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Subscribe to RSSHouse Speaker John Boehner, when asked about the way forward after Plan B went down to defeat, said, "God only knows."
Today, in the opening prayer at the start of the House session at noon ET, the House chaplain made a rare appeal to the heavens for compromise.
"May an imperfect compromise, when viewed from the perspective of our differences, not be undermined by a desire for political victory," House Chaplain Patrick Conroy implored.
Here's what he said in full:
"Let us pray. Eternal God, we give you thanks for giving us another day, a new year. The political struggles of the past year have revealed the divisions that exist in our nation. There are many American citizens who are angry, frustrated, and anxious for the future. This day is a day of history. Send your spirit upon the members of the people’s house. May an imperfect compromise when viewed from the perspective of our differences not be undermined by a desire for political victory. This is difficult for all. Give each member the grace and courage to forge a constructive solution for the greater good of the nation and all Americans. Help us to trust that no matter what, you will not abandon us. May all that is done this day be for your greater honor and glory. Amen."
After Plan B, Boehner pointed at the president and the Senate to get something done. "Now, it is up to the president to work with Senator Reid on legislation to avert the fiscal cliff," he said then in a statement.
Now, it is up to Boehner whether he puts the bill, which passed the Senate 89-8, on the floor for a vote.
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I can hear it now. "Some of us wanted to vote for it but our Heavenly Father told us not to".
Someone is going to need a chaplin if they try to ammend the bill and have to start all over on Thursday which is what is being talked about now. Unbelievably stupid and there is no GOD about it! Our government is about as disfunctional as I have ever seen it. The 47% that would never vote for Romney and the GOP is about to exponentially explode. By rejecting and amending the bill it means EVERYONE is going to pay higher taxes, it means no extension of unemployment benefits, let the stealing begin, lol... and let the kids starve they say. The entire GOP needs to be replaced with a bunch of Americans that care about others except the top 2% of the taxpayers. An amendment will hold the other 98% hostage and the GOP is holding a machete to their own throats, the question is will they cut their own throats with it and bleed out more voters. Can you tell I am fed up with our lack of leadership in the GOP? Makes me ashamed of the leadership in the GOP and you should be too.
I can't get a raise if I don't do my job why did congress get a raise. As public servants they should not get benefits that those they work for don't get.
#share
To keep it in perspective, it's only a 0.5% proposed increase after a two-year freeze. Also, it's not specifically for Congress, but for all federal employees. About two million of them. And it doesn't even come close to keeping up with cost of living increases.
Praise the lord and pass the grenades.
Hey, Party of Fear and Hate "You Lost"
I think they should at least sacrifice a goat. Just saying prayers won't do it.
Thier is no god. I don't even capitalize it's name anymore.
It is capricious to ask god to decide the future of America.
America is supposed to be governed by the people not faith!
America is supposed to be for the people not faith. If god decides
to be mysterious, the future for all Americans is nothing more
than whether the wind blows or not. America is not based on
religion. Therefor a god should not have any say in any public
policy. With an open mind, visit WWW.ffrf.org and, look up
Richard Dawkins.
LOL, kiss it goodbye then.
God can't help this bunch of racist bastards. The only thing that will save this country is to vote out every bible thumping republican out of office. (I know it won't happen but I guy can dream.)
Right there with you, Tim!!
Pigotry, You are truley an idiot!
All good intentions aside...they should have opted for an exorcism as greed and the devil are one in the same.
Biden in the senate and god in the house...next thing you know they're going to ask Obama to be a leader...talk about desperate...if god wants to help then ask him to take $20,000,000,000,000.00 from the Chinese and put it in the US Treasury...now that would be some help...
Wishful thinking is not a solution. We need the swivel-eyed loons in Congress to put there noses to the grindstone rather than having their hands folded in prayer.
If congress cuts medicare benefits to doctors, it won't hurt the doctors; the doctors will just stop accepting medicare (many already have) and the patients will have to pay the balance either in cash or in higher premiums for their secondary insurance--so the people lose again. And congress marches on kissing you know what of their wealthy donors.
When all else fails start praying to a Santa Claus like being. Of course he is a catholic priest so he really should be praying to his god for his church and the Boy Scouts of America to stop molesting little boys. If I were to pray for anything Mr Priest it would be to have us all join hands and jump of the so called cliff and really put the heat on these moronic politicians.
Let's follow in George Carlin's footsteps and pray to Joe Pesci. We have just as much or even a greater chance of getting results with Joe.
If this is a Bible/moral question. Running up massive debt and paying people to sit at home and collect food stamps is absolutely morally wrong. Romans 13:5-8 and many many other verse state, to be honorable in financial doings and NOT be lazy.
Then there's "do unto others," remember that one?
In theory, if the House GOP doesn't agree to the Senate deal, the tax on ALL Americans will go up, which the middle class cannot afford; when the middle class gets less money they will spend less and the economy will weaken.
Also, WHY did the Senate GOP eliminate the Democrat's spending cuts? I tell you why, the GOP wants to tie the spending cuts to the debt ceiling drama, coming up in 2 months, so that GOP can ruin our SS and MC etc.
GOP sucks; GOP caters to the 1% only
Decibella -
"GOP caters to the 1% only"
If the 99% want to be "catered to", then the 99% should offer more money to the politicians than the 1% are paying them...
I understand that the republicans must vote as the 1% pay them to do - RIP GOP
FINALLY! Someone who finally had the guts and the Courage to "ask" someone greater then ourselves for help!!! I commend the Chaplain 100%!
Courage to ask god? Ever since the Christian right has dominated politics, evil has abounded.
God didn't get involved in the Holocaust. I seriously doubt he'll get involved with the fiscal cliff.
These are the most moronic anti-Americans I have ever seen. In order to further their own theocratic agenda (and that of their corporate donors) they will hold this nation hostage. They make me puke!!!!!!!
People have been paying taxes for 100 years and the politicians have been bought since before the Revolutionary War even started...these politicians are no different than all the rest through history...a politician is just what it is...like a wolf is just like all other wolves...
please god, raise my taxes . . . .
Maybe he should appeal to Obama - he thinks he's a God!
Vote GOP out of the House!
Vote Dems out of the Senate and Presidency!
Obama and Democrats are the voice of the people
GOP is the voice of the super wealthy
GOP lost 2008
GOP lost 2012
GOP will lose 2016 - and Enlightened will not understand why!
Un-enlightened -
A Dem WON the Presidency!
Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false and the rulers as useful. SENECA
I've heard a lot about god from religious people but I haven't heard anything about religious people from god...
Raise taxes, cut spending. Cut spending, raise taxes. Raise taxes, cut spending. Cut spending, raise taxes. Elementary Watson.
los, NOT so SIMPLE. This is a question of shifting the tax burden a little bit toward the 1% - the super wealthy, who can afford it. AND the spending cuts should be hitting typical GOP pet projects, such as defense and corporate welfare, more than people friendly programs such as SS and MC, health, environment, education etc.
So some preacher who already knows that God ignores the desperate pleas of children suffering abuse and possibly facing death - thinks that HE is so important that GOD will listen to him? What a joke. How out of touch. This guy must be a Republican.
"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full." - Matthew 6:5