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 When Veteran and friend of Tammy Duckworth, Bill Enyart, became a candidate for Congress, you knew conservatives would get worried. Now, in this neck-and-neck race, they’re pouring hundreds of thousands of dollars into despicable ads that smear Enyart, through a PAC that is run by former staffers for Eric Cantor, and funded by conservative super-donor, Sheldon Adelson. CLICK HERE TO FIGHT BACK!This is it. When these guys start to smear a vet like Enyart, it’s up to you to fight back. Are you in?Click the link above, and help level the playing field for Bill’s campaign. Let’s do this. Thanks for all of your support. Sincerely, Jon Soltz Iraq War Veteran Chairman, VoteVets.org @jonsoltz
PAID FOR BY VOTEVETS PAC NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATE’S COMMITTEE |
Tag Archives: Eric Cantor
Nancy Pelosi House Dems in the Newsroom
It’s been more than 250 days since the GOP took control of the House, and Americans are still asking: Where are the jobs, House Republicans?
The middle class is hurting, and the Republicans’ only answer is a plan to end Medicare and give tax breaks to Big Oil and companies that ship jobs overseas.
- Republican Majority Leader Eric Cantor revealed the GOP’s summer agenda – and what’s missing? A single jobs bill on the floor or a clear jobs plan.
- The only jobs bills to come to the floor this Congress have been Democratic proposals, and the GOP has voted “no” on every one.
- Democrats will continue to promote and pursue our Make It In America agenda to create jobs and keep America number one.
the Progress Report
This is how elections are bought…
Putting the Mega in Mega-Donor
Casino magnate Sheldon Adelson is by far the GOP’s biggest donor. He has already plowed more than $35 MILLION into the presidential race and says he’ll spend a “limitless” amount to defeat President Obama, perhaps more than $100 MILLION.
Adelson also has his eye on the House of Representatives. He is almost single-handedly bankrolling a Super PAC associated with House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA), having given the group $5 MILLION. And just last week, Adelson is reported to have contributed $500,000 to a Super PAC backing a single House candidate. That’s right, half a million dollars to influence a single House race.
While these numbers are huge — and pose a huge threat to our democracy — they are actually small potatoes for right-wing billionaires like Adelson.
This handy infographic puts it all into perspective.
Evening Brief: Important Stories That You May Have Missed
The GOP’s new women’s outreach strategy: free hair and make-up touch ups.
Pennsylvania GOP senate candidate: getting pregnant from rape is “similar” to having a baby out of wedlock.
Texas GOP senate candidate: Hurricane Isaac is a “blessing” that we should be “thankful” for.
Better know an anti-LGBT senate candidate: Scott Brown (R-MA).
Mitt Romney kicked the overt race-baiting of his campaign up a few notches.
Chris Matthews goes after the RNC Chairman for the GOP’s race-baiting on the campaign trail.
Men defining rape, a history.
GOP platform chair: rape is just a “detail” in the abortion debate.
Republicans held disaster relief funding hostage several times last year.
the Progress Report : Defense Cut
GOP Chooses Millionaires Over Military
Republicans to Blame for Impending Defense Cuts
Earlier this week, Mitt Romney denounced the president’s “radical cuts” to the military. Republican Sens. John McCain (AZ), Kelly Ayotte (NH), and Lindsey Graham (SC) are launching a road show to attack the president for automatic defense spending cuts set to take effect January 1, 2013 — cuts that would still leave defense spending above 2006 levels.
The only problem with their argument? Republicans — including those three senators — are directly responsible for these cuts and they will only have themselves to blame if the cuts go into effect come January.
Let’s take a closer look at how Republicans put these cuts into place.
- MAY 9, 2011: Boehner Gets The Ball Rolling
After taking the full faith and credit of the United States (and basically the entire economy along with it) hostage, House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) set out the GOP’s demands. He said any tax increases were “off the table” and, for the very first time in history, demanded that the increase in the nation’s borrowing limit be accompanied by spending cuts of equal or greater size.
(Almost a year to the day later, Boehner made the same set of demands regarding the next debt ceiling increase, due in early 2013.)
- SUMMER 2011: GOP’s Manufactured Crisis Kicks Economy While It’s Down
The acrimonious negotiations with Republicans over the summer spooked financial markets, particularly as many Republicans began to openly advocate for defaulting on our nation’s obligations. Mitt Romney and dozens of other Republicans even signed a pledge explicitly calling for default unless Congress passed a Balanced Budget Amendment – a near impossibility.
As just these two charts show, the GOP’s manufactured crisis had a very negative impact on the economy:
- SUMMER 2011: Boehner Walks Away From a Grand Bargain — Twice
President Obama was pursuing a grand bargain $4 TRILLION that would have included spending cuts, changes to entitlements, and a relatively modest amount of new tax revenue — revenue that would’ve come from closing loopholes, not raising tax rates. In private, Boehner agreed to such a deal — twice, but got yanked back into line by an extreme Republican caucus in thrall to the Tea Party and lobbyist Grover Norquist’s anti-tax pledge.
The second time he walked away from a deal, Boehner even refused to take a phone call from the president. At the time, President Obama had this to say of Boehner:
“At some point, I think if you want to be a leader, then you’ve got to lead.”
- AUGUST 2, 2011: Republicans Vote En Masse for Deal Including Defense Cuts
On the brink of a first-ever national default, Republicans finally agreed to a deal. The Budget Control Act, as it was known, specified the following:
- A multi-stage increase in the debt ceiling
- Spending cuts of $972 BILLION over ten years
- The creation of a so-called Congressional “Super Committee,” which was to find additional deficit reduction through cuts or revenue increases of up to $1.5 TRILLION. Any deal would’ve been subject to expedited consideration, could not have been filibuster, and would not have been subject to amendment.
- If the Super Committee failed to agree to a deal, then $1.2 TRILLION over ten years in automatic cuts (split evenly during the first two years between defense and domestic discretionary spending) would take effect on January 1, 2013.
This deal — which explicitly included the potential for automatic cuts to defense — received overwhelming support from Republicans. Boehner, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA), Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI), Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon (R-CA) and 169 other House Republicans — fully 72 percent of House Republicans — voted for the deal. By contrast, only 95 Democrats — exactly half — voted for it. On the other side of the Capitol, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Minority Whip Kyl (R-AZ), Senate Armed Service Committee Ranking Member John McCain (R-AZ) and 26 other Senate Republicans voted for the deal.
- OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2011: Republicans Put Millionaires Before Military, Torpedoing Super Committee
Republicans refused to ask millionaires and billionaires to pay their fair share, guaranteeing that the Super Committee would fail and the automatic cuts would kick in. Here’s a look at the numerous very generous offers that Republicans refused to accept:
October 26, 2011: Democrats first super committee offer is $3 trillion in deficit reduction comprised of about $1.3 trillion in revenues and $1.7 trillion in spending cuts, including cuts to Medicare and Medicaid. Republicansimmediately reject it. Republicans’ first super committee offer is $2.2 trillion in deficit reduction, which includes no new tax revenues.
November 8, 2011: Republicans’ second super committee offer is $1.5 trillion in deficit reduction. It does include $300 billion in new tax revenue, but in exchange for extending the Bush tax cuts and lowering the top tax rate. The plan would ultimately cut taxes for the wealthy and raise them for everyone else.
November 10, 2011: Democrats’ second offer is $2.3 trillion in deficit reduction, consisting of $1.3 trillion in spending cuts and $1 trillion in revenue. The revenue would be split between $350 billion in concrete measures and $650 billion in future tax reform. Republicans reject it.
November 11, 2011: Democrats agree to Republicans’ top lines including just $400 billion in revenues and $875 billion in spending cuts, but refuse to accept the GOP’s tax cut for the rich. Republicans reject it and make their final offer: $640 billion in spending cuts and $3 billion in revenues.
What this timeline shows is just how much Democrats have been willing to bend, only to have Republicans reject very generous offers. Back in June, Democrats reportedly offered a mere $400 billion in tax increases as part of a $2.4 trillion deficit reduction package — a 83:17 ratio of spending cuts to tax increases. Republicans said no to making millionaires pay more and said yes (again) to automatic cuts to defense and domestic programs.
Where We Stand Today
What’s clear is that Republicans walked away from numerous opportunities to agree to a balanced deal that would have canceled the deep cuts to defense spending and important domestic programs. The president has made equally clear that he doesn’t want these cuts to take effect either, but a deal is a deal and unless Republicans come to the table with a serious offer, the cuts will go into effect. There’s still plenty of time for Republicans to agree to a balanced approach and prevent these cuts from taking place.
IN ONE SENTENCE: If Republicans stopped putting millionaires ahead of the military, we could have a deal today to stop automatic cuts to defense and vital domestic programs.
Other recent Progress Reports
Jul 26, 2012: A Gold Medal in Outsourcing
A Closer Look at Mitt Romney’s Olympics When the Olympics come to America, it’s rightfully a source of pride for all Americans. And Mitt Romney certainly likes to tout his experience running the 2002 Winter Olympics. He was so proud of the job he did, he became the first ever Olympic leader to personally commission his [...]
Jul 25, 2012: Checkmate on Middle Class Taxes
Will the GOP Set Middle Class Taxes Free? In an effort to avoid being blamed for holding middle class tax cuts hostage, Senate Republicans today caved and allowed the rarest of rarities: an actual up-or-down, majority vote on a bill. They gambled that Democrats didn’t have the votes to pass their plan — and they [...]
Jul 24, 2012: GOP on Taxes: It Gets Worse
Republicans Will Raise Taxes — Just Not on the Wealthy As we discussed recently, Republicans are holding middle class tax cuts hostage in order to give the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans yet another extra tax cut. If that wasn’t bad enough, the Republicans are now affirmatively proposing to raise taxes on tens of millions [...]
Jul 23, 2012: Did Mitt Romney Insult Olympians?
Nope. President Obama Didn’t Insult Small Business Owners Either Mitt Romney and others went into overdrive last week to create a new distraction from questions surrounding Romney’s years at Bain Capital, secret tax returns, and network of overseas accounts. By selectively quoting the president, Romney alleged that the president was insulting small business owners by [...]
the Progress Report: Republicans say Ignore the Law Deny the Poor and Middle Class coverage
The Republicans’ Biggest Obsession
GOP Focused on Old Battles, Not Moving America Forward
As we discussed Friday, the Supreme Court’s ruling upholding Obamacare has really thrown Republicans for a loop. Things didn’t get any better over the weekend. Instead of moving on and working to move the country forward, Republicans are continuing to obsess over taking away people’s health care. They don’t seem to have a coherent strategy or a plan to match their obsession — just a commitment to turn health care back over to the insurance companies at the expense of jobs or our economy.
Here’s the rundown on the GOP’s all-over-the-map behavior on health care.
- VOTE TO TAKE AWAY POPULAR BENEFITS, AGAIN: After Thursday’s ruling, Republicans immediately announced that next week they’ll once again vote to put the insurance companies back in control, take away health coverage from more than 30 million Americans, and rescind popular benefits that millions of young Americans, seniors, and children with pre-existing conditions, among others, are already experiencing. It seems that Republicans want to waste time re-fighting old battles instead of working on jobs or the economy.
- IGNORE THE LAW, DENY POOR PEOPLE COVERAGE OUT OF SPITE: Republican governors are lining up to say that they’re going to continue to ignore the law. In the case of implementing health insurance exchanges, this makes no sense as states who fail to do so will just have an exhange setup by the federal government instead. In the case of rejecting the expansion of Medicaid, which is almost entirely funded by the federal government, it seems cruel to deny coverage to poor Americans in order to re-fight a political battle.
- LEAVE TENS OF MILLIONS WITHOUT INSURANCE: Senate Minority Leader McConnell (R-KY) admitted yesterday that, for Republicans, providing health care to the uninsured “is not the issue.”
- LEAVE PEOPLE WITH PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS OUT IN THE COLD: Mitt Romney has already confirmed that his plan would deny insurance to millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions and yesterday morning Speaker Boehner admitted that Republicans oppose writing a ban on such discrimination into law.
- WILD CONSPIRACY THEORIES: Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) decided to go with the conspiracy theory angle, saying that Obamacare will “Sovietize” the health care system. Yesterday, a top Mitt Romney surrogate also dabbled in conspiracy theories when she alleged that Obamacare is bad for breast cancer patients. (It isn’t.)
- GO BACK TO AN OLD, FAILED PLAN: House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) says the GOP alternative to Obamacare is still the one from 2009 that the CBO said would leave 52 MILLION Americans uninsured and would add $8 BILLION to the deficit.
- NO PLAN: Cantor’s assertion was contradicted by one of his own Members, Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE), who admitted that the GOP has no plan to replace Obamacare.
- THROW OUT THE POPULAR PARTS TOO: Meanwhile, Rep. Steve King (R-IA) says he won’t countenance any talk of keeping even the wildly popular parts of Obamacare, adding, “it’s all or none.”
- PUNCH AT OBAMA, HIT MITT ROMNEY INSTEAD: Dozens of Republicans and outside groups launched a death panels-style false attack following the High Court’s decision, only to find that attacking the Obamacare mandate as a “tax increase” immediately boomeranged back onto their own nomineee for president.When asked yesterday if Mitt Romney was a tax raiser because of the Massachusetts mandate, all Sen. McConnell could respond with was, “I think Gov. Romney will have to speak for himself about what was done in Massachusetts.” This morning, in a stunning blow to the GOP’s main new attack on Obamacare, a top Romney campaign official said that Romney doesn’t believe that the mandate is a tax.Just to be clear, Obamacare is actually a tax cut for millions of Americans.
Special note to Republicans: according to today’s Kaiser poll, 56 percent of people are ready for Republicans to stop trying to block the health care law’s implementation and move on.
Watch this space tomorrow for more on the other issues that Republicans obsess over instead of working on jobs or the economy.
Evening Brief: Important Stories That You May Have Missed
House Republicans want to take their fight for DOMA all the way to the Supreme Court — with taxpayers footing the bill.
The Romney campaign intends to ignore journalists and pander to right-wing conspiracy theory websites.
No austerity when it comes to the London Olympics.
What does the Supreme Court’s Obamacare decision mean for medical dramas?
More leaks about how the Supreme Court came to its decision on Obamacare.
Anderson Cooper came out.
Attacks on Romney’s record at Bain Capital appear to be working.
Some Republicans are grudgingly moving forward with implementing Obamacare.
Three Bain Capital controversies that Romney can’t run away from.
Other recent Progress Reports
Jun 29, 2012: SIX Health Care Questions the GOP Must Answer
GOP in Disarray After Obamacare Ruling Aside from launching a new false attack on the law (which also happens to be an attack on Mitt Romney) and promising to vote one more time on repealing the law, Republicans don’t quite know what to do. Some of them even openly admit that the GOP has no [...]
Jun 28, 2012: We LOVE Obamacare!
Constitutional! In celebration of today’s landmark Supreme Court decision declaring Obamacare constitutional, here are a few snaps from today’s festivities outside the High Court. And What Do Republicans Think? Do you love Obamacare? Click HERE to tell Congress that you stand with Obamacare.
Jun 27, 2012: Obamacare Decision Day
Will the Supreme Court Rule Based on Law or Politics? Based on the text of the Constitution and 200 years of precedent, it’s crystal clear that the Affordable Care Act is constitutional. That notwithstanding, tomorrow morning the Supreme Court is set to rule on the partisan legal attacks on Obamacare. Here’s the rundown on what [...]
Jun 26, 2012: GOP Keeps Digging on Immigration
GOP Responses on Immigration Growing Even More Extreme The GOP would be well-served to remember the first rule of holes: When you’re in one, stop digging. It was clear that Republicans sensed political danger in attacking the president’s new immigration policy, at least initially. Many top Republicans had no response at all when the news [...]
the Progress Report : The GOP and Immigration
GOP Responses on Immigration Growing Even More Extreme
The GOP would be well-served to remember the first rule of holes: When you’re in one, stop digging.
It was clear that Republicans sensed political danger in attacking the president’s new immigration policy, at least initially. Many top Republicans had no response at all when the news first broke. Now, however, the gloves are coming off and the GOP is once again showing its true — and truly extreme — colors on immigration.
Here’s a few examples.
- Top Romney Adviser Questions the Legality of Obama’s Immigration Order
Ed Gillespie, former chairman of the Republican National Committee and now a senior adviser to Mitt Romney questioned the legality of the president’s move during a weekend television appearance:
GILLESPIE: Every executive action that President Obama has taken will be subject to review. In the case of this case, it would be subject to review as to whether or not it is legal. There is legitimate questions about the legality of it, and everyone that he’ll take from here on forward will be subject to review and subject to repeal.
As we discussed yesterday, the Supreme Court, including two of its conservative justices, strongly affirmed the authority of the administration to act along the lines of the president’s recent immigration policy announcement.
- Member of the Senate GOP Leadership Suggests Impeaching Obama
This morning, Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ), a member of the Senate Republican leadership, appeared on a radio show and went so far as to suggest that the president could be impeached over immigration policy.
- GOP Congressman Fundraises Off Threat to Sue Obama
Shortly after the president’s immigration policy announcement, Rep. Steve King (R-IA) threatened to sue the administration over the new policy. While he hasn’t filed any such suit yet, King did take the opportunity today to fundraise off his threat. His email, sent to a list of Newt Gingrich supporters, repeated the baseless charge that the Obama policy is illegal — or worse:
What the President is planning to do with this order is illegal. It is unconstitutional. And he must be stopped.
- GOP Congressional Candidate Promises to Impeach Obama
Allen Quist, a former state representative running against Rep. Tim Walz (D-MN) in Minnesota’s 1st congressional district, told a town hall late last week that Obama’s recent immigration policy, as well as his decision not to defend in court the Defense of Marriage Act, were both unconstitutional. He then promised to impeach the president, if elected:
QUIST: When Richard Nixon was threatened with impeachment, one of the articles of impeachment was violating the Constitution of the United States. So is this an impeachable offense? Yes. Whenever the Constitution is violated, it is an impeachable offense. [...]
QUESTIONER: Would that be something you would propose amongst your fellows there?
QUIST: I would not only propose it, I would argue it to the utmost of my ability and I would carry it like a banner to the American public.
- Mitt Romney Continues to Attack Obama, Refuses to Make His Own Position Known
Just this afternoon at a campaign appearance in Virginia, Mitt Romney attacked the president on immigration more generally, but once again refused to say what he’d do about the president’s new immigration policy if he’s elected.
In addition to Romney himself dodging questions, his campaign staffers and advisers have also repeatedly struggled to answer questions about Romney’s views on immigration. His campaign co-chair, Carlos Gutierrez, spent some four minutes on television today dodging questions about Romney’s views.
Romney has also conveniently dropped mentions of his well-documented “self-deportation” plan for the 11 million “illegals,” as he often derisively called undocumented immigrants during the Republican primary, already in this country.
IN ONE SENTENCE: Just when you thought the GOP’s views on immigration couldn’t get any more extreme, some Republicans are even threatening to impeach the president because of his efforts to fix our broken immigration system and stop unconstitutional, discriminatory efforts by Arizona and other states.
Evening Brief: Important Stories That You May Have Missed
The 2007 version of Mitt Romney strongly disagrees with the 2012 Romney campaign on executive privilege.
A Republican senator tried to add a radical conception amendment to the flood insurance bill.
A new poll shows that House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) may be vulnerable because of his positions on women’s health issues.
The five craziest things in the Texas GOP’s insane 2012 party platform.
The host of today’s Mitt Romney event in Virginia took stimulus money and supports government spending on infrastructure, jobs, and alternative energy.
Vice President Biden torched Romney on outsourcing and offshoring jobs today during a campaign stop in Iowa.
Tomorrow, the American Prospect, and the cost of good media.
The EPA had several huge victories in court today.
Elizabeth Warren explains to Mitt Romney why corporations aren’t people.
Other recent Progress Reports
Jun 25, 2012: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
What You Need to Know About Today’s Supreme Court Rulings Today, the Supreme Court issued three very important rulings: Arizona v. United States: A case on the constitutionality of Arizona’s SB1070 “papers please” anti-immigrant law. American Tradition Partnership, Inc. v. Bullock: A case about Montana’s century-old ban on corporate money in elections. Miller v. Alabama: [...]
Jun 22, 2012: An Outsourcer-in-Chief in the Oval Office?
The Washington Post has a blockbuster, must-read story today detailing how Mitt Romney and Bain Capital were “pioneers in the practice of shipping work from the United States” to countries like India, China, and elsewhere. ThinkProgress’ Pat Garofalo gets to the heart of it: Bain “invested in a series of firms that specialized in relocating jobs [...]
Jun 21, 2012: Who Supports Obama’s New Immigration Policy?
Republicans Keep Digging On Immigration Republicans have been thrown into disarray by the president’s very popular announcement on immigration, with Mitt Romney and others simply refusing to say where they stand. Well, we wanted to know where they stand so that you could know too. So ThinkProgress called the offices of every single Republican in [...]
Jun 20, 2012: Do You Want to Pay for a Tax Break for Millionaires?
GOP Plan: Raise Your Taxes, Slash Them for Millionaires As we’ve been discussing for months, the core of the Romney-Ryan budget plan is massive tax cuts for wealthy paid for by increasing taxes on the middle class and slashing funding for Medicare, Medicaid, and basically everything else the government does — including programs that benefit [...]
Harry Reid, Senate Dems and Congress in the Newsroom – June 2012
Reid Statement On The Confirmation Of Allison Macfarlane As NRC Chair
Reid Statement On Student Loans And Transportation Bill Compromise
Reid: Supreme Court’s Decision A True Victory For The American People
Schumer Statement In Response To Supreme Court Ruling On Affordable Care Act
Reid Floor Statement On Supreme Court Decision To Uphold Affordable Care Act
Reid: Democrats Are Ready To Pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform If Republicans Will Join Us
Reid: Unconstitutional Arizona Law Should Not Be A “Model” For Immigration Reform
Reid Statement On Arizona Supreme Court Decision
Schumer Statement In Response To Supreme Court Ruling On Arizona Immigration Law
Battle Royale Today In The Longworth House Office Building
The Next Casualty of Eric Cantor’s Senioritis?
JEC Releases New Report on the Ryan Plan’s Potential Tax Implications for America’s Workers
BREAKING: McConnell, Joining Democrats, Wants More Answers From Romney On DREAM Act
Reid Statement On Obama Administration Immigration Announcement
Reid Statement On The Confirmation Of Mari Carmen Aponte
Reid: Cyber Attacks Cost Our Economy Billions Of Dollars And Thousands Of Jobs Every Year
Reid: Republicans Put Defeating Obama Ahead Of Working With Democrats To Create Jobs
Reid Offers Bipartisan Proposal To Fund Student Loan Bill
Reid: Republicans’ Top Priority Is To Defeat President Obama, Not Create Jobs
With Major Issues Confronting Congress, Cantor Declares ‘Serious Legislating All But Done’
Reid: Agriculture Bill Will Create Jobs, Cut Subsidies
How It’s Playing: GOP Filibusters Paycheck Fairness Act
Reid Statement On Republican Filibuster Of Pay Equity Bill
GOP Gets Tongue Tied Trying To Defend Opposition To Equal Pay For Women
Reid Statement On May Jobs Report
Reid: Paycheck Fairness Act Good For Women And Good For The Economy – So Republicans Oppose It
DPCC State-By-State Reports Show Alarming Gender-Based Pay Gap Throughout All 50 States
Reid: Democrats Stand For Equality For Every Working Woman, Republicans Stand For Obstructionism
Congress: the Republican led House the Senate considers H.R.2072, the Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act
The Senate convened at 9:30am on Thursday, May 10, 2012.
Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized.
During Thursday’s session, it is possible the Senate will consider S.2343, the Stop Student Loan Interest Rate Hike Act as well as H.R.2072, the Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act.
This afternoon Senator Reid asked unanimous consent that the Senate adopt the motion to proceed to H.R.2072, Export Import Bank Reauthorization, and there be 1 hour for debate with no amendments in order prior to vote on passage of the bill.
Senator Kyl asked the Leader to modify his request to allow the following 5 Republican amendments:
- Corker #2102 (export credit agencies)
- Vitter #2103 (energy development)
- Toomey #2104 ($40 billion increase contingency)
- Lee #2100 (phase-out)
- Paul #2101 (limitation on Ex-Im support)
Senator Reid declined to modify his request and Senator Kyl objected to the Leader’s request.
Senator Reid filed cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R.2072, Export Import Bank Reauthorization. Senators should expect the cloture vote to occur Monday evening.
WRAP UP
No ROLL CALL VOTES
LEGISLATIVE ITEMS
Passed H.R.4967, the Temporary Bankruptcy Judgeships Extension Act of 2012.
Discharged the Banking Committee and passed S.418, Congressional Gold Medal to Civil Air Patrol.
Adopted S.Res.456, commemorating and acknowledging the dedication and sacrifice made by the Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers who have been killed or injured in the line of duty.
Adopted S.Res.458, Commemorating May 15, 2012, as the sesquicentennial of the founding of the Department of Agriculture.
No EXECUTIVE ITEMS
This morning … 9:41am – The Senate is now considering the motion to proceed to Calendar #396, H.R.2072, the Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act. Senator Reid stated on the floor that he hopes we can pass this bill today. The unofficial transcript of his remarks is below.
The unofficial transcript of his remarks is below.
MR. REID: MR. PRESIDENT WE’RE NOW ON THE MOTION TO PROCEED TO
THE EX-IM BILL. I HOPE WE CAN PASS THE BILL TODAY. I HAVEN’T
HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TODAY TO SPEAK TO THE REPUBLICAN LEADER, BUT
I’LL DO THAT SHORTLY AND WILL DECIDE IF THERE’S A WAY FORWARD
ON THAT. SO I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT THE NEXT HOUR BE
DIVIDED AND CONTROLLED BETWEEN THE TWO LEADERS OR THEIR
DESIGNEES WITH THE MAJORITY CONTROLLING THE FIRST HALF AND THE
REPUBLICANS CONTROLLING THE SECOND HALF.
MR. REID: MR. PRESIDENT, ON A STRONG BIPARTISAN VOTE YESTERDAY,
THE HOUSE PASSED A PIECE OF COMMONSENSE JOB-CREATING
LEGISLATION, THE REAUTHORIZATION OF THE 130ER9 — OF THE
EXPORT-IMPORT BANK. FOR MANY, MANY YEARS, THIS LEGISLATION HAS
HELPED AMERICAN COMPANIES GROW AND SELL THEIR PRODUCTS
OVERSEAS, CREATING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF JOBS, AND FOR YEARS THE
BANK HAS ENJOYED BROAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT. IT PASSED BY
UNANIMOUS CONSENT ON ONE OCCASION AND BY VOICE VOTE ON ANOTHER
OCCASION. IT IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THE KIND OF SMART
INVESTMENTS CONGRESS SHOULD BE MAKING TO SPUR JOB GROWTH. SO I
HOPE THE SENATE WILL BE ABLE TO QUICKLY APPROVE THE
HOUSE-PASSED MEASURE TODAY AND DO IT BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT. I’M
OPTIMISTIC THAT THE 330-93 VOTE IN THE HOUSE YESTERDAY WILL BE
ENOUGH TO CONVINCE SENATE REPUBLICANS THEY SHOULDN’T HOLD UP
THIS LEGISLATION ANY LONGER. 330-93. THE PROCESS OF
REAUTHORIZING THE EXPORT-IMPORT BANK HAS TAKEN TOO LONG. I HOPE
WE DON’T HAVE TO FILE CLOTURE ON THIS MATTER, BUT I WILL, IF WE
MUST. LET ME REMIND YOU, MR. PRESIDENT … THE SENATE
CONSIDERED REAUTHORIZING THIS IMPORTANT LEGISLATION IN MARCH,
TWO MONTHS AGO. SENATE REPUBLICANS HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO
SUPPORT THE MEASURE THEN. INSTEAD, ALL BUT THREE OPPOSED IT,
AND THE MEASURE FAILED. THE AMERICAN EXPORTERS HAVE ALREADY
WAITED IN LIMBO FOR TWO MONTHS TO SEE WHETHER REPUBLICANS WOULD
COME AROUND TO BACKING THIS BUSINESS FRIENDLY, JOB-CREATING
ISSUES. BUSINESSES SHOULDN’T HAVE TO WAIT LONGER. WE CAN’T
AFFORD MORE OF THE PARTISAN OBSTRUCTION WE SAW ON THIS
COMMONSENSE LEGISLATION LAST MARCH. TO GET TO THE PRESIDENT’S
DESK, THIS CONGRESS AND EVERY PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT WE PASS
MUST GET TO HIS DESK OR IT DOESN’T BECOME LAW. SO TO DO THAT,
WE NEED DEMOCRATIC VOTES AND REPUBLICAN VOTES. THAT’S JUST A
REALITY. AND IT MEANS WE ABSOLUTELY MUST WORK TOGETHER IF WE
WANT TO GET ANYTHING DONE.
————————————————————————————————
CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MAY 10, 2012
112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION
- -SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.3:13:59 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.3:12:12 P.M. -Mr. King (IA) asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns on Friday, May 11, 2012, it adjourn to meet at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 15, 2012, for Morning-Hour Debate. Agreed to without objection.3:12:00 P.M. -Mr. King (IA) asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 11:00 a.m. on May 11. Agreed to without objection.2:56:51 P.M. -COLLOQUY ON HOUSE SCHEDULE – The Chair recognized Mr. Hoyer for the purpose of engaging in a colloquy with Mr. Cantor on the expectations regarding the legislative schedule for the House during the upcoming week.2:52:39 P.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.2:52:21 P.M. -UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished question was on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal.2:52:15 P.M. -H.R. 5326Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.2:52:14 P.M. -H.R. 5326On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 247 – 163 (Roll no. 249).2:46:13 P.M. -H.R. 5326On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 181 – 233 (Roll no. 248).2:28:52 P.M. -H.R. 5326The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.2:17:45 P.M. -H.R. 5326DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Nadler 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 increase funds for the Office of Violence Against Women by $20.5 million and decrease funds from the Department of Commerce, Department of Justice, and the Office of Science and Technology by $20.5 million.2:17:21 P.M. -H.R. 5326Mr. Nadler moved to recommit with instructions to Appropriations.2:16:53 P.M. -H.R. 5326Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 5326 — “Making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes.”2:16:40 P.M. -UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the further consideration of H.R. 5326, which had earlier been postponed.2:16:16 P.M. -H.R. 5652Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.2:16:15 P.M. -H.R. 5652On passage Passed by recorded vote: 218 – 199, 1 Present (Roll no. 247).2:07:38 P.M. -H.R. 5652On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 170 – 232, 11 Present (Roll no. 246).1:42:57 P.M. -H.R. 5652The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.1:36:45 P.M. -H.R. 5652DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the on the Loebsack 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 add a section to the bill prohibiting former Members of Congress who are registered lobbyists with salaries greater than $1 million from eligibility to receive benefits under the Civil Service Retirement System or the Federal Employees’ Retirement System.1:31:58 P.M. -H.R. 5652Mr. Loebsack moved to recommit with instructions to The Budget.1:31:42 P.M. -H.R. 5652The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.11:00:07 A.M. -H.R. 5652DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 648, the House proceeded with two hours of debate on H.R. 5652.10:58:35 A.M. -H.R. 5652Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5652 with 2 hours of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments. The resolution provides that an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 112-21 shall be considered as adopted. All points of order against provisions in the bill, as amended, are waived.10:58:30 A.M. -H.R. 5652Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 648. H.R. 5652 — “To provide for reconciliation pursuant to section 201 of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2013.”10:55:28 A.M. -The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 2224. Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 105, H. Con. Res. 106, H. Con. Res. 117, and H. Con. Res. 118.10:54:32 A.M. -H. Res. 648Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.10:54:32 A.M. -H. Res. 648On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 233 – 183 (Roll no. 245).10:47:42 A.M. -H. Res. 648On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 237 – 177 (Roll no. 244).9:17:07 A.M. -H. Res. 648DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 648.9:15:54 A.M. -H. Res. 648Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 648 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5652) to provide for reconciliation pursuant to section 201 of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2013.”9:03:26 A.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by the Chair, would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle.9:03:08 A.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Coffman of CO to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.9:02:50 A.M. -POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Speaker announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mrs. Jenkins demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal, and by voice vote, the Speaker announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mrs. Jenkins objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of the Speaker’s approval of the Journal until later in the legislative day.9:01:21 A.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.9:00:50 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
Media Matters for America:Dodd-Frank and more
Facts Bust Media Narrative That Obama Favored Health Care Over Economy
Right-Wing Media Cover Up Senate Republicans’ Obstructionism Following the release of a report on the legislative business conducted by the Senate, conservative media have tried to cover up Republican obstructionism in order to label the Democratic-controlled Senate as “lazy” and “do-nothing.” In fact, Senate Republicans have repeatedly used procedural tricks to block measures that would otherwise have passed the Senate. Read More
“Skin In The Game”: Fox Calls For Tax Hikes On Working Americans While Protecting The Rich Fox News personalities have repeatedly attacked the Buffett Rule, which would require the rich to pay their fair share in taxes. At the same time, Fox News personalities have pushed for tax increases on the poor, arguing that they should have more “skin in the game.” Read More
Federal Study On Effectiveness Of Food Stamps Nearly Absent From TV News On April 9, the U.S. Department of Agriculture published a study finding that food stamps reduced the “prevalence, depth, and severity” of poverty between 2000 and 2009 and that their effects were especially strong during the recession, thanks to the stimulus. Television news outlets have all but ignored this story– it has been mentioned only once on broadcast and cable news programming since April 9. Read More
No Oxygen: Michigan Media Silent As State Passes ALEC Bill Limiting Compensation For Asbestos Victims Last week, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder (R) approved a bill that curbs the ability of asbestos-exposure victims to recover losses from some companies that are legally responsible. The bill was pushed by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and Crown Holdings, Inc., a Fortune 500 corporation trying to legislate its way out of compensating cancer and mesothelioma victims who were exposed to asbestos by a company it purchased. According to a Media Matters analysis, Michigan’s two largest newspapers, the Detroit Free Press and the Grand Rapids Press, have been utterly silent on the bill from introduction to its passage. Read More
Fox Falsely Claims Obama Opposes “Giving The Middle Class A Tax Break” Fox hosts attacked President Obama for his opposition to Republican House Majority Leader Eric Cantor‘s Small Business Tax Cut Act, claiming the bill would give “the middle class a tax break” and “creates thousands of jobs.” In fact, Obama has threatened to veto Cantor’s bill specifically because it does not target the middle class; as experts have said, Cantor’s bill would disproportionately benefit the wealthy and create few to no new jobs. Read More
Dodd-Frank Does Regulate Oil Speculation — But The Financial Industry Is Suing To Block It Fox News commentators have attacked the Dodd-Frank financial regulation law by falsely suggesting that it doesn’t address oil speculation. In fact, Dodd-Frank does address speculation, and regulations on oil speculation have been issued. However, financial industry groups are suing to block them. Read More
a message from Robby Mook … dccc.org
Show Your Support for Women’s Rights
Make sure everyone knows where you stand on the Republican War on Women ! WWW.Dccc.Org
979,540 of you have stood up and added your name to our petition demanding Republicans end their War on Women. We are just shy of 1 million signatures and we can’t stop now!
Forward this email to 3 friends right now and encourage them to add their names to the petition. Then share the petition on Facebook and Twitter.
Washington Post: Among Female Voters, Republicans Handing Democrats an “Enormous Advantage this Fall”
Last week, the Washington Post reported that women want to see Democrats in control of Congress by an astounding fifteen point margin! The numbers reflect the growing grievances among female voters over Republicans’ extreme assault on women’s health care.
See the Washington Post article on women’s increasing frustration with the GOP >>
Thanks to your vocal response, “Republicans are beginning to wish they had never waded” into the contraception debate with even Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski believing her own party “didn’t have enough sense to get off” the issue.
Republican House of Scandal
Despite Republican Speaker Boehner and Leader Eric Cantor’s supposed “zero tolerance” on ethics transgressions, House Republicans are engaging in a culture of corruption.
The integrity of House Republicans has been riddled with IRS, FBI, and grand jury investigations. In just the last year, these scandals have come to light:
September 2011: Rep. Joe Walsh may owe more than $100,000 in child support payments to his ex-wife and three children.
January 2012: House Republican fundraising chief, Rep. Vern Buchanan, is under multiple ethics investigations for what has been termed an “extensive and ongoing scheme” to reimburse his employees for contributing to Buchanan’s congressional campaign.
February 2012: The FBI is potentially investigating Rep. Michael Grimm for extorting a rabbi and his followers into donating as much as $500,000 to his congressional campaign.
See it all — and get your Corrupt Republican of the Month Calendar — at HouseOfScandal.org >>
Thanks for your support.
Robby
Robby Mook
DCCC Executive Director
