Today in Washington D. C. - June 19, 2008

On The Floor: Senate began consideration of the housing bill (House message to accompany H.R. 3221). Debate will likely be based off a substitute amendment from Senate Banking Comm. Chair Chris Dodd (D-CT). There could be votes on amendments today and tomorrow. Yesterday, the Senate voted to override the president’s veto of the re-passed farm bill (H.R. 6124).

From News Sources: The frustration of Americans at Congress’ lack of action on energy production is palpable and certainly shared by Senate Republicans. However, there are some positive developments on the Hill today concerning earmarks, terrorist surveillance (FISA), and troop funding.

Energy Production: Echoing many Americans’ frustration on oil and gas prices, today Chuck Norris delivers a roundhouse kick to Congress in an op-ed in Investor’s Business Daily: “Congress needs to take some practical steps now to stop the insanity at the pumps, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, open up some temporary energy production avenues for economic relief (such as shale development), and focus more on developing alternative energy (coal, natural gas, hydrogen, solar, nuclear, wind, etc.). There is simply no reason or justification for us to be dependent on foreign fuels that we can produce in our country.” He’s right, of course!

Democrats continue to vote against drilling for oil and gas here in the U.S. Every time they do, they say, “We can’t drill our way out of this problem.” In a Boston Herald op-ed, Michael Graham has responded: “It is [Sen. Barack] Obama’s position that ‘we can’t drill our way out of this problem.’ This is the intellectual equivalent of saying ‘you can’t eat your way out of your hunger problem.’”

FISA: CQ Today reports that after Republicans and many others put pressure on Blue Dog Democrats to pass the Senate’s FISA bill, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer was forced to work out a compromise on restoring terrorist surveillance capabilities.

Troop Funding: Politico reports that after weeks and weeks of discussions, the House has finally figured out a way to move forward on funding for our troops in the field.

Earmark Reform: Roll Call reports that Sen. McConnell is moving forward with earmark reforms, noting that “Senate GOP Conference would hold a formal meeting next week to discuss the reforms” and “McConnell on Wednesday floated a draft bill [of earmark reform measures] to [Majority Leader Harry] Reid for review.”

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