Free Republic

Congress will vote Friday on a $1.2 trillion, 1,000-plus page spending bill revealed Thursday just before 3:00 a.m. The bill will start in the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) will move the bill under “suspension of the rules.” Johnson repeatedly has used suspension of the rules — which requires two-thirds support but bypasses procedural opposition from conservatives — to advance legislation lacking broad Republican support. Suspension of the rules also enables Johnson to bypass a requirement that Congress receive at least 72 hours to review legislation before voting on it.

5/29/2007 - BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan (AFPN) -- An Airman fighting the war on terrorism from Bagram Air Base said "I do" to his bride May 26 over a video teleconference at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The VTC wedding connected Senior Airman Carlos Moreno of the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron with his new wife, Carolina, from Airman Moreno's home station of Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., with his parents and co-workers in attendance. On the Bagram AB side of the teleconference, Airman Moreno was joined by many of his friends and co-workers from his deployed location as witnesses...

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq -- Soldiers deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom 3 enjoy face time with family thanks to video teleconferencing. The VTC is providing not only Soldiers the opportunity to see and hear family, but their families the opportunity to participate in their lives while deployed. Sgt. Jeffrey J. Garner 3rd Signal Company, 3rd Infantry Division, re-enlisted during a VTC broadcast in order for his wife and son to watch. “I’ve used VTC before. It allowed me to see my son for the first time,” Garner said. “I am happy we have VTC available. It gives me a chance to...