Recently in Congress Category

Two questions: 1) Who the hell is in charge of Democratic strategery? 2) How far up your ass does your head have to be before this sounds like a good idea? "Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Tuesday he will add the DREAM Act, a controversial immigration measure, to a defense policy bill the Senate will take up next week. The decision means the defense bill, which often passes with bipartisan support, will be home...

Wannabe Speaker John Boehner says a few reasonable sounding words on Face the Nation and the headlines are about a 'shift in policy,' a 'crack in Republican solidarity,' a 'victory for the Obama administration,' and 'Republicans caving on the tax cut battle.' Three words of advice:Don't buy it.First, why would anyone believe a word Boehner says? Then look at the entirety of his comments. Yes, he said,  "If the only option I have is to...

A couple of things don't make sense in this debate over letting the tax cuts for the top 2% expire. Don't make sense on the surface, that is. Dig a little deeper and it becomes perfectly clear. Why is there such angst in Congress about raising taxes on the wealthy? Members of both the House and the Senate in both parties say they are so concerned with the deficit, but yet extending the cuts will...

There has been a plethora of polling data related to the upcoming mid-term elections released in the last few days--some confusing, some not so much. The confusing; this series of questions from a Washington Post/ABC News poll: Which party do you trust to do a better job on the problems facing the country? Democrats. Which party better represents your values? Democrats. Which party is more concerned with people like you? Democrats.  If the election were...

Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) on the GOP's "first move" should they gain the majority in the mid-terms: "House Republicans' first move in the majority would be to extend tax cuts set to expire at the end of the year, House GOP Conference Chairman Mike Pence (Ind.) suggested Wednesday evening.  Pence, the third-ranking Republican in the House, said that House Republicans would look to extend the tax cuts they helped President George W. Bush pass in 2001...

These "Christian nation" people make my head hurt worse than it already does: "Appearing before the Republican Women of Bossier with Sen. David Vitter (R-LA), Rep. John Fleming (R-LA) cast the November elections as a choice between godlessness and Christianity. He also called bipartisanship impossible. "We have two competing world views here and there is no way that we can reach across the aisle -- one is going to have to win," Fleming said. "We...

A sneak peek of what to expect should Republicans take control of the House in November--other than subpoenas, hearings, and impeachment proceedings, that is--from Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan:"If we win, what will we get done? Mostly, I'll be honest, most of what we can get done is have the big fight, have the big debate, and have the framework for the 2012 election."<br />In other words, what are they good for? Absolutely nothin'. Say it...

Republicans love them some Constytooshun. Well, most of it anyway. OK, some of it. The Second Amendment is all right, the rest just needs "a lot of tweaking" says Paul Broun. Like in 42 places:"Republican Rep. Paul Broun of Georgia won his seat in Congress campaigning as a strict defender of the Constitution. He carries a copy in his pocket and is particularly fond of invoking the Second Amendment right to bear arms.But it turns...

From Think Progress: "Republican Allen West is the Tea Party candidate for House in Florida's 22nd district...and has become a favorite among conservatives, earning the endorsement of Sarah Palin." The reason West is welcome in the Tea Party and why he's been endorsed by Sarah the Quitter will become clear. First, a little of Mr. West's history: "West began his political career after resigning from the military following an investigation into his interrogation tactics. In...

Then and now. June of 2009 (emphasis added) :"General Motors hopes that bankruptcy will make the struggling automaker stronger and more competitive. Republicans are hoping it will do the same for them.The GOP sees President Barack Obama's decision to help the unpopular carmaker as an easy opportunity to paint him as a bailout-happy, deficit-drunk spendthrift eager to impose a heavy government hand on a swath of industries. ...Republicans see in GM a chance for their...