On Thursday, House Democrats chose Michigan Rep. Sander Levin as the new chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee. In doing so, they passed over the man next in line – California Rep. Pete Stark. So what cost Stark the chair? A career of boorish, belligerent behavior. Learn all about it here.
The News
President Obama says the time for debating health care is over and it’s time for Congress to approve his plan on an up or down vote, analysts explain why Obama’s talking points are proven wrong by the facts, Rep. Charlie Rangel steps down as Ways & Means chairman, Lieberman pushes repeal on ban of gays in the military.
Facts Trump Obama Rhetoric
As President Obama makes a final push for his version of health care reform, Galen Institute President Grace-Marie Turner says Obama has a problem with the facts. Turner says every independent study shows Americans will not be guaranteed their same health plan and doctor…and many will certainly lose their current coverage. She also says the president misstates the Republican objections and the push to start the reform effort all over.
The Politics of Charlie Rangel
Wednesday morning, House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Charlie Rangel announced he would be temporarily stepping down as leader of the panel. What changed since last week, when Nancy Pelosi and Rangel downplayed the allegations. We talk with Texas Rep. John Carter, who has led the GOP effort to strip Rangel of his role as chairman. Why did Carter take the lead in this effort? Was this a move based on principle or politics? And why does Carter worry that stories like this sully all members of Congress in the eyes of the public?
The Politics of Charlie Rangel
Wednesday morning, House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Charlie Rangel announced he would be temporarily stepping down as leader of the panel. What changed since last week, when Nancy Pelosi and Rangel downplayed the allegations. We talk with Texas Rep. John Carter, who has led the GOP effort to strip Rangel of his role as chairman. Why did Carter take the lead in this effort? Was this a move based on principle or politics? And why does Carter worry that stories like this sully all members of Congress in the eyes of the public?
Obama’s Land Grab
South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint discusses the revelation that Obama administration is planning to take another 10 million acres of western lands under federal control. Why does Demint believe this move will cost us jobs, hurt energy independence and result in lower revenues for the federal and state governments? And what reason did Senate Democrats give for opposing DeMint’s effort to block Obama’s agenda?
Postal Service Mired in Debt
U.S. Postmaster General John Potter says the USPS is taking on more and more debt and the only way to stop the bleeding is to slash spending – including the end of Saturday delivery. Why is the postal service suffering from so much debt? How is Congress adding to the problem? How could competition be the best thing for the survival of the U.S. mail? Why is change so slow in coming? What can we learn from other countries in erasing this debt? We ask Chris Edwards, director of Tax and Budget Policy Studies at the Cato Institute here in Washington.
The News
Kentucky Sen. Jim Bunning is continuing his demand that a $10 billion bill to aid the unemployed and construction workers be paid for and not add to the deficit, Hillary Clinton in Chile, Obama health plan due Wednesday, Obama pushes ‘green jobs’, gay marriage about to start in DC, Ford will not run for Senate in New York.
Guns and the Supreme Court
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court heard arguments in the case of McDonald v. Chicago, a challenge to the Windy City’s gun control laws. What key Constitutional issues are being argued? How is this case different than the ruling on the Washington, D.C., gun law in 2008? What clues did the justices give into how this case will be decided?
Obamacare Still A ‘Toxic Stew’
Iowa Rep. Steve King says he can’t imagine any Republicans supporting the new Obama health plan just because he might add a good idea or two. King says this is still the same bill the American people rejected under Bill Clinton and again in polls and in the Massachusetts senate race.