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Showing posts with label Congress. Show all posts

Showing posts with label Congress. Show all posts

Christie: 'We're Not Gonna Wait; We Need Help Now!'

"We don’t have time to wait for folks in Congress to figure out how they want to offset this stuff with the budget cuts.
"Our people are suffering now. And they need support now. And they can all go down there, get back to work, and figure out the budget cuts later. But, we need the support now here in New Jersey, and that’s not a Republican or a Democratic issue.
"So, I would urge all my colleagues in the New Jersey delegation, doesn’t matter which party you are in, and all the rest of the folks in Congress. Nobody was asking about offsetting budget cuts in Joplin. And I don’t want to hear about the fact that offsetting budget cuts have to come first, before New Jersey citizens are taken care of.
"So, if you want to figure out budget cuts, that’s fine. Are you going to turn it into a fiasco like that debt limit thing where they were fighting with each other for eight or nine weeks? And you expect the citizens in my state to wait?
"They’re not going to wait. And I am going to fight to make sure that they don’t."
--New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, now in his eighth consecutive day of working non-stop, planning and executing Irene relief and recovery efforts and fighting for the people of his state.

Both Extremes Unhappy? That's A Good Sign!

The word out of Washington is that the extremes of the right and the left are unhappy with the reported deal that's been reached on the debt ceiling and proposed cuts.
Frankly, I take that as a good sign.
Early indications (and I stress that these are still FIRST impressions) indicate that this may be a solid, across-the-aisle deal with some good, effective features. I certainly hope this is the case.
And I take it as a healthy indicator that the far ends of the spectrum are disenchanted.
If the leaders of the parties in Congress do their work and a majority can be cobbled together we may have real progress here.

House Passes Boehner Plan; Harry, Barry Balk

House Republicans voted tonight in favor a debt ceiling plan put forward by House Speaker John Boehner.
The proposal received the support of 218 members, while 210 members voted against the measure. No Democrats voted for the measure. The bill would cut $917 billion in government spending over ten years and would require the passage of a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution before raising the debt ceiling for a second time in February.
Several times already Republicans have produced and approved bills to cut spending, attack the deficit and raise the debt ceiling.
The Democrats have approved NOTHING. In fact, they've never come forward with a plan.
But now the ball's in the Democrats' court.
Hurry, Harry! Don't tarry, Barry! It's your move.

Report: Runyan Leaning Toward Yea On Boehner Plan

There's a good story about New Jersey first-term Republican congressman Jon Runyan in this morning's Philadelphia Inquirer.
Runyan has spent his time thus far in Congress listening, learning and trying to make a positive difference when and where he can.
And, he's also written some bills and watched out for his sprawling district which stretches from the New Jersey coast in Ocean county clear across the state to the Philly burbs.
Here's a brief excerpt from the story:

"I have this unique ability to tie anything that happens to sports," Runyan said. Earlier this year, GOP representatives were fighting over pet causes to insert in the continuing resolution needed to keep the government running. Runyan stood up in a meeting and told them to knock it off.
"I was saying that I've been on football teams with that kind of fracture, especially when you're winning. People think, 'We're out front, so I'm doing my thing,' " Runyan said. "But that's not what got you there. You got there by working together."
He thinks his remarks helped Speaker John A. Boehner corral the members and get the job done.
This week, as Boehner tried to rally wayward Republicans around his latest debt-ceiling plan, Runyan was reportedly assuring the GOP caucus that he was on board. Though the plan was "not perfect," a Runyan aide said, "it prevents default."

I tend to agree with Runyan. The Boehner bill isn't perfect but it's preferable to the alternatives. We must be practical and remember that the perfect is the enemy of the good.
Click here to read more.

Coulter: GOP Can't Do It All

Last night, during her appearance in Philadehia, Ann Coulter admitted that Republicans are limited in what they can accomplish. She basically said there's only so much the GOP cam do, particularly on the debt ceiling and deficit issues.
"We missed gaining control in the Senate by basically three seats," Coulter said. "So, we have the Houae. But until we have two-thirds majorities in both the House and The Senate, there's not much the GOP can do."
Coulter factored in the ever-present possibility of Obama vetoes. Thus, a. Two-thirds congressional majority would be required in both houses to override any veto.

Democrat David Wu Resigns Amidst Sex Scandal

Well, another Democrat has just bit the dust.
Democratic Rep. David Wu (Ore.) resigned from the House today, just days after news broke that He had been accused of having an “unwanted sexual encounter” with a teenage girl.
The Taiwanese-born Wu, 56 said he was stepping down to protect his family while he responds to “these very serious allegations.”
Wu is the second congressional Democrat rp resign in recent months amidst a sex scandal. His resignation follows on the heels of that of Congressman Anthony Weiner of New York.

GOP: No Tax Hikes; Debt Deal Fails, Obama Walks

Christie To Obama: You're Elected To Lead; So LEAD!

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie says the federal budget stalemate is not his problem.
And since there is no deal yet -- and no details of a deal (only rumors) -- what's the point of commenting?
But, as Christie explains it: "What the hell . . . . " He might as well go ahead and comment.
And surely he knew this would make news.
So, here's the Big Guy firing away once again. Yo, Gov: Things were pretty dull while you were on your "working vacation." We missed you. It's great to have you back!

Memo To GOP Leaders: Hold The Line

Congressional Republican leaders have just announced that they will vote next week on a cut, cap and balance bill.They are remaining united so they will have the votes to pass this legislation in the House and they will move it to the Senate.
Remember: All revenue legislation must originate in the House.
That gives the GOP-controlled House and Speaker John Boehner the upper hand.
The challenge for the Republicans is to remain firm and remain united -- to hold the line on taxes and spending.
My memo to my fine Republican congressman and to the entire GOP congressional leadership is this: Stand firm. Cut, cap and balance. Take the proper action and theN let the Democrats in the Senate figure out what they want to do about it.
The imperative is now with the GOP To keep its commitment to the American people and act boldly and decisively. Real, solid action CAN break this logjam.

McConnell: 'Real Deal' Not Possible While Obama Rules

Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell says that "a real solution [to the nation's staggering deby problem] is unattainable" so long as President Obama remains in office.
And Speaker of the House John Boehner says the President and his allies are basically all talk and no action when it comes to cutting spending and decreasing the nation's debt.
Here's a late-breaking excerpt from the Wall Street Journal:

"This debt-limit increase is his problem," Mr. Boehner said after a morning meeting with Republican House members. "The president talks a good game, but when it comes time to actually putting these issues on the table, making decisions, they can't quite pull the trigger."
Mr. McConnell said he concluded after the latest negotiations that the administration had "expressed a fundamental unwillingness" to agree to significant spending cuts.
"But after years of discussions and months of negotiations, I have little question that as long as this president is in the Oval Office, a real solution is unattainable," Mr. McConnell said in a Senate floor speech.

Click here to read the full story.

Boehner 'No Deal Imminent' On Deficit

Those who say the Republicans in Congress are "about to cave" on a budget and deficit deal may not know what they're talking about. And/or they may simply be engaging in wishful thinking (especially rampant among Old Media).
Speaker of the House John Boehner says a deal with the democrats simply is not in sight and negotiations have been difficult with serious disagreements surrounding key isses.
Here's an excerpt from a report in The Hill:

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) on Friday said a broad deficit-reduction deal is not “imminent” and stressed that the gap between the White House and Republican leaders has not narrowed in recent days. “There is no agreement in private or in public,” Boehner said at a morning press conference. “And as the president said yesterday,” he added, indicating with his hands, “we are this far apart. It’s not like there is some imminent deal about to happen. There are serious disagreements about how to deal with this very serious problem.”

Click here to read more.

Video: Weiner Uncaged And Raging Wildly

Here is Anthony Weiner in earlier days in full attack mode -- raging wildly.
Yes, the issue at hand was an emotional one. And yes, it was important.
But look and the anger and enmity in this man.
Clearly, something was bottled up deep inside this guy -- something just this side of virulent.
Is this what we've come to? Is this the only kind of discourse we can have: loud, angry, vitriolic and accusatory?
Did no one recognize that this guy had possibly serious anger-management and emotional problems? Or is this so much the norm in Washington now that it's simply accepted as part of everyday life?
Think about it.

Weiner To Resign At 2 PM Today, Reports Say

Reports say that Congressman Anthony Weiner will announce his resgination at 2 PM today in Brooklyn, NY.

Weiner To Step Down, NYT Says

The New York Times is now reporting that Anthony Weinber has told key Democrat congressional leaders that he will resign from Congress. Here's an excerpt:

Anthony D. Weiner has told House leaders and friends that he plans to resign his seat after coming under growing pressure from his Democratic colleagues to leave the House, said a top Democratic official and two people told of Mr. Weiner’s plans.
His decision follows of revelations of his lewd online exchanges with women. The top Democratic official said Anthony Weiner called Representative Nancy Pelosi and Representative Steve Israel last night while they were at the White House picnic to inform them he had decided to resign on Thursday.
Mr. Weiner plans to resign in Brooklyn at 2 p.m., according to two people told of his plans.

Click here for more on this story.

Weiner To Resign, Sources Say

Reports out of Washington say that Democratic Rep. Anthony Weiner of New York is going to to resign from Congress.
Weiner has been involved in a "sexting" scandal with several women and has gotten caught up in lies that he apparently told about it.
This latest information is said to come from a Democratic source who is said to have knowledge of the congressman's plans.
Click here for more on this story.

Photos: Weiner Showin It Off In House Gym

It now turns out that Congressman Anthony Weiner apparently used the House gym as a backdrop as he took nearly-nude photos of himself and, according to TMZ "sent them to at least one woman."
TMZ says that "Weiner took of himself using his Blackberry and a mirror. Congressional sources have confirmed with TMZ ... the backdrop is indeed the House Members Gym in the basement of the Rayburn House Office Building."
According to TMZ "the pics were taken on both the gym floor and in the locker room."
Click here to see the pictures.

Weiner's Wife Is Pregnant

The New York Times is reportiung that Representative Anthony Weiner and his wife are expecting their first child. Here's an excerpt from the report.

Their marriage has become the subject of intense speculation and scrutiny amid an embarrassing online sex scandal.
Now, Representative Anthony D. Weiner and Huma Abedin are about to make news of a different kind: they are expecting their first child.
Ms. Abedin, 35, is in the early stages of pregnancy, according to three people with knowledge of the situation.

Click here to read more on this story.

The GOP's Plan For Growth, Job Creation

A special message from Speaker of the House John Boehner:
Last week, it was announced that the national unemployment rate rose to 9.1% in May and the number of unemployed Americans edged up by 167,000 to 13.9 million. Our economy is not creating enough jobs, and that is why from day one, the House has been committed to getting government out of the way so job creators can do what they do best – create jobs.
On May 26th, House Republicans unveiled our Plan for America’s Job Creators, a pro-growth jobs plan that builds on our Pledge to America. This plan focuses on removing government barriers to job growth such as the threat of tax hikes, our spending-driven debt crisis, and the mountains of red tape. It aims to empower small businesses, families, and entrepreneurs instead of holding them back with over-taxing, over-regulating, and over-spending.
On Tuesday, I took the case for our Plan for America’s Job Creators directly to the Eighth District. While addressing the Middletown Rotary Club, I discussed how these policies would provide a path to a stable economic foundation. Please visit Jobs.GOP.gov to learn more about our Plan for America’s Job Creators.
We are going to continue to do our part in the House to help create an environment where economic growth is encouraged and Ohio job creators are once again confident in our economy.

Sincerely,

Weiner: Not Thinking About Election

Weiner says the "last thing" he's thinking about today is the next election.
"This is a deep weakness that I have demonstrated."
Weiner says that some of the online relationships have "gone back for the past few years."
Weiner says that what is paramount now is taking care of his problem and "amking sure that this absolutely never happens again."
Weiner says that his wife has known about some of the online relationships since before he married her. "We spoke frankly about it," Weiner says. But he says his wife did not know all of the details -- the full story -- until this morning.
"I treated this as a frivolous thing and did not acknowledge that it was causing harm."
He says his wife was "not happy" about the situation but that she loves him and she very much wants to see them "pull through this."
His says there was "no physical relationship" involved in the online dalliances.
"I don't believe that I did anything that violates any law or violates my oath to my constituents."
Weiner repeats: "I've never has sex outside my marriage."
He adds: "I'm not making any excuses for my behavior." He says there was no substance abuse involved. "This was me doing a dumb thing."
"My wife is a remarkable women. She's not responsible for any of this. This was a personal failing of mine."
He says that his actions do not "reflect on my official duties."
He says his constituents will have to decide whether he remains in office. He says that all of the women that he chatted with "were adults and were engaging in consensual behavior."
"I wasn't telling the truth. I lied. It was dishonorable."
He describes the situation as an "aberration from what I learned."

Weiner Admits He Lied; "I'm Sorry."

Weiner admits he lied.
He says "The picture was of me and I sent it."
"Never actually met any of these women," though.
Congresmman is choked up.
"I'm deeply sorry. I apologize to my wife, family, friends and supporters.
"I accept full responsibility. I deeply regret what I've done but I am not resigning."
Weiner says he trusts the people of his district to make their own judgment about him. "I should not have done this. I should not have done this."
"It was wrong. I regret it."
Weiner cannot deny that x-rated photos of him are out there.
"I love my wife very much and we have no intention of splitting up over this. I love her and she loves me."
"This was a very destructive thing to do. But it wasn't part of my plan to be deceitful to you," he tells the media.