January 4, 2013

Sens. Merkely, Udall, Harkin unveil filibuster reform resolutions

Udall, Merkley and Harkin want to force senators who filibuster to actually speak on the floor. They argue it would greatly increase public accountability and require the minority to use time and energy to stall business.

“The filibuster, once used only on issues of personal principle, is now used regularly as an instrument of partisan politics,” Merkley said. “It hurts our ability to take on the big challenges we face as Americans. And we need to fix it. We must put an end to the secret, silent filibuster that is haunting the Senate.”


In a briefing with reporters Thursday, Merkley and Udall said that they believe they have the 51 votes for Harry Reid, should he decide to push the reforms with a simple majority vote. In terms of momentum for these reforms, that's critical as Reid talks to Mitch McConnell and other Democrats who are working on the weak McCain-Levin proposal.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/01/04/1176273/-Sens-Merkely-Udall-Harkin-unveil-filibuster-reform-resolutions

January 4, 2013

‘If Republicans want to do cuts,’ then cut corporate welfare

“If Republicans want to have a conversation about cuts, we should have a conversation about cuts,” Ellison, a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, told host Cenk Uygur. “Let’s start with Medicare Part D and say, ‘If you want to save money, you want to cut the deficit, let’s let there be competitive bidding for Medicare Part D prescription drugs. That would save about $150 billion.”

He added that eliminating oil, gas and coal tax breaks and subsidies would leave “another $100 billion” in government coffers. Ellison also suggested that America’s nuclear arsenal could be trimmed down to save even more money.


Raw Story (http://s.tt/1xXWe)

January 4, 2013

67 Republicans still vote to say screw NY and NJ

January 4, 2013

The GOP is coming for your Social Security and medicare!

The GOP, Grand Old Party, Republicans say we are spending to much. They say cut, cut, cut, social security, medicare, medicaid, unemployment insurance, education, science, etc. Get ready for the fight of your life. They are coming with blood in their eyes!

January 4, 2013

Rep. Grayson: Republicans using debt ceiling as ‘legislative terrorism’

He said Republicans saw the debt ceiling as “a device to extract concessions they would otherwise never be able to accomplish.”

“That is why it is legislative terrorism,” Grayson continued. “They are using the debt ceiling as a means to cut Social Security benefits, cut Medicare benefits, cut unemployment insurance, cut anything of any use to any ordinary human being in this country simply because they want more money for tax cuts for the rich.”


Raw Story (http://s.tt/1xX3P)

January 3, 2013

GOP wants to debate the debt limit, but it is only their burden to carry

"One last point I want to make. While I will negotiate over many things, I will not have another debate with this Congress over whether or not they should pay the bills that they've already racked up through the laws that they've passed. Let me repeat, we can't not pay bills that we already incurred." - President Obama


Only time will tell what happens, but McConnell and his crew can't have a debate about torching the United States economy unless President Obama agrees to have it with them. As long as he refuses to negotiate over their threat to sabotage the economy, they can pontificate all they want, but will in the end still face a binary choice: default or no default. Personally, I'm convinced they are bluffing, but even if they aren't, President Obama needs to stand firm: we can't negotiate with economic terrorists.


http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/01/03/1175945/-Mr-Turtle-cluelessly-clamors-for-debt-limit-debate-that-President-Obama-says-he-won-t-get

January 3, 2013

Republican Primaries Eyed By Conservatives After Deal

Fiscal Cliff:

Few challengers have yet come forward. But fiscally conservative activists irate at Republicans who voted to raise some taxes without cutting spending are casting about for opponents to Republicans including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and senators Saxby Chambliss of Georgia, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Lamar Alexander of Tennessee.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/02/fiscal-cliff-republicans_n_2399107.html?utm_hp_ref=politics

January 3, 2013

Maddow: Boehner speakership has devolved into defiance and derision failure

The White House eventually stopped negotiating with John Boehner went it became clear that there was no point, because it didn’t matter what he said Republicans would do. Republicans were not taking instruction from him, so he couldn’t promise anything about their behavior, so why would you talk to him about what Republicans are going to do?”


http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/01/03/maddow-boehner-speakership-has-devolved-into-defiance-and-derision/


Chuck Schumer D-NY was a guest on this show. He said the only way to deal with these 70-80 hard right Republicans is not to negotiate with them. He said they needed to be isolated with their positions and left swinging in the wind. (my words)

watch the video

January 3, 2013

Filibuster Reform: Senate Plan From Carl Levin, John McCain A Gift To Republicans

A filibuster reform counterproposal put forward by Sens. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), John McCain (R-Ariz.) and six other senators includes a provision that would be a boon to Republicans hoping to tack controversial amendments on to legislation headed for passage.

Debate over the future of the filibuster could begin as early as Thursday, sources close to the situation said, though Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) can postpone it to later in January. The Levin-McCain approach is in competition with a plan put forward by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), which would still allow the minority to filibuster legislation but would require them to do so by actually speaking on the floor. Merkley told the Washington Post's Greg Sargent that if the Levin-McCain proposal comes to the floor, he'll vote against it and would press others to do the same.

Merkley's plan has enough votes to pass..............


The Levin-McCain approach could also have a surprising consequence: Instead of tipping the balance of power toward the majority, it will leave in place the silent filibuster, which requires 60 votes to override, but would allow amendments to be adopted by a simple majority vote.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/02/filibuster-senate-levin-mccain-reform_n_2397198.html?utm_hp_ref=politics

January 3, 2013

Christie: Boehner ignored multiple phone calls on Sandy relief funds

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) said Wednesday that House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) ignored multiple calls on Tuesday, even as the governor was hoping to convey the urgency of a now-delayed vote on funding for Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.

“Last night, the House Majority failed most the basic test of leadership and they did so with callous disregard to the people of my state,” Christie said at a news conference on Wednesday. “It was disappointing and disgusting to watch.”


Raw Story (http://s.tt/1xSX7)