THE LAMEST DUCK EVER! OBAMA IS SO PROUD!

Dec 23, 2010


The Lamest Duck

President Obama at a White House press conference on Dec 22, 2010 was jubilant that the so-called "lame-duck" Congress delivered victories for him on a number of initiatives. "Obama said Congress had its 'most productive post-election period' in decades." "And it comes on the heels of the most productive two years that we've had in generations." (Bloomberg News) Recall that when Republicans were the "lame duck" Congress they passed zero legislation.

President Obama's only one regret is that the DREAM Act did not pass, but he has vowed to continue again with the next Congress. A true picture of "accomplishments" includes a 2011 annual budget that was not passed but temporary extensions were granted to keep the government running, a 2010 unemployment rate of 9.8%, and a deficit of $1.3 trillion.

Most Recent Congressional Actions

Senate--New START Treaty.

On Dec 22 the Senate ratified the new START treaty, a nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia. The vote was 71 to 26 and 3 did not vote. Senator Burr voted against it and Senator Hagan voted for the treaty. Eleven Republicans broke rank and voted with the Democrats and they are: Senators Alexander (TN), Brown (MA), Cochran (MS), Collins (ME), Corker (TN), Gregg (NH), Isakson (GA), Johanns (NE), Lugar (IN), Murkowski (Alaska), and Snowe (ME).

A key problem with the treaty is that it allows Russian coordination over U.S. plans for a global missile defense system. Interestingly, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov recently warned the U.S. Senate that the New START treaty "cannot be reopened, becoming the subject of new negotiations," according to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010

The legislation passed on Dec 18, which allows gays and lesbians in the military services to openly flaunt their sexual preferences. The vote was 65 to 31 with 4 not voting. All Democrats voted for the repeal, except Senator Manchin (D-WV) who did not vote. Both Senator Burr and Senator Hagan voted for the repeal.

Eight Republican Senators voted with the Democrats including Senators Burr, Kirk (IL), Ensign (NV), Brown (MA), Voinovich (OH), Murkowski (Alaska), Collins and Snowe (ME).

Senator Burr's vote was a surprise since he did not indicate his support for the repeal previously, and initially agreed with Republicans in a procedural vote in bringing the measure to the floor. However, when the final vote was taken he voted for repeal. Politico reported that Senator Burr said, "It's just that we've had a generational change and I have vehemently objected to making a policy change of this magnitude at this time. When cloture was passed, that settled that," "It's not accepted practice anywhere in our society, and it only makes sense. But again, I was vehemently opposed to the timing of this."

[In checking Senator Burr's website several times, no comment is posted concerning his vote, as of Dec 23, 2010. His office is closed for Christmas, but they will be contacted for a comment upon reopening.]

According to Politico, Senator Collins said, "I didn't expect eight. I was delighted but surprised with the vote from Sen. Burr. I think that was a gutsy vote and I was delighted. But he was not someone who I thought to lobby on the issue." [A lot of people were surprised.]

Gay-rights leaders and White House officials were on hand to congratulate themselves for legislation which just a week ago was thought to be dead. Repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell is "historic," according to Obama and reported by Politico. Joe Solmonese, president of the gay-rights group Human Rights Campaign said, "Today, we pulled out a victory from what was almost certain defeat just a few days ago."

Pat Buchanan believes this is a "political payoff" to the "homosexual rights lobby," at the "expense of our military." Among the military most opposed to the repeal are combat veterans who "warn that this will create grave problems of unit cohesion and morale." Buchanan also stated, "Marines have been sacrificed by the Democratic Party and Barack Obama to the homosexual lobby, with the collusion of no fewer than eight Republican senators."

Continuing Appropriations Act 2011

On Dec 21, the Senate passed a fiscal year (FY) 2011 funding bill to keep the government running through March 4, 2011. Senator Burr voted against it and Senator Hagan voted for it. The funding continues at the FY 2010 levels since the Congress has not passed a 2011 budget. The 2010 budget deficit is about $1.3 trillion, but the accumulated debt is nearly $13.9 trillion while the debt ceiling is at $14.3 trillion, according to the Wall Street Journal.

9/11 Healthcare Bill

The Senate unanimously approved the bill on Dec 22 for first responders who became ill as a result of 9/11. The $4.3 billion bill funds healthcare for the first responders at $1.8 billion and allows $2.5 billion to "re-open the Victim's Compensation fund," according to Senator Gillibrand's (D-NY) office. [Note: Exact cost figures are slightly different in other publications, but approximate these.]

House of Representatives

Food and Drug Administration Food Safety Modernization Act

On Dec 22, the House agreed with the Senate amendments and passed legislation in a vote of 215 to 144 with 74 not voting.

NC Representatives voting for the act: G.K. Butterfield (D-1st), Bob Etheridge (D-2nd), David E. Price (D-4th), Mike McIntyre (D-7th), Larry Kissell (D-8th), Heath Shuler (D-11th), Melvin L. Watt (D-12th), and Brad Miller (D-13th).

NC Representatives voting against it: Virginia Foxx (R-5th), Sue Myrick (R-9th), and Patrick T. McHenry (R-10th).  Walter B. Jones, Jr. (R-3rd), and Howard Coble (R-6th) did not vote.

9/11 Health and Compensation Act

The House passed legislation to fund the healthcare of 9/11 responders on Dec 22, and the vote tally was 206 to 60 with 168 not voting.

NC Representatives voting for the act: G.K. Butterfield (D-1st), Bob Etheridge (D-2nd), David E. Price (D-4th), Larry Kissell (D-8th), Melvin L. Watt (D-12th), and Brad Miller (D-13th).

NC Representatives voting against it: Virginia Foxx (R-5th), Sue Myrick (R-9th), and Patrick T. McHenry (R-10th).  Walter B. Jones, Jr. (R-3rd), Howard Coble (R-6th), Mike McIntyre (D-7th), Patrick T. McHenry (R-10th), and Heath Shuler (D-11th) did not vote.

Continuing Appropriation Bill 2011

On Dec 21, the House agreed with the Senate on a $250 billion bill to keep the government running through March 4, 2011. The vote was 193 to 165 with 75 not voting.

NC Representatives voting for the bill: G.K. Butterfield (D-1st), Bob Etheridge (D-2nd), David E. Price (D-4th), Larry Kissell (D-8th), Melvin L. Watt (D-12th), Heath Shuler (D-11th), and Brad Miller (D-13th).

NC Representatives voting against it: Virginia Foxx (R-5th), Mike McIntyre (D-7th), Sue Myrick (R-9th), and Patrick T. McHenry (R-10th).  Walter B. Jones, Jr. (R-3rd) and Howard Coble (R-6th) did not vote