WATER COOLER
The Water Cooler is written by Washington Times staffers.
Latest Blog Entries
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.
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."
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).
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.
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.
Will NYC teachers union consider assault of pregnant teacher murder of a baby?
New York's NBC affiliate is reporting that a four month pregnant teacher at Exploration Academy in the Bronx suffered a miscarriage as a result of attempting to break up a fight in her classroom.
DADT measure fails in the Senate
Senator Joe Lieberman, Connecticut independent, and Senator Susan Collins, Maine Republican, expressed their disappointment on Thursday night over a failed motion that would have moved the Defense Authorization Bill (containing the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell) forward towards a vote. Mr. Lieberman and Ms. Collins told reporters they were blind-sided by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, who brought the bill to the floor in the early evening for a vote. According to Senators Lieberman and Collins, Mr. Reid promised to call for a vote only after a procedural agreement was met with Ms. Collins.
Dems still split on Obama tax compromise
Democrats continue to disagree with one another over President Barack Obama's tax rate extension compromise with Republican members of Congress.
