Senate to Vote on Ending Spending Delays

[dusty64]

This is a BIG story that has gotten surprisingly little attention around here. Gotta love our spineless politicians, how bad will things have to get before they are ALL thrown out on their rears?


Thu Jan 22, 2:34 AM ET
By ALAN FRAM, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - Congress' belated approval of a $373 billion bill financing a vast swath of the government would give President Bush (news - web sites) a bushel of victories and Democrats a mixed bag, while turning the page to campaign-year fights over next year's budget.


The Republican-run Senate planned to vote anew Thursday on ending Democratic delays against the legislation, which would finance agriculture, veterans and most other domestic programs. The measure is for the federal fiscal year that began Oct. 1 — nearly four months ago.


Leaders of both parties said they believed supporters would garner the 60 votes needed to halt the slowdown tactics and pass the bill.


Many Democrats remained angry about overtime pay, food labeling and other controversies it addresses. But with Republicans adamant about not changing the measure, enough Democrats were expected to succumb to its tons of home-state projects and spending boosts for popular programs.


"There's too much riding" on the money in the bill to block it, Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., told reporters Wednesday. "We're certainly not going to shut down the government ... or deny important funding" for programs.


"We're optimistic, hopeful and optimistic," said Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the No. 2 Senate GOP leader.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=512&ncid=703&e=5&u=/ap/20040122/ap_on_go_co/congress_spending

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. They are talking about it today on NPR

emphasizing the fact that this bill will end overtime pay for white collar workers.

[hobbes159]

2. Heard it briefly on NPR this morning

Daschle said something to the effect that while the Democrats weren't happy with the bill, "they had made their point" and would allow it to pass.

EARTH TO DASCHLE -- if it's wrong, it's wrong, and no one is paying attention to your "point". GET A BACKBONE.

ARRRRRGGGG, this is what drives me insane!

And another thing, why the hell aren't Kerry, Edwards, and Lieberman screaming at the top of their lungs about this?

[dusty64]

4. Good question and

I'm waiting for the spin from their campaigns. One thing I'll give to the rightwing, when they are for or against something they are FOR OR AGAINST something and will fight tooth and nail for it. Is it any wonder we are losing everything and a majority of the People really couldn't give a crap who wins the next election. There simply is nothing really to get excited about, no inspiration and no representation.

[displacedtexan]

3. Okay, here's the problem for me in delaying the inevitable vote...

Yes, I'm angry about the overtime pay, the bloated pork for repuke districts, and all of the rest of the sleaze... but my spouse's salary for the next year (grants for juvenile justice program research and evaluation) are also in that bill.

The only thing that dems in congress can do to please us all is to regain control of the house and senate.

[dusty64]

5. If they would stand

up and explain what is wrong with this bill the People would follow. With that little thingy called "leadership" the extreme right would be forced to remove these nasty provisions and look VERY bad in the process.