National Blog - page: 56
This Week in Congress Update
Congressional leadership has pulled their spending plan because of objections from both the progressives and moderates. The moderates object to the higher spending levels without offsets while the progressives object that it increases [...]
Obamacare’s Unhappy Anniversary
Last month marked nine years since the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (popularly known as Obamacare) became law. Obamacare’s proponents promised that the law would reduce costs, expand access, and allow us to keep our doctors if we [...]
This Week in Congress Update: Republicans Go Nuclear, Democrats Bust the Budget
Yesterday, Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell invoked the nuclear option to limit debate on most presidential nominations from 30 hours to two hours. Going nuclear means Senator McConnell raised a point of order that a nomination should only [...]
This Week in Congress
The Senate continues work on HR 268, the disaster supplemental spending bill. The $13 billion bill has run into controversy over the funding levels for aid to Puerto Rico, with President Trump wanting less funding while some Democrats want to [...]
Sign Your "No Red Flags Deal" Petition!
“I really can’t see a reason we can’t pursue this . . . we can make a stew here that works!” That’s how Senator Lindsey Graham concluded his Senate hearing yesterday on the so-called “Red Flag” Gun Confiscation Bill (S. [...]
This Week in Congress
The House is in session Monday through Wednesday. This is a short week because the Democrats have their retreat this week. The retreat is usually earlier but was delayed because of the government shutdown. The most significant bill the House [...]
This Week in Congress Wrap-Up
Here is the roll-call vote on S.J.Res. 7, the resolution calling on the U.S. to end involvement in the Yemen Civil War. The vote was 247-176. Every Democrat plus 15 Republicans voted for the bill. Representative Justin Amash (MI-03) voted [...]
Death of the Filibuster?
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s use of the nuclear option to change Senate rules and limit debate time for most nominees could make it impossible for Senators to speak against nominees favored by their own party’s leadership and it [...]
Trump Tells the Truth: Sanctions Cause People to Suffer
This week President Trump admitted what the Washington policy establishment of both parties would rather be kept quiet. Asked why he intervened to block a new round of sanctions on North Korea, he told the media that he believes the people of [...]
James Bovard: Ron Paul Speaks Truth to Power
Libertarian giant James Bovard paid tribute to fellow libertarian giant Ron Paul in 2002 at an event that presented Dr. Paul with the 2002 Szasz Award for Outstanding Contributions to Civil Liberties. Dr. Paul was the only elected official to [...]