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ROTC comeback on campuses post DADT repeal?
Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) have long been banned from a number of college campuses since the Vietnam War days, but in more recent times, many schools used the excuse that the now former military policy of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) was the primary reason for banning ROTC from their schools. However, times are changing and without a military draft or a DADT policy to complain about, universities are now being pressured to bring ROTC back to their campuses, and frankly, they should. Already, University leaders are weighing in.
Gov. Christie commutes sentence of legal gun owner
New Jersey Republican Governor Chris Christie commuted the sentence of a 27-year old gun owner who was sentenced to seven years in prison for possession of firearms.
TWT Water Cooler Blog 2010 in review
Here are a number of stories The Washington Times Water Cooler blog covered and sometimes broke throughout 2010. Writers and contributors to this blog are looking forward to another year in 2011 of great news stories, opinion journalism, and political thought.
DADT repealed; What next for those who attack military recruiters?
The U.S. Senate voted to pass the repeal of the Military policy known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) by a vote of 65 to 31 on Saturday afternoon. Republican senators who voted “yes” with the Democrats were: Scott Brown of Massachusetts, George Voinovich of Ohio, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mark Kirk of Illinois, John Ensign of Nevada, Richard Burr of North Carolina, and Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine.The final passage of the bill was far from a surprise and the legislation will land on President Barack Obama's desk as fast as the most previous legislation did.
DREAM Act fails in the Senate
A cloture vote to end debate on the DREAM Act failed in the Senate on Saturday by 55 to 41. The Dream Act is amnesty legislation that would allow children, brought to the United States by their illegal alien parents, to gain citizenship by attending two years of college or joining the military
DREAM Act vote scheduled this weekend
A cloture vote is planned for the DREAM Act at this afternoon. 60 votes are needed to go forward on a vote on the amnesty bill and Roy Beck, President of Numbers USA, a DC based anti-illegal immigration group, sees its final passage remaining shaky.
Cleaver: I did not propose $48 billion earmark
"Anybody up here who requests $48 billion should be impeached," Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, Missouri Democrat, told me when I asked him about reports that he proposed a $48 billion ear mark in the House spending bill. According to the House Appropriations Committee rules since the beginning of 2009, members of Congress are required to publicly post and explain all of their earmark requests.
$48 billion earmark stalks spending bill
Earmarking practices are far from gone on Capitol Hill despite the debate over the recent earmark ban proposal. The Wall Street Journal is reporting a particularly massive piece of pork that appears to be part of the omnibus package lawmakers are sparring about in Washington.
Sen. Reid threatens to keep Senate working through holidays (video)
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, warned Republicans on Wednesday that if the GOP plans to "run down the clock" to delay the Democrats' key pieces of legislation, Mr. Reid said he would be willing to have the Senate work through the holidays.
Sen. Levin to remove 'controversial' items in defense bill
Senator Carl Levin, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, told reporters on Capitol Hill that he is looking to remove 'controversial' measures in the defense authorization bill.
Rep. Towns declines committee leadership spot
Outgoing House Oversight Committee Chairman Edolphus Towns doesn't want to serve as the panel's top Democrat when Republicans take control of the House next month, said his office Tuesday. "After much thought, Chairman Towns today made the decision not to seek the ranking member position on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee," said a statement released by a spokesman of the New York Democrat.
Grayson on tax compromise: Obama assumes he can take Dem votes for granted (audio)
Outgoing Congressman Alan Grayson, Florida Democrat, is not at all happy with the tax rate extension bill compromise. On his way to a Democratic caucus meeting, he told me Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat, said the bill would not come to the floor "until its changed."
Romney straddles the tax cut deal
Bloggers, pundits and others in the political chattering class have referred to Mitt Romney's anti-tax deal op-ed in USA Today as evidence that the former Massachusetts governor is staking out a tea-party-friendly stand. On his own website, the presumed contender for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination recycles the USA Today column under the declarative headline, "Why Tax Cut is a Bad Deal." But a closer read of the article reveals Romney hedging his bets.
Sen. Casey may vote for defense bill despite military abortion language
Social conservatives are not done with their concern over the defense bill due to a measure, inserted by former Democratic Senator of Illinois Roland Burris, in the legislation that would allow for abortions to be performed on military bases by military personnel.
UCLA Professor: DREAM Act immigrants will 'replace old white men'
UCLA Professor Kent Wong stood before an audience at Los Angeles' Levitt Pavilion in MacCarthur Park on Monday and spoke to those supporting federal amnesty legislation known as the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act (the DREAM Act).
Jim Webb holds early poll lead over Allen
A new poll shows Virginia Sen. Jim Webb, Democrat, with a one-point lead over potential challenger and former GOP Sen. George Allen in a 2012 rematch of their 2006 Senate race. The Calrus Research Group poll shows Mr. Webb, a first-term senator, leading 41 percent to 40 percent, with the remain 18 percent of potential voters undecided.
Tax rate extensions moves forward in Senate
The tax rate compromise cleared a Senate hurdle today. The motion to move forward towards a vote on the tax legislation won out and passed the 60 vote threshold. The vote remains open, because some Senators are late to the Capitol due to harsh weather conditions in their respective states.
'No Labels' pushes nonpartisan approach
The kickoff for the nonpartisan, "No Labels" political movement Monday morning drew roughly 1,000 people — including marquee politicians from across the political spectrum — to Columbia University but lost some wattage when hip-hop star Akon missed the gig and couldn't perform his "No Labels Anthem."
VA judge: Obamacare mandate unconstitutional
In Virginia on Monday morning, U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson ruled the new federal healthcare reform law's mandate, requiring American citizens to have health insurance, to be unconstitutional
Governor Christie strikes at New Jersey's high court
New Jersey Republican Governor Chris Christie, known for his public battles with his state’s teachers union, is now taking on the liberal leadership in both New Jersey’s state senate and judiciary. Governor Christie decided not to reappoint New Jersey Supreme Court Justice John E. Wallace.
