Today in Politics: House to Take Up Tax Cuts while Senate debates Start Treaty
House to Take Up Tax Cuts while Senate debates Start Treaty
Lawmakers Discuss Constitutional Issues Raised by WikiLeaks
President details Afghanistan war review
C-SPAN
House to Take Up Tax Cuts while Senate debates Start Treaty
Today
Last night, the House Rules committee met to vote on a rule for debate on the Middle Class Tax Relief Act of 2010 (H.R. 4853) that they will take up today. It provides for three hours of general debate and one amendment to change the inheritance tax provisions in the bill. Read More »
Lawmakers Discuss Constitutional Issues Raised by WikiLeaks
Today
Officials in Washington, DC and abroad have widely condemned the publishing of secret documents by the WikiLeaks website. In its latest document dump in November, the site initiated the simultaneous publishing of State Department confidential cables with foreign embassies in the New York Times and four European newspapers.
President details Afghanistan war review
Today
The U.S. military to preparing to withdraw troops beginning next summer from Afghanistan. A new overview report on counterterrorism efforts in the region is being released. On Tuesday, President Obama attended a briefing with his top national security officials to discuss the findings of the review.
House votes to repeal military ban
Despite warnings from military leaders and from pro-family and conservative groups, the U.S. House voted Wednesday to repeal the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that for 17 years has banned homosexuals from serving openly in the military. It now goes to the Senate, where supporters of an identical bill claim they have the 60 votes needed to pass the measure.
‘Dangerous’ for feds to get involved in Muslim’s lawsuit
Liberty Counsel’s Mat Staver says it’s a “dangerous” precedent for the federal government to sue a suburban Chicago school district for denying a Muslim middle-school teacher unpaid leave to make a pilgrimage to Mecca.
Something worse than earmarks
A budget analyst is warning that even if Congress bans earmarks from legislation, that may not mean politicians’ pet projects have reached their end.
Belmont University’s convictions up for debate
Dr. Al Mohler is speaking out against a Christian college that has been in the spotlight since its women’s soccer coach resigned upon telling her players she is expecting a child with her same-sex partner.
Case of being ‘too religious’ returned to lower court
A couple fired from their jobs for being “too religious” will have their day in court.
Billboard project alerting Wisconsin
Pro-lifers in Wisconsin have erected billboards to bring attention to the statistics relating to the abortions of black babies.
Churches, pastors coached in new IRS regs
A financial group has scheduled seminars for next year to address the IRS changes affecting churches and pastors in the upcoming tax season.
Follow-up ad counters atheists’ campaign
Buses in a major Texas city that are displaying an atheistic message are being followed around town by vans offering a counter argument.
ACLJ standing up to ‘bully tactics’
A teacher who was fired by an Oregon community college after an Islamic group complained about a class he was scheduled to teach is trying to get his job back.
English-only rule goes too far, says attorney
A group of Filipino workers in California are suing their employer for forcing staff members to speak only in English while at work.
ADF supports German pro-life stance
The Alliance Defense Fund is being allowed to represent a German pro-life group in a court challenge to the German government over its denying an assisted suicide request.
Porn industry not preventing STDs
A California porn industry health clinic has shut down in response to an adult film performer who tested positive for HIV.
Tax plan will ‘stimulate the economy’
Despite the claims of other advocates, the chairman of the 60 Plus Association isn’t concerned that President Obama’s plan to cut payroll taxes for one year will harm Social Security.
Political analyst: Advantage to Palin in 2012
A conservative political scientist and historian believes Sarah Palin will have the advantage among the field of GOP presidential hopefuls when the Iowa caucuses begin a little more than a year from now — but adds that doesn’t guarantee she’ll win the nomination.
Centrists’ group a tea party wanna-be?
Conservative commentator Gary Bauer says a new anti-tea party organization, launched to attract people from various political backgrounds, isn’t a serious threat to the movement’s momentum.
Reclaiming the rainbow
An activist fighting for traditional marriage in California is urging Christians to reclaim the rainbow from homosexual-rights activists who have hailed the symbol as their icon of “gay” pride.
Media ignoring tax increases in ‘tax cut’ bill
A media watchdog group has learned through a recent survey that the mainstream media’s coverage of the current debate over tax cuts is lopsided.
Austrian lawmaker won’t cater to Muslim immigrants
An author and terrorism expert is praising an Austrian lawmaker for publicly lambasting a Turkish ambassador’s request for his country to accommodate the demands of Muslim immigrants.
Dems facing problems with ObamaCare
An expert on health policy says President Obama’s latest push to avoid a steep cut in Medicare is a temporary fix that illustrates another problem exists elsewhere.
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Obama vows to listen to Indians
“I want to hear more from you,” the president tells Native American tribes at a White House conference.
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The Arena
No chance for Palin in 2012?
John Anzalone: “She is now an entertainer posing as a politician. The joke is on the press.” Join in.
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W.H. wondering
A glance at some of the crazier Twitter questions posed to Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.
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W.H. report says Afghan gains ‘fragile’
By GORDON LUBOLD | 12/16/10 9:06 AM
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Obama vulnerable in 2012
By ROGER SIMON | 12/16/10 8:06 AMSimon says the president is at risk on his left after failing to deliver to his liberal base.
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Poll: Obama leads in ’12 matchups
By JENNIFER EPSTEIN | 12/16/10 9:20 AMThe president faces an unsure but still supportive electorate heading into the next campaign.
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New day in court for health reform
By JENNIFER HABERKORN | 12/16/10 9:22 AMThe law confronts its most high-profile challenge.
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Conspiracy case won’t end Wiki-woes
By JOSH GERSTEIN | 12/16/10 8:00 AMForgoing espionage charges won’t squash “awkward questions” about the press’s role.
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The end of King’s reign
By AMIE PARNES & KARIN TANABE | 12/16/10 5:11 AM
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Younger Dems jockey for power
By JONATHAN ALLEN | 12/16/10 9:51 AMThe party’s up-and-coming stars are getting knocked off A-list committees.
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The forgotten freshmen
By MARIN COGAN | 12/16/10 7:29 AMThe tiny class of incoming Democrats has been overlooked and overshadowed.
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DeMint backs down on START
By SHIRA TOEPLITZ & MANU RAJU | 12/16/10 6:36 AMWednesday’s procedural vote suggests the treaty is now within striking distance of ratification.
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Coleman won’t run for RNC chair
By JENNIFER EPSTEIN | 12/16/10 7:05 AMThe ex-Minnesota senator is out of the race.
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VIDEO: POLITICO Playback
By POLITICO STAFF | 12/16/10 9:48 AM -
Reid warns of a working weekend
By SHIRA TOEPLITZ | 12/16/10 6:24 AMThe majority leader says, “There is work to do.”
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Broadcasters give Congress static
By JENNIFER MARTINEZ | 12/16/10 7:01 AMHill staffers say their bosses are tired of negotiating with the intransigent trade association.
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Justice Dept. sues BP over leak
By MATT NEGRIN | 12/16/10 7:07 AMHolder: We’ll hold them “fully accountable.”
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The dangers of the Medicaid illusion
By REP. BILL CASSIDY | 12/16/10 5:51 AMOpinion: For many Americans, Medicaid is the appearance of coverage — without real access.
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FEC: Please hold on text donations
By KIM HART | 12/16/10 6:23 AM
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‘Bachmann’s paranoia’ about 2012
By DAVID CATANESE | 12/16/10 5:06 AMShe reaches out to contributors as her 2010 rival raises the prospect of a rematch in two years.
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Rogers eyes staff cuts for Approps
By SIMMI AUJLA | 12/16/10 8:21 AMHe’s considering eliminating the aides who do work in senior members’ personal offices.
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Cassidy CEO leaves lobbying firm
By CHRIS FRATES | 12/16/10 9:53 AMFormer Illinois Rep. Marty Russo will step down from his current post at the end of the year.
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Poll: 63% favor military tribunals
By JOSH GERSTEIN | 12/15/10 4:29 PMJust 23 percent of Americans think terror suspects should be tried in civilian courts.
Sarah Palin goes ‘lamestream’
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Tax-cut plan clears Senate easily
By CARRIE BUDOFF BROWN & JAKE SHERMAN | 12/16/10 8:54 AMA final vote on the $858B bill is expected Thursday.
Separated at Birth: Harry Reid and Hugo Chavez
by Harry and Hugo are each attempting to ram bills through their respective countries’ legislatures, before newly elected representatives arrive next year, that are expressly contrary to the wills of their peoples and squarely in the fascist tradition.
The White Swan
by The financial crisis of 2008 was a “white swan” — an event that honked loudly as it swam forward in the stream of time. The next crisis is honking almost as loud.
Manning Not a Hero in Berkeley—Yet: Council Tables Wikileaks Resolution
by Zombie
Another absurd moment of Berkeley political theater fades into irrelevance. Plus the tiny ghost of Robert Reich!
Terrorists: Just the Tip of the Jihadi Iceberg
by Al Qaeda’s subversive base is full of noncombatants.
by On the Court, Leftist Justice vs. the Rule of Law
by Breyer’s “living Constitution” is a dead letter.
Santorum Readies Himself for 2012
by Jazz Shaw
Santorum seems to be running a 20th century presidential campaign strategy in a 21st century fight.
Henry Kissinger’s Vile and Inexcusable Remarks to Nixon
by Ron Radosh
Kissinger to Soviet Jewry: Drop Dead.
Breaking: Federal Judge Rules ObamaCare Unconstitutional (Updated: Gibbs Video Added)
by Severability. UPDATE: WH changes language on ObamaCare, now describes the individual mandate as the “individual responsibility” portion of the law.
ObamaCare Individual Mandate Struck Down
by A signal victory for constitutional government.
Social Security, Broken Promises and Dreams from the Biggest Rip-Off Ever Foisted on America by Liberals
by The big lie.
WikiLeaks: Secret Cables Show Growing U.S. Concern Over China
by A competition of influence very reminiscent of Cold War intrigue with the Soviet Union.
Meet Israel’s Version of Bob Woodward
by Like Woodward, Ronen Bergman is important in understanding the thinking of the political class. But like Woodward, he’s not always reliable when it comes to reportage and analysis.
The Unmaking of the President
by Ed Driscoll
With Bill Clinton’s return to center stage, we can now place the 2008 campaign and the first year of the Obama presidency into a certain amount of perspective.
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House Dems resigned to tax bill
By CARRIE BUDOFF BROWN & JAKE SHERMAN | 12/16/10 6:51 AM
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‘Don’t ask’ passes handily in House
By SCOTT WONG | 12/16/10 6:30 AMLawmakers vote 250-175 in favor of a stand-alone bill to repeal the ban on gays in the military.
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Gates backs omnibus spending bill
By DAVID ROGERS | 12/16/10 9:12 AMHe skips over the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter dispute.
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Biden: ‘I understand Christmas’
By JENNIFER EPSTEIN | 12/16/10 9:21 AMNo excuse for not ratifying START, he says.
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Playbook: 2012 debate watch
By MIKE ALLEN | 12/16/10 8:43 AMMedia outlets begin making announcements.
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Leaders pile up $2 billion in earmarks
By MANU RAJU | 12/16/10 9:50 AM
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On tax bill: Read the fine print
By ARNE DUNCAN | 12/16/10 9:56 AMOpinion: The tax package contains credits critical to strengthening our faltering education system.
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House ethics staff director quitting
By JOHN BRESNAHAN | 12/16/10 6:29 AMSource: Blake Chisam says he will stay until the House adjourns for the 112th Congress.
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Wasserman Schultz’s rise stalls out
By RICHARD E. COHEN | 12/16/10 9:13 AMWhat many insiders had viewed as her clear path to Democratic leadership has become less certain.
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3 Dems vying for Armed Services
By JEN DIMASCIO | 12/16/10 4:42 AMThe race to be the committee’s ranking member, which has been on for weeks, is drawing to close.
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Defeated Dems: Game for rematch?
By ALEX ISENSTADT | 12/16/10 5:45 AM
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Obama to CEOs: Let’s talk
By ABBY PHILLIP & JOHN MAGGS | 12/16/10 9:10 AMThe president’s meeting with executives produces plenty of encouraging words.
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Obama to blink first on Social Security
By ROBERT KUTTNER | 12/16/10 9:24 AMOpinion: For a Democratic president, cutting the program is bad economics and worse politics.
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Ethics panel keeps vote probe open
By JONATHAN ALLEN | 12/16/10 8:53 AMThey’re eying whether Crowley, Campbell and Price tied their financial reform votes to donations.
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Enforcement and the health care law
By DANIEL SPECKHARD | 12/16/10 5:39 AMOpinion: Legislators should lead by example and make sure not to condone defiance of the law.
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Elmo visits the White House
By AMIE PARNES | 12/16/10 8:03 AM -
Resetting the ‘Obamacare’ baseline
By DOUGLAS HOLTZ-EAKIN & JAMES C. CAPRETTA | 12/16/10 9:24 AMOpinion: Supporters of the new health care law are wrong when they say it will reduce the deficit.
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2 CEOs push Obama on net neutrality
The business leaders tell the president to support the “Open Internet” agreement pending at the FCC.
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Obama’s dangerous push on START
By TRENT FRANKS | 12/16/10 9:54 AMOpinion: The president’s rush to ratify could compromise America’s right to missile defense.
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Tea party leader slams Boehner
By SIMMI AUJLA | 12/16/10 6:27 AMTea Party Patriots co-founder says Michele Bachmann has the background for Ways and Means.
Israel: ‘The Only Member of the U.N. Condemned to Death’
by Michael interviews Italian journalist Giulio Meotti, the author of the gut-wrenching book, A New Shoah: The Untold Story of Israel’s Victims of Terrorism.
Want to Protect Voting Rights? Screen Restrepo
by Department of Justice bureaucrats can learn from Sebastian Junger’s prizewinning war documentary.
Where Islamism Starts, Interfaith Dialogue Stops
by All believers must confront the truth about Muslim extremism.
Let’s Get Rid of Freedom and Replace It with ‘FreeSmart’
by Americans are trained from birth to say we love freedom, but is freedom really what we’re all about?
PJM Political: Who’s Inside Your Wallet?
by Ed Driscoll
Jim Meigs of Popular Mechanics on the dangers of the Web; Andy McCarthy on Wikileaks; Roger and Lionel on the Oscars; plus Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-MN, pictured) all stop by this week’s show. Hosted by the Vodkapundit, Stephen Green.
Who Decides the Legality of ObamaCare?
by The Holder/Sebelius assertion that “government is here to help you—and you may not hinder it from doing so” simply cannot go unchallenged.
From NPR to No Labels: ‘Opinions are What Other People Have’
by Ed Driscoll
A center-left group that’s featured the three Davids (Frum, Brooks and Gergen) attempt to rebrand political correctness under a different name — or is it no name at all?
The Zombie Congress Stumbles Along (Updated)
by The Walking Dead Dems feast on America’s taxpayers. PLUS: Fail to the Chief: The Movie.
Paradise Lost: The Bitter Pill of Global Feminism
by Pushing an agenda that includes the avowed destruction of marriage and the family.
The Thin Blue Line Vs. Deepening Red Ink in L.A.
by Jack Dunphy
For ten years, the momentum in the fight against crime has been on the LAPD’s side, but the city’s bleak financial picture may change that. You won’t want to live or visit here if it does.
George Washington, Still #1
by Elise Cooper
Biographers Ron Chernow and John Yoo show his greatness still undiminished and unmatched.
Supporting Those Who Pay Freedom’s Price
by American Veterans Center is a win for freedom and supporting those who pay its price. They rely on your support, especially during the holidays.
