Monday, March 30, 2009
Finance Committee Jumps Right in with Hope Act
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.
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
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!"
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.
