theleft

=Capitol News=

 BREAKING NEWS 6 March 2008 The President announced his intentions to veto the wiretapping bill passed by the House late yesterday afternoon. The President made this announcement while campaigning for Senator McCain in Pennsylvania. "It is time for Congress to pass a law that provides a long-term foundation to protect our country and they must do so immediately,” Mr. Bush stated. The olive branch offered by Representative O’Quinn---an amendment granting immunity to the telecommunications companies---was not sufficient to appease the President. "It's time for Congress to ensure the flow of vital intelligence is not disrupted," Mr Bush said alongside the Director of National Intelligence, Mike McConnell. ([|http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7243201.stm_)]

The senate was in session today and voted on two very different bills, one addressing Washington D.C. statehood and the other addressing education in America. Senator Potts and Senator DeKlerk began by introducing their “D.C. Statehood” bill (S.6) to make D.C. a state since it has no congressional voice. While D.C. is taxed and provides military services for the country, they are being taxed without representation and providing military without having state benefits. While almost all of the Republicans voted against the bill, the bill passed with an overwhelming supportive vote from the Democrats in favor of the bill. Next up on the agenda for the day was the “Apple” bill (S.7),which planned to increase teachers pay, make the teacher qualifications harder, decrease the student to teacher ratio, and use money from agriculture subsidies that the government has to go towards education. Senator Conrad also wanted teach assistant to work for free while they were in college. Every Republican in the Senate strongly opposed this bill, claiming that the state government should have control of the money and use it to address their own specific needs instead of the government controlling where the money goes. The Democrats had a mixed opinion on this bill, as they found certain aspects of the bill contradicting their beliefs. Some of the Democrats were concerned with the goal to decrease the student to teacher ratio, which would make it harder to ensure that each kid gets into a school and gets an education. There was also some argument about having teacher assistants who are still in college to teach for free in order to save money at the schools. The Republicans tried a mini filibuster while continuously yielding the floor to each other, which helped run the clock. With a set voting time, the Republicans and Democrats were pressed for time, and a lot went unsaid when the Senate was called to vote. With a split Democratic vote and nay vote for the Republicans, the “Apple” bill did not pass the Senate.
 * BREAKING NEWS **
 * Fox News Reports on the Senate in Session**
 * March 6, 2008 by Ruth**

From the Left
An opinion column by Suzie Q (Alia) A liberal New York Times columnist In response to the House gathering on Wednesday, I would like to point out how outraged I was when I heard a statement by Rep. Masters (R-CA) on the Bill of Rights. In a debate on the Respect Civil Liberties Act, Rep. Masters stated that the Bill of Rights was an outdated document and that if a terrorist attack were to take place, it would go out the window. First of all, I would like to point out that the Bill of Rights is not, and I repeat NOT, an outdated document. This document is an extremely significant document that protects our freedom and civil liberties. If a terrorist attack were to happen, the last thing we want is our freedom taken away. The Bill of Rights and our Constitution is exactly what we look to and cherish. In a time of terror, what we want as citizens of the United States are our civil liberties and freedom. In response to what Fox News Reporter Fritchie said, I don’t know what kind of “patriotic fervor” the Republicans were showing on Wednesday.
 * An Outdated Bill of Rights? I Don’t Think So.**

By: CHARLOTTE YOUNG March 5, 2008 Yesterday the divided House of Representatives convened to debate bills that had been passed from their perspective committees. The bills were: “Respect Civil Liberties Act of 2008” sponsored by Representative Soomro, “The Pathway to Opportunity Bill” sponsored by Representative Kock and Representative Zemanek, and “The Chance for America’s Future Bill of 2008”. Beginning with the parties seated at separate tables, the two most hotly debated Bills were that of “Respect Civil Liberties Act” and “The Chance for America’s Future Bill”.

Opening the debate was Representative Soomro who deftly pointed out the key points of her Bill stating that the Bill of Rights provides the American public with a right to privacy despite the war on terror we are currently in. Representative Baker (Republican) replied to this comment saying that the Bill of Rights is to be ignored during a state of war, and that it “goes out the window” in these types of situations. The bill was eventually passed by the House… with Representative Baker being the only Republican to vote “yay”.

The next bill that was discussed was that of education. Representative Young opened the floor by explaining that when students receive a college education many things can come from this: less crime, more jobs, and eventually a better economy. At the point of mentioning higher taxes, Representatives McHenry, who sponsored a killed bill on cutting back taxes, rebutted question and asked why the federal government should get involved in a matter that could be handled in the form of basic college scholarships. Keeping the overly conscious Republican tax payers in mind, Representative Zeitzer pointed out to Congress that these people who did not go college will eventually need the government’s support in the form of welfare, so why not educate these people now instead of letting them fail? The bill has not been passed yet and the House will reconvene tomorrow at precisely 8:05 A.M. to vote. Whether it was in the form of disowning America’s Bill of Rights, or being short sighted of America’s future, the Republicans were shown up at the House meeting with mere facts and principles our country has stood by since 1776.

Democrats Worried About America’s Future; Republicans Worried About Reputation
5 March 2008 Kock

A break in session last week brought many eager democrats and a few argumentative republicans back to the House of Representatives, ready for debate. 2 bills were brought before the House on Tuesday March 4 and 3 on Wednesday March 5. These bills included: “the Sexual Health and Freedom Act”, the “Save Lives on the Home Front: Increase Port Security Act of 2008”, “the Pathway to Opportunity Act”, the “Respect Civil Liberties Act”, and the “Chance for America’s Future Act”. After much debate back and forth between the democrats and the republicans, the “Sexual Health and Freedom Act” was passed on to the senate with a vote of 10 to 6. The “Save Lives on the Home Front: Increase Port Security Act of 2008” was also passed to the Senate with a vote of 8 to 5. Wednesday began with the proposal of an amendment for the “Pathway to Opportunity Act” by Representative Gregorio from Arizona. Her proposed amendment included increasing security at the Mexico border by providing extra funds. This amendment was voted on and passed unanimously. The bill, unlike the previous two bills, was then voted on and passed unanimously as well. Of course the republicans only agreed because their voice was actually heard. The “Respect Civil Liberties Act” brought great debate and argument from the republican side. The republicans claim the bill will weaken our national security and there is no time in a time of crisis to sit back and wait for a warrant. They don’t care about the Bill of Rights or the rights of the citizens. No, it’s all about what makes the Republican Party look good. Truthfully, the republicans are just jealous none of their bills were passed in committee. After time expired, a vote was taken and the bill passed 11 to 7. The third and final bill for Wednesday was the “Chance for America’s Future Act”. This bill also brought great debate and controversy between the two parties. Once again, the Republican Party was only worried about what would make them look good by arguing the money comes from the tax-paying citizens so only those who deserve a scholarship should receive one. The democrats, however, care about EVERY citizen of the United States and believe everyone should have an equal opportunity. The House ended debate and will vote on the proposed bill tomorrow, March 6. If the republicans are smart, they will vote yay in support of a bill that can only benefit the future of America.

**From the Middle**
by Olivia** The debate that took place today between Democrats and Republicans proved to be quite an intense one. Senators showed signs of great team work as a party while others surprisingly went against those in their own party.  When discussing bill S.6 on D.C. Statehood, Democrats started out shaky and nervous but eventually got the hang of it and presented a good, strong argument. Although Democrats had a strong argument, Republicans refused to back down and the debate took an unexpected turn. Before anyone knew it some unexpected Democrats joined with the ideas of the Republican party, showing that people are more supportive of their beliefs opposed to the beliefs of their party. The D.C. Statehood was successfully passed.  The S.7 APPLE bill did not pass so smoothly. There were many debated loopholes in the bill. The Republicans clearly had strategy. They had a brief meeting outside the room and once the debate was underway again all stood with intensity and made important points, which seemed to shift the views of many on the bill. The bill was not passed but is possibly being revised with attached amendments for another chance at being debated and passed in the Senate. Perhaps in the next debate the democrats will have a better strategy like the Republicans did and fire back for the bills they strongly wish to be passed.
 * Democrats start shaky; Find Their Voice

BIPARTISAN, INDEED…
//By Robert D Novak// (SR really) On Capitol Hill today, Speaker Stella Radosta has been up to her usual tricks. Even after the pointed criticism surrounding her allegedly “bipartisan” platform, the brazen House leader is showing no signs of living up to this self-imposed label. With her liberal lemmings behind her, she has all but marched into the Oval Office and slapped the president across the face – while their right-wing counterparts sat back and watched! Never have I seen a session so controversial. President Bush even had to call an emergency conference with certain Republican members of the House to push the Speaker back within her boundaries, which we all know she’s overstepped. Even under the imminent threat of a veto, she voted with the Democrats to rescind the Mexico City Policy completely, refusing even to entertain the thought of a Republican amendment. And this was no one-of-a-kind anomaly, either. The very next day, Speaker Radosta cemented her status as a bleeding-heart liberal in a series of votes that severely undermined the conservative viewpoint. These votes include, but are not limited to, a vote to pass a bill outlawing warrantless wire-tapping (while refusing to support an amendment providing immunity for telecommunications companies), and a vote to increase tax-payer funding for college grants. In this country’s time of crisis, such flip-flopping and party-pandering can’t, and shouldn’t, be accepted. The Speaker needs to pick a side and stick to it.

March 5, 2008, reporting from //FOX News//:
Fritchie

Today, the debate between the Representatives stirred the emotions of many and the floor was on fire. Fighting over an increased funding bill for college tuition, the Democrats voted to make the average citizen pay more taxes while the Republicans stood their ground and voted against the bill. On a very different note, while discussing a wire-tapping bill, the Democrats voted in favor of a bill that would require a warrant to wire-tap. Conversely, the Republicans waved their American flags high above their heads and spouted bits of patriotic fervor and national security. The debate is far from over, and the Republicans are holding their breaths for President Bush to veto the many -- many -- Democratic bills, hoping to use the Republican President to their advantage.

March 5, 2008, reporting from //Fox News//
Masters On Wednesday, March 5, 2008, the Louise S. McGehee Congress convened to debate the Respect Civil Liberties Act of 2008, presented by democratic Representative Soomro. During the floor debate, the Republican Party argued that this bill was willing to take a risk with the security of American citizens during a time of emergency. The Democratic Party failed to realize that terrorists do not go through these various procedures, and we do not always have time to do the same. If we have evidence that another attack is going to happen on the country, we should be able to stop or try to prevent it and save the lives of American citizens, rather than taking this time to go through the procedures of this bill. America’s first priority is to protect it’s citizens, and this bill is going against that initiative.

FOX News Democrats vote to endanger American Security: Wiretapping Bill Passes 5 March 2008 Ashman Today in the House the Respect Civil Liberties Act was passed, banning warrantless wiretapping. This bill could threaten American security by not allowing suspected terrorists to be discovered in due time. Getting a warrant takes time, time America doesn’t have. An amendment was passed to this bill, a compromise between Democrats and Republicans. However, President Bush could still veto this bill.

=A Message To Hawaiians: Get Your Own Ride To College= 6 March 2008 Gregorio

The debates that went underway today in the House of Representatives were mainly about the “Chance For America’s Future Bill of 2008” sponsored by Representative Young. This was one of the most hotly debated bills in the House of Representatives because of the vast differences between the support and opposition. The democrats, who all voted “yay,” argued that this bill provided help to those people who could not afford to go to college. After shooting down a bill proposed by Representative Gregorio which would require that all applicants must have a grade point average of 2.0 or above (a simple C average), the Democrats defended the carelessness with which they treat federal money and also demonstrated their idea that people who were too lazy in high school to get good grades, will somehow miraculously turn into hard-working students while in college. Another amendment offered by Representative Robert, which was passed with a 9-7 vote, approved a federally funded “Genocide Awareness” curriculum to be offered to all federally funded schools. Though this program would spend federal dollars to take out some part of the history curriculum already in place, the Democrats (and one moderate Republican) believe that it is more important to teach genocide than our nation’s history. A final amendment that was offered to the House of Representatives today was from Representative Zeitzer from Hawaii, and it would provide more money to people from Hawaii who cannot afford to travel to school and back to visit their parents. This bill was supported by no one but Representative Zeitzer, because of the lack of fairness that it provides. The message was loud and clear from the Representatives, Hawaiians, find your own way to get to college and back because the Government isn’t going to pay for it. After all of the amendments had been voted on, the bill passed with a 10-6 vote.