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30 Jun 2010 20:24

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U.S.: Financial reform plows through the House (and maybe the Senate?)

  • 237-192 with just three
    GOP votes source
  • no The Senate won’t get it passed and signed by their July 4 deadline.
  • yes Robert Byrd’s timely death is the specific reason for the holdup.
  • maybe The Senate might have enough votes to pass it – possibly. source

29 May 2010 12:18

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Politics: Robert Gates: Give us feedback on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”

  • Every man and woman in uniform is a vitally important part of this review. We need to hear from you and your families so that we can make these judgments in the most informed and effective manner. So please let us know how to do this right.
  • Defense Secretary Robert Gates • In a video regarding the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal, a bill which is currently making its way through Congress. Eventually, if and when it passes (which is likely), Gates is going to have to have his people deal with it directly. There is a big compromise involved here. The bill basically says, “OK, military, you guys decide if this makes sense for you,” and then they’ll decide. Which means the weight’s on Gates and the rest of the military. source

25 Mar 2010 21:16

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21 Mar 2010 10:03

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15 Mar 2010 23:29

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Politics: One option to get Obamacare through: Sleight-of-hand

  • It’s more insider and process-oriented than most people want to know. But I like it, because people don’t have to vote on the Senate bill.
  • House Speaker Nancy Pelosi • On an option she’s considering to ensure the passage of the health-care bill. With this process, the bill would fall under a “self-executing rule,” which would assume the bill passed while a more popular piece of legislation was voted on. The idea would be to allow for passage of the Senate bill without pinning anyone’s name on the legislation. Even though this is a commonly-used tactic, Republicans are crying foul, calling it unconstitutional. Pelosi, BTW, wants the bill passed by the end of the week. Good luck with that; you’re gonna need it. source

24 Feb 2010 11:08

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U.S.: That jobs bill passed with more bipartisan support than the cloture

  • 70-28 the party of no said yes to something source

10 Jan 2010 01:02

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U.S.: Obama and congress almost completely in sync in 2009

  • 96.7% of bills passed went Obama’s way source
 

24 Dec 2009 09:36

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Politics: Reaction from the Right – and Left – to Health Care vitriolic

  • This morning, as millions of Americans prepared to gather with their families in celebration of Christmas, President Obama and Harry Reid gathered with their liberal allies in celebration of government.
  • RNC Chairman Michael Steele • Regarding the health care plan’s passage. Man, Mikey, you’re a regular Mitch McConnell, aren’t you? On the other side of the spectrum, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said he preferred the House bill, mainly because, well, they didn’t need to gut everything to get it passed. He made this quip, though: “Not since the passage of Medicare 44 years ago have we seen Republican scare tactics so blatantly contrary to the interests of the American people.” source

24 Dec 2009 09:23

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23 Dec 2009 19:03

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U.S.: Health care now certain to pass final vote in the Senate

  • All it needs for final passage is 51 votes tomorrow morning. It was a long road to get here, boys, but it seems we’re reaching an epic point. The Senate passed its final 60-vote hurdle today, leading the way for a simple up-down vote tomorrow on the bill. If Joe Lieberman wants to defect on this specific vote, he can. The GOP still isn’t happy and – duh – will do everything they can to derail the bill after the vote. source