadelphia Police Officers
in Videotaped Beatings Will Be Fired -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama Adopted by Native Americans -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
US Envoy Sees 'Quickening
Pace' to North Korea Nuclear Talks -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama Expected to Hit Milestone
in Tuesday’s Votes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Front and center: Obama on
the verge -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Superdelegates line up behind
Obama in Georgia -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Claiming Vote Lead, Clinton
Pushes Ahead -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama Draws Huge Crowd in
Oregon as Clinton Courts Kentucky -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Polls: Clinton leads big in
Ky., Obama modestly in Ore. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Former Clinton aide, Obama
strategist in talks -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Oregon looks like Obama country -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Lieberman Wants Terrorist
Content Yanked from YouTube -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Democrats return to Florida -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Clinton, Obama expected to
split Tuesday's votes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
India-Pakistan in new peace
talks -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Iraqi Forces Find Weapons
Cache in Baghdad Mosque -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Egypt discusses Hamas with
Israel -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Tennessee Senator Takes On
His Own Party -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama to reach delegate milestone
today -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Bush apologizes to Iraq’s
PM for soldier’s Quran desecration -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — President Bush has apologized to Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki for the shooting of a Quran by an American soldier, the Iraqi prime minister’s office confirmed. The office said Bush made the apology in a call to al-Maliki on Tuesday morning. An American staff sergeant — a sniper
section leader — had used a Quran for target practice. |
|
Obama Says Nomination ‘Within
Reach’ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Clinton's persistence earns
applause -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama: Voters answering call
for change -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
McCain strategist keeps Obama
vow, leaving campaign -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama Reaches Pledged Delegate
Majority -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Clinton Wins Kentucky in Landslide -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Paying for our foreign policy
at the pump -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
McCain adviser's work as lobbyist
comes to light -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Tally one more superdelegate
for Obama -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Clinton Sees Many Reasons
to Stay In -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Campaigning in Iowa, Obama
sees happy numbers in Oregon -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DES MOINES, Iowa (CNN) — Sen. Barack Obama returned to the scene of his campaign’s first victory Tuesday night, as results from Oregon’s primary showed him headed for a comfortable win like the ones that led to his victories in much of the northwest and Midwest. With 11 percent of precincts reporting as polls closed, Obama had 63 percent of the vote, compared to 37 percent for Hillary Clinton. Based on those returns and statewide telephone polling that showed Obama leading Clinton 56 percent to 42 percent, CNN projected Obama as the winner. Obama arrived in Iowa — where he won January’s campaign-opening caucuses — to celebrate taking a majority of the pledged delegates in the campaign, a huge milestone on the way to clinching the Democratic nomination. “Tonight, in the fullness of spring,
with the help of those who stood up from Portland to Louisville,
we have returned to Iowa with a majority of delegates elected
by the American people, and you have put us within reach of the
Democratic nomination for President of the United States,”
he said to a huge, cheering crowd. |
|
Statement on Senator Kennedy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Senator Kennedy is a giant in the Senate, a wonderful public servant, and a great American. At this difficult time, my thoughts and prayers are with him, his wife, Vicki, and all his family and loved ones. Ted Kennedy has faced many challenges during his life, and I know he will meet this one with determination and strength – and I hope to see him back in Congress soon.”
### |
|
Democrats call upon GOP to
support new GI Bill -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jUOddIcm8QoLONww8RS0-3GG7MSQD90NFI100 |
|
Democrats approve impeachment
resolution -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Calif. Democrats select final
superdelegates -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hY742M_s1ttD_ycf2Zusn1o1fD3QD90OAU380 |
|
Hoyer Statement on the Gas
Price Relief for Consumers Act -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "The cost of gas has now climbed to $3.79 per gallon, and oil has hit a record of $129 per barrel. The Democratic Congress has moved to meet that challenge by passing the Gas Price Relief for Consumers Act, a bill that would hold the OPEC monopoly accountable for price fixing that flouts the free market and artificially drives up the cost of crude oil. Saudi Arabia and the other OPEC countries control nearly two thirds of the global oil trade, and prices will remain high as long as America stays addicted to oil and fails to confront its producers. If signed into law, this bill would authorize legal action against oil cartel members and establish a Justice Department task force to crack down on price gouging, anticompetitive practices, and market manipulation—all of which are inflating the price at the pump. "It’s just one part of a Democratic agenda to address these record prices. We’ve also voted to temporarily suspend shipments to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, a bill signed into law yesterday by President Bush, which should bring prices down. We’ve passed a landmark energy independence bill, which invests in alternative fuels and increased fuel efficiency. And we’re working to end billions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies to oil companies that are piling up record profits, so that America can invest in clean energy instead. "It’s an agenda in stark contrast to the President’s: drill in the Arctic Refuge, plead for more oil from King Abdullah, and threaten vetoes for everything else. We leave it to American families to decide who’s serious about getting gas prices under control."
### |
|
C-SPAN Daily Alert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- C-SPAN Highlights Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: ********************************************************************** Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: * Coverage on Kentucky & Oregon Primaries
- Tonight on C-SPAN2 at 7pm LIVE * Newspaper Articles * Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Tuesday that Congress likely would need to pass a one-month extension of war spending as the Senate and House wrestle to come up with a longer-term spending bill that both will support...- Full Story at www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight/ * How many states, combined, did Democratic
nominees Humphrey, McGovern, Mondale, Dukakis and Kerry win?
- Answer at www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight/ |
|
FLOOR SCHEDULE FOR WEDNESDAY,
MAY 21, 2008 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
House Meets At…
Last Vote Predicted…
10:00 a.m.: Legislative Business
Fifteen “One Minutes” Per Side 8:00 – 9:00 p.m.
H.R. 6049 - The Renewable Energy and Job
Creation Act of 2008 (Rep. Rangel – Ways and Means) (Subject
to a Rule)
Conference Report on S.Con.Res. 70 - the
Concurrent Budget Resolution for 2009 (Rep. Spratt – Budget)
(Subject to a Rule)
H.R. 5658 – The National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Rep. Skelton – Armed Services)
(Subject to a Rule)
Possible Vote to Override the President’s
Veto of H.R. 2419 - Food and Energy Security Act of 2007 (Agriculture
– Rep. Peterson) (Subject to a Rule)
Possible Postponed Suspension Votes (31 Bills) 1) H.Con.Res. 300 - Recognizing the necessity
for the United States to maintain its significant leadership
role in improving the health and promoting the resiliency of
coral reef ecosystems, and for other purposes (Rep. Bordallo
– Natural Resources) 2) S.J.Res. 17 - A joint resolution directing
the United States to initiate international discussions and take
necessary steps with other Nations to negotiate an agreement
for managing migratory and transboundary fish stocks in the Arctic
Ocean (Sen. Stevens (AK) – Natural Resources) 3) H.Con.Res. 325 - Celebrating the 50th
Anniversary of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission's Historical
Preservation and Museum Program, which began on June 15, 1958
(Rep. Stupak – Natural Recourses) 4) H.Res. 1074 - Honoring the 60th anniversary
of the commencement of the carving of the Crazy Horse Memorial
(Rep. Herseth–Sandlin – Natural Resources) 5) H.R. 1771 - To assist in the conservation
of cranes by supporting and providing, through projects of persons
and organizations with expertise in crane conservation, financial
resources for the conservation programs of countries the activities
of which directly or indirectly affect cranes and the ecosystems
of cranes (Rep. Baldwin – Natural Resources) 6) H.R. 3323 - To authorize the Secretary
of the Interior to convey a water distribution system to the
Goleta Water District, and for other purposes (Rep. Capps –
Natural Resources) 7) H.R. 4841 - To approve, ratify, and
confirm the settlement agreement entered into to resolve claims
by the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians relating to alleged interferences
with the water resources of the Tribe, to authorize and direct
the Secretary of the Interior to execute and perform the Settlement
Agreement and related waivers, and for other purposes (Rep. Bono
Mack – Natural Resources) 8) H.Con.Res. 334 - Supporting the goals
and objectives of a National Military Appreciation Month (Rep.
Shays – Oversight and Government Reform) 9) H.Res. 1152 - Honoring Arnold Palmer
for his distinguished career in the sport of golf and his commitment
to excellence and sportsmanship Michael Ferguson, Arnold Palmer
(Rep. Ferguson - Oversight and Government Reform) 10) H.Res. 1132 - Supporting the goals
and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day (Rep. Poe – Oversight
and Government Reform) 11) H.Res. 1153 - Celebrating Asian Pacific
American Heritage Month (Rep. Hirono - Oversight and Government
Reform) 12) H.Res. 1026 - Recognizing the 100th
anniversary of the founding of the Congressional Club (Rep. Bishop
(GA) - Oversight and Government Reform) 13) H.R. 752 - Federal Electronic Equipment
Donation Act of 2007 (Rep. Butterfield - Oversight and Government
Reform) 14) H.R. 5787 - Federal Real Property Disposal
Enhancement Act of 2008 (Rep. Moore (KS) Oversight and Government
Reform) 15) H.Res. 1137 - Supporting the goals
and ideals of National Public Works Week (Rep. Oberstar –
Transportation and Infrastructure) 16) H.Con.Res. 309 - Authorizing the use
of the Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics
Law Enforcement Torch Run (Rep. Norton – Transportation
and Infrastructure) 17) H.Res. 339 - Supporting the goals of
Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month (Rep. Burgess – Transportation
and Infrastructure) 18) H.Con.Res. 305 - Recognizing the importance
of bicycling in transportation and recreation (Rep. Blumenauer
– Transportation and Infrastructure) 19) H.R. 3480 - Let Our Veterans Rest in
Peace Act of 2007 (Rep. Carney – Judiciary) 20) S. 2829 - A bill to make technical
corrections to section 1244 of the National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2008, which provides special immigrant status
for certain Iraqis, and for other purposes (Sen. Kennedy –
Judiciary) 21) H.R. 5571 - To extend for 5 years the
program relating to waiver of the foreign country residence requirement
with respect to international medical graduates (Rep. Lofgren
– Judiciary) 22) H.Res. 1106 - Expressing support for
designation of April 2008 as "National Autism Awareness
Month" and supporting efforts to devote new resources to
research into the causes and treatment of autism and to improve
training and support for individuals with autism and those who
care for individuals with autism (Rep. Reichert – Energy
and Commerce) 23) H.Res. 1124 - Expressing the sense
of the House of Representatives that there should be established
a National Brain Tumor Awareness Month (Rep. Schakowsky –
Energy and Commerce) 24) H.Res. 1022 - Reducing maternal mortality
both at home and abroad (Rep. Capps – Energy and Commerce) 25) H.Con.Res. 134 - Expressing the sense
of the Congress that there should be established a Bebe Moore
Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month to enhance
public awareness of mental illness, especially within minority
communities (Rep. Wynn – Energy and Commerce) 26) H.Res. 369 Supporting the goals and
ideals of National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month
(Rep. Berkley – Energy and Commerce) 27) H.Res. 986 - Recognizing the courage
and sacrifice of those members of the United States Armed Forces
who were held as prisoners of war during the Vietnam conflict
and calling for a full accounting of the 1,729 members of the
Armed Forces who remain unaccounted for from the Vietnam conflict
(Rep. Boehner– Armed Services) 28) H.R. 3819 - Veterans Emergency Care
Fairness Act of 2007 (Rep. Space – Veterans’ Affairs) 29) H.R. 5826 - Veterans' Compensation
Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2008 (Rep. Rodriguez– Veterans’
Affairs) 30) H.R. 5856 - Department of Veterans
Affairs Medical Facility Authorization and Lease Act of 2008
(Rep. Michaud– Veterans’ Affairs) 31) H.Res. 1194 - Reaffirming the support
of the House of Representatives for the legitimate, democratically-elected
Government of Lebanon under Prime Minister Fouad Siniora (Rep.
Berman – Foreign Affairs)
* Conference Reports may be brought up at any time. * Motions to go to Conference should they become available. * Possible Motions to Instruct Conferees. |
|
The polls are closed in Kentucky
and votes are being counted in Oregon, and it's clear that tonight
we have reached a major milestone on this journey. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We have won an absolute majority of all the delegates chosen by the people in this Democratic primary process. From the beginning, this journey wasn't about me or the other candidates. It was about a simple choice -- will we continue down the same road with the same leadership that has failed us for so long, or will we take a different path? Too many of us have been disappointed by politics and politicians more times than you can count. We've seen promises broken and good ideas drowned in a sea of influence, point-scoring, and petty bickering that has consumed Washington. Yet, in spite of all the doubt and disappointment -- or perhaps because of it -- people have stood for change. Unfortunately, our opponents in the other party continue to embrace yesterday's policies and they will continue to employ yesterday's tactics -- they will try to change the subject, and they will play on fears and divisions to distract us from what matters to you and your future. But those tactics will not work in this election. They won't work because you won't let them. Not this time. Not this year. We still have work to do to in the remaining states, where we will compete for every delegate available. But tonight, I want to thank you for everything you have done to take us this far -- farther than anyone predicted, expected, or even believed possible. And I want to remind you that you will make all the difference in the epic challenge ahead. Thank you, Barack Obama |
|
Once again tonight, you and
I stood together and showed America what we're made of -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Every time we win another state, we prove something about ourselves and about our country. And did we ever prove something tonight in Kentucky. We showed America that the voters know what the "experts" will never understand -- that in our great democracy, elections are about more than candidates running, pundits commenting, or ads blaring. They're about every one of us having his or her say about the path we choose as a nation. The people of Kentucky have declared that this race isn't over yet, and I'm listening to them -- and to you. Your unshakeable commitment to that principle and your willingness to keep forging ahead inspire me every day. Let's keep supporting one another in these crucial days ahead. All the best, Hillary |
|
Holmes: What Democrats have
done right -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
In Iowa, Obama sets course
to unify Democrats -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/ny-usobam0521,0,5613088.story |
|
Analysis: Clinton scores a
win, Obama nears finish -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
India and Pakistan review
peace -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Iraqi Troops in Push to Regain
Control of Sadr City -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Senate panel offers mortgage
bailout plan -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
McCain Vows to Keep US Trade
Embargo on Cuba -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Exit polls spell out Barack
Obama's Kentucky problem -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama wins Oregon and takes
step closer to winning nomination -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Convention 2008! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Everyone is encouraged to stay for the College Democrats of America Convention (which will have most of its events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday) and for the Democratic National Convention (which begins Monday and ends on Thursday). For those who were at our 2004 CDA Convention which overlapped the Democratic Convention in Boston, this year will be exactly the same. During the Democratic National Convention we will host all sorts of panels, parties, and events. Registration is limited and housing is even more limited. If you have housing options available to you in Denver, secure them now. Know a friends couch you can stay on? Great. Otherwise CDA has dorms that will be available for students from Friday, August 22 to Thursday, August 28th. Prices and registration are up on on www.collegedems.com. Also, we've made this fun video: http://www.youtube.com/v/CC6WX_Qc5pU&rel=1 See you in Denver! http://www.collegedems.com/blog/ |
|
John Edwards Will Address
CDA '07 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One of the most exciting Democratic presidential candidates, John Edwards, will be speaking at the 2007 CDA Convention! During the Convention, Senator Edwards will be bringing his campaign directly to us. Senator Edwards has shown a commitment to engaging the youth of America and our issues. And we are very excited that he is joining us in Columbia. To learn more about the John Edwards for President Campaign, visit http://johnedwards.com For more information on CDA '07 please visit us at http://convention.collegedems.com Sign up now to take advantage of the low-price early registration and to secure your place to see Senator Edwards. Be on the lookout for more convention announcements.
|
|
What do Karl Rove, Student
Loan Officers, and Enron all have in common? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- They are all symptoms of an insider culture, where who you know and when you know them are far more critical than where you've been and what you've done. That the smile and handshake can cast a long shadow over any resume has long been known, but the depth of these relationships, and the corruption they inspire have only now revealed their incredibly tortured faces. Let's begin with what is most relevant to us students, the widening Student Loan Scandal. Remember when your school gave you information about how much school could cost you, and then showed you a list of student loan companies? Well, the companies listed are no accident, they've paid a lot to be on that list. In fact, they've paid the people handing you the list. Many financial aid officers were given a 2% cut of the interest accrued off your college career. Some were even flown out to exotic vacation destinations on your dime while you were writing a PoliSci term paper. As of right now, the investigation is headed by New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and so far 6 Universities have fessed up (partly): Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania, just to name a couple. And the companies involved are some of the top sellers in the industry, Sallie Mai and Citibank currently top the list. Student loans are a big, $85 billion dollar industry, and it looks like the comfortable relationship between financial aid officers and student loan lenders have resulted in an artificial hike in fees at the same time as the price of college tuition has skyrocketed - not to mention the Republican's own raid of our Student Aid last year. That's very, very, very bad news for us. But it isn't just the students suffering from this increasingly bleak "who you know" culture. The unquestioned king of insiders remains Karl Rove, who has recently been found to have been using governmental agencies to form a significant branch of Republican re-election efforts. Let me say this again with more effect: YOUR TAX DOLLARS ARE BEING USED TO RE-ELECT REPUBLICANS!!! Fortunately, because we have a Democratic Legislative Branch now (best Christmas gift ever), we now receive federal probes into these activities. And what's come out hasn't been pretty. Seems that at the end of January the General Services Administration housed a talk on "how we use GSA to help our candidates in the next election." It is increasingly evident that this has been going on for awhile. Remember the seemingly impossible Republican ascent in 2004? Well, this might help explain how it's possibility was driven by some very cynical internal deals in a manipulated government. It reminds me of Enron, back when the companies
former employees were given a brutal reminder of this insider
trading. As College Democrats, we must address the Student Loan
Scandal on our campuses, but we also have to keep in mind that
we all have a bigger battle to fight for our lives and for our
country. We must make Democracy fully accessible to everyone,
and we must make companies, like those involved in the Student
Loan Scandal, fully transparent to those investing in their products.
We all deserve better. |
|
McCain’s confusion over
Iran gets a little more embarrassing -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Share This | Spotlight | Permalink Because Barack Obama has indicated he’d consider diplomacy with Iran as president, Republicans and other far-right voices have highlighted the bizarre inanities of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. This is the guy, the GOP argues, that Obama would be willing to chat with. But there’s actually some ambiguity to the point. In Iran’s system, Ahmadinejad may be president, but he’s not exactly what we’d think of a chief executive, and in terms of authority, it’s a religious council that runs the show. (Ahmadinejad was “elected,” but candidates have to approved by the religious council first.) For U.S. political purposes, Joe Klein reports that Obama has said he’s open to diplomacy with Iran’s leadership, not necessarily Ahmadinejad. On Friday, I promised to check into whether Obama had ever said that he would negotiate — specifically, by name — with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Indeed, according to the crack Time Magazine research department and the Obama campaign, he never has. He did say that he would negotiate with the Iranian leadership — but, on matters of foreign policy and Iran’s nuclear program, the guy in charge is the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. As of today, John McCain was still accusing Obama of wanting to negotiate with Ahmadinejad. Why doesn’t the McCain campaign and other assorted Republicans ever accuse Obama of wanting to negotiate with Khamenei? Well, because Khamenei isn’t quite the flagrant anti-Semite Ahmadinejad is … and, as we keep hearing, Obama has a Jewish problem. So, Klein, to his credit, asked McCain about this at a press conference, inquiring as to why McCain keeps accusing Obama of reaching out to Ahmadinejad when that hasn’t actually happened. When Klein noted that it’s Khamenei who is “in charge of Iranian foreign policy and also in charge of the nuclear program,” McCain said he respectfully disagreed. After noting Ahmadinejad having spoken to the United Nations, McCain concluded, “I mean, the fact is he’s the acknowledged leader of that country and you may disagree, but that’s a uh, that’s your right to do so, but I think if you asked any average American who the leader of Iran is, I think they’d know.” Is that really McCain’s preferred standard for international affairs? Whomever the “average Americans” thinks is in charge should be considered the leader? http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/ |
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White House launches baseless
feud with NBC News -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Share This | Spotlight | Permalink Yesterday, the feud was between Fox News and NBC News. Today, it’s between the White House and NBC News. (Insert joke here about the lack of distinctions between Fox News and the Bush White House.) The Bush gang, apparently, is all worked up over the “editing” of an interview between the president and NBC’s Richard Engel. The far-right blogs are equally incensed, but after looking at the controversy, I’m not sure what all the fuss is about. It seems like a manufactured outrage — as if the powers that be decided the GOP base needed a pick me up, so the White House is picking a fight with a media outlet. The White House on Monday sent a scathing letter to NBC News, accusing the news network of “deceptively” editing an interview with President Bush on the issue of appeasement and Iran. At issue were remarks Bush made in front of Israel’s parliament earlier this week. Specifically, White House counselor Ed Gillespie laments that the network edited the interview in a way that “is clearly intended to give viewers the impression that [Bush] agreed with [correspondent Richard Engel’s] characterization of his remarks when he explicitly challenged it. “This deceitful editing to further a media-manufactured storyline is utterly misleading and irresponsible and I hereby request in the interest of fairness and accuracy that the network air the President’s responses to both initial questions in full on the two programs that used the excerpts,” said Gillespie in the letter to NBC News President Steve Capus. I haven’t the foggiest idea what prompted such a furious White House response. It’s as if Bush’s communications department was bored, so staffers picked a fight for no reason. Maybe it was a desperate cry for attention from a group of people who aren’t taken seriously anymore? http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/ |
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Might we finally be ready
for a new policy towards Cuba? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Share This | Spotlight | Permalink For a couple of generations, every major presidential candidate, from both parties, has taken the same position on U.S. policy towards Cuba: keep the status quo. The embargo needs to stay in place in order to “keep the pressure” on Castro. Any thawing in relations would be a victory for a brutal thug, and would enrage a powerful voting bloc (Cuban Americans) in a key electoral state (Florida). With that in mind, no candidate has been willing to talk openly about a change. I distinctly remember in 2004 when Wesley Clark said in a debate he wanted a dramatic shake-up in the existing policy. “When you isolate a country, you strengthen the dictators in it,” Clark said. The next day, Clark’s campaign backpedaled, after aides heard from supporters in Miami. This year, Chris Dodd and Barack Obama went out on a limb and said the status quo isn’t good enough, and had the audacity to point that the current policy doesn’t actually work. They no doubt expected Republicans to try to exploit this, but made the case anyway. Dodd stepped aside in January, but Obama is poised to be the first Democratic candidate in a half-century to offer a real change when it comes to Cuba. Today, John McCain intends to smack him on it pretty hard in a speech in Miami. In an indication that John McCain sees foreign policy as the best route to take on Barack Obama — and that he will take it frequently — McCain is set to roll out another tough attack, with a speech today to the Cuban community in Miami. At the rate things are going, the McCain camp will be hitting Obama on some new foreign policy point every day. “Just a few years ago, Senator Obama had a very clear view on Cuba,” McCain will say, according to prepared excerpts, then quoting Obama saying that normalization of relations would improve conditions for the Cuban people. “Now Senator Obama has shifted positions and says he only favors easing the embargo, not lifting it. He also wants to sit down unconditionally for a presidential meeting with Raul Castro. These steps would send the worst possible signal to Cuba’s dictators — there is no need to undertake fundamental reforms, they can simply wait for a unilateral change in US policy.” It’s obviously an off-shoot of the debate over Iran — McCain believes the silent treatment is an effective foreign policy in relation to rivals and enemies; Obama believes the opposite. Indeed, McCain is apparently prepared to argue that Bush’s policy towards Cuba hasn’t been far enough to the right. http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/ |
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Clinton Democrats Moving to
Obama -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Certain groups that were already highly supportive of Obama for the nomination -- men, 18- to 29-year-olds, postgrads, and upper-income Democrats -- are now overwhelmingly in his camp. Obama is currently favored among these groups by a 2-to-1 margin, or better, over Clinton." "At the same time, support for Clinton among some of her traditionally stalwart support groups -- women, Easterners, whites, adults with no college education, and Hispanics -- has fallen below 50%." Key finding: "The only major demographic group still supporting Clinton to the tune of 51% or more is women aged 50 and older." http://politicalwire.com/ |
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Obama Opens Wide National
Lead Over Clinton -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It's Obama's widest lead yet and "suggests Democratic voters are beginning to coalesce around" him. http://politicalwire.com/ |
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Buffett Backs Obama -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Buffett, who held events with both Obama and Hillary Clinton during the primary season, had previously declined to take sides until the nomination was decided. However, with Obama apparently heading towards victory, Buffett said that "he is my choice." http://politicalwire.com/ |
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Gore Will Raise Money for
DNC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://politicalwire.com/ |
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Political Agreement Reached
in Lebanon -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Obama leads McCain in November
match: Reuters poll -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Analysis: Democratic race
nears finish line -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/21/may.20.analysis/index.html |
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McCain, Obama argue over Cuba
policy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/20/mccain.obama/index.html From Rebecca Sinderbrand (CNN) -- Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama
continued their tussle over foreign policy Tuesday, shifting
their argument to whether the U.S. should engage Cuba's communist
regime. |
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UN chief to meet with Myanmar
junta leader -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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DNC Statement on Senator Kennedy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Obama stands atop party -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Barack Obama tells Iowans
change is coming, change -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Oil Rises Above $130 a Barrel
as Banks Increase Price Forecasts -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Clinton to stay in race for
varied reasons -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Ky., Ore. voters choose US
Senate candidates -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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UN chief to Myanmar: focus
on saving lives -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Obama hits target on delegates -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Iraqi troops test truce in
cleric stronghold -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Best Wishes for Senator Kennedy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Senator Kennedy is resting comfortably after experiencing a seizure Saturday morning. If you would like to send your best wishes to him, please click here: |
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Clinton still eyeing prize
but also guarding legacy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Obama, Clinton signal Florida
boycott over -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Tibetans Call Temporary Halt
to Anti-China Protests -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Myanmar Refuses US Naval Aid -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Israel Holds Peace Talks With
Syria -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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White House says "veto
will be soon" of farm bill -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Oil passes $130 for the first
time -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Democrats focus now on Florida -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Byrd pens primer for presidency -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Human Rights Watch raises
concerns over child detainees in Iraq -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (CNN) — A humanitarian watchdog group on Wednesday issued a report raising concerns over the U.S. military’s handling of child detainees in Iraq, saying “some children have been detained for more than a year without charge or trial.” Human Rights Watch charged that children in U.S. custody in Iraq are being “held without due process,” and called on U.S. military forces to release children detained for more than a year and to provide child detainees timely judicial reviews and “prompt access to independent legal assistance and family visits.” Maj. Matthew Morgan, a spokesman for detainee operations for Multi-National Force-Iraq, said no juveniles in custody have been detained for more than a year. “All juveniles are required to be
released within one year; the majority are released in fewer
than six months,” he said. |
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Doctors say Kennedy to be
released from hospital this morning -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BOSTON, Massachusetts (CNN) — Sen. Edward Kennedy, who was hospitalized Saturday after suffering a seizure at his home in Hyannisport, Massachusetts, will be released from a Boston hospital Wednesday around 10 a.m., his doctors said. Doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital announced Tuesday that the 76-year-old Democrat was suffering from a malignant brain tumor, news that was met with expressions of sadness and support by his Senate colleagues. The physicians said they would consult
with Kennedy to determine the best course of treatment. |
|
5 million homeless after China
quake -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BEIJING, China (CNN) — The number of people left homeless by last week’s earthquake in southwest China is near 5 million, the state-run China Daily newspaper reported Wednesday. The news came hours after China’s State Council reported 41,353 people died in the 7.9-magnitude earthquake. Another 274,683 people were injured and 32,666 were missing, the officials said. Many of the homeless are living in tent
cities where they are receiving food and medical care, China
Daily said, but more facilities are needed. The government has
issued an emergency appeal for tents and brought in the first
foreign teams of doctors and field hospitals, the paper said. |
|
Democrats Split Kentucky,
Oregon Primaries -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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House votes to override Bush
farm bill veto -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — The House of Representatives voted unanimously Wednesday to override President Bush’s veto of the $300 billion farm bill, but a clerical error may force new votes on the issue, the chamber’s Democratic leader said. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said shortly after the vote that a “not particularly controversial” section of the bill was accidentally omitted from the version that Congress sent to the White House — prompting concerns from his Republican counterpart that Wednesday’s override vote was improper. “What’s happened here raises serious constitutional questions — very serious,” Minority Leader John Boehner said. “I don’t see how we can proceed with the override as it occurred.” Hoyer suggested that the section left out
of the original bill — authorizing trade and food aid —
could be approved by both houses of Congress and sent back to
Bush, “either to be signed by him or vetoed by him, and
we would consider it in that context.” |
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House ethics committee to
investigate Rep. Fossella -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — The House ethics committee voted Wednesday to investigate Rep. Vito Fossella — the New York congressman who admitted to fathering a child out of wedlock with the woman who bailed him out of jail on a drunken-driving charge this month. The committee will investigate Fossella’s arrest in Alexandria, Virginia, on May 1, when police say he was pulled over after running a red light and registered a blood-alcohol level of 0.17 percent — more than twice Virginia’s legal limit. The six-term Republican, who represents Staten Island and part of Brooklyn, told police he was going to visit a sick daughter and gave the street address of the woman with whom he later admitted having an affair, according to the police report. Fossella has said he will not seek re-election. |
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Fed sees economy getting worse -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — The Federal Reserve sees worse economic problems ahead, according to new forecasts from the central bank released Wednesday. The Fed lowered its economic growth forecast for the year. At the same time, it raised its projections for inflation and unemployment. This created a difficult economic combination that made the Fed’s latest decision to cut rates a “close call” according to the minutes from last month’s Fed meeting. The central bank said it now believes full-year economic growth will be between 0.3 percent and 1.2 percent this year, significantly below its previous forecast of 1.3 percent to 2 percent growth in January. –By CNNMoney.com’s Chris Isidore |
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Oil execs tell Senate panel
it’s not their fault as crude hits $133 a barrel -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNNMoney.com) — Amid increasing public outcry over record-shattering oil and gas prices, senators on Wednesday hauled industry executives in to testify about the recent increase. The Senate Judiciary Committee called the hearing to explore the skyrocketing price of oil, which jumped more than $4 a barrel Wednesday to a new record of $133-plus. The committee grilled executives from Exxon Mobil, ConocoPhillips Co., Shell Oil Co., Chevron and BP on how their companies can in good conscience make so much money while American drivers pay so much at the pump. “You have to sense what you’re doing to us — we’re on the precipice here, about to fall into recession,” said Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Illinois. “Does it trouble any one of you — the costs you’re imposing on families, on small businesses, on truckers?” The executives said it did, and that they are doing all they can to bring new oil supplies to market, but the fundamental factors behind the surge in oil prices are largely out of their control. “We cannot change the world market,” said Robert Malone, chairman and president of BP America Inc. “Today’s high prices are linked to the failure both here and abroad to increase supplies, renewables and conservation.” –By CNNMoney.com’s Steve Hargreaves
in New York |
|
Hezbollah, Lebanese government
reach deal to end 18-month stalemate -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNN) — Lebanon’s Western-backed government and the Hezbollah-led opposition reached a deal Wednesday to end an 18-month political crisis that pushed the country to the brink of a new civil war. In exchange for veto power and a redistricting plan ahead of next year’s elections, the Hezbollah opposition agreed to end its sit-in protest that has paralyzed downtown Beirut since late 2006. Wednesday’s agreement, reached under the mediation of an Arab League committee led by Qatar’s prime minister, paves the way for the election of a new president — a position that has remained vacant since November. Minutes after the deal was announced, Hezbollah
sit-in protesters started dismantling their tents in downtown
Beirut and allowing access to the six-block area. |
|
Clinton, Obama converge on
Florida -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (CNN) — Both of the Democratic presidential candidates were campaigning in Florida Wednesday, but for two very different reasons. Fresh from her win in Kentucky, Sen. Hillary Clinton will be pushing for the Democratic National Committee to seat the Florida’s delegates at the national convention. The committee stripped the state of its delegates because its violated party rules by holding its primary on January 29, earlier than allowed. Sen. Barack Obama will be focused more
on November as he campaigns in the state, which is expected to
once again play a critical role as a swing state in the general
election. |
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Peace Accord Concluded -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Iraqi Troops Take Charge of
Sadr City in Swift Push -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama at Square One in Florida -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Theme Persists: Obama Outraises
Clinton -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Clinton, Obama vie for superdelegates -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Let's keep McCain accountable -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last week, John McCain's campaign manager, Rick Davis, sent a memo to the McCain campaign staff about a brand new "conflicts policy." This policy was designed to identify staffers with "conflicts" working within McCain's organization after three advisers resigned from the campaign. One was found to be working for an anti-Democrat "527" organization, and the other two -- a regional campaign manager and the convention CEO -- were found to have lobbied for the Myanmar junta in 2003. Here's the punch line: Rick Davis, author of the memo and the person in charge of finding these "conflicts" within the campaign, founded his own lobbying firm, and, according to the Politico, "has made at least $2.8 million lobbying Congress since 1998." But it gets worse. Charlie Black is McCain's chief political adviser. Over the past seven years, lobbying filings show he's used his connections with George Bush and Dick Cheney to lobby administration officials for dozens of wealthy clients. The Washington Post reported that "Black said he does a lot of his work by telephone from McCain's Straight Talk Express bus." John McCain's commitment to keeping Washington lobbyists out of his campaign is a joke -- but it's not funny. It's shocking. Since Davis sent around his "conflicts" memo, two more people have been shamed out of the McCain campaign. But why not Davis and Black? Of all the possible conflicts revealed, isn't lobbying from the campaign bus the worst? And does McCain care that his campaign manager made millions after starting his own lobbying shop? If those are acceptable, what exactly did McCain find about the people they let go? Tell John McCain to fire Rick Davis and Charlie Black today. If he's really committed to keeping "conflicts" out of his campaign, he should have no trouble cleaning house the way he needs to. http://www.democrats.org/FireTheLobbyists This past Sunday, John McCain defended the situation by telling reporters that his lobbyist advisers are "not in the lobbying business; they've been out of that business." And just yesterday, John McCain said he wants to have "the most comprehensive and transparent of any presidential campaign in history" when it comes to lobbyists. How can that be true when people like Charlie Black admit he's conducting his lobbying business on the back of the bus? John McCain and his campaign can't have it both ways. On the one hand, he says "ethics and transparency are not election year buzz words." But, on the other hand, he and his top campaign advisors have no problem fudging about their lobbying records. When pressed on the discrepancy, they give a flip excuse: Americans don't care. Demand honesty and openness in politics. Tell John McCain to fire Charlie Black and Rick Davis today: http://www.democrats.org/FireTheLobbyists Let's keep McCain accountable, Howard Dean |
|
FACTBOX-Which Democrat has
won each US primary and caucus? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama poised to reach milestone
after primaries -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Hoyer Statement on the Renewable
Energy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Mr. Speaker, I first want to commend Chairman Charlie Rangel and all of the Members of the Ways and Means Committee for their hard work on this very important, far-sighted legislation – the ‘Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act.’ “This week, the American people are paying, on average, $3.79 per gallon for gasoline. In some parts of the country, motorists are paying more than $4 per gallon – more than $2.50 per gallon more than they were paying when the current Administration took office. “There is no doubt that this explosion in gasoline prices is squeezing hard-working families, who also are coping with the rising costs of food and groceries, health care, and education. “This legislation is not a panacea to those immediate concerns, but it represents an important step in our continuing effort to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. “Among other things, the bill will establish a new tax credit of $1.01 per gallon for cellulosic bio-fuel production from now through 2015. It will extend the $1 per gallon bio-diesel tax credit, and makes it available to all potential sources of diesel that can be made without petroleum. And, it allows jet fuel produced from bio-mass to quality for the credit as well. “Furthermore, this legislation will reduce our dependence on imported fuel for our electricity sector by extending and expanding tax incentives for sources of renewable energy, including wind, solar and bio-mass. “It also will encourage the use of plug-in hybrid cars, and provide incentives for energy conservation in residential homes, commercial buildings and appliances. “Additionally, this bill will help create hundreds of thousands of ‘green jobs.’ “It will spur American innovation and business investment – which will strengthen our economy today and in the future. “And, it will provide tax relief for millions of Americans – expanding the child tax credit to the families of 13 million children, helping 4.5 million families better afford college through a tuition deduction, and saving 3.4 million teachers money with a deduction for classroom expenses. “Now, many on the Republican side object to this bill because the Democratic Majority, in keeping with our commitment to fiscal responsibility and pay-as-you-go budget rules, insists that this legislation be paid for and not add to the national debt – which has increased by more than $3 trillion under the Bush Administration. “To them I simply say: It is long past time that the Members here insist that our nation pay for the things it buys. History is littered with the stories of formerly great nations that began their demise through fiscal profligacy. “It is within our power to ensure that the United States of America is never added to that list. “The method by which Chairman Rangel and the Committee have paid for the costs of this bill is laudable. This legislation closes loopholes that allow corporations and executives to avoid U.S. taxes by shipping jobs and investments overseas. “Mr. Speaker, this is an excellent bill that will help reduce our dependence on foreign oil and protect our environment, create thousands of jobs and strengthen our economy, and provide tax relief to millions of hard-working Americans. “I urge my colleagues, on both sides of the aisle: Vote for this fiscally responsible, far-sighted bill.”
### |
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C-SPAN Daily Alert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- C-SPAN Highlights Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: ********************************************************************** Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: * Sens. Obama & Clinton Campaign Rallies
in Florida - Tonight on C-SPAN2 at 8:40pm * Newspaper Articles * The House was moving toward passage Wednesday of a bill that would revive or extend about $55.5 billion in tax breaks for individuals and businesses for one year...- Full Story at www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight/ * What year produced the highest turnout
in presidential primaries? - Answer at www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight/
|
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Working to Make America Energy
Independent, Lower -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Read more about what this Democratic Congress
has done to make America more energy independent and to bring
down gas prices. ### |
|
Hoyer Statement on House Override
of Farm Bill Veto -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON, DC – House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after the House overrode President Bush’s veto of the bipartisan Farm Bill: “Today the House overwhelmingly rejected the President’s misguided veto of the Farm Bill. As the costs of food and gasoline have increased, this Farm Bill contains important provisions that address both issues. Millions of families facing high food prices will be able to put healthy food on their tables as a result of record levels of investment in nutrition programs. This legislation also continues to encourage energy independence by investing in new technologies and alternative sources, including cellulosic ethanol. “The President’s decision to reject the bipartisan Farm Bill is disheartening, but not surprising. This veto confirms that his only strategy is obstinance and obstruction. Democrats and Republicans from both the House and Senate worked together to craft a bill that would garner wide support, yet the President chose to ignore these efforts and stand in the way of a Farm Bill that takes needed steps toward reform, offers help to Americans pinched by rising food costs, and takes us further down the path toward energy independence.”
### |
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FACTBOX-Delegate counts for
US presidential candidates -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Clinton Warns Fla. Voters
of Repeat of 2000 Election -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/05/21/politics/fromtheroad/entry4116441.shtml |
|
FLOOR SCHEDULE FOR THURSDAY,
MAY 22, 2008 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
House Meets At…
Last Vote Predicted…
10:00 a.m.: Legislative Business
Five “One Minutes” Per Side Evening
Suspensions (2 Bills) 1) H.R. ___ - Farm Bill (Agriculture – Rep. Peterson) 2) H.R. ___ - Farm Bill Extension (Agriculture – Rep. Peterson)
H.R. 5658 – The National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Rep. Skelton – Armed Services)
(Subject to a Rule)
Postponed Suspension Votes (2 Bills) 1) H.Res. 986 - Recognizing the courage
and sacrifice of those members of the United States Armed Forces
who were held as prisoners of war during the Vietnam conflict
and calling for a full accounting of the 1,729 members of the
Armed Forces who remain unaccounted for from the Vietnam conflict
(Rep. Boehner– Armed Services) 2) H.Res. 1194 - Reaffirming the support
of the House of Representatives for the legitimate, democratically-elected
Government of Lebanon under Prime Minister Fouad Siniora (Rep.
Berman – Foreign Affairs) |
|
Conway Gives Election Fraud
Hotline Results -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
U.N. chief arrives in Myanmar,
plans to meet with military rulers -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- YANGON, Myanmar (CNN) — U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday arrived in Myanmar, where he planned to push the country’s ruling military junta to accept an outpouring of international aid for millions of cyclone victims. Myanmar’s leaders have been slow to allow foreign aid in the country, and prevented foreign agencies from doing a needs assessment after the storm. The government also insisted that any aid that came in be distributed by their soldiers and volunteers, which went against the policy of many agencies. Ban plans to tour the devastated Irrawaddy Delta in southern Myanmar on Thursday. The coastline of the Andaman Sea was especially hard-hit, and aid workers have reported that bodies still line the shore in some spots. The U.N. leader said he will meet with
Senior Gen. Than Shwe, leader of the junta that rules the country,
also known as Burma. |
|
Obama Says Nomination ‘Within
Reach’ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
United Mine Workers Union
Backs Obama -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Pelosi: Farm bill (most of
it) now law -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday the farm bill approved by Congress — minus a section that was mistakenly not sent to the president — is now in effect despite Republican assertions that the omission of that section raised “serious constitutional questions” about the entire bill. President Bush vetoed the $300 billion bill, but the House overrode the veto 316-108 on Wednesday and the Senate followed with a 82-13 vote Thursday. Both votes exceeded the two-thirds majority required by the Constitution to override a veto. What will be done about the section of the bill that was not sent to the president’s desk — Title III — remains in limbo. The House Thursday passed the entire farm bill again by a vote of 306-110, but it was unclear whether the Senate also would vote on the entire bill again or resubmit Title III as a free-standing bill. Republicans pounced on what they called
a “fiasco,” saying that the override vote was improper
and that the entire bill had been invalidated. Congress would
have to approve a temporary extension of the current farm bill,
they said. |
|
Clinton to Petraeus: Bolster
fight vs. al Qaeda along Afghan-Pakistani border -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — Sen. Hillary Clinton, the New York senator seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, told the man nominated to lead the military command that handles Afghanistan and Iraq that there must be a greater focus on the Afghan-Pakistan border area, where the al Qaeda terror network has been based. Clinton told Gen. David Petraeus on Thursday that she is concerned that the United States is losing the initiative in the Afghan conflict and in regard to Pakistan’s relations with tribes along the Afghan border that have harbored militants. She argued that the “ongoing threat to the United States on our soil emanates from outside of Iraq,” the war-torn Middle Eastern nation where the United States has provided more troops and resources.” Petraeus, the top U.S. general in Iraq,
is nominated to lead the U.S. Central Command. “We should
expect Afghanistan to require substantial international commitment
and support for many years to come,” he said to the Senate
Armed Services Committee, which questioned him Thursday. |
|
Appeals court: Texas should
not have seized children from polygamist sect -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (CNN) — The state of Texas should
not have removed the more than 400 children it took from a polygamist
sect’s ranch, an appeals court ruled Thursday. |
|
U.S. home prices post record
decline -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON — The prices of homes sold in the first quarter of 2008 posted a record decline, according to a new report from the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight. Home prices fell 3.1 percent from the first quarter of 2007, the largest decline in the purchase-only index, which excludes refinancings, since the agency began keeping records 17 years ago. First-quarter prices dropped 1.7 percent from the fourth quarter, the largest quarterly dip ever. “It’s not going to be the largest decline on record for long,” said Peter Schiff, president and chief global strategist at Euro Pacific Capital. “Prices are going to keep falling until we get to the equilibrium, which is much, much lower. This is only the beginning.” –By CNNMoney.com’s Beth Braverman
|
|
UNICEF spokesman: Children
in Myanmar in ‘dire’ need -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- YANGON, Myanmar (CNN) — Children in cyclone-stricken Myanmar are in dire need of shelter, nutrition and access to clean water, a spokesman for the United Nations’ children’s agency said Thursday. “Shelter, not only for homes, but also for schools,” is needed, Michael Bociurkiw of UNICEF told CNN. “We have to get quickly, not only chemicals to clean water, but also … portable water treatment plants,” he said. “The whole idea here is get as much clean water to them as possible.” He added, “We’re also working very hard to bring back a sense of normalcy for the children. And one of the things we’ve done there is to create child-friendly spaces for them so they have a safe and protected place to play and to learn and to talk to each other.” Cyclone Nargis slammed into Myanmar in
early May. More than 130,000 people lost their lives and another
2 million were left homeless, according to the United Nations. |
|
Petraeus: Great progress in
Iraq in the past month -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. military commander in Iraq, said Thursday that the Iraqi government has made great progress since he testified before congressional committees last month and that Iraq’s prime minister has shown he isn’t reluctant to confront Shiites as well as Sunnis. “Recent operations in Basra, Mosul and now Sadr City have contributed significantly to the reduction in violence and Prime Minister (Nuri al-) Maliki, his government, the Iraqi security forces and the Iraqi people, in addition to our troopers, deserve considerable credit for the positive developments since Ambassador Crocker and I testified a month and a half ago,” said Petraeus. He was referring to U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker. Both men testified before congressional committees in April on the status of the Iraqi war effort. Petraeus was testifying Thursday before
the Senate Armed Services Committee on his nomination to head
U.S. Central Command. |
|
Petraeus hopes to recommend
more troop reductions in Iraq -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq who has been nominated to head American forces in the Middle East, said Thursday he hopes to make recommendations for further troop reductions in Iraq before he moves to his new post in September. He made the remark during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on his nomination. “I will be able to make recommendations
at that time for some further reductions,” he said. “I
don’t want to imply that means a BCT (brigade combat team)
or major combat formation, although it could. But I do believe
there will be certain assets as we are already looking at the
picture right now, we will be able to recommend — can be
either redeployed or no-deployed to the theater in the fall.” |
|
Obama starts running-mate
search, Democratic source says -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — Barack Obama is quietly beginning his search for a running mate. A veteran Democratic activist in Washington told CNN that former Fannie Mae CEO Jim Johnson has accepted Obama’s request for him to begin a screening/selection process for the No. 2 spot. Johnson performed the same role in 2004 and 1984 for then-Democratic presidential nominees John Kerry and Walter Mondale. The activist, a party operative who has been involved in democratic presidential campaigns and conventions dating back more than 20 years, said it is his information that the process is “at a very early point but that within the campaign itself they have been informally thinking about it for a while.” Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton declined
to comment on the report. |
|
US Lawmakers Debate Iraq,
Iran Policy in Defense Measure -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama to stand in at Wesleyan -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
House Panel Subpoenas Rove
in Inquiry Into Justice Dept. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama woos Jewish voters in
Florida -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama makes moves for fall
election -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Clinton friends: Bill sees
upside in Hillary as VP -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Gov. Paterson says Hillary
Clinton's going too far -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama to Address Cuban Group,
Marking Shift From GOP Alliances -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama widens superdelegate
lead -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Petraeus Expects to Recommend
Troop Cuts -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
House Panel Subpoenas Rove
in Inquiry Into Justice Dept. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Clinton-Obama "dream
ticket" talks? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama: 'Unshakable commitment'
to Israel -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama Kicks Off VP Search -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
U.S. envoy to meet with North
Korean official -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — An assistant U.S. secretary of state will meet with his North Korean counterpart when he travels to Beijing, China, next week, senior U.S. officials told CNN Friday. Assistant Secretary of State Chris Hill will meet with Vice Foreign Minister Kim Gye Gwan as part of a trip connected to the six-party talks dealing with Pyongyang’s nuclear program, the officials said. Hill also will travel to Moscow, Russia, as he conducts regular consultations with his counterparts in the talks. The six parties are North Korea, South Korea, China, Russia, Japan and the United States. The United States is waiting for a declaration of North Korea’s nuclear history, which it is to provide as part of a deal hammered out in the talks. –From CNN State Department Producer
Elise Labott |
|
Obama Asks Jewish Voters to
Judge Him on His Policies -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Feinstein backs Clinton-Obama
ticket -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
FACTBOX: Possible Democratic
vice presidential candidates -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama courts South Florida's
Cuban Americans -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Clinton Touting Popular Vote
Projections -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
C-SPAN Daily Alert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- C-SPAN Highlights Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: Tonight: Tomorrow: * Libertarian Party Nat'l Convention -
on C-SPAN, Sat. at 9pm & Sun. at 10:30am ET LIVE * Newspaper Articles ********************************************************************** * The Senate sent a supplemental war-spending bill back to the House on Thursday with more than $165 billion in war spending, expanded veterans education benefits and a host of domestic spending...- Full Story at www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight/ * What member of Congress is a direct descendent
of Benjamin Franklin? - Answer at www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight/
|
|
Majority Leader Hoyer Statement
on FISA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Our intelligence community has the tools it needs to keep America safe, and we are absolutely committed to ensuring that this remains the case. The Director of National Intelligence has not informed us of any degradation in intelligence collection, and we continue to call on him to inform Congress if this changes. “It is unfortunate that while Congress and the Administration are making progress on this important legislation, that some on the other side decided to engage in rhetoric that is not helpful to our ongoing negotiations. “In fact, today I had a conversation with a high-level White House official who agreed that we are continuing to make progress, and that both sides are negotiating in good faith to move this process forward. “I just received the most recent proposal from Senator Bond yesterday evening, which was the first time that Republicans sent us a response to the full bill. We are reviewing it carefully and look forward to resolving remaining differences in the near future. “Despite today’s events, we look forward to continued discussions with Senator Bond and other stakeholders as we work toward a final agreement.”
### |
|
Ohio Senate clears way for
passage of Great Lakes agreement -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.startribune.com/local/19198409.html?location_refer=Local%20+%20Metro |
|
Senate bill on Iraq funding,
veterans benefits passes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/05/22/MNGF10R490.DTL |
|
White House names final FEC
nominee -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jfnND-q_yja0TLQ5dfdVIaDlPyGwD90QTTEO4 |
|
Barack Obama interviews vice
presidential candidates -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Democratic Presidential Candidates
Host Debate In Vegas -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
MESSAGE FROM THE MAJORITY
LEADER -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This past week, the Democratic-led Congress once again showed that we getting important things done for the American people and addressing key national priorities. As gas prices continue to set new records, we passed two measures to help bring relief. The Gas Price Relief for Consumers Act will hold OPEC accountable for price fixing and create a Department of Justice task force to investigate price fixing activities. The Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act extends tax credits to encourage investment in renewable energy, which will decrease our dependence on foreign oil in the long run. This far-sighted bill also extends tax relief for millions of families and provides tax incentives for small businesses. As we head into Memorial Day weekend, the House also passed the Defense Authorization Act, which will strengthen our military readiness, refocus on the war in Afghanistan, and provide for our troops and their families. And in honor of our troops, we cleared a package of bills that focuses on improving care and services for our nation's veterans. These accomplishments join a record of addressing critical issues, including the war in Iraq and our national security, the economy, the housing crisis, and exploding gasoline costs. Just this year, the House has passed a bipartisan economic stimulus bill, suspension of deliveries to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to help lower gas prices, major housing legislation to keep families facing foreclosure in their homes, and a GI Bill that restores full education benefits to veterans. We have also passed a Farm Bill that invests in nutrition, a bill ensuring parents and students have access to student loans this fall, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, a mental health parity bill, and a Coast Guard reauthorization bill to increase the security of our coastline. Our work, however, is not finished, and we will continue to address the issues important to the American people.
Sincerely yours, |
|
Majority Leader Hoyer Memorial
Day Tribute -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “As we observe the Memorial Day holiday, let us be reminded of the simple, yet apt words of Elmer Davis, Director of the U.S. Office of War Information during WWII: ‘This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.’ “The weight of these words has profound impact, particularly during a time of war. This Memorial Day we remember the more than 4,000 courageous men and women who have died in Iraq and the 500 we have lost in Afghanistan. Our thoughts are also with the 32,000 soldiers wounded in these conflicts, and the family and friends struck by the loss or pain of a loved one or missing someone who is far from home. “And while we mourn the loss of those that have made the ultimate sacrifice throughout our nation’s history, we are comforted by an abiding faith in the fact that they did not die in vain, and that the legacy they have left for future generations is something that will flourish for centuries to come. “On this Memorial Day, we must also renew our efforts to keep our promises to those still with us. That is why supporting our troops, military families and veterans has been - and always will be - a top Congressional priority. “Building on the success of last year’s historical funding increase for the Veterans Administration – the largest in the department’s 77-year history– Congress has again included a substantial 11 percent increase in this year’s budget for veterans. “In addition, we have passed $1.3 billion in tax relief for military families, approved several measures to strengthen veterans’ health services, and passed a Defense Authorization bill that begins to restore our military readiness and boosts pay for our troops by 3.9 percent. “And Democrats in Congress continue to fight for a GI Bill to provide our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan the promise of a full, four-year education. Such action is long overdue. I hope that President Bush and other opponents of current efforts to pass a GI Bill in the Supplemental bill reconsider their position and grant our veterans the future they deserve.”
### |
|
Majority Leader Hoyer Memorial
Day Tribute -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “As we observe the Memorial Day holiday, let us be reminded of the simple, yet apt words of Elmer Davis, Director of the U.S. Office of War Information during WWII: ‘This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.’ “The weight of these words has profound impact, particularly during a time of war. This Memorial Day we remember the more than 4,000 courageous men and women who have died in Iraq and the 500 we have lost in Afghanistan. Our thoughts are also with the 32,000 soldiers wounded in these conflicts, and the family and friends struck by the loss or pain of a loved one or missing someone who is far from home. “And while we mourn the loss of those that have made the ultimate sacrifice throughout our nation’s history, we are comforted by an abiding faith in the fact that they did not die in vain, and that the legacy they have left for future generations is something that will flourish for centuries to come. “On this Memorial Day, we must also renew our efforts to keep our promises to those still with us. That is why supporting our troops, military families and veterans has been - and always will be - a top Congressional priority. “Building on the success of last year’s historical funding increase for the Veterans Administration – the largest in the department’s 77-year history– Congress has again included a substantial 11 percent increase in this year’s budget for veterans. “In addition, we have passed $1.3 billion in tax relief for military families, approved several measures to strengthen veterans’ health services, and passed a Defense Authorization bill that begins to restore our military readiness and boosts pay for our troops by 3.9 percent. “And Democrats in Congress continue to fight for a GI Bill to provide our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan the promise of a full, four-year education. Such action is long overdue. I hope that President Bush and other opponents of current efforts to pass a GI Bill in the Supplemental bill reconsider their position and grant our veterans the future they deserve.”
### |
|
C-SPAN Weekend Alert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- C-SPAN Highlights Friday: Saturday: Sunday: Monday: Friday: Saturday: Monday: Friday: Saturday: Sunday: Monday: Saturday: Sunday: Monday: * Libertarian Party Nat'l Convention -
on C-SPAN, Sat. at 9pm & Sun. at 10:30am ET LIVE Saturday: Sunday: Monday: * The Senate Finance Committee, looking ahead to one of the most pressing issues that will face the next president and Congress, announced plans Friday for a bipartisan, bicameral health policy “summit” next month... - Full Story at www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight/ * When was the last time New York’s
21st District included part of New York City? - Answer at www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight/
|
|
HBO's 'Recount' revisits 2000
election nightmare -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Democrats lead in California -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Pelosi Predicts Democrats
Will Have Nominee in June -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Democrats file complaint against
2nd District GOP -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-ia-2nddistrict-compl,0,429059.story |
|
Democrats seek Iraq embezzlement
probe -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h18maLLW1UcQpjtsFsqQhiRf0bAQD90QV1JG0 |
|
Democrats use quick Senate
session to stop Bush from making recess . -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
2009 US Senate: 60+ Democrats
in 2008? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://loomisnews.wordpress.com/2008/05/23/2009-us-senate-60-democrats-in-2008/ |
|
Obama would take California
in November, Times/KTLA poll finds -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
U.N. secretary to visit China,
as leaders call for more aid -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will fly to China’s earthquake-ravaged town of Yingxiu on Saturday, the state-run China News Service is reporting. The service quoted “relevant sources” saying Ban would tour the town near the epicenter of a massive May 12 earthquake that, according to government estimates, has killed more than 55,000 people. The visit would come a day after Ban met with the military rulers of Myanmar, who he said agreed to allow aid workers of all nationalities into the nation where Cyclone Nargis struck three weeks ago, leaving more than 130,000 people dead or missing and displacing as many as 2 million others. China had put out an urgent call Friday
for tents and medical supplies to help victims of the earthquake. |
|
Obama: Cuba policy to be based
on ‘libertad’ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MIAMI, Florida (CNN) — Sen. Barack Obama told Florida’s Cuban American community Friday that his Cuba policy would be based on “libertad” and freedom for the island nation’s people. “My policy toward Cuba will be guided by one word: Libertad,” or liberty, the front-runner in the Democratic presidential race said during an event celebrating Cuban Independence Day in Miami. “The road to freedom for all Cubans must begin with justice for Cuba’s political prisoners, the right of free speech, a free press, freedom of assembly, and it must lead to elections that are free and fair,” Obama said. “That is my commitment.” “I won’t stand for this injustice;
you will not stand for this injustice, and together we will stand
up for freedom in Cuba. That will be my commitment as president
of the United States of America,” he said. |
|
China puts out urgent call
for more aid for quake -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — China put out an urgent call Friday for tents and medical supplies to help victims of the May 12 earthquake. Wang Baodong, spokesman at the Chinese embassy here said, “the U.S. government can be of great help at this time.” He said the U.S. government already had sent $10 million of aid and that private contributions from the United States were more than $30 million. “The Chinese people are very much
grateful for that,” he said. China says it needs 3.3-million
tents to house 5-million people displaced in the quake. |
|
U.S. envoy to meet with North
Korean official -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — An assistant U.S. secretary of state will meet with his North Korean counterpart when he travels to Beijing, China, next week, senior U.S. officials told CNN Friday. Assistant Secretary of State Chris Hill will meet with Vice Foreign Minister Kim Gye Gwan as part of a trip connected to the six-party talks dealing with Pyongyang’s nuclear program, the officials said. Hill also will travel to Moscow, Russia, as he conducts regular consultations with his counterparts in the talks. The six parties are North Korea, South Korea, China, Russia, Japan and the United States. The United States is waiting for a declaration of North Korea’s nuclear history, which it is to provide as part of a deal hammered out in the talks. –From CNN State Department Producer
Elise Labott |
|
Obama, Clinton pick up delegates
in Georgia -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama criticizes McCain on
veterans' benefits -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Power Broker Helps Obama Search
for Running Mate -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Violence in Iraq falls to
lowest level in 4 years -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama picks up 4 delegates -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
To Claim Popular Vote, Clinton
Is Seeking Wins in Last 3 Primaries -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Gas prices climb to record
high again as more travelers stay home for Memorial Day -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW YORK (CNN) — Gas prices, that have set daily records for the past two weeks, rose to an all-time high Sunday — with a gallon of regular unleaded going for $3.930 on average, according to the motorist group AAA. It is the 18th straight record high, up from the previous high of $3.911. For the first time since 2002, Americans plan to drive less on Memorial Day weekend than they did the year before, according to AAA. Retail gas prices are up 9 percent from a month ago and have climbed 19 percent in the last 12 months. The number of Americans traveling 50 or
more miles from home this holiday weekend will slip by 0.9 percent
to 37.87 million, the motorist group forecast last week. Among
those traveling, AAA said 31.7 million people, or 83 percent,
are expected to go by automobile. That’s slightly fewer
than the 32 million Memorial Day drivers a year ago. |
|
Obama: Clinton’s stoking
Florida anger; GI benefit will be November issue -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CHICAGO, Illinois (CNN) — Sen. Barack Obama accused Sen. Hillary Clinton of stoking anger in Florida and Michigan over the Democratic Party’s decision not to recognize the states’ primary votes, saying it is her “last slender hope” to argue she can win the nomination. “They weren’t stirring it up when they didn’t need the delegates,” he said. “Let’s not sort of pretend that we don’t know what’s going on. This is from their prospective their last slender hope to make arguments about how they can win,” he said. Obama, speaking to reporters on his campaign plane late Saturday, also took on Sen. John McCain’s suggestion that Obama’s lack of military service makes him unqualified to criticize him on veteran’s issues. After Obama took to the Senate floor last Thursday to criticize McCain’s opposition to legislation — which passed by a 75-22 vote margin — McCain quickly responded that Obama was taking “cheap shots” on an issue that “he has less than zero understanding of.” “I will not accept from Sen. Obama, who did not feel it was his responsibility to serve our country in uniform, any lectures on my regard for those who did,” McCain said in a written statement. Asked to respond Saturday, Obama said “the notion that somehow I can’t speak out on behalf of veterans because of the fact that I didn’t serve makes no sense whatsoever.” “I will cede to no one the ability
to talk about veterans issues,” Obama said. “My grandfather
was a veteran. Those veterans benefits helped my grandparents
to raise my mother. I have veterans throughout the state of Illinois
that I’ve been fighting for since I came into the United
States Senate.” |
|
Obama Continues to Trade Barbs
With McCain Over Veterans' Bill -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Oil profits sky-high and unlikely
to come down -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Energy Speculators Draw the
Heat -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/25/business/25maker.html?ref=business |
|
Senate Race in Minnesota Shows
Power of Bloggers -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/25/us/politics/25bloggers.html?hp |
|
Obama's political team out-organized
Clinton -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iYXS7gLdbJi5wlOJIrk29wsNRSoAD90S29TG0 |
|
Phone Companies That Allowed
Wiretaps Shouldn't Get Immunity -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,146116-c,privacylegislation/article.html |
|
Senate Committee Votes To
Fingerprint Lenders -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/05/24/1817220&from=rss |
|
Senate Approves Home Heating
Help, Veterans Benefits -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Dems Make Their Cases in Puerto
Rico -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama vows to support Taiwan's
democracy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://english.rti.org.tw/Content/GetSingleNews.aspx?ContentID=58474 |
|
Bush, Democrats Honor US War
Dead -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Democrats take White House
campaign to Puerto Rico -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN2258065420080524 |
|
CNN's Toobin: GOP Likes Voter
ID Laws to 'Stop Democrats From Voting' -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Georgia Democrats select delegates
for Clinton, Obama -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Thousands Of Hawaii Democrats
Gather -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama pays tribute to liberal
Edward Kennedy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
US generals hope for troop
reductions in Iraq in fall -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama leads Clinton by 8 points
in survey -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Bob Barr is Libertarian candidate
for president -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (CNN) — Former Georgia Congressman Bob Barr was nominated officially Sunday as the Libertarian candidate for president. Barr, who played a prominent role in the impeachment of former President Bill Clinton, told supporters at the Libertarian National Convention in Denver, “We have only 163 days to win this election.” Some GOP observers are watching to see if Barr will draw votes away from the presumptive Republican nominee, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, in the general election. Barr, 59, left the Republican Party in
2006. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1994
and represented a conservative district in the Atlanta suburbs
for four terms. In his last term, Barr became an increasingly
vocal critic of President Bush. |
|
Standing In for Kennedy, Obama
Embraces Legacy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Poll Says Obama Faces Racial
Challenge in General Election -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Former Gov. Warner eyed as
Obama VP -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Former Gov. Warner eyed as Obama VP |
|
Lebanon to pick new Prime
Minister -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Dems give Obama more superdelegates -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Medicare to share data with
FDA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Boeing, Shenzhen, Relief Agencies
Deliver Supplies for China ... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Clinton defiant heading into
Democrats' home stretch -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iVOdUc1Vb9yfh1QUPvHFdvhf5X4g |
|
Democrats Unaware of US Warning
About Border Violence -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Democrats: Obama Can Win Without
Non Rich White Voters -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Both Democrats Surpass 50%
in California -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Presidential candidates need
to address America's serious debt -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Illegal immigration a hot
topic in election year -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
U.S. commander warns troops
to stay out of politics -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON (CNN) — The top-ranking U.S. military officer urged American troops to stay out of politics as the presidential campaign heats up. “Political opinions have no place in cockpit or camp or conference room,” Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, wrote in an article for Joint Force Quarterly, a magazine widely read by the military. The piece is scheduled to be published in the magazine’s next issue, but was made available to CNN in advance. Mullen wrote it in part because of questions from troops under his command about how a new president might affect the military’s mission, he explains. The admiral said U.S. servicemembers have
the right to vote and to “discuss or even to debate those
issues among themselves.” But he added, “The only things
we should be wearing on our sleeves are our military insignia.” |
|
Clinton Says Cuba Must Show
Good Faith -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Democrats Poised for Big Congressional
Gains -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama Statement Honoring Memorial
Day -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Barack Obama on Memorial Day... On this Memorial Day, our nation honors the generations of patriots who were willing to give their lives to defend this country. While we may come from different places, cherish different traditions, and have different political beliefs, all Americans hold in reverence those who've given this country the full measure of their devotion. They are a shining example of what's best about America. Today is also a reminder of our obligation as Americans to serve our fallen heroes as well as they served us; as well as the wounded warriors I've had the honor of meeting at Walter Reed have served us; as well as the troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world are serving us. That means giving the same priority to building a 21st century VA as to building a 21st century military. It means having zero tolerance for veterans sleeping on our streets. It means bringing home our POWs and MIAs. And it means treating the graves of veterans like the hallowed ground it is and banning protests near funerals. So on this day, of all days, let's memorialize
our fallen heroes by honoring all who wear our country's uniform;
and by completing their work to make America more secure and
our world more free. |
|
Obama campaign expects to
clinch contest in early June -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Native American vote crucial
to Obama, Clinton -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Electoral College map could
be redrawn in 2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/05/26/MNEU10S9PG.DTL |
|
Obama Moves on to General
Election Before Primaries Conclude -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/05/obama-moves-on.html |
|
Nuclear Agency Accuses Iran
of Willful Lack of Cooperation -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Both Obama, Mccain start seeking
No. 2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama says won't guarantee
Ahmadinejad a meeting -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Need to pressure Iran on nuclear
issue: Germany -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
McCain, Obama Iraq Messages
Contrast -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama signaling he will fight
for Western states -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Democrats Approach Primary
Finish Line -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama Speaks with "Deep
Humility" on Memorial Day -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Obama touts housing fixes,
says McCain ‘out of touch’ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nevada (CNN) — Sen. Barack Obama on Tuesday rolled out ideas he said will help stabilize the U.S. housing market, while saying President Bush’s response was “too little, too late” and calling opponent Sen. John McCain “out of touch” with people struggling to keep their homes. “We’ve had enough of the can’t-do, won’t-do, won’t-even-try approach from George Bush and John McCain,” said Obama, the frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination. “We can’t afford another president who can’t be bothered to stand up for working people. It’s time for a change.” Obama said he’d propose a $10 billion
foreclosure prevention fund that would help homeowners modify
their home loans to avoid foreclosure and bankruptcy or help
them sell the home if the payments grow beyond their means. |
|
McCain calls for slashing
U.S. nuclear arsenal -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DENVER, Colorado (CNN) — The United States should scrap a significant portion of its nuclear arsenal, cancel development of nuclear “bunker-busting” bombs and work with Russia and China to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, John McCain said Tuesday in a speech laying out his nuclear security policy. “Today we deploy thousands of nuclear warheads. It is my hope to move as rapidly as possible to a significantly smaller force,” the presumptive Republican presidential nominee said at the University of Denver. His speech was in |