Macaca
07-31 05:23 PM
It's Time to End Or Reduce The Cloture Clog (http://rollcall.com/issues/53_15/guest/19599-1.html) By Robert Weiner and John Larmett, July 31 2007
Robert Weiner, president of Robert Weiner Associates Public Affairs, worked for 16 years in the House of Representatives and for six years in the Clinton White House. John Larmett, senior policy analyst at Robert Weiner Associates, was legislative assistant/press secretary to Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) and former Sen. Gaylord Nelson (D-Wis.).
The Senate's cloture rule defeats democracy. It lets public servants hide and obfuscate behind a parliamentary quirk never intended by the framers of the Constitution. It's time to end or significantly change the cloture rule, as was last done in 1975, and move to a true democracy so that the House and Senate equally represent the American people.
There are checks and balances, the only ones the Founding Fathers stated and intended: a presidential veto, which Congress can override with two-thirds, the only supermajority specified in the Constitution; the courts; and elections. No one ever foresaw parliamentary sleight of hand as a block of the will of the majority. If Congress wants to restore Americans' confidence in its work from the current all-time lows, it needs to allow the system to work as common sense, the Constitution and the framers dictate.
During the April-May 2005 "crisis" on judicial nominations, the "Gang of 14," seven Democratic and seven Republican Senators, agreed to oppose the constitutional or "nuclear" option and to oppose filibusters of judicial nominations except in "extraordinary circumstances." However, the Senate has failed to cut off debate on other issues 57 times since then, making clear that the system has failed.
Democrats are right to scream Republican "obstructionism," but Republicans, when they were in the majority, also were right to scream Democratic obstructionism. Both sides use and abuse the rule when they are in the minority to create some supermajority fantasy the public will not understand - and then blame the other side for not getting a legislative agenda accomplished.
In last year's campaigns, House Democrats promised to change the way Congress does business - and do it within the first 100 hours they were in session. With a majority of 30-60 votes, but no supermajority requirement, the House passed its entire agenda. Despite majority support, hindered by the supermajority "cloture," the Senate has struggled all year just to pass a few bills. The American people get the feeling the Senate is a train that never quite leaves the station.
The slow train continued July 17-18 when Republicans scuttled a Democratic proposal ordering troop withdrawals from Iraq in a showdown capping an all-night debate. The 52-47 vote fell short of the 60 votes needed to invoke cloture, the 27th time this year alone that body has been unable to proceed on significant pieces of legislation. In the previous Congress (controlled by Republicans), Democrats were successful 34 times in blocking Republican legislation. Cloture has become the third rail of Congressional politics. It's time for the train to move on a different track.
Everyone has been properly complaining about obstructionism, but no one has said anything about changing the Senate rule on cloture. Since Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is talking about changing Senate rules to make it easier to restrict amendments on the floor, then why shouldn't the Senate also start the discussion about changing the cloture rule right now? It could be the difference in getting bills passed.
In early July, the minority's decision to filibuster the amendment by Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.), which stated that men and women serving in the military deserved the same amount of time at home that they served overseas, died on a 56-41 failed cloture vote - a majority supporting it but the media saying it "failed."
In 1975, the Senate reduced the number of votes required for cloture from two-thirds to three-fifths, and it should change it again. If not an end outright, the best approach to guarantee the will of the majority, why not at least drop the requirement to 55 votes - necessitating just a little bit of extra consensus to end debate. Let the will of the American people, and of a majority of the Senate itself, be acted upon.
It's time to end the cloture clog, regardless of who's in charge.
Robert Weiner, president of Robert Weiner Associates Public Affairs, worked for 16 years in the House of Representatives and for six years in the Clinton White House. John Larmett, senior policy analyst at Robert Weiner Associates, was legislative assistant/press secretary to Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) and former Sen. Gaylord Nelson (D-Wis.).
The Senate's cloture rule defeats democracy. It lets public servants hide and obfuscate behind a parliamentary quirk never intended by the framers of the Constitution. It's time to end or significantly change the cloture rule, as was last done in 1975, and move to a true democracy so that the House and Senate equally represent the American people.
There are checks and balances, the only ones the Founding Fathers stated and intended: a presidential veto, which Congress can override with two-thirds, the only supermajority specified in the Constitution; the courts; and elections. No one ever foresaw parliamentary sleight of hand as a block of the will of the majority. If Congress wants to restore Americans' confidence in its work from the current all-time lows, it needs to allow the system to work as common sense, the Constitution and the framers dictate.
During the April-May 2005 "crisis" on judicial nominations, the "Gang of 14," seven Democratic and seven Republican Senators, agreed to oppose the constitutional or "nuclear" option and to oppose filibusters of judicial nominations except in "extraordinary circumstances." However, the Senate has failed to cut off debate on other issues 57 times since then, making clear that the system has failed.
Democrats are right to scream Republican "obstructionism," but Republicans, when they were in the majority, also were right to scream Democratic obstructionism. Both sides use and abuse the rule when they are in the minority to create some supermajority fantasy the public will not understand - and then blame the other side for not getting a legislative agenda accomplished.
In last year's campaigns, House Democrats promised to change the way Congress does business - and do it within the first 100 hours they were in session. With a majority of 30-60 votes, but no supermajority requirement, the House passed its entire agenda. Despite majority support, hindered by the supermajority "cloture," the Senate has struggled all year just to pass a few bills. The American people get the feeling the Senate is a train that never quite leaves the station.
The slow train continued July 17-18 when Republicans scuttled a Democratic proposal ordering troop withdrawals from Iraq in a showdown capping an all-night debate. The 52-47 vote fell short of the 60 votes needed to invoke cloture, the 27th time this year alone that body has been unable to proceed on significant pieces of legislation. In the previous Congress (controlled by Republicans), Democrats were successful 34 times in blocking Republican legislation. Cloture has become the third rail of Congressional politics. It's time for the train to move on a different track.
Everyone has been properly complaining about obstructionism, but no one has said anything about changing the Senate rule on cloture. Since Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is talking about changing Senate rules to make it easier to restrict amendments on the floor, then why shouldn't the Senate also start the discussion about changing the cloture rule right now? It could be the difference in getting bills passed.
In early July, the minority's decision to filibuster the amendment by Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.), which stated that men and women serving in the military deserved the same amount of time at home that they served overseas, died on a 56-41 failed cloture vote - a majority supporting it but the media saying it "failed."
In 1975, the Senate reduced the number of votes required for cloture from two-thirds to three-fifths, and it should change it again. If not an end outright, the best approach to guarantee the will of the majority, why not at least drop the requirement to 55 votes - necessitating just a little bit of extra consensus to end debate. Let the will of the American people, and of a majority of the Senate itself, be acted upon.
It's time to end the cloture clog, regardless of who's in charge.
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kirupa
03-23 03:08 AM
haha, clever!
Added :)
Added :)
ronhira
04-27 09:13 AM
do not try to contact aliens..... Stephen Hawking says Alien Contact Could Be Risky
Stephen Hawking: Alien Contact Could Be Risky - ABC News (http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Space/stephen-hawking-alien-contact-risky/story?id=10478157)
no problem, arizona state congress have a response plan to tackle all aliens. arizona just passed a bill to handle aliens - arrest everyone who don't look like us.... lets now look for the space ships....
Stephen Hawking: Alien Contact Could Be Risky - ABC News (http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Space/stephen-hawking-alien-contact-risky/story?id=10478157)
no problem, arizona state congress have a response plan to tackle all aliens. arizona just passed a bill to handle aliens - arrest everyone who don't look like us.... lets now look for the space ships....
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ho_gaya_kaya_?
11-21 07:14 AM
I wonder how will the June\July bulletin change the job market - for technocrats...
Starting from Dec 1st many people will be eligible to switch jobs...people who were unable to do so till now.
And in Jan- many more will get into the "green" zone...
So here is the poll question:
Are you planning to change jobs ?:)
A: As soon as possible- Cant wait !!!
B:Yes- but not immediately - as soon as I find something good
C:Not Really- I am content where I am.
Starting from Dec 1st many people will be eligible to switch jobs...people who were unable to do so till now.
And in Jan- many more will get into the "green" zone...
So here is the poll question:
Are you planning to change jobs ?:)
A: As soon as possible- Cant wait !!!
B:Yes- but not immediately - as soon as I find something good
C:Not Really- I am content where I am.
more...
dealsnet
04-13 11:07 AM
I think you can employ any one on 1090 on temporary basis(nanny or home improvement, reapir etc) , not employ by start a company. Ask a lawyer.
Folks
Would anyone of you know whether someone on H1B can go ahead and hire a US citizen and be their employer? I know some people do hire nannies. How about for other everyday occupations?
Thanks and best regards.
Folks
Would anyone of you know whether someone on H1B can go ahead and hire a US citizen and be their employer? I know some people do hire nannies. How about for other everyday occupations?
Thanks and best regards.
Blog Feeds
06-22 01:40 PM
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said there are not enough votes for the Obama administration to achieve its desired immigration reform, and change in the system as we know it today.
The plan was derailed when conservative activists, who claimed the program would have constituted "amnesty" for illegal immigrants, managed to pick off enough Republicans in the House and Senate to forestall a vote. Gibbs said that the White House would make an effort, though, to win the votes for a reform plan, for which President Obama reiterated his support.
Read more... (http://briefingroom.thehill.com/2009/06/19/gibbs-not-enough-votes-in-congress-for-immigration-reform/)
More... (http://www.visalawyerblog.com/2009/06/not_enough_votes_for_immigrati.html)
The plan was derailed when conservative activists, who claimed the program would have constituted "amnesty" for illegal immigrants, managed to pick off enough Republicans in the House and Senate to forestall a vote. Gibbs said that the White House would make an effort, though, to win the votes for a reform plan, for which President Obama reiterated his support.
Read more... (http://briefingroom.thehill.com/2009/06/19/gibbs-not-enough-votes-in-congress-for-immigration-reform/)
More... (http://www.visalawyerblog.com/2009/06/not_enough_votes_for_immigrati.html)
more...
kanshere
07-26 12:54 PM
hi folks,
I need some help wrt my wife's immi status.
She had applied H1 (from H4), and got the approval notice I-797.
Now, we applied I-485 for both of us on July 1st
But our attorney did not file for EAD/AP, because of time constraints.
Is it ok for her to start working using the H1 from Oct 1st?
Will it jeopardize her I485 Appln?
Any info / experience on this will be of great help.
Thanks,
Kans.
I need some help wrt my wife's immi status.
She had applied H1 (from H4), and got the approval notice I-797.
Now, we applied I-485 for both of us on July 1st
But our attorney did not file for EAD/AP, because of time constraints.
Is it ok for her to start working using the H1 from Oct 1st?
Will it jeopardize her I485 Appln?
Any info / experience on this will be of great help.
Thanks,
Kans.
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aphotica
03-01 02:47 AM
i just want some experience working for a person who would like me to make them various medias from websites to graphics.
i have standard knowledge in;
Photoshop
3dsmax
html
i have standard knowledge in;
Photoshop
3dsmax
html
more...
chanduv23
03-21 10:10 PM
I would also like someone to volunteer the meeting lawmaker and other efforts, as I will not be able to do that kind of stuff. I will definitely help mobilize more people into the group.
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atul555
06-14 03:57 PM
Since everything is current now, and happy as I am, it jumped quicker on me than i anticipated. I am in precarious position to apply I-485 right away or see it get retrogressed again.
My dilemma is that I am unmarried and want to get married to someone in India, but also take my time selecting my mate.
My question is if I apply for I-485 in july or august, how much time do I have to get married in India and still make my spouse eligible for green card with me.
Thanks
My dilemma is that I am unmarried and want to get married to someone in India, but also take my time selecting my mate.
My question is if I apply for I-485 in july or august, how much time do I have to get married in India and still make my spouse eligible for green card with me.
Thanks
more...
sw33t
07-27 03:34 PM
SENATOR CORNYN IS THE CHAIR OF THE INDIA CAUCUS IN THE U.S. SENATE
WHO: U.S. Senator John Cornyn of Texas
WHEN: Thursday,August 9,
Lunch: 11:30 a.m.
Speech: 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: Lakeway Inn, New Glass Ballroom
SPONSOR: Rotary Club/Lakeway
Lake Travis
COST: $250 per table of 10,
or $25 per individual
RESERVATIONS: MANDATORY!
10 Tables are being reserved
for Rotary & Guests
20 Table reservations will
be taken and must be paid for
by July 27, 2007!
Please PM me if you are interested.
WHO: U.S. Senator John Cornyn of Texas
WHEN: Thursday,August 9,
Lunch: 11:30 a.m.
Speech: 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: Lakeway Inn, New Glass Ballroom
SPONSOR: Rotary Club/Lakeway
Lake Travis
COST: $250 per table of 10,
or $25 per individual
RESERVATIONS: MANDATORY!
10 Tables are being reserved
for Rotary & Guests
20 Table reservations will
be taken and must be paid for
by July 27, 2007!
Please PM me if you are interested.
hot Serves Blue Waffles?
sw33t
07-27 03:34 PM
SENATOR CORNYN IS THE CHAIR OF THE INDIA CAUCUS IN THE U.S. SENATE
WHO: U.S. Senator John Cornyn of Texas
WHEN: Thursday,August 9,
Lunch: 11:30 a.m.
Speech: 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: Lakeway Inn, New Glass Ballroom
SPONSOR: Rotary Club/Lakeway
Lake Travis
COST: $250 per table of 10,
or $25 per individual
RESERVATIONS: MANDATORY!
10 Tables are being reserved
for Rotary & Guests
20 Table reservations will
be taken and must be paid for
by July 27, 2007!
Please PM me if you are interested.
WHO: U.S. Senator John Cornyn of Texas
WHEN: Thursday,August 9,
Lunch: 11:30 a.m.
Speech: 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: Lakeway Inn, New Glass Ballroom
SPONSOR: Rotary Club/Lakeway
Lake Travis
COST: $250 per table of 10,
or $25 per individual
RESERVATIONS: MANDATORY!
10 Tables are being reserved
for Rotary & Guests
20 Table reservations will
be taken and must be paid for
by July 27, 2007!
Please PM me if you are interested.
more...
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ravi98
09-27 01:23 PM
The 7 Funniest Lines From Colbert's Testimony To Congress (PHOTOS) (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/24/stephen-colbert-congress_n_738149.html)
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ivx
03-19 09:06 AM
Bump. Anyone?
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monu19_75
11-06 06:03 PM
I believe you should just send the H1B approval.
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GC_Applicant
07-15 11:28 AM
People, please sign the above petition to Chertoff.
We need lot more people to sign it. It wont taken more than a minute.
We need lot more people to sign it. It wont taken more than a minute.
more...
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cmozla
06-29 03:29 PM
My case: NIW 140 approved, PD 2006/10, now 485 pending. But I am leaving USA to another country for a permanent job. I am not sure if I should withdraw the 485 or just convert it to CP.
1. Will it be possible for me to get the green card thru CP if I get interviewed and can't show any ties with USA? Can I enter USA during CP? I hope to have green card in case I don't like my new job and come back to US someday. But I may just cancel 485 in order to affect the least my future visiting visa application. Suggestions?
2. I am on H1 now, but H1 will expire 1 month before I leave USA. So I understand that I can stay legally on AOS for the one month, true? Do I need to do anything for switching from H1 to AOS? Again, I need to come back to USA for business/visiting, so I want to do everything right not to harm my future non-immigrant visa application.
Thanks a lot for your inputs!
1. Will it be possible for me to get the green card thru CP if I get interviewed and can't show any ties with USA? Can I enter USA during CP? I hope to have green card in case I don't like my new job and come back to US someday. But I may just cancel 485 in order to affect the least my future visiting visa application. Suggestions?
2. I am on H1 now, but H1 will expire 1 month before I leave USA. So I understand that I can stay legally on AOS for the one month, true? Do I need to do anything for switching from H1 to AOS? Again, I need to come back to USA for business/visiting, so I want to do everything right not to harm my future non-immigrant visa application.
Thanks a lot for your inputs!
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rahulpaper
12-04 11:04 AM
My case is NSC>>CSC>>NSC and the received date is listed incorrectly on transfer notice....
Receipt Notice from CSC has correct received date of July 31st 2007
but
Transfer Notice from NSC has received date of Oct 12th 2007
Oct 12th seems to be the date when my case was tranferred back to NSC.
I have 3 questions for you...
1) Are other folks also observing this in their case?
2) Will NSC process my case based on Received date from (CSC notice) or their own transfer notice?
3) Whats the process to get received date fixed?
Thanks in advance.
Receipt Notice from CSC has correct received date of July 31st 2007
but
Transfer Notice from NSC has received date of Oct 12th 2007
Oct 12th seems to be the date when my case was tranferred back to NSC.
I have 3 questions for you...
1) Are other folks also observing this in their case?
2) Will NSC process my case based on Received date from (CSC notice) or their own transfer notice?
3) Whats the process to get received date fixed?
Thanks in advance.
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iiscterp
06-08 02:32 PM
all,
I am kind of a novice.
could you guys tell me where I can find the text of the immigration bill?.
I am kind of a novice.
could you guys tell me where I can find the text of the immigration bill?.
Blog Feeds
01-18 09:00 AM
A fat report and one with some helpful recommendations and statistics. Here are some of the more interesting items I found - - Of the top 150 H-1B employers, 24 were deemed H-1B dependent (a high percentage of workers on the H-1B) and 9 had prior H-1B violations. - Real earnings growth for US workers in occupations with proportionately more H-1B workers - particularly IT - was actually much stronger than the general US worker. - Engineers and IT professionals on H-1Bs were more than twice as likely as their US counterparts to have advanced degrees. - The proportion of...
More... (http://blogs.ilw.com/gregsiskind/2011/01/government-accountability-office-releases-report-on-h-1b-program.html)
More... (http://blogs.ilw.com/gregsiskind/2011/01/government-accountability-office-releases-report-on-h-1b-program.html)
immig4me
07-26 10:02 AM
Connect the World: Blog Archive - How has immigration affected your life? � - CNN.com Blogs (http://connecttheworld.blogs.cnn.com/2010/07/26/does-immigration-help-or-hinder/)
Are you an immigrant? How have you found your transition from one country to another? Do you think the majority of people are welcoming? Do you oppose immigration? Should there be tougher regulations in your country?
Please leave your comments below - we would also love to use your comments on air, so please let us know if you are interested in appearing on CNN's Connect the World. And don't forgot to let us know where you're writing from.
Are you an immigrant? How have you found your transition from one country to another? Do you think the majority of people are welcoming? Do you oppose immigration? Should there be tougher regulations in your country?
Please leave your comments below - we would also love to use your comments on air, so please let us know if you are interested in appearing on CNN's Connect the World. And don't forgot to let us know where you're writing from.
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