Another reason to love Joe

[Eurobabe]

Senators Biden, Boxer, Menendez Force Bush Administration to Distance United States From Turkey's Genocide Denial Policy

"The Administration recognizes that the mass killings, ethnic cleansing, and forced deportations of over one and a half million Armenians were conducted by the Ottoman Empire."

-- Matthew A. Reynolds
Acting Assistant Secretary Legislative Affairs

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Approves Ambassador Nominee to Armenia After Last Minute State Department Clarification

WASHINGTON, DC -- In the midst of mounting Senate scrutiny and the prospect of a 'hold' on Marie Yovanovitch's nomination to serve as the next U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, the State Department, yesterday, cleared the way for her approval by retreating from statements calling into question the historical record of the Ottoman Empire's destruction of its Armenian population, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).


The Department of State letter sent in response to sustained pressure from Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Joe Biden (D-DE), and Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA), and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) was issued only hours before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee was set to vote on her nomination. The Committee confirmed the nomination by voice vote, with Senator Boxer going on record against the nomination, citing the Administration's reluctance to properly characterize the Armenian Genocide. The full Senate will likely consider her nomination prior to their August recess....

...During the Committee meeting, Chairman Biden, and Senators Boxer, Menendez, and Ben Cardin (D-MD) spoke forcefully about the necessity for proper U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide, stating that while the State Department's letter represented progress, the proper characterization of the Armenian Genocide remains a moral imperative and will bolster U.S. credibility in stopping 21st Century genocides. www.anca.org

[gateley]

1. You know, the SFRC has a stellar membership.

Of course Joe has set the tone, Lugar rocks, Boxer and Kerry kick ass, and recently I've been pretty damn impressed by Menendez (who I'd never heard of before). The few times I've seen Obama, it was like meh :shrug:

I think we've discussed before that the difference between this committee and the others we've watched is stark. You can feel the accellerated energy level in the SFRC hearings compared plodding, boring tone of the others
.
From the very few times I've viewed the other committees, it's almost as though in most of the others the members are still acting/talking like politicians. When you appear before the SFRC, you know they're going for the truth, and aren't worried about necessarily playing nice.

When you hear of an SFRC hearing you think (well I do) -- I'll learn what's going on here. When I hear of others I just feel it's more of the same impotent crap.

[Muttocracy]

2. I wonder how much control Biden has over membership - others who rock

would include Feingold, Dodd, and Hagel.

[gateley]

5. Good question - so many of them seem to be 'fighters'.

I'm sure he sets the tone, making it a 'safe' environment to get tough.

Just a few more minutes, and we'll see them in action.

Didn't even think of Dodd, Feingold and Hagel (and Webb!) See? There are just so many exceptional members, it's hard to remember them all!

[livvy]

8. He probably has quite a bit.

You have to "apply" for a committee, and interview too, if you're new to Congress. Party leadership decides who will be on which committee based on areas of expertise, constituents needs, and senority. Of course, political favors come into play as well. The size and makeup of each committee can change with each Congress, although people like Biden are seldom "moved" unless they've really screwed up. The makeup of each committee is submitted and voted on in each house.

I learned this from Wexler's book, and refreshed my memory from Wiki.

[Muttocracy]

3. have you posted this "out there somewhere"? you should... nt

[Eurobabe]

6. Well I hesistate because there is SO much animosity

between some of the pro-Turkish DUers and the Armenian ones. It turns into a slugfest. :eyes:

My kids are part Armenian from their father's side, so I am very supportive of the Armenian cause.

[Muttocracy]

7. oh, didn't know. nt

[Muttocracy]

4. shoot, I wonder if they archived that hearing and will post it later.

Hope they post it later - it was part of "business meeting" and I see they put her name LAST on the agenda!

http://foreign.senate.gov/hearings/2008/hrg080729p.html