Returning lawmakers make Capitol a campaign stage

[Terri]

By JIM ABRAMS
Associated Press
September 8, 2008

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The House and Senate reconvene Monday after back-to-back political conventions, both parties eager to use the three-week session to show voters why their candidates are the ones to fix the economy and lower energy prices.

The only matter of business that must be accomplished is passing a bill to keep the government running from Oct. 1 through the Nov. 4 election and until Congress returns. Even that might not be easy. Republicans are threatening to block the spending bill if Democrats do not give them a vote on ending a quarter-century freeze on new offshore drilling.

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[Dingbat36]

In the House, Pelosi has taken whatever means available to prevent Republicans from getting a vote on offshore drilling. That has included shutting down work on spending bills that are supposed to be completed and signed into law by the end of this month. The new budget year begins Oct. 1.

The Legislative ban on offshore drilling is due to "sunset" quite soon. All the right has to do is block any attempt to extend the ban. Trust me, there are plenty of Dems in Congress who are hearing loud and clear from their constituents that it is time to shut up and drill! Frankly this looks like a cooperative effort to make it appear that both sides are trying to work together when it isn't necessary.

[elmerck1]

The house came in, had a proforma session, and adjourned until tommorrow, and the last time I checked the Senate, they were playing music.Reid has called a cloture vote at 5:30 edt so they can take up the defense bill.Reid is up to his old tricks agin, calling cloture, because he doesn't want the Senate to have any amendments to his bill.He is the sorriest person on the face of the earth, and I hope when he runs again .,the people of Searchlight Nev. votes him out.

[candles]

Lawmakers are under pressure to extend more than $50 billion in tax breaks, including for renewable energy, that either expired at the end of 2007 year or that run out at the end of this year. They also must again fix the alternative minimum tax to prevent millions of mainly upper-middle income earners from being slapped with an additional $2,300 in taxes on average.

Dems do not want these to be renewed so they can claim they did not raise taxes. Though this is not true, they are hoping people are dumb enough to believe it.