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Subscribe to RSSThe Senate Monday night voted to approve the $50 billion Sandy recovery bill, a week after it was expected. Sen. Mike Lee led an effort on the right to “offset” the funding. His amendment was defeated.
The Senate Tuesday is expected to confirm Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) to become the next secretary of state, replacing outgoing Secretary Hillary Clinton.
Once Kerry submits his letter of resignation, which is expected today, Massachusetts will set the date of the special election to be June 25, with a primary on April 30. Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick is expected to name a temporary placeholder Wednesday.
Chuck Hagel’s nomination path looks clear.
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Hi folks I'm first to post. They should have passed a bill for the Sandy victims sooner, many of those people are truly suffering this winter. We help people all over the world with aid of various types why was it so hard to decide to help our own.
Fisty and Pig will be proud. And trust me, that's all you get.
Good morning, Forrest, you early bird you. I saw on TV, some folks are sleeping in tents, which I can't imagine, considering the bitter cold we have been having. I'm glad those communities are getting some relief.
Forrest,
I believe they did at the end of the last Congress but when the House failed to pass it, it had to start all over again in the New Congress.
Still 36 Republican Senators voted against it … shameful
Truth is unlike foreign aid, the money spent here to help these people will also be a stimulus to the local economy, as people buy the materials and services to repair the damage, that money will roll right back into the local economy. I never heard all this nay-saying from republicans every time we repeatedly pump money into Louisiana, and New Orleans a coastal city which unsuccessfully tries to maintain itself against such events even though it is below sea level. I don't understand why it was so hard to help these folks, whether it is or not it sure appears purely political.
There is still people living in motels in the Wildwoods'. There are being asked to leave.
Forrest, I live here at the Jersey Shore and I can tell you that the politicians at the state level are putting so much red tape in front of people that are trying to rebuild that it makes me sick. They are trying to impose regulations that are impossible for people to afford. Senate president Stephen M Sweeney is trying to make legislation that would impose much higher taxes on the people who call this home. We are already facing new flood insurance guidelines that would raise our premiums to 9,450 per year. Big developers are trying to force us out.
The only thing I would agree with is that building codes and electrical codes need to be enforced, and contractors have to licensed and bonded to perform the work they are contracting to do. While this sometimes seems as a burden to the do it yourself handyman, they do protect the public from substandard work, maintain the safety of properties, and the value of properties. As to the other situations I don't know much about NJ state politics, but I am sure you will note who was helpful and who was not when they are next up for election.
Forrest, Your damn right I will remember next time they are up for re-election.
You go Girl, that is the beauty of your vote you can pat the deserving on the back with it and kick the undeserving in the ass with it. But building and electrical codes and contractor licensing and bonding are a good thing they protect the public, especially in a situation when everybody needs work done and these fly by nighters will be looking to take advantage of people, they always descend on a community when there is a great deal of storm damage and many people spend their money and never get what they paid for and have little recourse of recouping their loss if the contractor does not have bonding.
One of the drawbacks of democracy is that things need to be voted on and a majority must agree or it doesn't happen. Sometimes it takes a lot of time to agree. Also with the change in Congresses during this time and the Republicans, once again, playing obstructionists all contributed to the delay. I am glad it finally happened and the victims of Sandy can finally get relief. I don't live where hurricanes strike but we get natural disasters too, as everyone does, and would want to get aid rapidly if something should occur. My sympathies to the folks affected by Sandy.