Congress Hopes to Pass $60 Billion War Measure Next

Washington, D.C. (May 12) – The Senate Appropriations Committee is readying a “War Funding Bill” attracting special interest groups and projects, unemployment extensions does not appear to be one of them. The bill, or supplemental bill requested to support efforts in both Afghanistan and Iraq at a modest $33 billion however; lawmakers have already attached an additional $27 billion.

Anxious lawmakers have already lined up to get their fair-share of projects in, prior to the Memorial Day break. An additional $5.1 billion will go the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to cover strained disaster relief funds adding, $2.8 billion to the Haitian Earthquake fund. Sources state that in addition, $4.5 billion for “other foreign aid accounts, which translates into more monies for Pakistan and Iraq.

The balance of the projected bill targeted at Veteran’s programs, and agriculture programs. With the devastating floods, and tornadoes that have caused major damage in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Oklahoma in recent days and weeks, it is highly unlikely that the GOP will obstruct to adding these monies to the increase the deficit without adding offsets labeling all as Emergency Measures.

On the House side of the Capital, House Speaker Pelosi would like the Senate to take up the bill first whereas, many liberal members of the House have stated they would more than likely vote against the bill, or bill that furthers assistance to either the Iraq or Afghanistan wars.

Speaker Pelosi fears these objections would hold the measure up, which Congress hopes to have passed before the Memorial Day break.

In other action in the Senate, yesterday the Senate voted on the Haitian Economic Lift Program (H.E.L.P.), which provides trade preferences to Haiti for textile and apparel exports in to the U.S. lifting tariffs and suspending certain import taxes until the year 2020. The measure, already introduced and passed in the House is scheduled to be signed into law.

Four amendments out of the 205 amendments regarding S.3217 the Finance Reform Bill, bringing the total to 10 amendments voted on since April 26, 2010. The Finance Reform Bill has consumed more time in the Senate during this 60-day emergency unemployment extension period than any other measure. The amendments are receiving typical party line support, 5 amendments passed with 5 rejected. This is important for it may set-up a final hung vote once the actual bill brought to a vote.

History will more than likely reflect this to be the most non-productive Senate in recent times. The rhetoric, the speeches are the same day after day. It would save the taxpayers monies if these issues were debated by replaying pre-recorded or previously videotaped debate, and have a call in yeah nay vote.

And once again, as necessary this bill is to the financial security of both consumers and the nation, far too many equally important issues are simply being left untouched.

Posted by rgrone on May 12, 2010. Filed under Moderate,News,US Politics,WorldNewsVine. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.