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Subscribe to RSSThe Washington Post: “On Wednesday, following a bipartisan prayer service at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Boehner will recite the oath and take the gavel from Pelosi with the attendant pomp and no more - except, perhaps, a few tears. Then the 61-year-old Ohioan will deliver his maiden speech to the new House, which includes a huge cadre of freshmen lawmakers. Many are rambunctious Republicans who sailed into Washington with the tea party winds and are determined to use their majority to undo President Obama's legislative record.”
“In his speech, Boehner intends to survey the difficult choices facing the country and pledge to ‘listen to the American people’ and to reform the way the House has operated in the past under control of both parties, according to a GOP leadership aide.”
“The Republican agenda for the new Congress that convenes Wednesday may have a greater impact on the 2012 elections than on the lives of Americans in the next two years,” the AP writes of their plans to cut spending, roll back the Obama health care law and investigate administration officials.
"President Obama will be playing defense from the get-go when Congress convenes Wednesday, with the new GOP House majority planning to vote to repeal the health-care laws even before his State of the Union Address later this month," the New York Post says. "Obama also faces an onslaught of investigations by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which will be chaired by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.). He vowed to probe wasteful spending by the administration."
Speaking of Issa, Politico reports that he has released a list of the investigations he’s likely to launch. “Issa is aiming to launch investigations on everything from WikiLeaks to Fannie Mae to corruption in Afghanistan in the first few months of what promises to be a high profile chairmanship of the top oversight committee in Congress. According to an outline of the committee’s hearing topics obtained by POLITICO, the House Oversight and Government Reform is also planning to investigate how regulation impacts job creation, the role of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the foreclosure crisis; recalls at the Food and Drug Administration and the failure of the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission to agree on the causes of the market meltdown.”
"The GOP has to decide whether to try to forge a bipartisan deficit-cutting deal with the president or to take a stand on deep spending cuts and wait until a possible GOP president in 2013 to enact changes," The Hill writes.
Despite the prevalence of filibusters, "Sen. Harry Reid set a record during the 111th Congress by becoming the chamber’s most successful Majority Leader in history at killing attempted filibusters," Roll Call writes.
When she's sworn in again, "Sen. Barbara Mikulski this week will become the longest serving female senator in U.S. history."
Rep. Danny Davis will remain in Congress rather than run for mayor of Chicago, and he endorsed former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun.
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Boehner intends to increase sales for the tissue industry.
Americans care about creating jobs, not cutting spending
In its poll, Bloomberg asked respondents whether they supported or opposed specific proposals to reduce the deficit. Among the results:
Which of the following do you see as the most important issue facing the country right now? (Read list. Rotate.) Sorted.
50 Unemployment and jobs
25 The federal deficit and government spending
9 Health care
7 The war in Afghanistan
5 Immigration
1 Other (VOL) (specify:)
3 Not sure
The thing to notice here is that the only measures with widespread support were the ones that asked the wealthy to pay more -- and the Wall Street profits tax idea was off-the-charts.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/12/13/928589/-Americans-care-about-creating-jobs,-not-cutting-spending
I'm embarrassed to say that Mr. Issa comes from my State. Instead of trying to accomplish progress on improving our economy and creating jobs, he's off on a Witch Hunt. Will he waste the next six years trying to "get" President Obama and accomplish nothing of value for our Country. I'm afraid so. I apologize for this man as being a Representative of my State.
You should be apologizing for the rest of those clowns from your state. Issa didn't bankrupt the state did he???? You are directing your anger at the wrong person. Issa is going to do exactly what he was voted in to do. It may not be of your liking nor of your fellow Democrats but you didn't vote for him anyway. The people that voted for him knew what he would do and that is why they supported him.
As an opposing party they should go after Obama if Republicans are to regain the WH. I didn't hear you crying about all of the hell to which Bush was the recipient. You and your ilk trashed that man continously.
inthemiddle =
Your right, the clown from California who bankrupt the State was a Republican, Schwarzenegger.
(Smile)
tom - I think arnie is glad to not be governor, californias democratically legislature saw to that. Just hope california won't become our "greece"
Tom:
In case you didn't know it. The Governor does not control the money. It was your DEMOCRAP legislature that did it in........
Sit back down, put your sweater on and watch baseball.
more to come
Nice link bev, but I like my link better as it doesn't apply spin by implying "widespread support" for increasing taxes for the wealthy and that wall street profit taxes were off the chart..
First off my poll asks the questions of "If congress..." and "The US congress is considering..."
I have no doubt that we will all be paying higher taxes in the future (regardless of prez), if not by raising rates then by elimination of allowable deductions.
While not a corporate tax code expert I am pretty sure that Wall St corporations are still responsible for paying income tax and that those taxes paid are already based on their profits.
Quite a conundrum here. Sounds more like the question should have been posed more towards applying a "windfall profits" type tax on the bonuses paid out to the execs since bonuses would reduce the corporations tax liability. Regardless, I have no problem with the "windfall profits" tax idea or for the government insisting that no bonuses be paid out by the banks that received taxpayer bailout funds untill all loans and warrents were paid. I might even be agreeable to any "windfall profits" tax on bonuses paid (either cash or stock options) out over an extended period of time
My link also asks the following questions (among others)...
Which of the following best describes your attitude toward the federal budget deficit? (Read list.)
48 It is dangerously out of control and threatens our economic future
43 It is a burden that will require some sacrifice down the road
5 It will cause no lasting harm
4 not sure
In general, do you think things in the nation are headed in the right direction, or have they gotten off on the wrong track?
27 Right direction
66 Wrong track
7 Not sure
In establishing a ranking of concerns to be addressed both polls are correct in their rankings as reflected by Novembers elections.
BTW, My poll is the same as referenced in bevs link. All in all an interesting and informative poll so thank you bev, but let's stop the spin effect and let the actual poll do the talking. OK?
Let the  blubbering begin. I hope the Weeper of the House has enough tissues for his tears.
The people want to see the wars ended ... its just not in the budget ...if we don't see movement by march....they will all be voted out....its was just lip service !!! I hope the GOP was serious but when the leader gets up there and weeps ...the whole country is embarrassed ! He needs to man up ..or replace him ..
NotBuyingThis
Didn't President Obama declare the War in Afghanistan to be a War of Necessity?
If the fact that the Speaker is emotional is the biggest thing we have to worry about in the next couple of years, we will be in great shape.
Get over it.
If President Obama is smart, and of course he is, he will use the attacks of the House Republicans to clarify the issues for the American public. He needs to engage with them publically, debate with them until everyone is sick of it. I'd like to see him push back, make it clear what we are fighting for, the American people aren't stupid, they need to understand the issues.
What will that solve? Obama does not hold the purse strings. If he starts with the old "I inherited" etc...none of his pet projects will get funding. There is no debating to it....that is the facts.
Americans stupid?????? Most Americans could care less about politics. If something does not affect them PERSONALLY, they just continue on about their daily lives.
The President has the bully pupit. He needs to be out there explaining the issues, our options, the consequences of taking those options, etc. The American people are jaded because they are used to the partisan sniping and paid pundit harranging. If the President lays it all for them, most people will appreciate his effort to take pragmatic steps.
Amy
Certainly you are not suggesting that the President would appear before a Congressional committee, are you?
What is with this enfatuation with the "bully bulpit"? There are ministers all over America with pulpits but everyone in America is not living right.
He can talk all he wants but it still comes down to who controls the money. I could talk to my father until I was blue in the face but if he decided I didn't need something, I wasn't going to get it because HE controlled the money.
MOST AMERICANS ARE NOT INTERESTED in politics. It doesn't matter how much splainin' is going on. The ones that are interested have their minds made up already so who will he be explaining to?
Well, this is a surprise! You mean the republicant's are going to try to undo everything President Obama has done and waste his time with Issa's investigations of everything? I can't believe that!
No changes here, are there? All they want to do is cause Obama's failure, not fix anything. Buyers remorse anyone? Maybe not yet, but I predict the independants that voted for these jokers will see the error of their ways before the 2012 election!
Geralyn
Why is it wasting time when the Republicans hold hearings and investigations, but responsible governing when the Democrats do the same thing.
You have no idea what course the oversight hearings will take, yet you have drawn a final conclusion.
The fact the Republicans have a policy disagreement with ObamaCare ad the utilization of non-legislative regulation to circumvent the Congress when things like Cap and Trade could not be passed are reasonable.
The DEmocrats passed bills whenthey were in the majority and it was considered good governing and when the Republicans are about to do the same it is evils
I am confused
Where are the jobs Boner? McConnell? Issa? Seems you've forgotten something? You now own it Republican House, do something about it!
tgriff
You do remember that the President is a Democrat and the Senate is controlled by the Democrats right?
There is no co-ownership of governing in WA and both sides need to step up and solve the countries problems.
The agenda of the GOP/Tea Party/Conservatives is just a STALL. They will use their positions to continue their CAMPAIGN which they were doing for the last two years. Americans' priority is: J O B S! J O B S! J O B S!
The witch hunts need to called exactly what they are - STALL and campaigning! These folks will be working for themselves and their party AND NOT FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE!
Inthemiddle, do you think Obama has committed crimes that demand an investigation?
The agenda is as simple as it is complex, both for the Republicans and the Democrats, but most especially for the American people.
Jobs and the economy, the national debt and deficit, a balanced budget, spending cuts and tax code reform (both personal and corporate).
There will be a symbolic vote to repeal ObamaCare and then the Republicans will move on. There will be instances of programs and or departments being defunded in order to influence policy differences.
The key to our success is going to be compromise.
We need to look at all options in cutting spending, raising revenue and balancing the budget.
Tax codes need to be reformed - deductions, writes offs and loopholes need to be eliminated. Fair tax rates are set for all income levels and everyone pays federal income tax regardless of income level.
Social security and Medicare need to be reformed. Raising the SS eligibility age to 69 in 2075 is reasonable, means testing for high income people is reasonable, raising the level of income subject to SS tax is reasonable. Means testing for eligibility for the Medicare prescription drug benefit is reasonable, co-pays set by means testing is reasonable.
Drastic reduction to the size and scope of federal and state government and work forces are reasonable.
Drastic reductions in defense spending is reasonable.
The reduction, reform or elimination of social programs is reasonable. Work-fare versus welfare is reasonable, WPA type projects, utilizing a work force made of of the chronically unemployed, to help combat unemployment is reasonable.
The Democrats and Republicans need to work on these and other issues to get our budget balanced, the debt and deficit reduced and the economy back on a growth track.
Here is hoping everyone can get along.
I would have thought that as transparent as this administration has been, that we wouldn't need any investigations:)
Just once, I wish John Boehner would say who these "American People" are that he "claims" he and the
rest of the REPUBLIKLANs will be listening to. Unfortunately, I'm certain he'll be half-drunk, smelling of
cheap cologne/cigarettes and crying (in a drunken-stupor) much to much to remember even taking the
gavel from Nancy Pelosi...remember John, stay away from those elementary schools; an arrest could be
quite embarrassing (BURP)!
Midwestern
Your in-depth knowledge of Speaker Boehner's breath and body odor, makes one wonder if the two of you have been making out.
Still nothing from the GOP about the war being way over budget ....I hope we hear they are ending all war funding by March ..... if not the GOP is history ......America is watching !!! It appears the tea baggers were just that NOTHING not a word from them either !!!
I'm glad the Boner and the Repubs are spending all of their time on the most important issues that we are facing... No, not jobs...the most important thing for them is trying to take away our new healthcare benefits and launching unnecessary investigations... hmmm. Are you listening, independents? Are you sorry yet that you voted for these people? You have the chance to get it right again in 2012
OBAMA 2012
Um Mark, thats what they voted them in for. How about Obama? Why did he pass healthcare before 1) fixing the economy 2) Fixing the Border 3) Fixing Immigration
He may shed some tears but the American people are shedding more,,,,higher oil and gas prices, out of sight,,,,higher cost of food,,,use to pay x no of dollars for a 16 oz box, but now its packaged as a 12 oz for the same as a 16oz price....job nos are not accurate t figures as so many can no longer get unemployment....The jobs that are out there pay a lot less than they use to....Health care has not gone down it keeps going up,,,,take a look at what schools pay for teachers anywhere from 6 to ten thousand or more....why cant we get the same benefits government does.....Next time i get sick im coming to use there facility that we pay for.....The cost of most necessities have become priceless. yep it show the rich are getting richer and the politicians know where there source of war chest funds come from.......