Oh yeah, it's October.........I need to make a new thread!
They are having a "Tom Delay Tribute Dinner" on CSPAN-3. Is this signaling a problem?
You guys have GOTTA listen to the callers on CSPAN. These guys are hilarious. The Dems are amazing and ALL of the people calling in on the independent line are Dems as well.
I think the fireworks are here..
14 . DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2006--Continued -- (Senate - October 05, 2005)
Ms. LANDRIEU. If the Senator will yield for a question and comment, let me thank my colleague from Louisiana for his extraordinary leadership on this issue. He has been in meetings all week, literally for weeks, as I have, and on the phone with everybody you can talk to. Of course, the time he spent in the House in Louisiana has served him well because he knows how much our needs are. But I want to ask him a few questions because he and I are committed to stay tonight until we get some kind of resolution.The record contains a good summary of the "loan," that Mary Mary wants to turn into a gift. The funds are for operation of State services.Is it the intention of the Senator, the junior Senator from Louisiana, that these loans be in the same line as the current legislation, which gives discretion on the part of the administration to forgive them or not? Or is it the intention of the Senator for us to leave current law and absolutely make it certain, when no one else has been required to do so, that these loans would have to be repaid under all and every circumstance?
Mr. VITTER. Under the proposed legislation I am talking about, there is new language that would tighten up, if you will, the repayment possibilities of these specific loans. It would not change all of the Stafford Act, in terms of this loan program in general. That new language would simply apply to these specific loans.
That language is included in the proposed legislation for a very simple reason, and that reason is that, based on literally dozens of discussions with various folks, including in the House, it is very clear to me, in fact it is crystal clear to me, this will not pass tonight or tomorrow through the process without this language in the legislation. ...
Ms. LANDRIEU. I can appreciate that. If you don't mind me pursuing that line of questioning. I can most certainly appreciate what the junior Senator is saying about the reluctance of the House of Representatives and the administration at this point because I have yet to receive any letter or assurance, but it is right now the House of Representatives that basically would be willing to make loans to the devastated cities in the gulf coast, but would insist that those loans be paid back, when not insisting on that for other loans that have been given to Puerto Rico, and to Florida, and to Alaska, and to other places, which were waived. ...
Mr. VITTER. A couple points: I think this is a very useful exchange because I take it from the Senator's comments that the senior Senator is, in fact, one of the folks who has expressed an objection to this moving forward tonight.
Ms. LANDRIEU. I have not yet expressed an objection, but I am considering it on the grounds--I am not yet expressing objection, but I am considering it, respectfully, having complimented the junior Senator for the great work he has done, because I am hesitant to accept terms of aid that are applied only to us and to no one else, and not because the junior Senator objects or other Senators, but because the House of Representatives, which is in control of the Republican leadership, has decided that the only way that they will amend the law is to force us alone, uniquely, to have to agree to pay it back, when no one else in America, in the past or the future, will be required to do so. That is a hard thing for the senior Senator to agree to, but I am considering it, if maybe that is our only option. ...
Mr. VITTER. Reclaiming my time, I would wonder if the Senator objects to the fact that under this proposal we would also expand in terms of amount and number and capability the ability to get these loans? We are getting more of these loans than anyone in any other situation would have gotten before. I wonder if the Senator would object to that change?
Ms. LANDRIEU. Can I answer that?
Mr. VITTER. No.
Ms. LANDRIEU. Can I answer that?
Mr. VITTER. Again, reclaiming my time, I would simply ask directly if the Senator could either object or not object--let me know--and also help us identify any specific objections that may exist on the minority side.
But in closing, Mr. President, I would just say, again, it is very clear to me, having spent a week working on this, that we either do this today and tomorrow or we do nothing and go home for 10 days and give no relief to these communities and these parishes which so desperately need the help. I vote for doing something. I vote for leading. I vote for helping in a meaningful and concrete way the people of southeast Louisiana and urge all my colleagues to please join me in that effort.
I yield back my time. ...
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to dispense with the calling of the roll.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
Mr. STEVENS. I object.
Click here: 109th Congress - Senate - October 6, 2005
Navigate to: 11 . DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2006--Continued
Senate Monday, Oct 17, 2005
2:00 p.m.: Convene and begin a period of morning business.
3:00 p.m.: Begin consideration of H.R. 3058, the Transportation-Treasury Appropriations Bill.
CANCELLATION OF LIBERAL RADIO SHARE ON AN UNBALANCED ARMED FORCES NETWORK -- (House of Representatives - October 19, 2005)
[Page: H8925] GPO's PDF
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(Ms. WATSON asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)
Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, today our troops abroad have very few choices when they turn on their radios. If they are looking for political talk on the Armed Forces Network, all they get is the conservative spin machine from Rush Limbaugh. That was all supposed to change on Monday when liberal radio talk show host Ed Schultz's show was set to debut.
However, 15 minutes before our soldiers could finally hear a differing opinion, the Pentagon abruptly cancelled the show. Ed Schultz's producer received a call from a Pentagon official informing him that the show would not be debuting on AFN.
Why exactly is the Pentagon keeping our troops from hearing differing opinions? Could it be that the Pentagon is a little embarrassed by the staging of a Presidential teleconference last week? We see the same staffer that informed Schultz of his cancellation was the same woman seen coaching American troops last week in what was supposed to be an unscripted conversation with our troops in Iraq. Schultz was critical of that stage show.
President Bush says our troops are fighting to bring democracy to Iraq. It would be nice if our own troops could exercise some of that freedom.
9:30 a.m.: Convene and resume consideration of H.R. 3058, the Transportation-Treasury Appropriations Bill.
Previous Meeting:
The Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned at 6:55 p.m. Three record votes were taken.
77 . ABLE DANGER FAILURE -- (House of Representatives - October 19, 2005)
Senate - Friday, Oct 21, 2005
9:30 a.m.: Convene and proceed to consideration of H.R. 3010, the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill.
Previous Meeting:
Thursday, Oct 20, 2005
The Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned at 9:03 p.m. Five record votes were taken.
Monday, Oct 24, 2005
2:00 p.m.: Convene and resume consideration of H.R. 3010, the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill.
Previous Meeting:
Friday, Oct 21, 2005
The Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned at 12:47 p.m. No record votes were taken.
9:30 p.m.: Convene and begin a period of morning business. Thereafter, resume consideration of H.R. 3010, the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill.
Previous Meeting:
The Senate convened at 2:00 p.m. and adjourned at 7:07 p.m. Two record votes were taken.
9:30 a.m.: Convene and begin a period of morning business. Thereafter, resume consideration of H.R. 3010, the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill.
Previous Meeting:
The Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned at 6:53 p.m. Two record votes were taken.
9:30 a.m.: Convene and resume consideration of H.R. 3010, the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill.
10:00 a.m.: Proceed to a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on H.R. 3010.
Previous Meeting:
Wednesday, Oct 26, 2005
The Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned at 7:52 p.m. Six record votes were taken.
10:00 a.m.: Convene and begin a period of morning business.
Previous Meeting
The Senate convened at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned at 7:20 p.m. Seven record votes were taken.
2:00 p.m.: Convene and begin a period of morning business. Thereafter, proceed to consideration of S.1932, the Deficit Reduction Omnibus Reconciliation bill.
Previous Meeting
Friday, Oct 28, 2005
The Senate convened at 10:00 a.m. and adjourned at 12:54 p.m. No record votes were taken.