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In case you haven't heard yet, Mass. voters delivered a predictable message yesterday. With high unemployment, a bad economy, and no immediate signs of improvement, they punished the incumbent party. (Oh, and it doesn't help to demoralize your base.)
The immediate outcome of this election is the Democratic caucus in the Senate will--sometime in the two weeks or so when Sen. Brown is sworn in--have 59 instead of 60 members.
For most of the history of the Senate, this would be a minor consideration, important only for the most critical of critical votes and--even then--only for the drama of how long it took to break a filibuster.
A few decades back when our Sen. Robert Byrd was Majority Leader, he instituted an innovative change in how the Senate schedules business--he created a dual-track system where the Senate can consider two pieces of legislation at a time. Combined with an unprecedented GOP commitment to obstructionist policies, this has led to a the unintended consequence of every piece of legislation now requires 60 votes in the Senate to pass.
Senate: heal thyself
What happens next is entirely up to the Senate. The 60 vote threshold for the end of debate (cloture) is entirely a matter of tradition--a relatively recent tradition at that. The Senate makes its own rules, it can change its own rules.
If you are not facing scandals, and times are good, then you will be popular no matter what you pass into law. This is about being in power when times are bad.
In order to pass legislation that will start to make the situation in the country better, and thus make themselves more popular, Democrats are going to have to get rid of the filibuster. With the 60-vote Senate, there was never much of a chance to pass the legislation necessary to start the country in the right direction. Now, there is even less of a chance--virtually none, really.
All Democratic leaders are going to have to ask themselves a question: do they want to make the country better, or are concerns over obscure arguments about the need for a "deliberative body" more important to them? Would they rather be able to govern for the next three years, or are they afraid of a few news cycles where Republicans accuse them of not being bipartisan enough?
That is the choice that leading Democrats face right now. Even though we can help organize and apply pressure, this is still fundamentally a choice the Democratic Senate caucus faces, not us.
I hope for the sake of the country--we need bold action to take care of the critical problems facing our country--that the Senate fixes itself and is able to start passing legislation supported by the majority of the country.
To retreat to timidity would be a tragic misread of the election results, one that would not only damage future Democratic electoral changes but--far more importantly--needlessly clip the wings from implementing critical public policy.
Good afternoon, WvaBlue readers. This is your afternoon open thread to discuss all things Hill-related. Use this thread to praise or bash Congresscritters, share a juicy tip, ask questions, offer critiques and suggestions, or post manifestos.
As always, this is a crosspost from Congress Matters and I will refrain from my routine claim that this is the most important news of the day. That would be the what is happening in your own house this time of the year.
Sen. Byrd did not miss the vote today either, even thought it was finally just a majority wins event. His thoughts went to his friend Edward M. Kennedy.
It's like we're in a Saturday morning kids scifi show... the goodguy robot (in this case MSNBC) is telling us that the Repubs are getting ready to attack the Senate's vote on a Health Care Plan any way they can.
To start with, more than one of the Repub Senators (led by Lamar Alexander - R, TN) have called for new "Town Hall" meetings, like the ones the House members had in August - and it looks like the groups of lobbyists are ready to bus the same people in.
I prepared this diary at the request of national climate change activists wanting to better understand the West Virginia political landscape. It originally appeared yesterday as a contribution to the Adopt A Senator series at DailyKos.
What most casual observers of Congress know about Senator Robert C. Byrd is he's the longest-serving member in the Senate's history and he's been incredibly successful at steering federal dollars to West Virginia.
(Political Science Professor) Rupp remembers a quote from former Democratic House speaker Jim Wright, D-Texas, that Byrd posted in his office near the Senate Appropriations Committee Room inside the Capitol. It said: "Bob is a living encyclopedia, and legislative graveyards are filled with the bones of those who underestimated him."
Time and time again, Sen. Byrd has delivered for West Virginia. The question of the moment is, what does Byrd think West Virginia needs in the next energy and climate bill?
"The climate legislation proposed today by Senators Boxer and Kerry is a disappointing step in the wrong direction and I am against it.
"Requiring 20 percent emission reductions by 2020 is unrealistic and harmful - it is simply not enough time to deploy the carbon capture and storage (CCS) and energy efficiency technologies we need. Period.
"Our nation cannot survive without energy from coal and any viable climate policy must solidify our future by focusing on technology to make coal cleaner faster.
"I will continue studying the bill and all of its implications for our state and the coal industry. This is by no means the defining word on climate legislation in the Senate.
"I remain adamant in my conviction not to support any bill that might threaten the economy, workers or families across West Virginia.
"We should take the time to approach these issues with absolute care and diligence - they require nothing less."
I take Sen. Rockefeller at his word--as he studies the bill in more detail, he'll find there's parts there that can help the economy, workers, and families across West Virginia.
I agree with Sen. Rockefeller that 2020 is not enough time to fully deploy carbon capture and storage (CCS). I disagree with Sen. Rockefeller that we should set our greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets based on the risky and uncertain technology of CCS.
We should base our GHG reduction targets based on what is needed to maintain a livable planet, not based on the goal of burning as much coal as possible.
"I am glad to see that Senators Kerry and Boxer included some of the provisions I and other Senators recommended related to carbon capture and storage. I am pleased that Senators Boxer and Kerry are placing a greater focus on clean coal technology. While this is an encouraging sign, we have a long way to go on this legislation. Many issues have yet to be addressed. There is still a tough road ahead."
"I will continue to work with my colleagues to strike a balance that treats West Virginia's interests fairly as the legislative process moves forward. However, I will actively oppose any bill that would harm the workers, families, industries, or our resource-based economy in West Virginia."
West Virginia has more than just a resource-based economy. I hope Sen. Byrd will also actively consider how much damage the rest of our economy will suffer if no action is taken to address climate change.
A Good Sign
There's at least one major provision that will help out West Virginians. (For links to an overview of the bill and the actual bill visit Sen. Kerry's website.)
Part 2 of the bill provides Climate Change Worker Adjustment Assistance:
Sections 311- 313. Establishes a program pursuant to which any worker displaced as a result of Title VII of the Clean Air Act would be entitled to 156 weeks of income supplement, 80% of their monthly health care premium, up to $1,500 for job search assistance, up to $1,500 for moving assistance, and additional employment services for skills assessment, job counseling, training, and other services. Payments under the program cannot exceed the proceeds from the auction of allowances set aside for this purpose.
I've often said we need a hand-up for coal mining communities, not a hand-out for coal companies. This is a step in the right direction. (This is no mere footnote. Pages 229 - 282 of the bill text cover this program.)
Here's another program that might help (I can't tell for sure--it probably needs more funding behind it and probably needs to be directed more closely to Appalachian communities):
Section 156. Economic Development Climate Change Fund. Authorizes the Economic Development Administration to provide up to $50 million per year in technical assistance and grants for projects that promote green economic development in distressed communities.
Now that a bill is on the table, this is a good time for Sens. Byrd and Rockefeller to start being equally forceful in their advocacy for all the West Virginians impacted by climate change as they have been for the coal miners who might be impacted by addressing climate change.
I can't say it often enough... a huge thank you to Sen. Rockefeller for his support for true health care reform. He's got some fabulous amendments lined up for consideration in the Senate Finance committee.
Update: We still need to keep up public pressure (on the House Progressive Block and other Senators) to let them know how much we support a Public Option. Signing this petition is one quick way you can take action right now.
ROCKEFELLER CONTINUES TO FIGHT FOR THE FUTURE OF TOURISM IN WEST VIRGINIA
Washington, D.C.-Senator Jay Rockefeller issued the following statement on fighting for the future of tourism and jobs in West Virginia:
"I'm glad to hear from so many West Virginians about this really important issue," said Rockefeller. "I will absolutely fight for the future of tourism and jobs in our state. I will not support an energy bill that threatens West Virginia's future. Global climate change is a grave threat to the planet, but our great country can rise to this challenge. People in the rest of the country need to know how dependent they are on the restorative effects of clean West Virginia mountain air and clean West Virginia mountain water. There's nothing like a visit to Wild, Wonderful, West "by God" Virginia to soothe the soul."
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 in June. The Senate is in the process of crafting its own bill, and it is roughly estimated that legislation could be considered later this fall.
Update: Despite constituent pleas Sen. Rockefeller continues to "fight." An anonymous staffer confidentially disclosed: it may or may not be due to decades of being introduced to the "Rocky" theme, that's just who the Senator is.
Good news on health care reform. Pres. Obama is fully engaged this week and pushing hard for health care reform legislation that includes a public option.
President Obama, along with senior advisers David Axelrod and Nancy Ann DeParle, held a conference call with bloggers this afternoon to discuss healthcare reform and the need for grassroots and netroots pressure on Congress to keep the urgency of the issue alive.
President Obama strongly reiterated his basic principles for a reform bill:
* Cover all Americans
* Drive down costs over the long term for both the private and public sector
* Improve quality
* Strengthen prevention and wellness
* Enact real insurance reforms that end exclusions for preexisting conditions, etc.
* Relief to small businesses
* Create a robust public option
But the main message of the call was the urgency of getting this done sooner rather than later.
But if Democrats are going to get it all done before adjourning early next month, they're going to have to prevail upon conservative members in their own party--many of whom are trying to slow down the entire reform project--that time is of the essence. Just how successful their efforts will be remains to be seen, but for now, they seem to be trying to divide Congress into pro- and anti- reform camps, characterizing Republican calls to delay as political gambits meant to kill the legislation, and asking those on the fence to choose their allegiances.
The hope seems to be that, faced with the GOP's naked political considerations, conservative and vulnerable Democrats will resist the urge to aid and abet the White House's enemies on Capitol Hill and in the conservative movement, and support swift action.
Sen. Rockefeller is one of Pres. Obama's staunch allies in this effort.
I can't find any public statement from Sen. Byrd on the content of health care reform legislation--it would be a real shame if Sen. Byrd ended up canceling out Sen. Rockefeller's vote.
My prediction
Pres. Obama will be successful in getting cloture in the Senate followed by a simple majority for the bill. There will be some Democratic party votes for cloture but against the bill. (The political stakes will be so high that blocking this legislation will be practically the equivalent of leaving the Democratic caucus. Also, the threat of passage under budget reconciliation makes a filibuster effectively pointless/unlikely.)
ROCKEFELLER CONTINUES TO FIGHT FOR THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION IN WEST VIRGINIA
Washington, D.C.-Senator Jay Rockefeller issued the following statement on fighting for the future of education and jobs in West Virginia:
"I'm glad to hear from so many West Virginians about this really important issue," said Rockefeller. "I will absolutely fight for the future of education and jobs in our state. I will not support an energy bill that threatens West Virginia's future. Global climate change is a grave threat to our future, but our great country can rise to this challenge. People in the rest of the country need to know how eager the educators of West Virginia are to train students for the new jobs of the future."
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 in June. The Senate is in the process of crafting its own bill, and it is roughly estimated that legislation could be considered later this fall.
It's time for West Virginia to prepare for the future, not to cling to the past. Coal is just one of many resources in West Virginia, let's take advantage of everything the state has to offer.
I think Sen. Rockefeller needs to hear from even more West Virginians that global climate change is real and should be addressed with alternatives other than "more coal." (Press release via email on July 17, 2009.)
ROCKEFELLER CONTINUES TO FIGHT FOR THE FUTURE OF COAL IN WEST VIRGINIA
Washington, D.C.-Senator Jay Rockefeller issued the following statement on fighting for the future of coal and jobs in West Virginia:
"I'm glad to hear from so many West Virginians about this really important issue," said Rockefeller. "I will absolutely fight for the future of coal and jobs in our state. I will not support an energy bill that threatens West Virginia's future. Technology can make coal even cleaner, but our nation cannot survive without energy from coal. People in the rest of the country need to know how dependent on West Virginia coal they are."
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 in June. The Senate is in the process of crafting its own bill, and it is roughly estimated that legislation could be considered later this fall.
If that's all Sen. Rockefeller thinks needs to be done, he's not listening to enough West Virginians. He doesn't sound like someone who understands the status quo threatens West Virginia's future.
* Tell him you want a climate bill that aggressively addresses climate change by building a green energy economy--not one that prolongs coal with very expensive unproven technology.
* Let him know the people of West Virginia need a hand-up for clean energy jobs, not another hand-out for the coal industry.
The U.S. House of Representatives approved a $15 million increase for both the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) for FY 2010, as my good friend Cecil Thompson just e-mailed me.
This is Great! The problems with the economy are hurting the performing arts spaces big time... from the Metropolitan Opera down to many of the smaller companies and performance groups in your own regions.
Now this is a real winner for the Insurance Companies that are already sucking the money out of the Healthcare system and making it more expensive for the majority of us. For one thing, EVERYONE would be required to buy insurance... and those who couldn't afford it would get a government subsidy... your tax money in Insurance company pockets.
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