Monday, March 30, 2009
Finance Committee Jumps Right in with Hope Act
The members of the Senate Finance Committee wasted no time on Monday, March 30, 2009, when they began their session with calling their first witness to hearing. As Finance Committee Ranking Member, Senator Charles E. Grassley (R-IA) explained, “This one is the least objectionable. That is why we are doing it first.” Senate Act 5606: The Hope for American Veterans Act is bipartisan and sponsored by Grassley. When asked whether this bill was bipartisan, Baucus curtly replied, “well, we obviously support the hope for American's veterans."
It took a few moments for the press to catch up with the agenda, as the Finance Committee leadership decided to change the schedule. "We decided to skip the formalities," said Senator Baucus, "We wanted to expedite the process, minimize testimony and maximize time on the text." Finance Committee Ranking Member Charles E. Grassley agreed, "The bill was already introduced last week." The amiable pair sat next to one another throughout the session, speaking in whispers and making jokes to one another. Between the good relations of the leadership and the bipartisan bill, little discussion was necessary. The bulk of the day was spent on hearings.
It took a few moments for the press to catch up with the agenda, as the Finance Committee leadership decided to change the schedule. "We decided to skip the formalities," said Senator Baucus, "We wanted to expedite the process, minimize testimony and maximize time on the text." Finance Committee Ranking Member Charles E. Grassley agreed, "The bill was already introduced last week." The amiable pair sat next to one another throughout the session, speaking in whispers and making jokes to one another. Between the good relations of the leadership and the bipartisan bill, little discussion was necessary. The bulk of the day was spent on hearings.
Senators Grassley (left) and Baucus
Senator Grassley called Donald Marron, founder of Lightyear Capital and Acting Director for the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) between 2006 and 2007. Marron gave several facts and figures as to the economic implications of the bill, which aims at specifically helping veterans in rural areas, redistributing funds within nonprofit hospitals, including an $800,000 salary cap on executive salaries. Senator John Kerry (D-MA) pointed out that the top group of hospitals pay their executives $1.4 million and asked, “how would they feel if their pay decreased by 45%? Wouldn’t qualified executives be driven to work for the for-profit hospitals instead?” Marron responded, “$800,000 is a large enough salary for anyone.”
Next Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) called Tom Loftus, a veteran of Vietnam who currently works with veterans in rural areas, for his testimony. Loftus shared several heartfelt reasons for passing the bill, the most practical being that veterans in rural areas would no longer have to drive 3 – 4 hours just to be treated for mental and physical health issues. He stated that the current “food for service” vouchers simply do not work, and that a new system is needed. Loftus believes that the bill is “a step in the right direction,” because “both the quality and amount of care will increase.” During questioning, every member of the Committee thanked him for his service, and the mood was generally positive.
I caught up with Senator John Ensign (R-NV), and asked for his general thoughts on the bill. He called it, “a great bill all-around,” and said he “could see a lot of honorable veterans being exposed to better healthcare opportunities, and there being much improved benefits for those who have so valiantly protected us from harm.” When asked about Senator Kerry’s proposition that the salary cap may deter qualified executives, Senator Ensign responded strongly and clearly; “$800,000 is no small number. I would love to be making that every year. I know a lot of people who would love to be making that. A lot of very qualified people do not make that. I understand the supply and demand side of it, that better goods require a higher price. But I think the number is high enough and I don’t think there will be a lack of talent when it comes to those who will take the job.”
After two long rounds of questioning and breaking for a short recess, during which Senators Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and John Kyl (R-AZ) sprinted from the room on a “cookie expedition,” the Finance Committee reconvened for a few minutes to announce the upcoming bills for the next session. Stay tuned for not-so-bipartisan Finance Committee action tomorrow.
Next Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) called Tom Loftus, a veteran of Vietnam who currently works with veterans in rural areas, for his testimony. Loftus shared several heartfelt reasons for passing the bill, the most practical being that veterans in rural areas would no longer have to drive 3 – 4 hours just to be treated for mental and physical health issues. He stated that the current “food for service” vouchers simply do not work, and that a new system is needed. Loftus believes that the bill is “a step in the right direction,” because “both the quality and amount of care will increase.” During questioning, every member of the Committee thanked him for his service, and the mood was generally positive.
I caught up with Senator John Ensign (R-NV), and asked for his general thoughts on the bill. He called it, “a great bill all-around,” and said he “could see a lot of honorable veterans being exposed to better healthcare opportunities, and there being much improved benefits for those who have so valiantly protected us from harm.” When asked about Senator Kerry’s proposition that the salary cap may deter qualified executives, Senator Ensign responded strongly and clearly; “$800,000 is no small number. I would love to be making that every year. I know a lot of people who would love to be making that. A lot of very qualified people do not make that. I understand the supply and demand side of it, that better goods require a higher price. But I think the number is high enough and I don’t think there will be a lack of talent when it comes to those who will take the job.”
After two long rounds of questioning and breaking for a short recess, during which Senators Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and John Kyl (R-AZ) sprinted from the room on a “cookie expedition,” the Finance Committee reconvened for a few minutes to announce the upcoming bills for the next session. Stay tuned for not-so-bipartisan Finance Committee action tomorrow.
EPW cuts $39.6 million spending in water improvement act
The Environmental and Public Works committee unanimously cut $39.6 million in appropriations for the Water Resources Improvement Act. The act will fund water research, reclamation, and conservation programs throughout the southwest.
Ranking Member Inhofe (left), Chairman Boxer, and Majority Leader Reid
Initially, the sections of the bill's appropriations were unaccounted for, leaving the government with money, but no fund to take it from. Republicans pointed out this error, causing Senator Lautenberg, who wrote the appropriations to remark, "I'm not very good at math."
Headed by Senator Harry Reid, Democrats asked for "wiggle room" with appropriations.
The Republicans, especially Senators Arlen Specter and Lamar Alexander, showed concern for the burden the bill may place on states. According to the bill, the government would mandate states pay unspecified amounts beyond the appropriations of the bill. The section was stricken until further discussion of appropriate state spending caps could be ascertained.
Senator Barbara Boxer showed heightened concern for the bill, citing California's drought conditions and water conservation issues. "Currently we're taking water from the Colorado River that doesn't belong to us," said Boxer.
California does have rights to a percentage of Colorado River water, but has been relying more on the source for southern California water since the shutdown of pumping in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in the northern part of the state.
A special focus was also given to regions with large minority or low income populations, marking grants to ensure clean potable water.
Ranking Member Inhofe (left), Chairman Boxer, and Majority Leader Reid
Initially, the sections of the bill's appropriations were unaccounted for, leaving the government with money, but no fund to take it from. Republicans pointed out this error, causing Senator Lautenberg, who wrote the appropriations to remark, "I'm not very good at math."Headed by Senator Harry Reid, Democrats asked for "wiggle room" with appropriations.
The Republicans, especially Senators Arlen Specter and Lamar Alexander, showed concern for the burden the bill may place on states. According to the bill, the government would mandate states pay unspecified amounts beyond the appropriations of the bill. The section was stricken until further discussion of appropriate state spending caps could be ascertained.
Senator Barbara Boxer showed heightened concern for the bill, citing California's drought conditions and water conservation issues. "Currently we're taking water from the Colorado River that doesn't belong to us," said Boxer.
California does have rights to a percentage of Colorado River water, but has been relying more on the source for southern California water since the shutdown of pumping in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in the northern part of the state.
A special focus was also given to regions with large minority or low income populations, marking grants to ensure clean potable water.
Analysis: Republican Response to the State of the Union
As a member of the minority party, Romney must promote the value of his ideas over the other party but dually recognize the strength in numbers of the Democrats. Brandishing a letter signed by every Republican senator pledging to stall all legislation require a super majority, Romney told Democrats that his party would not be steamrolled.
He goes on to say, “Deomcrats on the Finance Committee have been cooperative; Environment and Public Works Committee have not. So either the left hand doesn’t know what the far left hand is doing or there is a concerted effort to stymie opposition.” These dynamics will likely shape subsequent hearings.
Ironically Romney’s politics should make it harder to cooperative with a finance committee that supports government spending and non-privatized health care. Republicans and Democrats both seem to want to come together on environmental issues. Romney ranks energy independence as a top priority and supports the current proposal before the Environment and Public Works Committee. Despite Romney’s strong stance, he leaves room for bipartisanship.
Romney points to his 2003 health care plan, which includes government spending and involvement, even though he strongly supports limited government. He states, “Even though the final bill in
McConnell: "C'mon, Free Media!"
"C'mon, free media! You guys should be lunging for the door", Senator McConnell told his Republican colleagues after the SOTU when CBTV reporters Anna Martin and Helena Bottemiller were walking the halls of the Capitol.
Apparently, the Republican Minority leader wants to use the press this session to preach the minority party's message.
Republicans Reincarnate Mitt Romney
Senator Baucus (D-MT) announced at the beginning of the Finance Committee "preliminary meeting" that the committee would be hearing testimonies tonight.
Republican Minority Leader Senator McConnell remarked to Baucus, "we will be bringing in Mitt Romney, reincarnated". It turns out the republicans recycled Mitt Romney (CMC Senior Ben Judge) and will bring him into the session once again as a witness for the Finance Committee.
President Obama's State of the Union
President Obama recently finished delivering his State of the Union address, where he addressed the key issues facing the nation. While his delivery was relatively tacit and lacking enthusiasm, the substance of his speech appeared to have met with great approval.
Obama opened: "The state of our nation is shaken but not hopeless; our beliefs put in question but not lost; our leadership diminished but not forgotten."
A big portion of President Obama's speech stressed the "growing danger of climate change." He pledged to be the last of three presidents to "caution" us on "our addiction to oil." Obama unequivocally established the link between greenhouse gas emissions and global warming, addressing the many dangers posed. He urged Congress to write legislation that will "lay the groundwork for energy independence."
He vowed that Americans "will do what we do best: we will innovate." Obama promised to offer incentives across the board for those who purchase energy efficient products and live energy efficient lifestyles. "We need to help the future Bill Gates and Paul Allens of this world move their ideas out of the garage and into the marketplace." Members of Congress, Republican and Democrat, erupted in applause and a standing ovation when Obama vowed to create a system of tax credits such that "the greener the car, the greater your savings."
"I firmly say this to you my constituents: I see you, I hear you, and we will help you," exclaimed Obama to thunderous applause.
President Obama then addressed the economy, telling Congress that Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner "has worked tirelessly to bring forth a proposal to help avoid this scenario." He urged bipartisan regulation on "protecting and regulating these complicated derivatives and instruments." The president then addressed the growing costs of health care, asking Congress for legislation that would "cut costs and proliferate health care."
Obama's speech contained ample statements about the dire and frail condition of the American economy. But he remarked that "the worst of times have brought out the best in us." He ended by quoting Henry Ford: What is right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have a great capacity, intellect and resources to do something about them."
A Harsh Response by Romney to the Bipartisan Call
Romney stood up for his Republican Party, echoing calls that while democrats on the Finance Committee have been cooperative this session, the Environment and Publics Works Committee have been excluding republicans from the legislative process.
Among echoes of cheers from the right side of the aisle, Romney reported that Republicans have pledged to stall all legislation requiring a supermajority if republican voices are not heard.
This should make for an exciting week.
Mitt Romney Delivers Republican Response
Republicans tap Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney (CMC Senior Ben Judge) to give the republican response to the president's SOTU.
Romney preached conservatism in his speech citing, "Let's make sure that conservative principles, no matter what, are front and center".
To the excitement of his republican colleagues, Romney fiercely opposed abortion, universal healthcare, and many more of President Obama's ideals.
The Claremont Beat Gets a Nod from CMC Forum
The CMC Forum gave a nod to The Claremont Beat tonight. Check out the article here!
A Bipartisan Senate?
During President Obama's State of the Union, he harped on ideals of bipartisanship to restore faith in the country. However, he has received little support from the right side of the aisle during the speech. At mentions of bipartisan support and a clean energy solution, republicans remained seated.
Republicans did stand when the president introduced his two guests. One was a CEO of an automobile company and the other, "Emma", a woman struggling to find work to whom President Obama assured, "help is coming".
SOTU Underway
President Obama's State of the Union address is underway and the president has so far stressed clean energy cars and a strong foreign policy.
He praised his stimulus bill, saying "the economy is like a sick patient. you diagnose it, treat it properly and when it is ready to leave the hospital, you must give it instructions." The President receives a standing ovation from the democrats, while republicans sit sullenly on the right side of the aisle.
Sen. Schumer: Americans will be "thrilled" with who they voted for
The Claremont Beat spoke with Senator Chuck Schumer minutes before the session began. Schumer (D-NY) was very optimistic about the president's speech and noted that it would include measures on health care, which Schumer intends to work on. "Americans will be thrilled with who they voted for," exclaimed Schumer.
Geithner and Emmanuel "Excited" for SOTU
Secretary Geithner and Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel appeared excited before Obama's SOTU which will begin shortly.
"We're really excited about it. We worked on it and I think he has the agenda pretty well set", Geithner commented.
Emmanuel added, "I don't think its anything new. Just reiterating the obvious".
Reiterations to begin shortly.
Follow our live recap on Twitter!
Here is the link to our Twitter account, which we will be collectively posting on throughout the sessions.
http://twitter.com/ClaremontBeat
http://twitter.com/ClaremontBeat
Statement from Senator Conrad
The Claremont Beat caught up with Senator Conrad (D-ND) before the State of the Union address and he appeared optimistic. "I'm excited to hear what the president says," told Conrad. Asked about his expectations, Conrad remarked: "I think he'll do great."
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