I saw polling today that has Senator Inhofe ahead of his democratic challenger 51% to 32%.
http://www.jiminhofe.com
http://www.andrewforoklahoma.com/
The Tulsa World has seemingly weighed in on the race with a very positive editorial in Sunday's paper about Andrew Rice...
http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/article.aspx?subjectID=214&articleID=20080608_214_G6_hRiceg600449
The green machine
By JULIE DELCOUR Associate Editor
6/8/2008
Rice gets national notice but will it help here?
Andrew Rice was a young college student the last time a Democrat garnered more than 40 percent of the vote in an Oklahoma U.S. Senate race. That's an inconvenient truth for the Democratic first-term state senator from Oklahoma City but apparently not an insurmountable one, claims Rice, 35, who's running for the seat held by Republican veteran U.S. Sen. James M. Inhofe, 74.
While Rice is not quixotic he admits that if he gets the Democratic nomination the race will be an uphill battle against a better-known opponent whose middle name is Mountain. If Rice has any hope of winning he's going to need a lean green fighting machine — lean because at this point Inhofe has a campaign war chest filled with Big Oil's largess, and Rice has a piggy bank filled mainly with $25 contributions from individuals. While Rice is proud of the more than $1 million his campaign's amassed, Inhofe has twice that amount.
"You need a certain amount but when you hit that threshold, and if you run an aggressive campaign and have an authentic message you don't have to match dollar for dollar," Rice said by phone last week from a train on the East Coast where he was fact-finding and fund-raising. He points out that in 2006 several incumbent U.S. senators lost to candidates with far less money but with a message that resonated with voters.
Recently, several national publications including the New Republic profiled Rice, and what it is like to run a "green" campaign in a red state. His stands on environmental issues are front and center in his campaign. They contrast starkly with those of Inhofe, who in a jaw-dropper five years ago proclaimed that man-made global warming was "the greatest hoax perpetrated on the American people since the separation of church and state."
Rice believes global warming — he uses the term climate change — is real with direct implications. "We trust scientists to take care of our children, to cure them when they're sick. Why doesn't Inhofe trust scientists" to tell it like it is on climate control? "Instead, he says they lie to get grant money."
State farmers and sportsmen are witnesses, Rice contends, to the impact of global warming on their crops and wildlife habitat. A National Wildlife Federation poll showed that an overwhelming majority of hunters and fishermen agree with the scientific community's consensus that global warming is accelerated by man-made carbon emissions, and that it already is eroding the U.S. quality of life, Rice said. After surviving a severe drought one year and flooding the next, an Oklahoma farmer told him: "I don't know what's going on — but something's going on."
Rice sees energy independence as an issue of national security. That security is sacred to him. He lost his older brother to terrorism on 9/11 in New York. Afterward, Rice committed himself to public service. He's also committed to Oklahoma's leadership role in producing alternative energy sources including wind (farms) and biofuels that could bring the state jobs and give people relief at the pump.
"We should have been doing this 10 years ago, but instead our leaders have been protecting the status quo. We are already seeing alternative-energy initiatives in Oklahoma. I will pursue economic incentives that will keep us at the forefront of a rapidly changing energy economy."
All Rice's stands are not green. Health care for all veterans, insurance for cancer victims involved in clinical trials, food security, fuel-efficient state vehicles and schools, are but a few of the issues he's tackled in the state Legislature. Rice maintains that he's undaunted by Inhofe's political experience.
"He has experience I don't want. He's rigid. I'm not finding a lot of people who like that. I've got policies which, if they come together, would move us forward and reshape the economy. ...He's taken us into the ditch. I think my lack of experience would be of benefit in this situation. People are tired of the bickering and pettiness. I'll walk across the aisle to be bipartisan."
A Harvard University Divinity School graduate who did missionary work in Southeast Asia, Rice is counting on support from a variety of sources including conservative evangelicals with their commitment to "creation care," the belief they have a Biblically-inspired duty to be good stewards of a world God created. Rice hopes a backlash to Inhofe's policies and pronouncements over the past 14 years will capture voters who don't care about a candidate's party as long as he or she can offer rational solutions to problems. Did I mention that Rice is an optimist?
From everything I have seen and read about this guy, I like him a lot. He has my vote. GO ANDREW RICE!
Lord knows I don't care for Inhofe, and I'm a life-long Democrat, but I find Rice's stand on immigration very Republican-like. I don't like it at all. And I plan to do what I can to help defeat Rice and look for another replacement for Inhofe.
quote:
Originally posted by RecycleMichael
I saw polling today that has Senator Inhofe ahead of his democratic challenger 51% to 32%.
http://www.jiminhofe.com
http://www.andrewforoklahoma.com/
The Tulsa World has seemingly weighed in on the race with a very positive editorial in Sunday's paper about Andrew Rice...
http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/article.aspx?subjectID=214&articleID=20080608_214_G6_hRiceg600449
The green machine
By JULIE DELCOUR Associate Editor
6/8/2008
Rice gets national notice but will it help here?
Andrew Rice was a young college student the last time a Democrat garnered more than 40 percent of the vote in an Oklahoma U.S. Senate race. That's an inconvenient truth for the Democratic first-term state senator from Oklahoma City but apparently not an insurmountable one, claims Rice, 35, who's running for the seat held by Republican veteran U.S. Sen. James M. Inhofe, 74.
While Rice is not quixotic he admits that if he gets the Democratic nomination the race will be an uphill battle against a better-known opponent whose middle name is Mountain. If Rice has any hope of winning he's going to need a lean green fighting machine — lean because at this point Inhofe has a campaign war chest filled with Big Oil's largess, and Rice has a piggy bank filled mainly with $25 contributions from individuals. While Rice is proud of the more than $1 million his campaign's amassed, Inhofe has twice that amount.
"You need a certain amount but when you hit that threshold, and if you run an aggressive campaign and have an authentic message you don't have to match dollar for dollar," Rice said by phone last week from a train on the East Coast where he was fact-finding and fund-raising. He points out that in 2006 several incumbent U.S. senators lost to candidates with far less money but with a message that resonated with voters.
Recently, several national publications including the New Republic profiled Rice, and what it is like to run a "green" campaign in a red state. His stands on environmental issues are front and center in his campaign. They contrast starkly with those of Inhofe, who in a jaw-dropper five years ago proclaimed that man-made global warming was "the greatest hoax perpetrated on the American people since the separation of church and state."
Rice believes global warming — he uses the term climate change — is real with direct implications. "We trust scientists to take care of our children, to cure them when they're sick. Why doesn't Inhofe trust scientists" to tell it like it is on climate control? "Instead, he says they lie to get grant money."
State farmers and sportsmen are witnesses, Rice contends, to the impact of global warming on their crops and wildlife habitat. A National Wildlife Federation poll showed that an overwhelming majority of hunters and fishermen agree with the scientific community's consensus that global warming is accelerated by man-made carbon emissions, and that it already is eroding the U.S. quality of life, Rice said. After surviving a severe drought one year and flooding the next, an Oklahoma farmer told him: "I don't know what's going on — but something's going on."
Rice sees energy independence as an issue of national security. That security is sacred to him. He lost his older brother to terrorism on 9/11 in New York. Afterward, Rice committed himself to public service. He's also committed to Oklahoma's leadership role in producing alternative energy sources including wind (farms) and biofuels that could bring the state jobs and give people relief at the pump.
"We should have been doing this 10 years ago, but instead our leaders have been protecting the status quo. We are already seeing alternative-energy initiatives in Oklahoma. I will pursue economic incentives that will keep us at the forefront of a rapidly changing energy economy."
All Rice's stands are not green. Health care for all veterans, insurance for cancer victims involved in clinical trials, food security, fuel-efficient state vehicles and schools, are but a few of the issues he's tackled in the state Legislature. Rice maintains that he's undaunted by Inhofe's political experience.
"He has experience I don't want. He's rigid. I'm not finding a lot of people who like that. I've got policies which, if they come together, would move us forward and reshape the economy. ...He's taken us into the ditch. I think my lack of experience would be of benefit in this situation. People are tired of the bickering and pettiness. I'll walk across the aisle to be bipartisan."
A Harvard University Divinity School graduate who did missionary work in Southeast Asia, Rice is counting on support from a variety of sources including conservative evangelicals with their commitment to "creation care," the belief they have a Biblically-inspired duty to be good stewards of a world God created. Rice hopes a backlash to Inhofe's policies and pronouncements over the past 14 years will capture voters who don't care about a candidate's party as long as he or she can offer rational solutions to problems. Did I mention that Rice is an optimist?
The fact that Rice is an Optimist only adds to my opinion of him.
I find the new televisison ads by Inhofe to beyond offensive.
quote:
Originally posted by joiei
I find the new televisison ads by Inhofe to beyond offensive.
?
joiei
[/quote]
The fact that Rice is an Optimist only adds to my opinion of him.
I find the new televisison ads by Inhofe to beyond offensive.
[/quote]
Here....you deserve these links for "We skipped the light fandango, turned cartwheels 'cross the floor" and a pat on the back for your assesment of Senator Mularkey.
Procol Harem:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=PbWULu5_nXI&feature=related
Annie Lenox:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByXvPU-tfJA&feature=related
Sarah Brightman:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1Crx6KbJgwE
Joe Cocker:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=cbR0kj0rYYA&feature=related
Ann McNamee's classic rendition ; )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QuRsNNTSGc
Check out King Curtis version live from the Filmore east. Blows away all versions IMHO. Total instrumental
enjoy!
quote:
Originally posted by Hometown
Lord knows I don't care for Inhofe, and I'm a life-long Democrat, but I find Rice's stand on immigration very Republican-like. I don't like it at all. And I plan to do what I can to help defeat Rice and look for another replacement for Inhofe.
Really? You are going to work to reelect our senior senator, who may just be the single worst member of the US Senate, who is opposed to nearly every position that you seem to stand for.
All because his challenger, who you are going to agree with 9 times out of 10, has taken a position on a single topic that you disagree with. And in working to reelect Inhofe you are going to also work to maintain Republican filibuster power in the Senate. A power that our numbskull crying while doing crossword puzzles in public hearings junior senator will use constantly to block bills and judges that you would agree with?
Have you really thought about this?
Rice has my vote unless Sheila runs again.
[}:)]
HT, you don't make a lot of sense to me. No, Rice isn't perfect. But we live in Oklahoma, after all. He is better--much better--and that's enough for me. If someone better comes along later, I'll vote for him or her. Why would you chose the greater of two evils?
quote:
Originally posted by pmcalk
HT, you don't make a lot of sense to me. No, Rice isn't perfect. But we live in Oklahoma, after all. He is better--much better--and that's enough for me. If someone better comes along later, I'll vote for him or her. Why would you chose the greater of two evils?
"Choosing of the lessor of two evils is still choosing evil"...J. Garcia
Andrew Rice is not evil
It is difficult to imagine another state with a more embarrassing one-two punch in the U.S. Senate.
No, you are right--Andrew Rice is definitely not evil. I like him. But my point is that he is not perfect, and no politician will ever vote the way you want 100% of the time. So, the question is, HT, do you vote for someone who has one opinion you don't like, or do you vote for someone who has 100 opinions you don't like? To me, the answer is easy.
H.T. is one of those my 90% friend is my 10% enemy types. Good luck with finding someone else to run against Inhofe considering the filing period is now over. I doubt you could have found anyone else brave enough to challenge Dim Jim anyway. Rice is a knight in shining armor to rescue the damsel in distress named Oklahoma from the curse of the dark lord Inhofe, by slaying that wicked, sulfurous, old dragon. Hazaa, Beyotches!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/mistymountainhop/Knight_Andrew.jpg)
Rice has made a point to brag about his support of our hideous anti-immigrant law. I could no more cast a vote for him than I could if he was a vocal supporter of Jim Crow laws. Henry and Edmonson are fatally flawed for the same reason. Some of these Oklahoma Democrats are as bad as Republicans. I guess my household will abstain on that one, unless Rice changes his position on immigrants.
quote:
Originally posted by Hometown
Rice has made a point to brag about his support of our hideous anti-immigrant law. I could no more cast a vote for him than I could if he was a vocal supporter of Jim Crow laws. Henry and Edmonson are fatally flawed for the same reason. Some of these Oklahoma Democrats are as bad as Republicans. I guess my household will abstain on that one, unless Rice changes his position on immigrants.
That just goes to show how completely out of touch with the average Oklahoman you really are judging by the voter's willingness to elect Henry, Edmondson, and Rice(all Democrats) for that matter in one of the reddest of red states. I thought you were moving, anyway?
I'm really suprised Rice is the best the Dems could offer this year, he's another candidate like Genteges.
I think Henry could have knocked Inhofe off by a few percent.
It is what it is.....Can you visualize Jimmy boy in another 6 years. OMG, it'll make ole Strom Thurman look like a lion.
Vote for Andrew Rice...we can do better!
quote:
Originally posted by FOTD
It is what it is.....Can you visualize Jimmy boy in another 6 years. OMG, it'll make ole Strom Thurman look like a lion.
Vote for Andrew Rice...we can do better!
You got that right, we can do a lot better than Rice.
quote:
Originally posted by Conan71
quote:
Originally posted by FOTD
It is what it is.....Can you visualize Jimmy boy in another 6 years. OMG, it'll make ole Strom Thurman look like a lion.
Vote for Andrew Rice...we can do better!
You got that right, we can do a lot better than Rice.
Way to twist the words around......like a true repiglicant.
Rice is better than puke.
quote:
Originally posted by FOTD
Rice is better than puke.
Rice is basically your Dumbocrat party saying six more years of Inhofe. Congrats.
O.P. on Rice vs. Inhofe (//%22http://www.tulsanow.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=10400%22)
I think HT is correct to voice his belated displeasure in his Party's candidate. If'n I were HT I would swallow (unless he spits) my misgivings and campaign vigorously for Rice. If Rice were elected (inshallah!) the likelihood of a Demmie US legislature passing anything 'anti-immigrant' is quite remote.
The only way to change this whole dynamic is for registered partisans to begin voting straight-ticket for the other Party for the next six years. That is the only thing that is going to get the Parties' attention.
Well Tim, your logic is good and I have cast votes for individual Democrats simply to strengthen the party. And you may have noticed during the primary how the Latin vote is a big issue in elections. The Democrats have worked hard for years to capture the Latin vote. But thanks to Henry, Edmonson and others including Rice, Latin people in Oklahoma associate racism with the Democrats. There comes a point where continuing to cast votes for deeply flawed Democrats makes you an enabler.
I think Conan is on to something. When the party runs junior politicians like Rice to oppose Inhofe, they are counting on losing.
As I write this, Inhofe is only losing by 7 votes to 5 votes on the opinion poll elsewhere on this site. Considering what I perceive to be an overwhelming democratic party affiliation on this forum, that amazes me.
quote:
Originally posted by Hometown
Well Tim, your logic is good and I have cast votes for individual Democrats simply to strengthen the party. And you may have noticed during the primary how the Latin vote is a big issue in elections. The Democrats have worked hard for years to capture the Latin vote. But thanks to Henry, Edmonson and others including Rice, Latin people in Oklahoma associate racism with the Democrats. There comes a point where continuing to cast votes for deeply flawed Democrats makes you an enabler.
I think Conan is on to something. When the party runs junior politicians like Rice to oppose Inhofe, they are counting on losing.
I don't think you can blame Henry for 1804. It was the baby of Rep Randy Terrill of Moore and it passed both the house and the senate with veto proof margins. The bill was backed the very right wing section of the Republican party using fear and hate radio to excite the masses. Right or wrong, at the time the bill passed it was wildly with the public. What was Henry supposed to do? Burn political capital and embarrass himself with a very unpopular veto that would instantly have been overridden? And the AG does not make laws, what does Edmondson have to do with the immigration bill at all?
And what exactly is it that makes Rice a weak candidate other than his Youth? He's a Harvard educated state Senator from the state's largest city running for US Senate. Substitute Harvard Divinity school with Harvard Law and you have Barack Obama's resume when he ran for US Senate from Illinois.
If Rice, who is mostly unknown outside of Oklahoma City is only polling down 51%-32% to Inhofe this early then he's got a real chance. That a sitting Senator with a huge war chest and decades in congress can only poll 51% against someone most of the state has never heard of is a very bad sign for Inhofe.
quote:
Originally posted by Red Arrow
As I write this, Inhofe is only losing by 7 votes to 5 votes on the opinion poll elsewhere on this site. Considering what I perceive to be an overwhelming democratic party affiliation on this forum, that amazes me.
You're way overestimating the Democratic influence of this forum. There are a lot of Republicans, libertarians and good old-fashioned independents here, too.
"What was Henry supposed to do? Burn political capital and embarrass himself with a very unpopular veto that would instantly have been overridden?"
What was Henry supposed to do? The right thing.
It looks to me like Henry is a poll reader that brags about his missionary work.
quote:
Originally posted by Hometown
"What was Henry supposed to do? Burn political capital and embarrass himself with a very unpopular veto that would instantly have been overridden?"
What was Henry supposed to do? The right thing.
It looks to me like Henry is a poll reader that brags about his missionary work.
I get the real impression that you voted for Ralph Nader.
Life long Democrat that has always voted party line with the exception of one Republican. Matt Fong v. Barbara Boxer
Also Democrat Party contributor.
Will not vote for Rice unless he opposes 1804.
quote:
Originally posted by swake
quote:
Originally posted by Hometown
Well Tim, your logic is good and I have cast votes for individual Democrats simply to strengthen the party. And you may have noticed during the primary how the Latin vote is a big issue in elections. The Democrats have worked hard for years to capture the Latin vote. But thanks to Henry, Edmonson and others including Rice, Latin people in Oklahoma associate racism with the Democrats. There comes a point where continuing to cast votes for deeply flawed Democrats makes you an enabler.
I think Conan is on to something. When the party runs junior politicians like Rice to oppose Inhofe, they are counting on losing.
I don't think you can blame Henry for 1804. It was the baby of Rep Randy Terrill of Moore and it passed both the house and the senate with veto proof margins. The bill was backed the very right wing section of the Republican party using fear and hate radio to excite the masses. Right or wrong, at the time the bill passed it was wildly with the public. What was Henry supposed to do? Burn political capital and embarrass himself with a very unpopular veto that would instantly have been overridden? And the AG does not make laws, what does Edmondson have to do with the immigration bill at all?
And what exactly is it that makes Rice a weak candidate other than his Youth? He's a Harvard educated state Senator from the state's largest city running for US Senate. Substitute Harvard Divinity school with Harvard Law and you have Barack Obama's resume when he ran for US Senate from Illinois.
If Rice, who is mostly unknown outside of Oklahoma City is only polling down 51%-32% to Inhofe this early then he's got a real chance. That a sitting Senator with a huge war chest and decades in congress can only poll 51% against someone most of the state has never heard of is a very bad sign for Inhofe.
Not true about HB 1804. Union flaks like Double A were also all over it. They didn't get a veto-proof majority on this bill in both houses without a lot of Democrats signing on. Call them closet DINO's or whatever, fact is, it took a lot of Dems to make it happen.
Rice doesn't have near the resume as Obama. Rice has been a state Senator for all of about 18 months. Obama had been in the Ill. Senate for 8 years when he moved up. He also had experience in city ward politics and a not-so-distinguished career as a civil rights attorney.
Rice is an upstart who spouts the most partisan talking points of the DNC, then says he's going to reach across the aisle in a bi-partisan fashion. Re-read his comments, he's a moron trying to parlay a divinity degree into a $180K/year job with lifetime benefits.
Rice is going to get his donkey kicked in November and the DNC knows it. Here's a couple of reasons- there are other key races in the House and Senate that need to be defended or taken much worse than a Senate seat from Ok. Another is they want Inhofe around so they can use him as an example of what is wrong with conservatism to gain more seats in future elections. The DNC loves Inhofe sound bites because they use it to rally the troops.
This is the only way you can possibly explain why Henry didn't get pressured to run for the Senate. He's had very high approval from Reps and Dems alike. I honestly think he's the type of guy who could have had David Boren-like appeal to state-wide voters of all political stripes.
And finally Swake, Rice isn't even that well-known in Oklahoma City.
You guys, especially you republicans on the forum, are way underestimating Andrew Rice.
The national green movement is going to pour big bucks in this campaign. He already polls 32% and no one knows his name. Inhofe is down to the lowest approval ratings of his career, or at least since he was beat as Mayor of Tulsa.
The republicans are having problems with every seat this time. Inhofe has too many out to get him. Rice is assembling a very good campaign staff.
Inhofe is in the race of his life. He knows it. The proof is that he has started running commercials all over my television.
Mute or turn the channel so your children don't see it on TV.
Get right with Rice. Not far right.
quote:
Originally posted by RecycleMichael
You guys, especially you republicans on the forum, are way underestimating Andrew Rice.
The national green movement is going to pour big bucks in this campaign. He already polls 32% and no one knows his name. Inhofe is down to the lowest approval ratings of his career, or at least since he was beat as Mayor of Tulsa.
The republicans are having problems with every seat this time. Inhofe has too many out to get him. Rice is assembling a very good campaign staff.
Inhofe is in the race of his life. He knows it. The proof is that he has started running commercials all over my television.
Wow, that's innovative. A national movement trying to seat their own puppets one state at a time. How are they planning to do that? Stipe's straw donor network?
Sorry, couldn't resist a little humor.
I think you are going to be disappointed in the outcome of this election in November. Rice is trying to appear centrist on key issues. I think he will be exposed for he liberal he is.
GAWD! fear all liberals......like Jesus?
Did someone say, "Gene Stipe"???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq4KVYewUoQ
OMG....at first I thought I'd been Stiped....but then I had a flashback to one great time!
quote:
Originally posted by USRufnex
Did someone say, "Gene Stipe"???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq4KVYewUoQ
Heh, no telling what you can find on old Roughnecks tapes. [;)]
"I'm Gene Stipe. We don't need no stinkin' bureaucrats in Oklahoma, I run everything!"
"Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe (who thinks Global Warming is a hoax) currently has a local TV political ad bragging about how he has supported the troops. Here's what he hasn't done to support the troops:
He voted no to increase veterans' medical care in March 2005;
voted no to increase veterans' health-care funding in March 2007;
voted no for additional funding for veterans' affairs in April 2006;
voted no for additional funding for veterans' programs in March 2003;
voted no for armor for tactical wheeled vehicles in October 2005;
voted no for safety equipment for U.S. forces in Iraq in October 2003.
I hope you can expose the hypocrisy of this man.
Barbara Santee
Tulsa, OK"
When it comes to valuing our GI's Jim Inhofe is a back stabber.
Just like the DINO's who vote for this bum.
FYI, your candidate for President voted against this one dillweed, Inhofe voted for it along with McCain. Which is it, do you want this war to drag out or don't you?:
quote:
"Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the President and Congress should not take any action that will endanger the U.S. Armed Forces, and will provide necessary funds for training, equipment, and other support for troops in the field, as such actions will ensure their safety and effectiveness in preparing for and carrying out their assigned missions; (2) the President, Congress, and the Nation have an obligation to ensure that those who have bravely served this country in time of war receive the medical care and other support they deserve; and (3) the President and Congress should continue to exercise their constitutional responsibilities to ensure that the Armed Forces have everything they need to perform their assigned or future missions, and review, assess, and adjust U.S. policy and funding as needed to ensure our troops have the best chance for success in Iraq and elsewhere."
Since you substitute other's opinions (lib bloggers) as fact in imposing your liberal bias on everyone else, please explain why Obama voted against more funding to help Katrina survivors, voted against rasing minimum wage, and additional funding for Medicare and Medicaid?
You have little interest in fact and truth like this from H.R. 2206 (which Inhofe voted for and Obama against- must mean Obama isn't concerned about troop safety by your logic):
quote:
"Increases from 20 to 287 the number of heavy and light armored vehicles authorized to be purchased by DOD for force protection purposes in Iraq and Afghanistan."
"Prohibits funds from being used to deploy any unit of the Armed Forces to Iraq unless the President has certified to the appropriations and defense committees, at least 15 days in advance of such deployment, that the unit is fully mission capable. Allows the President to waive such requirement on a unit-by-unit basis for national security purposes, as long as the President details the reasons why such a deployment is necessary."
Barbara Santee is full of **** on this one, so are you. Why don't you email her back and tell her Obama voted against the black people of New Orleans, trying to deny them of additional relief funding.
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:HR02206:@@@D&summ2=0&
quote:
H.R.2206
Title: Making emergency supplemental appropriations and additional supplemental appropriations for agricultural and other emergency assistance for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Obey, David R. [WI-7] (introduced 5/8/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Related Bills: H.RES.387, H.RES.438, H.R.2, H.R.1591, H.R.2207
Latest Major Action: Became Public Law No: 110-28 [GPO: Text, PDF]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY AS OF:
5/8/2007--Introduced. (There are 3 other summaries)
U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 - Makes emergency supplemental FY2007 appropriations for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as specified activities, including international and security-related activities, of the Departments of Defense (Military, including funds for Iraqi and Afghan security forces), of Justice, of Energy, of Homeland Security, of Defense (military construction and base closure), of State (including international peacekeeping operations), related agencies, and the House of Representatives and the Government Accountability Office (GAO).
Provides funds to enable military commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan to respond to urgent humanitarian relief and reconstruction requirements.
Requires the Secretary of Defense to inspect annually military medical treatment facilities, including military quarters housing medical hold or holdover personnel, to insure that they meet acceptable standards for their maintenance and operation. Requires additional inspections of identified deficiencies.
Provides funds to the Government of Iraq to support the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of militias and illegal armed groups.
Authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to Woodrow W. Keeble for valor during the Korean War.
Provides funds to local education agencies (LEAs) in districts adversely affected by significant changes in the military population.
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) as battalions of the Iraqi security forces achieve a level of combat proficiency to conduct independent combat operations without support from Iraqi Coalition forces, U.S. Armed Forces units should be redeployed from Iraq; and (2) regular, accurate accounts of the combat proficiency of Iraqi battalions security forces are necessary for the American public to gauge the development of them.
Prohibits the use of funds to deploy or redeploy any unit of the Armed Forces to Iraq unless the President has certified to the congressional appropriations committees in advance that the unit is fully mission capable. Sets a maximum number of days for deployment or redeployment in Iraq for military units. Authorizes the President to waive such prohibition and deployment or redeployment limits on a unit-by-unit basis for reasons of national security.
Provides that such limitations shall not be construed to require force levels in Iraq to be decreased below total U.S. force levels before January 10, 2007.
Prohibits the use of funds to close Walter Reed Army Medical Center until equivalent medical facilities at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center at Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, and/or the Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Community Hospital have been constructed and equipped.
Specifies conditions for assistance to Lebanon.
Provides funds to assist Liberia in retiring its debt arrearages.
Requires the Department of State to provide GAO staff members the country clearances, life support, and logistical and security support necessary for them to establish a presence in Iraq for at least 45 days.
Makes additional appropriations for disaster relief and recovery related to Hurricanes Katrina, Wilma, Dennis, and Rita to the Departments of Agriculture, of Justice, of Commerce, of Defense (Civil), of Homeland Security, of the Interior, of Education, of Transportation, of Housing and Urban Development, as well as the Small Business Administration (SBA).
Makes other emergency appropriations for specified purposes to the Departments of Defense (Civil), of the Interior, of Agriculture, of Health and Human Services (for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and for response to an influenza pandemic), of Veterans Affairs (particularly veterans' health programs), of Housing and Urban Development, as well as the legislative branch.
Makes appropriations to the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, to eliminate the FY2007 shortfall in funding for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).
Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the federal minimum wage to: (1) $5.85 an hour, beginning on the 60th day after enactment of this Act; (2) $6.55 an hour, beginning 12 months after that 60th day; and (3) $7.25 an hour, beginning 24 months after that 60th day. Applies federal minimum wage requirements to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and to American Samoa.
Small Business and Work Opportunity Tax Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend and revise certain tax provisions affecting small business owners, including the work opportunity tax credit and expensing of small business assets; (2) extend and expand certain tax incentives for investment in the Gulf Opportunity (GO) Zone; (3) revise requirements relating to subchapter S corporations; and (4) modify certain miscellaneous tax administration requirements.
Conan....man. It's Sunday. Relax. Ms. Santee enables the intelligent to understand both sides. No need to spit all over her.
I'm not interested in how Obama voted on money allotments for New Orleans. I'm focused on his skills at assembling a great team to move America forward. I can't sit here and play gotcha. It's going to become more evident the tactics of smear swift boating will fail. We won't get fooled again.
And there are those of us supporting a new congress because they've continued to be part of the problem.