Stimulus bills head to conference

[BeachSiO2]

Since it appears to be moving along, I wanted to start a new thread. With both House and Senate bills totaling over $800 billion the next step is underway- conferencing. I thought some might be interested in who will be the teams for the conferencing process. It should be interesting to watch due to some major discrepancies in the two like-priced but different priority bills. The one question for me is whether the House will fight (negotiate) for something that loses the three Senate Republican votes it took to pass it. Or, if they can hold the shaky alliance together. Here are you're sausage making teams:

On the Senate Side, you have (3 D, 2 R): Sens. Inouye (D-HI), Baucus (D-MT), Reid (D-NV), Cochran (R-MS), and Grassley (R-IA).

On the House side, you have (3 D, 2 R): Reps. Obey (D-WI), Rangel (D-NY), Waxman (D-CA), Lewis (R-CA), and Camp (R-MI).

These negotiating teams are some of the highest ranking members on the major committees either majority or minority. One item I find note is that the ranking members (party leaders) are typically referred to as Cardinals. There goes that seperation of Church and State thing...;-)

Anybody want to handicap this negotiation? Will it meet Arlen Spector's (R-Senator who supports the bill) requirements...

"My support for the Conference Report on the stimulus package will require that the Senate compromise bill come back virtually intact including, but not limited to, overall spending, the current ratio of tax cuts to spending, and the $110 billion in cuts."

 

[Santiago]

Since it appears to be moving along, I wanted to start a new thread. With both House and Senate bills totaling over $800 billion the next step is underway- conferencing. I thought some might be interested in who will be the teams for the conferencing process. It should be interesting to watch due to some major discrepancies in the two like-priced but different priority bills. The one question for me is whether the House will fight (negotiate) for something that loses the three Senate Republican votes it took to pass it. Or, if they can hold the shaky alliance together. Here are you're sausage making teams:

On the Senate Side, you have (3 D, 2 R): Sens. Inouye (D-HI), Baucus (D-MT), Reid (D-NV), Cochran (R-MS), and Grassley (R-IA).

On the House side, you have (3 D, 2 R): Reps. Obey (D-WI), Rangel (D-NY), Waxman (D-CA), Lewis (R-CA), and Camp (R-MI).

These negotiating teams are some of the highest ranking members on the major committees either majority or minority. One item I find note is that the ranking members (party leaders) are typically referred to as Cardinals. There goes that seperation of Church and State thing...;-)

Anybody want to handicap this negotiation? Will it meet Arlen Spector's (R-Senator who supports the bill) requirements...

"My support for the Conference Report on the stimulus package will require that the Senate compromise bill come back virtually intact including, but not limited to, overall spending, the current ratio of tax cuts to spending, and the $110 billion in cuts."

Let's hope like hell that it doesn't come back virtually intact. This is ridiculous. After the election, I actually started warming up to Obama. He could of started producing some of the change he promised by taking the lead on this "stimulus" package and producing something that might actually stimulate the economy. Instead, he lets Reid and Pelosi basically package everything that they've wanted to do over the last 10 years and couldn't get done and call it a stimulus package. I hope to God this fails and then I would like to see Obama take charge and see what he's made of. I think he could actually get some support from Republicans if he were driving the train rather than the other two bozo's.

 

[Beach Runner]

I, too, am disappointed in the "spendulus." The pro-Democrat Atlanta Journal-Constitution says Stimulus bill just pork in new disguise | ajc.com

 

[Smiling JOe]

I spent more time researching my last vehicle purchased, than Congress will spend debating this Bill which is so enormous and complex, that they won't even read, nor understand! ...and FL Gov Charlie Crist can kiss my @ss. (he supports it)

 

[scooterbug44]

Most of the items that article listed as "pork" I disagree with.

I can see a direct link between the stated goal of improving our country's infrastructure and creating construction jobs, improving health care, and stimulating the economy w/ most of them. It's money we are spending now to save $ in the future.

For example, we're already spending billions to bail out automakers, so $650 million to buy cars that are more fuel efficient (and gas prices are expected to rise again) means long term savings and money going through the faltering auto industry and into our economy.

People rail against STD prevention and anti-smoking being included, but treating the results of those are a massive cost to our government health care system.

Two that I do TOTALLY think of as dumbarse pork - honeybee insurance and the stupid analog TV conversion thing. Convert the tvs already, if they don't work you either buy a $50 converter, get cable, or a new TV. If you don't want to do this, that is your choice. Don't understand the bee thing.

 

[Lynnie]

Bank CEO's are being questioned now. Where did the money go and why wasn't credit made available - finally - let's hold them accountable.

We don't want them to fail, but they have to open their books........

And, this will hold up Obama and his plan. It's much better to engage in the due diligence than to have some of the recipients knocking on our doors in 8-12 mos. needing more.

I think to receive any of this cash infusion, you must show your books and show financial responsibility with a plan! Just as you and I would have to do making application for a loan.

The Bush TARP failed and we can learn from it now as opposed to letting politicians scratch they heads wondering why it didn't work under the better administration.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Sen Charles Schumer said that people don't care about the pork, which supposedly equates to over $300 Billion.

 

[Smiling JOe]

I'm wondering what Sen. Mel Martinez means when he refers to the possibility of needing a "second stimulus bill," in his recent reply to me for a letter which I sent him. Our future great-grandchildren haven't seen anything yet!

 

[Lynnie]

I'm wondering what Sen. Mel Martinez means when he refers to the possibility of needing a "second stimulus bill," in his recent reply to me for a letter which I sent him. Our future great-grandchildren haven't seen anything yet!

Hey SJ - I think I still have Mel's letter to me, which was obviously a canned form letter at best.

When I find it, I will place here - with my response begging for my own Congressional Hearings so I can beg for money.

I am disappointed in all them right now..........

But, dang proud to be an American!! ;-) Because I know we'll work through this. Will be tough, but we'll make it!!

 

[Smiling JOe]

I think we should all send IOUs to the IRS this year, in place of checks. Heck, if California can send IOUs to the people, we should be able to send them to the gov't.

Seems to me that the Fed Gov't is just using fear to increase the size of gov't, and the monkeys on our grand-children's backs.