by Pamela Powers Hannley Even though the majority of US Senators voted to end sequestration and stop automatic budget cuts on Thursday, February 28, there were enough Repulbican Senators to filibuster this action and trigger the accross-the-board cuts that no one said they wanted. One unintended consequence of allowing sequestration to go forward is the … Read more
by Pamela Powers Hannley This protest sign thanks Republicans for the poverty, but can we also thank most members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC)? According to a recent article in Common Dreams, three quarters of the CPC (54 members) have not signed a letter which pledges: “we will vote against any and every cut … Read more
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: There was media speculation earlier this year that Congressman Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) was under consideration for Secretary of Interior in President Obama's second term cabinet. As usual, media speculation was wrong. President Obama nominated the CEO of REI, Sally Jewell, to replace departing Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. So with that word of caution, … Read more
Remember the Super Congress? It was a gimmick that Congressional Republicans came up with after the huge debt ceiling and budget battle in August 2011.
The Super Congress was supposed to balance the US budget during the fall of 2011, but they failed to do so. As a result, the country is now facing "sequestration"– a fancy name for automatic budget cuts and tax increases that were trigger by the Super Congress' failure and the regular Congress' failure to negotiate and agree on humane budget cuts coupled with revenue-generating and economy-growing measures.
Thanks to Congressional foot-dragging, sequestration is upon us. The biggest budget that is up for trimming is the military budget. Although hawks are wringing their hands over potential cuts, the US military budget is by far the largest in the world. In fact, in 2011, the US spent more on the military than the next 13 countries combined! Wonkblog has provided great charts and background information on military spending– perfect ammunition for anyone who in more invested in peace than war. Check out it out after the jump.
by Pamela Powers Hannley U.S. Rep. Ron Barber (D) will host a meeting to discuss the Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on Border Patrol Operations– today. Please RSVP at AZ02.RSVP@mail.house.gov. The meeting is 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29 at Pima Communitiy College East Campus, 8181 E. Irvington Rd. Here is a link to GAO … Read more