Senators Joe Lieberman and Susan Collins are moving forward with their Fort Hood hearing despite the Obama Administration's stated concerns about Congress interfering with the criminal probe and trial. (Alex Brandon / AP Photo)

By Frank James

Obama Administration officials, including President Barack Obama himself, have asked Congress to refrain from launching its own investigations of Maj. Nidal Hasan's alleged murders of 13 people and wounding of dozens more at Fort Hood Army Base in Texas so as not to interfere with the criminal prove and trial.

But Sen. Joseph Lieberman, the Connecticut independent, plans to proceed with a Thursday hearing on Hasan. Lieberman, who chairs the Senate's Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee told All Things Considered host Melissa Block that he's confident the Senate can conduct its own investigation without compromising the prosecution.

That's because the Senate committee will be seeking answers to different questions than the prosecution will be trying to answer, Lieberman said.

For instance, Lieberman wants to learn why Army or civilian government employees didn't do more to derail Hasan's career given what was known about his contacts with an extremist Islamic religious leader and his reputedly weak job performance as an Army psychiatrist.

Here's a snippet of his conversation with Melissa:

MELISSA: Wouldn't there be overlap though between those same people you're interested in talking to who might also be used in any prosecution whether to speak to motive or to be used by the defense potentially?

LIEBERMAN: Well that's the gray area. I think It's pretty clear for instance, if we talked to somebody who reviewed those emails that the FBI has disclosed they have transcripts of, they're not going to be, in all probability, called in the criminal case.

To talk to people in the Army for instance who might help us understand what the rules of the Army are with regard to, for instance, the obligation of individual soldiers to report up the chain of command any behavior by a fellow soldier that leads them to worry about his or her ability to carry out their responsibilities or worse, that would lead them to feel that there was a threat.

Continue reading "Sen. Lieberman Defends Congress' Role In Nidal Hasan Probe" >

By Frank James

Judge David Hamilton, President Barack Obama's first nominee to the federal bench, was finally approved Tuesday by the full Senate. (Harry Hamburg / AP Photo)

Judge David Hamilton, a U.S. district court judge, was President Barack Obama's first nominee to the federal bench, nominated way back on March 17 to the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.

But as NPR's Nina Totenberg reported on Morning Edition Tuesday his nomination languished in the Senate because of Republican opposition -- until Tuesday. One of the pieces of Hamilton's biography that scandalized some Republican senators: 30 years ago as a new college graduate he canvassed for the community group ACORN for one month.

The Senate broke a Republican filibuster with a 70 to 29 vote, finally ending Hamilton's time in nomination limbo.

As NPR's David Welna reported:

WELNA: Judge Hamilton's nomination for the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago was approved by the Judiciary Committee five months ago. But that panel's top Republican, Jeff Sessions of Alabama, held up his consideration by the full Senate; he accused Hamilton of pushing a political agenda:

SESSIONS: I believe that that disqualifies him for elevation to the court of appeals and this is one of those extraordinary circumstances where I think the president should be informed of that fact by a vote of this Senate.

WELNA: But Indiana Democrat Evan Bayh called Hamilton superbly qualified:

SESSIONS: if this nomination constitutes extraordinary circumstances, then that phrase has ceased to have any meaning whatsoever. I sincerely hope that all involved will give judge Hamilton an up or down vote that he so clearly deserves.

Ten Republicans joined every Democrat to break the filibuster.

By Frank James

Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman has un-conceded in the 23rd Congressional District special election. (Seth Wenig / AP Photo)

On Election Night two weeks ago, Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman gave a speech in which he conceded to Democrat Bill Owens in the special election in the 23rd Congressional District. But that was then.

On the Glenn Beck radio show today, Hoffman reversed himself, saying it was a mistake to concede. To some, it sounded like he was un-conceding.

According to the Watertown Daily Times (Watertown is one of the district's larger population centers):

Meanwhile, Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman was on Glenn Beck's radio program Monday and said he wished he had not conceded the 23rd Congressional District race.

Mr. Hoffman was 3,176 votes behind Mr. Owens before absentees were counted and reportedly 2,951 after absentees in three counties he won were counted.

There were a total of 7,419 absentee ballots returned in the district.

The Associated Press puts a sharper point Hoffman's actions:

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Conservative candidate Doug Hoffman has withdrawn his concession in the close 23rd District Congressional race as New York election officials begin counting paper ballots.

Continue reading "NY 23rd Conservative Hoffman Renounces Concession" >

By Frank James

ACORN is the plaintiff in a lawsuit filed Thursday in federal court against Congress in which lawmakers are accused of violating the Constitution by specifically targeting the group for punishment.

The lawsuit was filed in Brooklyn by the Center for Constitutional Rights which charges that Congress broke the U.S. Constitution's ban on "writs of attainder" by including language in appropriations legislation designed to keep ACORN, a controversial group much detested by conservatives, from receiving taxpayer money.

Congress took the action a few weeks ago after a conservative activist captured video of now-former ACORN workers advising actors in various ways to break the law or further illegal enterprises.

In a statement, CCR attorney Jules Lobel, said:

"It's not the job of Congress to be the judge, jury, and executioner. We have due process in this country, and our Constitution forbids lawmakers from singling out a person or group for punishment without a fair investigation and trial. Congress, as well as individuals and organizations must abide by the rule of law."

Continue reading "ACORN Lawsuit Against Congress For Defunding Group" >

By Frank James

Lawmakers, especially Democrats, have criticized the Federal Reserve of using its existing powers too little as a regulator to rein in some of the financial excesses that contributed to the economic meltdown.

So in the spirit of use-it-or-lose-it, Sen. Chris Dodd, chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, and other Democrats on his panel introduced legislation Tuesday that would strip the Fed of some of its regulatory powers.

In his statement, Dodd said:

"We will end "too big to fail." We cannot allow the collapse of a few firms to threaten our entire economy. Our plan will create an independent council of regulators to identify risks, so that government can act to prevent a crisis. We will have a mechanism in place to safely shut down large failing companies without destabilizing the financial system. No longer will the Federal Reserve's emergency lending authority be used to prop up a failed institution."

"Our proposal will replace the myriad government agencies that failed to rein in risky schemes with a single, accountable federal banking regulator. We will do this while preserving the dual banking system with a separate division for community banks that have never posed, and do not now pose, the same risks as these huge financial institutions. For firms that play by the rules, this single prudential regulator will provide clarity, cut red tape, and make it easier to compete. But those institutions that would undermine the security of our economy will no longer be able to shop for the weakest regulator."

(Here's a document that provides highlights of the legislative discussion draft.)

Continue reading "Senators Propose To Strip Fed Reserve Of Some Powers" >

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her lieutenants were all smiles after passage of their health-care bill late Saturday evening. (Alex Brandon / AP Photo)

By Frank James

After a marathon, all-day debate, the House made history late Saturday evening with the passage of massive health-care overhaul legislation by a vote of 220 to 215.

Support for the $1.2 trillion legislation came almost entirely from Democrats providing all but one of the yes votes. The sole Republican to vote for the bill was Rep. Joseph Cao of Louisiana.

Saturday's passage represented the furthest point ever achieved by any legislative effort to recast the nation's health care system. The House bill would end the practice of insurance companies rejecting applicants for pre-existing conditions and would create exchanges where the uninsured could but health coverage..

When the House vote tally reached 218, the number needed for passage, cheers erupted from the Democratic side of the chamber, with Democratic members high-fiving each other on the floor. More cheers went up when the single Republican vote was registered on the electronic tote board.

Thirty night Democrats, many from historically Republican districts, voted against the legislation.

Prior to the final vote, the House rejected a far more modest Republican alternative.

The House also passed an anti-abortion amendment sponsored by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) that would prevent the legislation from providing federal funding of abortions.

The Stupak amendment would prevent public-option coverage purchased by the uninsured through insurance exchanges from covering abortion services. People receiving taxpayer funded affordability credits under the new legislation would also be barred from receiving insurance that covered abortions.

The vote to approve the amendment was 240-194 with 64 Democrats voting for the legislation, an exceptionally large number of Democrats voting for anti-abortion legislation.

Continue reading "House OKs Historic Health Care Overhaul Bill 220-215" >

By Frank James

House Democratic leaders are still hoping to have a vote on their health-care overhaul legislation Saturday night but said Friday the high-profile vote could slip to Sunday or even next week as they try to secure the 218 votes needed to pass the bill and deal with obstacles Republicans could throw in the path.

Complicating the path to the needed 218 votes are negotiations over the exact abortion language that moderate and anti-abortion Democrats want in the legislation.

President Barack Obama had planned to visit Capitol Hill today to personally lobby House Democrats to line up behind the bill. But he delayed his visit because of the Ft. Hood Army Base shootings and also because the schedule for the House vote had slipped.

Gibbs told reporters Friday:

The schedule, as of now, has him going tomorrow. Obviously the events of the past few hours have changed schedules, and the president preferred to go slightly closer to the vote, which put it at tomorrow.

An excerpt from CQ.com:

(House Majority Leader Steny) Hoyer said he will bring the House back on Sunday afternoon, and on Monday and Tuesday before the Nov. 11 Veterans' Day holiday to get the job done. "What I have said to people is we will consider this to its conclusion," he said.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., also sounded an optimistic tone, saying the measure was on track for a floor vote Saturday. "We will come to the floor with great pride . . . with historic legislation," Pelosi said.

Continue reading "House Leaders Seeking More Health-Care Overhaul Votes" >

By Frank James

Thousands of Tea Party protesters, many of them conservatives, descended on Capitol Hill Thursday to voice their opposition to Democratic-led efforts to overhaul health care.

NPR's David Welna reports the following for the network's newscast:

WELNA: As they waved signs denouncing the Democrats' healthcare plan, the demonstrators repeatedly chanted "Kill the bill". Minnesota House Republican Michele Bachmann, who led the call for protesters to come to the Capitol, told them that quite simply, House Republicans don't have the votes to kill the bill on their own:

BACHMANN: We knew that we were limited, but what we knew was unlimited was the voice of persuasion of the American people and that's why you're here today, with your voice of persuasion.

WELNA: But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters the healthcare bill is headed for passage:

PELOSI: It is something that means a great deal to the American people, it is a top priority for the president of the United States.

WELNA: President Obama's to rally Democrats at the Capitol tomorrow.

Politico.com has a lengthy piece on the assembly.

By Frank James

Given the hubbub that occurred Wednesday, former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop might want to try e-mail next time he wants to communicate his views on overhauling health-care to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

Former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop unintentionally shut down part of the Senate with a letter. (Jim Cole / AP Photo)

The Hill reports that Koop sent an innocent letter to Reid. Except the letter didn't look so innocent to a Hill employee.

A excerpt from The Hill:

Koop wrote Reid a typed letter, tucked inside a hand-written business envelope, that appeared in Reid's office without postage and without going through a security screening process. A Senate postal clerk noticed the envelope and alerted a Reid staffer, who in turn notified Capitol Police about 2 p.m.

Continue reading "Ex-Surgeon General's Letter Shuts Down Senate" >

By Frank James

The normally fractious Senate voted unanimously -- 98 to 0 -- on Wednesday evening to extend unemployment benefits for an additional 20 weeks.

The Senate also voted to extend the homebuyers tax credit as well as a tax break for small businesses. The cost of the legislation is an estimated $24 billion.

As the Associated Press reports:

Everyone will receive 14 weeks of additional benefits, while those in states with unemployment rates of 8.5 percent and above get six weeks on top of that.

With enactment, the jobless in the hardest-hit states could receive up to 99 weeks of benefits, which average about $300 a week. That would well exceed the previous record of 65 weeks during the 1970s.

The $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers, enacted as part of the stimulus package last February and set to expire this month, would be extended and expanded to include a $6,500 credit for people who have lived in their current residences at least five years.

Continue reading "Senate Passes Unemployment, Home Buyer Extensions" >

By Frank James

The advent of swine-flu season has raised concerns that flu-ridden workers without paid sick leave may remain on the job, potentially exposing other workers and customers to the virus.

So there are efforts in Congress to pass legislation that would require employers to provide paid sick leave.

NPR's Joanne Silberner reports that a third paid-sick day bill was introduced Wednesday in Congress.

Joanne reports:

There are already two bills in the House and Senate that would require employers to grant 7 days of sick leave for any illness, or to take care of a sick relative. The new bill, sponsored by Democratic Representatives George Miller and Lynn Woolsey, both of California, would require that if an employer with 15 or more workers sends a worker home because the worker has a contagious disease, the employer has to provide up to five days of paid sick leave.

Continue reading "Swine Flu Spurs New Paid Leave Legislation" >

By Frank James

Should you get a $3,500 tax credit for owning a pet?

Rep. Thaddeus McCotter of Michigan certainly thinks so; he's introduced a bill to that effect. It has the felicitous name of Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years or HAPPY Act.

NPR's Andrea Seabrook reported on the legislation on All Things Considered Wednesday.

She acknowledged that just because a bill is introduced, that doesn't mean it's going anywhere. This bill has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee where it will most likely die of neglect.

Democrats are already strapped for revenue to run the government and repay its debt. It's hight unlikely they'd push a new tax credit that would further reduce the federal treasury by billions of dollars annually.

Still, it's such an unusual idea, it's worth taking note of, if only to skewer.

Andrea went out on the street near the U.S. Capitol to speak with real people.

"Are you kidding?" said Beth Selby, a visitor to the National Mall from Georgia, when asked about the proposed tax break. "Pets are an option. You know, when you take on a pet, you take on their care."

Tom James from Pennsylvania was uncertain. "I'm sort of on the fence with this one." But Pablo Otera, also from Pennsylvania, said, "Hell, yeah." He said he recently spent $4,000 on his dog, Petey.

"He fell off my truck, needed surgery, needed therapy, needed a whole bunch of stuff," Otera said. "That's $4,000 I could have deducted from my taxes ... and food, too!"

Continue reading "Should Pet Owners Get Tax Break For Fido?" >

By Ben Bergman

When the new Senate Historian Donald Ritchie recently showed me around the Senate basement, I didn't see any secret portals or hidden pyramids. Guess that only happens to Harvard symbologists in Dan Brown novels.

What I did see was a little-known marble bathtub that was built in the mid- 1850's so that Senators could bathe before they went up to the Senate floor.

They could also get a massage and a haircut while they were there. Just one tub remains of what used to be multiple bathing rooms. It looks like it hasn't been used since the Reconstruction era. Being a Senator just isn't what it used to be.

Continue reading "Bathroom Break - Senate Historian Shows Chamber's Unseen Side" >

By Mark Memmott

One subject of debate as Congress considers an overhaul of banking and financial services regulations is whether the Federal Reserve should be turned into something of a "super regulator"; a plan the Obama administration favors.

In a conversation this afternoon, Senate Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs Committee Chairman Chris Dodd told All Things Considered host Robert Siegel about why he opposes giving the Fed superpowers. Basically, the Connecticut Democrat thinks the central bank needs to remain focused on its traditional mission -- setting monetary policy -- and that it would be dangerous to do anything that might threaten the Fed's independence:

Much more from Robert's conversation with the senator is due on today's edition of ATC. Click here to find an NPR station near you.

Planet Money is one place to go for more coverage of all things financial.

By Frank James

It was another bad day for ACORN, the community organizing group. The House voted Thursday to yank the group's federal funding, following a similar Senate vote earlier this week.

The legislation passed 345 to 75 as a rider on completely unrelated legislation that would have the federal government displace private lenders from the student-loan industry.

The bill which passed Thursday was a reaction to the latest ACORN scandal. Undercover videos of ACORN employees advising a conservative filmmaker and his friend who posed as a pimp and prostitute on ways to break the law have placed the group on the defensive.

When the latest controversy happened the group, whose stated mission is the empowerment of poor and lower income people particularly in areas of housing and jobs, had hardly emerged from the defensive crouch it found itself in last year. That's when accusations of voter-registration fraud swirled around it before the 2008 general election.

The House legislation was authored by House Minority Leader Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio). Boehner said:

"Today's overwhelming bipartisan vote to stop all federal funding of ACORN is a victory for American taxpayers. Of course, it is only the beginning. We need to keep up the fight to end taxpayer funding for this troubled organization.

Continue reading "ACORN's Federal Funding Further Threatened By House Vote " >

By Frank James

Banks lost the battle but not necessarily the war Thursday when the House voted to stop subsidizing the companies' student-loan business. If the legislation becomes law, it would change 35 ways of doing business. That's a big "if" however.

The vote was largely along partisan lines in the House, 253-171. But it now goes to the Senate where the financial-services industry can now target its lobbying efforts even more intensely to stop the bill it roundly detests.

The legislation, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009, would allow college students to go directly to the U.S. government to obtain loans instead of private banks, yanking a lucrative piece of business away from banks and Sallie Mae, the private company that dominates the student-loan industry.

Supporters of the bill say it would save the federal government more than $80 billion though opponents either say the savings would be far less or that the new approach would eventually wind up costing the government more money.

Continue reading "Banks Lose Student Loan Battle In House " >

By Frank James

Rep. Joe Wilson, the South Carolina Republican who infamously shouted "You lie" at President Barack Obama during the the president's big health care speech to a joint session of Congress was officially rebuked by the House. The vote was 240-179 and was along decidedly partisan lines.

Rep. Joe Wilson shouting "You lie" at President Barack Obama during a joint session of Congress. (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)

The resolution of disapproval is essentially a slap on the wrist by House Democrats.

Wilson apologized the same night of the offense to the president. But Democrats wanted more, namely an apology delivered from the well of the House.

Wilson rejected that idea. Now Wilson and Democrats will most assuredly go to their respective party bases and attempt to use today's congressional action to raise money.

By Frank James

The language of the House resolution disapproving Rep. Joe Wilson's not-so-friendly shout-out to President Barack Obama during last week's big health care speech is now available. It seems pretty tame, considering what Democrats could have said.

Whereas on September 9, 2009, during the joint session of Congress convened pursuant to House Concurrent Resolution 179, the President of the United States, speaking at the invitation of the House and Senate, had his remarks interrupted by the Representative from South Carolina, Mr. Wilson; and

Whereas the conduct of the Representative from South Carolina was a breach of decorum and degraded the proceedings of the joint session, to the discredit of the House:

Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives disapproves of the behavior of the Representative from South Carolina, Mr. Wilson, during the joint session of Congress

2 held on September 9, 2009.

The House is scheduled to vote today on the resolution.

By Mark Memmott

Good morning.

There's fresh news from Iraq as the day begins. Convicted "shoe-thrower" Muntadhar al-Zeidi, famous around the world for throwing his footwear at then-president George W. Bush last December in Baghdad, was released from prison.

At the TV station where he's a reporter, al-Zeidi told other journalists today that he was tortured by Iraqi security forces while in prison. The abuse included beatings, whippings and electric shocks, al-Zeidi said. NPR's Nora Raum introduces this report from Quil Lawrence, who is in Baghdad:

Other stories making headlines include:

-- Politico -- Democrats To Vote Today On "Resolution Of Disapproval" Aimed At Rep. Wilson: "House Democratic leaders will move ahead with a 'resolution of disapproval' against Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., on Tuesday afternoon, following through on their threat to sanction the conservative lawmaker for heckling President Obama during his speech to Congress last week." Wilson famously shouted "you lie!" at the president. He has since apologized to the White House -- but has declined to apologize from the House floor.

Reminder -- Last Thursday, we started this online poll -- and as of this morning, nearly 16,000 votes had been cast and the split was an even 50-50. Add your vote if you wish:

-- The Associated Press -- Sen. Baucus Close To Releasing Health Care Plan: "Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus has been trying for months to write a health care bill that could win Republican support. If he succeeds he may find it's fellow Democrats he has to worry about. Baucus, D-Mont., said Monday that 'we're getting very close' to finalizing sweeping health legislation to enact President Barack Obama's priorities of extending coverage to most of the 50 million uninsured and holding down spiraling health care costs. Following weeks of closed-door negotiations with two other Democratic senators and three Republicans, Baucus plans to unveil his bill Wednesday, and he hopes Republicans are with him. Such a bargain could mark a turning point for Obama's top domestic priority."

-- The New York Times -- "Pakistan Army Is Said To Be Linked To Many Killings In Swat": " Two months after the Pakistani Army wrested control of the Swat Valley from Taliban militants, a new campaign of fear has taken hold, with scores, perhaps hundreds, of bodies dumped on the streets in what human rights advocates and local residents say is the work of the military."

-- Related story on Morning Edition -- "Training A 'Flip-Flop Army' ". Capt. Benjamin Tupper has some stories to tell about his work with new Afghan soldiers. His new book, Welcome to Afghanistan: Send More Ammo, details his time as an embedded trainer in the Afghan National Army:

-- Bloomberg News -- Treasury & Citigroup Exploring Sale Of Government's Stake: "The U.S. Treasury Department and Citigroup Inc. have begun discussing how to sell the 34% stake that the government acquired in the rescue of the bank, people familiar with the matter said. The Treasury, which owns 7.69 billion common shares after a recent preferred-stock conversion designed to shore up the bank's capital, may start unloading the stake as soon as October, one of the people said. It aims to sell the holdings over the next six to eight months, the person said."

-- Morning Edition -- For Swayze, Dancing Was "Most Intense Way To Connect": Actor and Dirty Dancing legend Patrick Swayze died Monday afte ra long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 57. Jesse Baker profiles the man who set millions of girls' hearts fluttering:

Farewell. (Jae C. Hong / AP)

Over at Monkey See, Linda Holmes recalls what it was like to be 16 when Dirty Dancing came out. And as she says, "making things that are beloved certainly isn't everything, but it is something, and Swayze made things that were beloved broadly and without cynicism."

As for things to watch today, they include President Barack Obama's speech this afternoon to the AFL-CIO in Pittsburgh. And, the Bureau of Labor Statistics issues the latest news on inflation -- the August wholesale prices report.

Click here to read the rest of The Two-Way.

By Frank James

A major beneficiary of Rep. Joe Wilson's outburst towards President Barack Obama last night is the lawmaker's Democratic rival Rob Miller who is raising oodles of money.

Miller, an Iraq War veteran, lost to Wilson 54 percent to 46 percent last November. But just since last night, he has raised $450,000 according to a CNN report. (Huffington Post says more than $350,000.)

On the ActBlue website which is collecting contributions for Miller, there's a message from the Democrat:

Since Joe Wilson's outburst last night during a joint session of Congress, I've been honored by the support of thousands of grassroots activists standing up to tell him that what he did was completely unacceptable. Please stand with me to bring new leadership to South Carolina.

Continue reading "Joe Wilson Foe, Rob Miller, Gets Windfall From 'You Lie' Comment " >

By Frank James

While Republicans agreed that Rep. Joe Wilson's behavior during President Barack Obama's speech to the joint session of Congress Wednesday night went beyond the pale, they weren't totally out of step with the South Carolina congressman.

Rep. John Boehner, leader of House Republicans, echoed Wilson, who said he was upset because Republican amendments that would have barred illegal immigrants from health coverage were voted down by Democrats.

Referring to the president, Boehner said:

... He said illegal immigrants wouldn't get government benefits. But the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service on August 26th says, in part, H.R. 3200 does not contain any restrictions on non-citizens participating in and paying for coverage available through the exchange, whether the non-citizens are legally or illegally present or in the United States temporarily or permanently. And this CRS report makes it pretty clear. Secondly, there were two opportunities in committee for House Democrats to make clear that illegal immigrants would not be covered by putting in requirements to show citizenship. Both of those amendments were in fact rejected.

Here's the Congressional Research Service report he mentioned.

The CRS report does indicate that in some instances health overhaul legislation, HR 3200, that was passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee would allow illegal immigrants to participate in certain aspects of the health insurance system.

An excerpt from page the report's summary:

Thus, legal permanent residents, and noncitizens and unauthorized aliens who qualify as resident aliens (i.e., meet the substantial presence test), would be required under H.R. 3200 to have health insurance.

In addition, under H.R. 3200, a "Health Insurance Exchange" would begin operation in 2013 and would offer private plans alongside a public option. The Exchange would provide eligible individuals and small businesses with access to insurers' plans, including the public option, in a comparable way. Individuals would only be eligible to enroll in an Exchange plan if they were not enrolled in other acceptable coverage (for example, from an employer, Medicare and generally Medicaid). H.R. 3200 does not contain any restrictions on noncitzens participating in the Exchange--whether the noncitizens are legally or illegally present, or in the United States temporarily or permanently. Nonetheless, only aliens who could be classified as resident aliens would be required under the bill to have health insurance.

Continue reading "Republicans Cite Report To Support Illegal Alien Health Care Charge" >

By Frank James

Rep. John Boehner, the House Minority Leader, was asked today if there was any truth to something Rep. Barney Frank, a Democrat, told reporters, that House Republican leaders wanted Rep. Joe Wilson to apologize to President Barack Obama on the House floor for calling the president a liar Wednesday night but that Wilson refused.

House Republican leaders Reps. John Boehner (r) and Eric Cantor reportedly wanted Rep. Joe Wilson to apologize on the House floor for calling President Barack Obama a liar at the joint session of Congress. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP Photo)

Boehner didn't confirm the story but, tellingly, he also didn't deny it. Here's his exchange with reporters:

REPORTER: Mr. Boehner, Mr. Frank just told a group of reporters that the last vote was held open because you and Mr. Cantor were trying to convince Congressman Wilson to publicly apologize on the House floor, but he refused. Do you want him to go to the floor and apologize?

REP. BOEHNER: There were a lot of reasons why the last vote was left open. I did have a conversation with Mr. Wilson. I'm not going to relay the -- the contents of my private conversation with him. You'll have to talk to him.

REPORTER: Are you disappointed he won't apologize on the House floor?

REP. BOEHNER: You'll have to talk to him.

Continue reading "Did Rep. Joe Wilson Rebuff GOP Leaders' Request For House Floor Apology? " >

By Frank James

Rep. Joe Wilson, the South Carolina Republican responsible for the "shout heard 'round the world" at President Barack Obama's speech to a joint session of Congress Wednesday evening, has apologized for what many are calling his boorish behavior.

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) is sorry his emotions got the best of him during President Barack Obama's speech. ( AP Photo/Files, Wilson Campaign)

Politico.com has his statement:

"This evening I let my emotions get the best of me when listening to the President's remarks regarding the coverage of illegal immigrants in the health care bill. While I disagree with the President's statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable. I extend sincere apologies to the President for this lack of civility."

That was fast. While Wilson has gotten kudos on some conservative blogs for shouting at the president "You lie" when Obama said that illegal immigrants wouldn't be covered under his health-care overhaul proposal, he was also criticized and by Republicans too.

Sen. John McCain, the Arizona Republican who was his party's presidential nominee last year, called Wilson's actions "totally disrespectful" on CNN's Larry King Show and advised him to apologize.

Rep. Joe Wilson in action. (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)

But liberals are already using the congressman's dubious behavior for fund-raising purposes. And it's the kind of moment supporters of the president's health-care proposal could use in TV and web ads to diminish their opponents as hysterical crazies.

By Frank James

President Barack Obama hasn't even given his health-care speech yet but that doesn't stop the Republican from responding, or pre-sponding, more accurately.

Press secretary to House Republican Minority Leader Rep. John Boehner, Michael Steel (his name is almost identical to the Republican National Committee chair's except it lacks a final "E") wrote this in an e-mail:

Folks -- in his speech tonight, the President is expected to claim, "If you come to me with a serious set of proposals, I will be there to listen. My door is always open."

It's tough to say what door he's talking about, since, The Hill reported today, the President has not met with House Republicans since April, and when Republican Leaders asked for such a meeting in a May 14 letter, the President ignored the request.

The Politico reported on the President's response on June 5, saying, "he makes no mention of the request to meet in the letter, which he signs off by stating, "Thank you again for sharing your thoughts with me and I look forward to further discussions on this critically important issue."

But those "further discussion" simply didn't happen. The President's letter is attached to this email, and you can click here to read our letter requesting the meeting, in which Republican Leaders wrote, "Despite our differences on some important health care-related issues, we are convinced there are areas offering potential for common ground on health care reform among Republicans and Democrats."

Like the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan said, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own set of facts -- and the facts are clear: blame for the lack of bipartisanship in the current health care debate lies squarely at the feet of Washington Democrats.

Sen Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi outside the White House Tuesday following a meeting with President Barack Obama, indicated it was full-speed ahead on health care. (Charles Dharapak / AP Photo)

By Frank James

Congress' top Democrats, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, emerged from the White House Tuesday after meeting with President Barack Obama about health-care and other issues on their agenda. The two congressional chiefs' main message was that both Senate and House Democrats continue to march forward toward health-care reform.

And from the way they sounded, they're not going to let the fact that they have virtually no Republicans on board with them stop them from passing health-care reform legislation.

Reid said:

"We still, after all these months, have a place at the table for the Republicans. We're going to do everything we can to work with them. We want a bipartisan bill. We do not want to do reconciliation unless we have no alternative."

Reconciliation is a Senate procedure that would allow Democrats to pass certain pieces of health-care legislation with just 51 votes, not the 60 normally needed to end debate. It would essentially allow Democrats to pass health-care reform bills in a piecemeal fashion by running roughshod over Republican objections.

Both Pelosi and Reid expressed support for the so-called public option, a government-run health care plan that would compete with for-profit health insurance plans to drive down costs. Reid said most Democratic senators support the public option too.

Continue reading "Pelosi And Reid Exit White House Gung Ho On Health Care Overhaul " >

By Frank James

Some observers of the town-hall antipathy towards President Barack Obama have argued that there's an undercurrent of racism in some of the criticism, that there's still a lot of anger among a fair number of whites that the nation is being led by its first African-American president.

There no doubt is truth to that. If not, why would Rep. Lynn Jenkins, a Kansas Republican, tell an audience in Kansas that her party was looking for a "great white hope" to stop Obama? She made the comment on Aug. 19. A YouTube search didn't turn up the video but that doesn't mean it won't appear there eventually.

Jenkins has apparently apologized for the controversial comment. The Associated Press reported:

Jenkins spokeswoman Mary Geiger told The Associated Press Thursday Jenkins apologizes for her word choice and did not intend to offend anyone. A White House spokesman withheld comment ahead of Thursday afternoon's on-the-record briefing.

White House spokesman Bill Burton did weigh in on Jenkins' comment this afternoon. Here's his exchange with a reporter:

REPORTER: Real quick, Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins made a comment to her constituents in Topeka that the GOP is looking for their "great white hope." Any White House reaction to that and any reading -- any racial implications in that?

MR. BURTON: I saw that report. I also saw that her spokesperson backpedaled and said that that was a poor choice of words. We obviously give Congresswoman Jenkins the benefit of the doubt.

So the White House has decided to be charitable, probably a good strategy since Jenkins' comment is exactly the kind of repulsive, race-baiting expression many voters will find radioactive. That could redound in Obama's favor.

Still, it's astonishing that a U.S. congresswoman, in a public meeting in Topeka, in the YouTube age, would say the Republican Party needed a "great white hope" to defeat Obama.

Congressional Democrats may be sensing the world closing in on them as their fortunes appear diminished due to growing doubts over Democratic approaches to overhaul health-care. (J. Scott Applewhite / AP Photo)

By Frank James

If Washington's Capitol Hill Democrats seem especially edgy upon their return after the August recess, it might be not only because they endured all those screaming constituents at town-hall meetings but because they are looking more and vulnerable, mostly because of voter anger toward and fear of controversial Democratic health-care reform proposals.

No less than Charlie Cook, one of the most respected political prognosticators and creator of The Cook Political Report, is conservatively predicting House Democrats will lose six to 12 seats of their 256 seats during this year's mid-term election. And he further stokes Democratic anxieties by adding that he believes his prediction "is far too low."

Not only that, he makes it sound as if Democrats will be lucky if they can just hang on for dear life.

... The situation this summer has slipped completely out of control for President Obama and Congressional Democrats. Today, The Cook Political Report's Congressional election model, based on individual races, is pointing toward a net Democratic loss of between six and 12 seats, but our sense, factoring in macro-political dynamics is that this is far too low.

Many veteran Congressional election watchers, including Democratic ones, report an eerie sense of d??j?? vu, with a consensus forming that the chances of Democratic losses going higher than 20 seats is just as good as the chances of Democratic losses going lower than 20 seats. A new Gallup poll that shows Congress' job disapproval at 70 percent among independents should provide little solace to Democrats. In the same poll, Congressional approval among independents is at 22 percent, with 31 percent approving overall, and 62 percent disapproving.

Continue reading "Congressional Democrats' Situation 'Out Of Control'?" >

By Frank James

If you decide to verbally spar with Rep. Barney Frank you'd better bring your A-game, meaning a quick-wit and the ability to deliver a killer one liner. Because he can, and anyone who's watched him in action over the years knows he can rhetorically cut you sharply, fast and deep if you're not careful.

Evidently a woman who attended his town hall meeting last night didn't know this. Or maybe she was just feeling brave. Whatever the case, it was kind of like watching a car crash.

WOMAN: Why do you continue to support a Nazi policy as Obama has expressly supported this policy? Why are you supporting it?

FRANK: When you ask me that question? I am going to revert to my ethnic heritage and answer your question with a question. On what planet do you spend most of your time?

(Oh snap. Applause and cheers from the crowd. The woman first appears stunned, like she doesn't know how to respond to this verbal haymaker. Then she begins to talk again, more forcefully this time, but the microphone doesn't pick up her words. Maybe it was turned off?)

FRANK: You want me to answer the question? Yes, you stand there with a picture of the president defaced to look like Hitler and compare the effort to increase health care to the Nazis.My answer to you is, I said before, it is a tribute to the First Amendment that this kind of vile, contemptible nonsense is so freely propagated.

Continue reading "Rep. Barney Frank Zings Town Hall Questioner Who Likens Obama To Nazis" >

A vandalized sign outside the office of Rep. David Scott, D-Ga., is shown Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009 in Smyrna, Ga. (John Bazemore / AP Photo)

By Frank James

Rep. David Scott, the Georgia Democrat who found his testy response to voters with health-care questions at a recent public meeting getting more national attention than he normally does, explained to Tell Me More host Michel Martin why he got upset.

The meeting, which was called by local officials to discuss a new highway going through Douglasville, Ga., was hijacked by the questioners, he thought.

"That meeting was not David Scott's town hall meeting," he said, adding that he does have a health-care meeting scheduled which those voters could attend.

Scott, whose district office was defaced with a swastika following the dust-up, also said race has had a definite role in some of the negative reaction to the health-care proposals and President Barack Obama's advocacy of them.

Continue reading "Rep. David Scott Explains Why He Got Ticked Off" >

A Gulfstream G 550 plane is seen on the tarmac of the German Aerospace Center in Oberpfaffenhofen near Munich, southern Germany in this April 25, 2006 file photo. (Uwe Lein / AP Photo)

By Frank James

One of Washington's favorite buzzwords is "optics," as in, "the optics on this are good," meaning the issue, or the way it's handled, probably won't cause controversy or imperil re-election. Conversely, bad optics are usually to be avoided.

The decision by some in Congress to add money in Defense Department spending legislation to purchase several more private jets than the Pentagon requested, is one of those acts where the optics definitely appear to be bad.

The timing couldn't be worse. After all, it was members of Congress who last year laid into top officers of Detroit's Big Three for flying on private jets to Washington to beseech Washington for billions of dollars in taxpayer-funded bailout money.

Between the bailouts for the auto and financial industries and the economic stimulus, and the economic downturn, not to mention growing federal budget deficits, voters give every appearance of feeling tapped out and wanting to see some real fiscal discipline exercised by their leaders.

Which is why, there are some on the Hill who are not only distancing themselves from the decision, but going further, essentially saying it was boneheaded.

An excerpt from The Wall Street Journal:

"The whole thing kind of makes me sick to my stomach," said Sen. Claire McCaskill (D., Mo.) in an interview Sunday. "It is evidence that some of the cynicism about Washington is well placed -- that people get out of touch and they spend money like it's Monopoly money."

Several other senators said they share the concerns and will work to oppose the funding for the jets when the legislation is taken up by the Senate in September, including Sens. John McCain (R., Ariz.,) Jack Reed (D., R.I.), Richard Burr (R., N.C.), Christopher Bond (R., Mo.) and John Thune (R., S.D.).

Continue reading "Congress's Private-Jet Order Hits Severe Headwinds" >

A copy of H.R. 3200, America Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 sits on the desk of House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., after the markup on the health care bill was postponed on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 29, 2009. (Susan Walsh / AP Photo © 2009)

By Frank James

There's word from Capitol Hill that Democrats have worked out some of their differences on health care overhaul legislation, with enough Blue Dog Democrats now willing to allow a bill to move through the critical House Energy and Commerce Committee.

The Blue Dogs, a group of moderate and conservative House Democrats, had created a logjam in the House by refusing to sign on to legislation. Among their concerns: that the overhaul would cost too much, further exploding federal deficits.

As the Associated Press reports:

Four of the seven so-called Blue Dog Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee said they resolved their differences with Chairman Henry Waxman of California. The lawmakers also had been meeting with White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel.

At the same time, Sen. Max Baucus of Montana, the Democrat leading the negotiations among three Democrats and three Republicans, said new estimates from the Congressional Budget Office show the plan that's taking shape would cover 95 percent of Americans by 2015, and cost about $900 billion over 10 years - under the unofficial $1 trillion target the White House has set.

NPR's Julie Rovner, in her report for the network's newscast, said:

ROVNER: The bigger breakthrough came in the House, where a group of fiscal conservatives known as 'blue dogs' reached a deal that's likely to get a bill through the third of three committees. That would, in turn, clear the way for a floor vote in September, when lawmakers return from their summer break.

Update at 3:45 p.m. ET: NPR's Scott Horsley reports that White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters a short time ago that "the president is enormously thankful" to lawmakers for their efforts.

"We are making progress," Gibbs added.

By Frank James

It seemed like such a good idea at the time.

Back in 2006, then-Rep. Rahm Emanuel headed the House Democrats' efforts to win Republican seats. He persuaded moderate Democrats into running in congressional districts that were center-right and they succeeded hugely.

House Democrats picked up 30 seats that year, many in districts previously represented by Republicans, and gained control of the House.

Now, many of those moderate to conservative Democrats are among the so-called Blue Dog Democrats who are frustrating President Barack Obama; Emanuel, his chief of staff, and House leaders' plans to get health-care overhaul legislation passed before the fast-approaching August congressional recess.

In essence, the Blue Dogs are biting the hand that once fed them political support. Which Rep. Maxine Waters of California, a liberal Democrat, was only to glad to point out on MSNBC.

Continue reading "Democratic Blue Dogs Biting Hand That Once Fed Them?" >

By Frank James

First the Senate leadership said it would blow past President Barack Obama's deadline for passing health-care legislation by Congress's August recess.

Now the House is saying it will follow suit.

NPR's David Welna filed the following report for the network's newscast:

WELNA: House Majority leader Steny Hoyer's announcement that the House won't vote on a health care bill before September follows a similar health care vote postponement by the Senate's Majority leader, Harry Reid.

President Obama had hoped that both chambers of Congress would not leave for the August recess without first passing health care bills.

But Hoyer said there's not enough time to allow proper consideration of such legislation before leaving, since one House committee has yet to approve a health care bill that two other committees have already considered. Hoyer promised that the third committee will complete the bill before the August break.

Continue reading "House Kicks Health-Care Can Down The Road" >

By Frank James

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee at Michael Jackson memorial service in Los Angeles, Tuesday, July 7, 2009. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, Pool

At Michael Jackson's memorial service, millions saw Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, a Texas Democrat, hold up a framed copy of a draft congressional resolution to honor the late pop superstar she said she intended to introduce in the U.S. House. She's going to need a plan B.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters today she wouldn't be allowing that resolution to get to the floor of the House for a vote.

Her argument was that the House allows members to speak in praise of anyone on the floor. And that's true. In one-minute speeches and also special order speeches, members can discuss fairly much any topic on their minds though they typically are addressing a nearly empty chamber though they would be on C-SPAN.

But a resolution is an act of Congress that require a majority vote of approval by members. It therefore has much more force than a single member's speech, which is why Lee wants it. But, again, Pelosi said it's not going to happen.

Here's her exchange with a reporter:

PELOSI: Michael Jackson was a great great performer. Lots of sadness there for many reasons. What I have said to my colleague over the years and certainly as leader and as speaker is there's an opportunity on the floor of the House to express their sympathy and their praise any time that they wish. I don't think it's necessary for us to have a resolution.

Continue reading "Michael Jackson Gets No Congressional Resolution: Pelosi" >

By Frank James

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made headlines a few weeks back when she said the Central Intelligence Agency never told her during classified briefings dating back to 2002 that it was using waterboarding on detained terrorist suspects.

Her charges resulted in a he-said, she-said spitting match with the CIA.

So at her regular weekly meeting with reporters today she was asked if she felt the "propriety" of her charges were vindicated by the recent letter sent by Rep. Silvestre Reyes, chair of the House Intelligence Committee, to CIA Director Leon Panetta, accusing the agency of lying in a recent briefing to members of Congress.

Her answer: she wasn't aware there had been questions about the proprietary of her earlier comments. She also blamed Republicans for stirring the pot on this one and finished by noting that some House Democrats had serious questions about what they have been told by the CIA and indicated she was leaving resolution of the dispute in the hands of intel panel members.

Here's her exchange with the reporter:

REPORTER: Will these letters silence the debate over the propriety of your charges if not the substance of your charges.

PELOSI: Well I didn't know that there were any questions about propriety. I'm very proud of my work in human rights over the years. People know where I am on the issues on which we were briefed. This is an excuse not a reason. As I told you, our success is driving Republicans to distraction, any excuse will do.

There is a briefing that is a serious concern to members of the committee and they have their course of action to deal with it. And that's that.