CONGRESS – the Republican led House : Scheduled to do only about 8days of work prior to Election2012 : the Senate led by Dems

the Senate Convenes:10:00amET September 13, 2012

• Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized.
• The first hour will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.
• During Wednesday’s session, cloture was filed on the Murray substitute amendment #2789 to S.3457, the Veterans Jobs Corps Act and on S.3457.  As a result, the filing deadline for first degree amendments to the substitute amendment and to S.3457 is 1:00pm on Thursday.  Under the rule, the cloture vote(s) will be on Friday, September 14^th.  However, we hope to reach an agreement to have the vote(s) on Thursday.

The Senate has reached an agreement that results in no roll call votes tonight or this weekend. Under the agreement, at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, September 19, the Senate will proceed to vote on a motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to the Murray substitute amendment #2789, if a point of order is raised. If the motion to waive is agreed to, the cloture votes on the substitute amendment and underlying bill and passage will occur at a time to be determined by the two Leaders. Further, at 2:15pm on Wednesday, September 19 the Senate will proceed to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R.117, the Continuing Resolution. Details of the agreement can be found below.

S.3457, Veterans Jobs bill

Leader:            I ask unanimous consent that on Wednesday, September 19^th, following any Leader remarks, the Senate resume consideration of S.3457 and, notwithstanding rule 22, it be in order for Senator McConnell, or his designee, to raise a budget point of order against the substitute amendment #2789; that if a budget point of order is raised, the Majority Leader, or his designee, be recognized for a motion to waive the applicable budget points of order; that the time until 12 noon be equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees, on the motion to waive; that upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate proceed to vote on the motion to waive; that if the motion to waive the applicable budget points of order is not agreed to, the cloture motions with respect to the substitute and the underlying bill be withdrawn and the bill be returned to the calendar and the Majority Leader then be recognized;

That if the motion to waive is agreed to, at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, after consultation with the Republican Leader and notwithstanding rule 22, the motion to commit be withdrawn; that all the pending amendments be withdrawn with the exception of the pending substitute amendment #2789; that the there be 30 minutes of debate equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees; that upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate proceed to the vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the substitute amendment #2789; if cloture is invoked, the remaining post-cloture time be yielded back and the Senate then proceed to vote in relation to the substitute amendment #2789; that following that vote, the Senate proceed to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on S.3457, as amended, if amended; and, if cloture is invoked, the post-cloture time be yielded back, the bill be read a third time and the Senate proceed to vote on passage of the bill, as amended, if amended; and following the vote on passage, the Majority Leader be recognized.

If cloture is not invoked on the substitute amendment #2789, the cloture motion on the underlying bill be withdrawn and the bill be returned to the Calendar.

Further, that no amendments, motions or points of order be in order to the substitute amendment or the bill other than those listed in this agreement.

Finally, that when the Senate receives H.J.Res.117, the Continuing Resolution for Fiscal Year 2013, it be placed on the calendar; that on Wednesday, September 19^th, it be in order for the Majority Leader to move to proceed to H.J.Res.117 and file cloture on the motion to proceed; finally, that if a cloture motion is filed, notwithstanding rule 22, the vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.J.Res.117 occur at 2:15pm on Wednesday, September 19^th.

WRAP UP

No ROLL CALL VOTES

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed S.3552, to reauthorize the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.

Passed S.J.Res.44, a joint resolution granting the consent of Congress to the State and Province Emergency Management Assistance Memorandum of Understanding.

Adopted S.Res.401, expressing appreciation for Foreign Service and Civil Service professionals who represent the United States around the globe.

Began the Rule 14 process of H.R.5949, the FISA Amendments Extension Act.  (Republican request)

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Pro Forma Session only with no business conducted.

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http://www.houselive.gov/

The next meeting in the House is 10amET

10:00:56 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:01:02 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Steve Austria to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:01:13 A.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.
10:48:38 A.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 6336.
10:49:03 A.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House continued with further Morning-Hour Debate.
10:59:00 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:42 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of September 13.
12:00:46 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Kris Holzmeyer, Second Baptist Church, Clinton, Tennessee.
12:02:00 P.M.		>The Speaker announced approval of the Journal.  Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
12:02:05 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Schilling to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:04:11 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.
12:24:48 P.M.	H. Res. 779	Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 779 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6213) to limit further taxpayer exposure from the loan guarantee program established under title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules.”
12:25:28 P.M.	H. Res. 779	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 779.
1:14:21 P.M.	H. Res. 779	The previous question was ordered without objection.
1:14:30 P.M.	H. Res. 779	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H. Res. 779, the Chair put the question on adoption of the resolution and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. McGovern demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the resolution until later in the legislative day.
1:15:00 P.M.	H. Res. 778	Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 778 — “Providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 117) making continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2013, and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6365) to amend the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to replace the sequester established by the Budget Control Act of 2011.”
1:15:10 P.M.	H. Res. 778	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 778.
2:40:22 P.M.	H. Res. 778	On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 235 – 178 (Roll no. 572).
2:47:29 P.M.	H. Res. 778	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 232 – 182 (Roll no. 573).
2:47:30 P.M.	H. Res. 778	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:47:37 P.M.		<action_description>UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of H. Res. 779, and a motion to suspend the rules, both of which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
2:47:53 P.M.	H. Res. 779	Considered as unfinished business. H. Res. 779 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6213) to limit further taxpayer exposure from the loan guarantee program established under title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules.”
2:55:46 P.M.	H. Res. 779	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 232 – 182 (Roll no. 574).
2:55:47 P.M.	H. Res. 779	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:55:50 P.M.	H.R. 1775	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 1775 — “To amend title 18, United States Code, to establish a criminal offense relating to fraudulent claims about military service.”
3:03:06 P.M.	H.R. 1775	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 410 – 3 (Roll no. 575).
3:03:07 P.M.	H.R. 1775	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:03:11 P.M.	H.R. 1775	The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
3:03:51 P.M.	H.J. Res. 117	<Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 778. H.J. Res. 117 — “Making continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2013, and for other purposes.”
3:03:56 P.M.	H.J. Res. 117	The rule provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 117 and H.R. 6365, under a closed rule for both measures. Each are debatable for one hour. In both cases all points of order against provisions in the measure are waived, and in each case, one motion to recommit, with or without instructions is made in order.
3:04:46 P.M.	H.J. Res. 117	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.J. Res. 117.
3:38:02 P.M.	H.J. Res. 117	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
3:38:19 P.M.	H.J. Res. 117	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – Pursuant to clause 1(c) Rule 19, the Chair postponed further proceedings on H.J. Res. 117 until later in the legislative day.
3:43:49 P.M.	H.R. 6365	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 778. H.R. 6365 — “To amend the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to replace the sequester established by the Budget Control Act of 2011.”
3:43:54 P.M.	H.R. 6365	The rule provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 117 and H.R. 6365, under a closed rule for both measures. Each are debatable for one hour. In both cases all points of order against provisions in the measure are waived, and in each case, one motion to recommit, with or without instructions is made in order.
3:44:35 P.M.	H.R. 6365	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 6365.
5:01:44 P.M.	H.R. 6365	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
5:01:57 P.M.	H.R. 6365	Mr. Van Hollen moved to recommit with instructions to The Budget.
5:02:35 P.M.	H.R. 6365	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Van Hollen motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to strike sections 3 and 4 in the bill and replace with a new section outlining conditional elimination of sequestration and requirements of deficet reduction legislation.
5:12:59 P.M.	H.R. 6365	The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
5:37:01 P.M.	H.R. 6365	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 170 – 247 (Roll no. 576).
5:46:09 P.M.	H.R. 6365	On passage Passed by recorded vote: 223 – 196 (Roll no. 577).
5:46:10 P.M.	H.R. 6365	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:46:11 P.M.	H.J. Res. 117	Considered as unfinished business. H.J. Res. 117 — “Making continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2013, and for other purposes.”
5:46:45 P.M.	H.J. Res. 117	Mr. Barber moved to recommit with instructions to Appropriations.
5:47:41 P.M.	H.J. Res. 117	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Barber motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment adding language to the bill extending funding for various military accounts until September 30, 2013.
5:57:25 P.M.	H.J. Res. 117	The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
6:16:58 P.M.	H.J. Res. 117	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 189 – 232 (Roll no. 578).
6:24:20 P.M.	H.J. Res. 117	On passage Passed by recorded vote: 329 – 91 (Roll no. 579).
6:24:21 P.M.	H.J. Res. 117	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
6:24:37 P.M.	S. 3245	Considered as unfinished business. S. 3245 — “To permanently reauthorize the EB-5 Regional Center Program, the E-Verify Program, the Special Immigrant Nonminister Religious Worker Program, and the Conrad State 30 J-1 Visa Waiver Program.”
6:31:29 P.M.	S. 3245	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 412 – 3 (Roll no. 580).
6:31:30 P.M.	S. 3245	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
6:32:53 P.M.	H. Res. 775	Mr. Farenthold asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.
6:32:53 P.M.	H. Res. 775	Considered by unanimous consent. H. Res. 775 — “Condemning the shooting that killed six innocent people at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, on August 5, 2012.”
6:33:13 P.M.	H. Res. 775	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
6:33:18 P.M.	H. Res. 775	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
6:34:59 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
6:37:42 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
9:02:40 P.M.		Mr. Gohmert moved that the House do now adjourn.
9:02:52 P.M.		>On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
9:02:53 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on September 14, 2012.

House hearings …

12:00 am	Hearing: Adding to Uncertainty: Small Businesses’ Perspectives on the Tax CliffCommittee on Small Business: Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax and Capital Access
9:30 am	Markup: Markup of:  “H.J. Res 118, providing for congressional disapproval of the Administration’s July 12, 2012 waiver of welfare work requirements.”Committee on Ways and Means: Full Committee
10:00 am	Hearing: F-22 pilot physiological issuesCommittee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces
10:00 am	Hearing: Joint Hearing with the Subcommittee on TARP, Financial Services and Bailouts of Public and Private Programs of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform entitled “The JOBS Act: Importance of Prompt Implementation for Entrepreneurs, Capital Formation, and Job Creation”Committee on Financial Services: Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises
10:00 am	Hearing: Joint Hearing: The JOBS ACT: Importance of Prompt Implementation for Entrepreneurs, Capital Formation, and Job CreationCommittee on Oversight and Government Reform: Full Committee
10:00 am	Hearing: The American Energy Initiative: A Focus on the Outlook for Achieving North American Energy Independence Within the DecadeCommittee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Energy and Power
10:00 am	Hearing: Open: Investigation of the Security Threat Posed by Chinese Telecommunications Companies Huawei and ZTEHouse Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Full Committee
10:00 am	Hearing: SIGAR Report: Document Destruction and Millions of Dollars Unaccounted for at the Department of DefenseCommittee on Oversight and Government Reform: Full Committee
10:00 am	Hearing: Evaluating the Effectiveness of DOT’s Truck and Bus Safety ProgramCommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
10:00 am	Hearing: Oversight Hearing on “Committee Oversight of Department of the Interior: Questioning of Key Department of the Interior Officials”Committee on Natural Resources: Full Committee
10:15 am	Hearing: Creating Opportunities through Improved Government Spectrum EfficiencyCommittee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
11:30 am	Hearing: Federal Voting Assistance ProgramCommittee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Military Personnel
2:00 pm	Hearing: Joint Subcommittee Hearing: BioWatch Present and FutureCommittee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications
2:00 pm	Hearing: Y-12 Intrusion: Investigation, Response, and AccountabilityCommittee on Armed Services: Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
2:00 pm	Hearing: The State Department’s View of the Haqqani Network: Foreign Terrorist Organization or Not?Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade
2:00 pm	Hearing: Hearing entitled “Examining the Uses of Consumer Credit Data”Committee on Financial Services: Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit
3:00 pm	Hearing: Conditions at Camp Liberty: U.S. and Iraqi FailuresCommittee on Foreign Affairs: Select…
3:00 pm	Hearing: Assessing U.S. Policy on Peacekeeping Operations in AfricaCommittee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights

Media Matters for America

Fox Attacks Democrats For Attempting To Deal With Gender Wage Inequality Fox & Friends attacked the Paycheck Fairness Act, legislation aimed at addressing the wage inequality between men and women, with Fox host Dan Perino claiming the legislation is just a “distraction.” In fact, wage inequality is real: Study after study has found that women are paid less than men. Read More

Right-Wing Media Stoke Islamophobia With Dubious Story About “Necrophilia Law” In Egypt  The right-wing media continued their pattern of encouraging people to fear Muslims by hyping a thinly sourced column in an Egyptian newspaper about a supposed proposal to legalize necrophilia. Al-Arabiya has reported that members of the Egyptian parliament are denying that any such law was ever proposed. Read More

In the Library … Lost Discoveries: The Ancient Roots of Modern Science, by Dick Teresi

Boldly challenging conventional wisdom, acclaimed science writer and Omni magazine cofounder Dick Teresitraces the origins of contemporary science back to their ancient roots in an eye-opening account and landmark work.This innovative history proves once and for all that the roots of modern science were established centuries, and in some instances millennia, before the births of Copernicus, Galileo, and Newton. In this enlightening, entertaining, and important book, Teresi describes many discoveries from all over the non-Western world — Sumeria, Babylon, Egypt, India, China, Africa, Arab nations, the Americas, and the Pacific islands– that equaled and often surpassed Greek and European learning in the fields of mathematics, astronomy, cosmology, physics, geology, chemistry, and technology.The first extensive and authoritative multicultural history of science written for a popular audience, Lost Discoveries fills a critical void in our scientific, cultural, and intellectual history and is destined to become a classic in its field.

Foreign NGO Employees in Egypt Deserve Fair Trials!

Egypt‘s new ruling military council is trying to assert its power on the world stage. What is the cost? » The council has charged forty-three non-governmental organization (NGO) employees with funding the protests in Egypt. Several NGOs have had their offices raided by Egyptian authorities, and nineteen Americans, five Serbs, two Germans, and three non-Egyptian Arab nationals have been banned from leaving Egypt. These employees, fighting for the rights of ordinary Egyptians, deserve to be treated in accordance with international human rights standards. Please take action today. Tell the Egyptian government to ensure a fair trial for these NGO employees. »

Demand Free and Fair Elections in Egypt

Psst! This petition was created by a fellow Care2 activist who cares about international issuesd. If you’ve got a cause you care about, create a petition now!In 2005, Ayman Nour, the leader of Egypt‘s main opposition party, was jailed with hard labor for five years by the Mubarak government. Now, he wants to work for democracy in Egypt by running for political office again. But he can’t.Don’t punish Nour for a made-up crime. »The charges against Nour were widely dismissed as fabricated. Even so, on October 16 2011, a judge appointed by the former Mubarak regime upheld the conviction, effectively barring Nour from running for political office. According to The Nation, the currently ruling military junta has decided to remain in power until at least 2013. They have appointed Mohamed Refaat Qomsan to supervise the elections, the same police official who oversaw the rigged elections of 2005, 2006, and 2010. Tell the military junta that the era of Mubarak is over. It’s time for democracy in Egypt. » Thanks for taking action!KathleenThePetitionSite

Demand Free and Fair Elections in Egypt

Take action link: http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/Agw3X/zLLw/Af7Eo

Video: Egypt in crisis (via Anderson Cooper 360)

Editor’s note: Anderson Cooper speaks with Fouad Ajami and Khalid Abdalla about renewed protests for change in Egypt. … Read More

via Anderson Cooper 360

wicked Wednesday weather& some News

The World is watching …    As Freedom marches ramp up and the violence against protesters breaks out again … people have had enough

Remember … there is always strength in numbers

I think we all take our freedoms for granted here in the US of A though lately the Republican Party is beginning to make me feel a little less free every day. I watched as freedom fighters  in Egypt Libya and others in the region did whatever they had to before going out to march against tyranny , but the idea that there are people being killed by their own government for wanting to be free, heard,  wanting to be participants in their own futures is not new but it is disturbing. There were  mothers with children, older men and women and college students  coming out in droves to let the current dictators know it’s time for a change and given what these dictators will lose they have chosen to “crackdown” on the protesters which we all know is pure bs and a lack of respect for life.

Months ago, we saw some of the people of Iran try to rise up and claim a voice of independence. Unfortunately, what came out of that was the loss of freedom fighters with Neda becoming their symbol of strength. However, in the end after a few days those freedom fighters had to retreat which had to be the only way to save lives. It was a rude awakening at how a dictator only respects his position and is still willing to sacrifice the many for his title, power, and money. Then we heard of an uprising in Tunisia Egypt and many others in possible transition with talk of more and more people willing to risk their lives to gain their freedom. It was definitely clear that a movement against the Ancient practice of dictatorship by freedom fighters for a move into the 21st Century was breaking out all over. The voice and votes of millions have gone uncounted and or compromised for decades.  The demand to be heard great but to get the change they need and want … means that the fear of authority was, is, cannot be an option… and the possibility of death likely.

The quick response from dictators was surprising, disturbing, and totally unacceptable. I have to say it was strange to see how fast they were able to cut off most if not all connections to the outside world, stating the US meddled in the process to divert responsibility while using extreme force on their own people. In the case of Libya, we heard their government make threats of slaughtering all who will not stand down and going house to house, which was after reports of thousands already killed by Gadhafi forces. The demand to move into the 21st Century continues to be met with bullets bombs and death. It has to make you wonder if the money the militia gets is worth killing their own people, don’t they want personal freedom , do they dare dream or wonder what living in a more modern society would be like. I guess being an American, the thought of remaining silent under force let alone 40years of dictatorship is just not an option. These men of so-called power showed the World how horrible they were and as days and weeks went by their own military forces began to crumble.  It was enlightening to see just how nefarious these dictators were and still are. I have to say it was stunning to hear that under pressure a dictator was willing to kill Military forces who wanted out and or refused to kill civilians. It was equally stunning that some managed to flee the region and others definitely in elite positions asked for refuge while workers, outsourced from other countries became shields, trapped, or lacked funds to go home, as some countries did not help their people out others took that long walk across the border to temporary safety and freedom in refugee camps.

The journey toward freedom is sometimes paved with danger

pray for all those involved

Other News

Egypt probes Tahrir Square
clash

Instant view: Greek parliament votes

NM Wildfire Burns Near Nuke Facility

Roche seeks more time for Avastin in
breast cancer

Taliban claims credit for hotel
attack

Burma warns Aung San Suu Kyi to halt
all political activities

Conservative blogger Breitbart sees
Sarah Palin jumping into White House race

CSPAN …

President Obama Holds News Conference

Will take questions on Afghanistan, Libya, deficit talks

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White House Releases National Counterterrorism Strategy

Deputy Nat’l Security Adviser John Brennan on U.S. plan to defeat al-Qaeda

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Senate Panel Looks at Supreme Court Rulings

Sen. Leahy said the Court sided with corporations

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Federal Reserve To Issue Final Rules on Debit Card Fees

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GAO Reports on Diplomatic Security

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for austerity plan

Congressional Budget Office – Cost Estimate … HR1211, S618, Charity Tax

•Cost Estimate for H.R. 1121, Responsible Consumer Financial Protection Regulations Act of 2011

Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the House Committee on Financial Services on May 13, 2011

 http://www.cbo.gov/doc.cfm?index=12215

•Cost Estimate for S. 618, A bill to promote the strengthening of the private sector in Egypt and Tunisia

Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on May 17, 2011

 http://www.cbo.gov/doc.cfm?index=12214

•Options for Changing the Tax Treatment of Charitable Giving

The deductibility of charitable donations has been a feature of the U.S. individual income tax almost as long as the modern income tax has been in existence. Nevertheless, concerns about the cost, equity, and efficiency of the deduction have prompted many proposals to change the tax treatment of charitable contributions.

http://www.cbo.gov/doc.cfm?index=12167

Letting Democracy Bloom … The Progress Report

www.ThinkProgress.org

Last Thursday, President Obama gave a speech outlining a broad, though not comprehensive, U.S. approach to the upheaval that has for nearly six months now seized the Middle East and North Africa. He described a small but important package of economic support for Tunisia and Egypt, the two countries that have so far taken the most drastic steps toward democratic reform, to serve as incentives for other reformers; this is particularly important in light of the fact that the Center for American Progress‘s Just Jobs Network will be hosting a major conference in Cairo next week about how to lift up Egypt’s economy and the rest of the developing world’s with sustainable, good jobs. He called on Arab leaders — both friend and foe — to open up political discourse in their countries and lead the way to reform. And he pushed to reinvigorate the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process. All those are important goals, but Center for American Progress senior fellow Brian Katulis noted that while the speech was a “step in the right direction”, it will take concrete action to demonstrate to both the American people and the people of the region that the U.S. is applying a coherent strategy to the Arab Spring. “For many years now, U.S. presidents have set goals or challenges to the region only to be ignored with no consequences,” he wrote. “That’s why the follow through is essential.”

PRESSING ALLIES ON REFORM: While critics have attacked Obama for “leading from behind” and “accommodat(ing) American decline”, administration stances on a case-by-case basis have taken a pragmatic view of circumstances on the ground. As a general rule, the U.S. can do the most to usher in reform in places where it maintains robust economic, diplomatic, military and civil society ties — not in places like Damascus, Tehran and Tripoli where frosty relations make reliable allies and even sources in short supply. Obama’s speech rightly offered his strongest yet condemnation of repression in Bahrain, calling for dialogue between the government and the opposition and criticizing political detentions and the destruction of Shia mosques. Bahrain, a U.S. strategic ally that hosts the Navy’s Fifth Fleet, has so far not responded to all these demands. But reports say that Bahrain on Monday announced that some of the destroyed Mosques would be rebuilt. All it took was a single mention in Obama’s remarks (and perhaps some behind-the-scenes diplomacy) to shame Bahrain into what appears to be a reversal.

CLEANING UP AFTER BUSH: Obama’s message to Bahrain highlighted another important area where the the U.S. can work toward fostering reform: highlighting peaceful rights and supporting civil society. In his speech, Obama pledged to continue working toward supporting human rights groups and other associations, as he did in his 2009 Cairo address, but now with explicit emphasis on the “young people” in terms of political force rather than solely as a vehicle for development. “Across the region, we intend to provide assistance to civil society,” Obama said on Thursday, “including those that may not be officially sanctioned, and who speak uncomfortable truths.” Indeed, Egypt and Bahrain were among the countries that the Bush Administration pressed during the full bloom of its “Freedom Agenda” in 2005 and 2006, only to have most of those efforts cease by 2008. Bush even circumvented Congressional pressure and fed Egypt aid on security grounds despite human rights abuses. Egypt and democracy expert Michelle Dunne of the Carnegie Endowment, though, pointed out in 2009 that then-Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak never actually threatened to end security cooperation: “Egypt at no time withheld or even seriously threatened to withhold cooperation on military, counterterrorism, or regional diplomacy due to the freedom agenda.” This should serve as a lesson for policy makers looking at security situations and U.S. strategic positions in countries like Bahrain, which hosts the Navy’s Fifth Fleet, and Yemen, where the threat posed by some several hundred Al Qaeda-affiliated fighters has led to U.S. support for a repressive regime. In this sense, and contra the conservative talkingpoints, the lessons of Bush’s democracy promotion program are best learned by examining its failures, chief among them that rhetoric always outperformed action, that over-caution and myopic focus on counterterrorism and regional threats (read: Iran) caused paralysis.

DON’T GIVE THE SAUDIS A PASS: While Obama’s Middle East speech did begin to lay the framework for dealing with regional unrest, it’s difficult to see how one can envision a comprehensive strategy — let alone implement it — without dealing with the eight-hundred-pound counter-revolutionary gorilla, Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom was notably absent from the speech and one can only hope that behind-the-scenes diplomacy is vigorously and forcefully underway. Obama lent a momentary justification of legitimacy to the Saudi-led Gulf Cooperative Council (GCC) intervention against Bahraini protesters by conceding that Iran sought to take advantage of turmoil there, but was clear that the dynamic could not supercede the legitimate aspirations of Bahraini Shia. Brookings scholar Suzanne Maloney wrote that the message to Saudi Arabia was there, but that Obama should keep making a clear push: “The administration needs to guard against ploys to undercut the President’s proclaimed agenda, including the fallacious argument that the Arab spring empowers Tehran. In reality, developments in Bahrain and elsewhere only confirm that continuing regional repression offers an opening rather than an antidote to Iranian influence.” Obama’s speech hit this point, and his speechwriter and national security aide echoed it this weekend to the New York Times: “It was necessary for him to step back and say that not only does he support the aspirations of the people we have seen in the streets, but supporting them is in our long-term interest.” If there is only to be one lesson of the Arab Spring it should be that autocrats are not, as has long been the conventional wisdom, beacons of stability. The U.S. should impress this upon its friends and foes alike.

Emergencie​s in Libya and Ivory Coast … help Helene Gayle,President &CEO, Care

The fighting in Libya continues to force people to flee in droves. The surge of Libyan refugees into neighboring countries is putting increased pressure on some of the poorest countries — and families — in the world. Many of the refugees were in Libya to work and now have returned to their native countries, where their families already are suffering from poverty, hunger, disease and drought. Others are Libyans on the run for fear of what may happen to them and their families. The humanitarian crisis is increasing by the minute.

In fact, more than 405,000 people have already left Libya for bordering countries, including Egypt, Niger and Tunisia. If the fighting continues, many more are expected to flee. The influx of people may overwhelm already-fragile economies and create additional human suffering.

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The situation is changing day by day, even hour by hour. That’s why, right now, CARE staff is coordinating with the United Nations, government agencies and local partner organizations to carry out an effective humanitarian response to this and other refugee crises, such as the one sparked by

post-election conflict in Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast).

Today, CARE is reaching tens of thousands of people with basic survival supplies: the distribution of clean water, food, hygiene kits, blankets and more. Should needs increase, we’ll be able to ramp up our response thanks to the support of generous donors like you.

Please help ensure CARE is prepared to respond to humanitarian crises and crushing poverty with your gift today.

Your ongoing financial support makes it possible for CARE to help in emergencies like Libya and Cote d’Ivoire, and supports our poverty-fighting programs and advocacy efforts to improve the lives of the world’s poorest people. Thank you for your unwavering support.

Sincerely,

Helene D. Gayle, MD, MPH

President and CEO, CARE