Obama Surprised, Not Distressed

President Barack Obama just held a press conference regarding tonight's change in leadership. He says, "I am surprised but not distressed."

While Obama was declining questions from the press, he was meeting with Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY). Obama says that the meeting confirmed his confidence in Schumer's ability to advance the agenda of the democratic party.

Obama thanked Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) for his time and service but seems ready to work with Schumer in tomorrow's floor session.

The Name's Bond, Kit Bond

Senator Kit Bond arrived to session late today, still garbed in his workout clothes, stating that he was unaware of today’s markup and had come directly from his personal trainer appointment.

Senator Bond’s attire was demonstrative of his commitment to a new lifestyle, including a new diet and strong workout regime. Senator Bond observed, “In recent years, I have focused on eliminating carbohydrates from my diet, turning instead to fresh vegetable and lots of meat.” Further, Senator Bond has committed himself to an “exercise regiment with a personal trainer several years ago, and since then have committed to hitting the gym five days a week. The routine consists of gentle stretching, 30 minutes of low-impact aerobic activity (such as walking, swimming, or bicycling), and isolated resistance training.”

Senator Bond’s lifestyle is not only good for his health but also good for the environment. He remarks, “My workout is eco-friendly! I exercise outside when time and weather permits, and I always sport eco-friendly workout gear. As a member of the Environment Committee, I would like all Americans to know that socially and environmentally conscious workout clothing is widely available. As a general rule, it is a good idea to select clothing that is made from organic or recycled materials and that are great at wicking moisture.”

This new lifestyle comes on the heels of Senator Bond’s admission that he will not seek reelection in 2010. He explains, “In 1973, I became Missouri's youngest governor. I do not aspire to become Missouri's oldest senator...I'd like to retire while I'm still at the top of my game. I am at the top of my game, indeed – at seventy years old, I am the best shape I have been in decades.”

Executive Remains Silent on Schumer Appointment

Over an hour after Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) became Senate Majority Leader, President Barack Obama still declines to comment on the unprecedented event.

One might expect Obama to use his leadership to guide this change and/or preemptively comment but his silence may suggest some kind of dissonance between the executive and legislative branch.

Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) alluded to this change as a critical component in passing financial legislation in tomorrow’s hearings. Under current leadership Democrats have faced significant Republican backlash and yet another walk-out in today’s hearings. Schumer may help promote bipartisanship. Minority Leader McConnell (R-KY) says this move is “A refreshing change for Democratic leadership.”

Although Obama and his executive team remain silent on this specific topic they have promised to give the Claremont Beat profiles in the near future.

EPW Concessions Reached, Markup Continues

EPW committee members across party lines have reached an agreement on the Freedom Act and CEPA.

The committee recessed for over an hour and a half, until the necessity to compromise became unavoidable. After extensive discussions between ranking members and Democratic and Republican party leaders, the committee came to an agreement.

“On behalf of the Republicans, I would like to thank all the Democrats for working with us to pass this legislation,” said Senator James Inhofe.

Chairwoman Barbara Boxer thanked Republicans for coming back and expressed her hope that another walkout will not be necessary.

BREAKING NEWS: Majority Leader Schumer??!!

                                                      Majority Leader Schumer and Minority Leader McConnell

It's no April Fool's joke. In a surprise move by the Democratic Party, Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) called a quorum to replace Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) with Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) as Senate Majority Leader.  

Once informed of the decision, Senator Reid replied "Um..um...um...sometimes you have to take one fore the team."

Baucus added "we are thankful for Senator Reid's commitment to the party," and mentioned something to Senator Reid about needing to make the move in order to get financial legislation passed on the Senate floor tomorrow.

Senator Schumer seemed pleased with the decision and told The Claremont Beat he was "Very excited to work with Minority Leader Mcconnell" and that "Republicans have realized that the country has voted for change and I intend to push for an agenda in congruence with the president's agenda."

I caught up with Minority Leader McConnell (R-KY) after the switch and he commented, "Senator Schumer has consistently displayed a willingness to work with Republicans, he has demonstrated that he is a man of his word and he will honor agreements he makes with Republicans, which is a refreshing change for Democratic Leadership".

A unanimous consent agreement has been presented to the two professors monitoring the simulation, Professor Pitney of Claremont McKenna College (R-CMC) and Professor Ward of Pitzer College (Ⓐ -PZ), which would make Senator Bingaman (currently on Finance Committee) Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee and send Senator Boxer to be a member on the Finance Committee.

Professors Pitney and Ward could not think of a precedent in Simulation history for the event, and when asked of their opinions replied in unison, "You figure it out."

Since the publishing of this article, we have received word that the unanimous consent agreement was not approved by the two professors. Professor Jack Pitney explained, "the one thing we said was no switching committees".

Ashley Green contributed to this article.

EPW Walkout, Talks Between Leadership in Progress

The EPW committee continues its hostility between party lines as Democrats and Republicans argued over markup of the Freedom Act.

Republicans, again, walked out of committee, citing Democrats’ reversal on legislative compromises made Tuesday.

“The Democrats…attempted to blind-sight Republicans by breaking the bipartisan trust established last night and changed the bill,” said Senator Lamar Alexander of Tennessee.

The act, designed to research new energy alternatives, was significantly amended Tuesday, at which point Republicans and Democrats believed a compromise had been reached. Republicans agreed to strike legislation on drilling in ANWAR and new offshore oil drilling and exploration in the Freedom Act. In return, Democrats agreed to remove wording in the PRECEDE Act that would remove existing off-shore oil sites on the coast of California.

“The Democrat and Republican leadership last night came to an agreement that they would drop any legislation on off-shore oil drilling or ANWAR in exchange for the bill, as written, coming up for an up or down vote in committee without any amendments changed,” said Alexander.

“I understand that the Republicans are frustrated with the way their legislation is going,” said Chairwoman Barbara Boxer, “but I think that it is frankly disappointing that this is the way they continue to handle their frustration.”

According to Alexander, Republican confidence in the previous agreement was seriously jeopardized when Democratic senators raised issues with provisions in the act concerning nuclear energy.

Ranking Republican Senator, James Inhofe, pleaded with his Democratic committee members to refrain from striking in favor of bipartisanship.

“[It was a] simple misunderstanding regarding the concessions made last night,” said Senator Amy Klobuchar. “I want to reassure my Minnesotan constituents that everything is still going well in committee.”

Boxer is still hopeful that a resolution will be reached and legislation will be passed.

Informal Chat on SHOP Act Gets Heated

While Senate Finance Committee Democrats waited for the Republicans to return from recess (who were joining their colleagues who had just walked out of the EPW Committee), they engaged in small talk, making jokes about the Republican Party and telling anecdotes about times abroad.  After the walk-out was over, and the Republican party as a whole was meeting, Senator Grassley (R-IA) returned to propose an idea.

Grassley asserted that "a giant, unfunded mandate is inappropriate, given the economic times." He suggested that in lieu of SHOP, to consider conducting a study on the possible efficacy of the SHOP Act to be completed in two years, "when the economy returns to a more stable state."

The Democrats did not take to this kindly, criticizing Grassley for rejecting the SHOP Act and claiming it would hurt small businesses.  Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) stated that since the American people voted the Obama Administration into power in November, this bill is complete accordance with their calls for change.

It then turned ugly, when Senator Grassley stated that "the ultimate goal of the Obama Administration and the Democratic party is to have a national, single-payer healthcare program."  Senator Conrad retorted, "Your party’s whole defense is that if we follow the Democrats, down the road this is all going to lead to Bolshevism."

After erupting into a flurry of murmuring and side comments, Senator Rockefeller (D-WV) put them all to hush, stating "this needs to be heard in committee."

There were no more conversations on policy during the recess, which stretched to almost 45 minutes long.  Senators were heard complaining about "being here all night," as well as calling the opposition "whiney" and "need to get over themselves."  Perhaps Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) put it best when he said, "desperate times call for desperate measures.  At some point they just need to realize that we are the majority party now."

We'll see what happens when we see more of tonight's coverage.

EPW Republicans Walk Out AGAIN!

EPW Republicans just walked out of their committee, the second day in a row. Senator Alexander stood up, told Chairwoman Boxer his frustrations, and led his Republican colleagues out of the room. 

Democrats in the room were heard saying, "Again?", and "Can't we just vote without them?" while Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel rushed in to consult his democratic colleagues.

More to come from correspondents Bremner Morris and Danielle Peebles. 

Eskimo Testifies in EPW Committee

Last night, the Environment and Public Works Committee debated over Title VII of the Republican-sponsored FREEDOM Act, a section of the bill which would allow for highly-debated resource exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Senator Kit Bond of Missouri was a strong proponent of the section, saying that drilling in the region is "common sense" because "prices are high because there is not enough supply to meet demand".

The committee brought in Mr. Okpik of the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation to testify about any benefits of drilling in ANWR. The prominent member of the Inuit Nation in Alaska gave an emotional testimony, telling the committee, "we don't just refer to this territory as "Nunavut", meaning "our land" - we refer to it as "Nunatsiavut" meaning "our beautiful land". He continued to tell members of the EPW Committee reasons why his people to be allowed to drill in the land.

Finally, the provision was eliminated due to a democratic majority in the committee. The FREEDOM Act, which both sides claim will make the United States "a greener country", was ultimately reported out of the committee and will be voted on tomorrow night. 

400 Idaho Students Petition Senator Crapo on the National Debt

400 Idaho students are speaking out on the national debt in a big way this week — taking their message all the way to the U.S. Capitol. The students came to Washington to voice their concern with their Senator, Senator Crapo (R-ID). While only 4 of them actually came to Washington, Senator Crapo said that the students told him "they are expressing the sentiment of millions of high schoolers across America.

“These students brought me petitions with the signatures of more than 400 students in Idaho--and reflect many more than that,” Crapo said. “They have asked that we in Congress pay attention to our national debt and our inability here in Congress to achieve fiscal responsibility. These young people said what I and many others have been saying, only they said it best. Our inability to control our fiscal house here in Washington, DC, is jeopardizing their future.”

Crapo noted that some of the Democrats' pending bills in the Senate Environment and Public Works committee he sits on may prove to be costly and could further increase the skyrocketing deficit. ”They looked me in the eye and asked me to do everything that I can to help protect them from what they see as runaway spending,” Crapo added. “While Americans are tightening their belts, this budget grows the size of government for nine percent for non-defense programs in just the year 2010 alone. If you go back to the 2009 budget we just finalized and add the growth there, you will see a twenty percent increase.” Senator Crapo plans to bring the petition to the next committee meeting or to the senate floor on Thursday.

Caldwell, Idaho Mayor Garret Nancolas said the student advisory board has done extensive research about government spending. “They brought this issue to us and they are concerned about what is being asked of them, their children and their grandchildren,” he said. “They sent petitions out across the Valley and sought views from across the State of Idaho.”

“It was nice to know that Senator Crapo agreed with our feelings about the budget,” said Lainey Ritthaler of Caldwell, who attends Vallivue High School. “This gives you a real sense that our democracy works. We have a voice, coming here from Caldwell. Senator Crapo listened to us and he supported us.” The group also collected signatures from Idaho Falls and Twin Falls students.

EPW Republicans Pleased with Post Walkout Proceedings

Environment and Public Works Committee Ranking Member Inhofe, and Senators Voinovich and Alexander issued press releases last night regarding the dramatic walk out they performed during the committee’s hearing.

Voinovich and Inhofe issued shorter statements focused on the positive effects of the demonstration.

“The issues are too important to be reduced to partisan back-and-forth of yesteryear. I want my four children and eleven grandchildren to be able to look back to the 111th Congress, and say, "I'm glad that I have renewable energy and a good American job because of their hard work in Committee,” Voinovich included.

Inhofe praised Senator Specter's environmental legislation introduced in the committee, and responded to the President’s remarks on the walk out, saying it “was a clear demonstration by the minority that the voices of millions of American taxpayers ought to be heard” and “Republicans regret that such an action was necessary.” He concluded, “Republicans continue to look forward to working with the Democrats over the coming days to pass legislation best serving the interests of the American people.”

While these two press releases were relatively tame, Senator Alexander went into great detail explaining his reasoning for helping lead the walkout. He called the democratic leadership’s actions “tyrannical” and said they “attempted to stifle debate in Committee”. Alexander argued he was trying to discuss the democratic cap-and-trade bill, which he felt “was so poorly written that it was a disgrace to the United States Senate…and all Americans”. In one portion of the bill which required a number, Alexander points out that it read “$60, $200”. The senator defended his actions, pointing out “I will do whatever is necessary to make sure that the voices of my constituents and the minority voice in the Senate is heard.”

Senator Alexander concluded by reporting his opinion that the walkout had “very positive consequences”, including the Democratic leadership’s decision to strike every part of the bill and insert a new bipartisan compromise amendment sponsored by Republican Senator Specter.

CBTV Correction

CBTV Day 2 Coverage incorrectly stated that almost all of the members of the Finance Commmittee attended the GOP press conference yesterday. It should have noted that it was actually only a majority of the Republicans on the committee who were in attendance. Apologies for any confusion.

Claremont Beat TV Coverage--Day 2