Senate open for business - Frist and Reid up first

[Sydnie]

I missed most of Frist's speech, thank goodness. Reid is talking about the "Budget Deficit Reduction Act of 2005", explaining how the act actually increases the debt.

[joannc]

1. I live in TN.

You did not miss much if you missed Frist's speech.He sets my teeth on edge,I do not like that man,can you tell?

[Sydnie]

3. I don't care much for him either

I have a hard time getting the slime out of my ears after I hear him speak. I try to avoid it when ever possible.

Reid is doing outstanding though.

They need to pay attention to AARP. With so many of us baby boomers getting ready to join their ranks, it could become quite the lobbying powerhouse soon.

[jarab]

12. Welcome to DU !!

...O...

[Lasher]

2. Reid just said there are Medicare cuts in the repuke bill

I thought it was just Medicade.

[Sydnie]

4. Reid is right

This budget is not the friend of the lower/middle class. It guts entitlement programs by 40 Billion dollars!

[Lasher]

5. Programs being cut

Medicare, Medicade, student loans, foster care, food stamps - what have I missed?

[Sydnie]

6. child support enforcement

cutting the money to the offices that support the child care orders, keeping the money flowing for the kids from dead beat parents.

This goes hand in hand with the bankruptcy bill, which puts the credit cards paybacks in line a head of child support payments.

[Sydnie]

7. Points of order on the Byrd Rule

Byrd Rule allows for legislation to be "fast tracked" as long as nothing is added without the knowledge of the legislators. That rules was violated here with additions done at the 11th hour without sufficent notice.

Sen. Gregg calls for four points of order. Dump foster care cuts for grandparents who take in their grandchildren, dump hospital clearance to refuse to service those that are not properly insured ... I missed the other two. Anybody catch them?

[Lasher]

8. OK, here's what they're talking about

S. 1932, The Budget Reconciliation Act of 2005, is a bill to cut funding for Medicare, Medicaid, food stamps, student loans, foster care, and child support enforcement - to partially offset even more tax cuts for the wealthy elite. It was passed in the House by http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2005/roll670.xml">Roll Call Vote 670

[Norquist Nemesis]

9. Tuned in a couple of minutes ago

After watching Reid and Frist's remarks yesterday afternoon, I wanted to try and catch as much as possible. Reid sort of warned Senators it's going to be a heated discussion (called items contentious) and asked everyone to be mindful and respectful. I'm betting the other side of the aisle goes ahead and sticks out their tongue at him, in unison.

[Sydnie]

10. Vote to waive the points of order taking place now

Chair had already stated that they did not believe that the point of order on foster care was "well taken", meaning they did not agree with it procedurally.

[Lasher]

11. Byrd's speech yesterday

During a pause in the action today, I hope they show Senator Byrd's speech from yesterday. I missed it and can't find a video clip of it.

[Sydnie]

13. It was amazing!

I sent him an email afterwards to thank him for his passion.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

14. Morning Lasher....

See here for the text of Byrds Speech... the video is not up yet, but they do have the video of Sunday's speech.

http://byrd.senate.gov/newsroom/newsroom.html

:)

[Lasher]

16. Thanks, Viva

I've been to this site this morning, and posted the 'Republican Leadership Gives Heave-Ho to American Workers' piece in the West Virginia forum here at DU. I don't think that's the whole speech from yesterday though, is it?

I tried to watch the December 19 video clip, but Windows Media Player doesn't recognize the file extension. Wonder what I need to do to fix that?

[Sydnie]

15. Stevens is the chair!

They all obviously WANT this man to have a heart attack. And, he's back in his HULK tie too!

[Lasher]

17. What was that 50 - 50 vote with Darth Cheney breaking the tie?

Did they pass the bill that cuts social programs?

[Sydnie]

18. Yes they did and yes Cheney did break the tie

Amazing. The guy never shows up any other time but they knew they didn't have the votes so he makes it in time to screw us all, yet again!

[Lasher]

19. That's what I thought. Guess I was in denial.

I had heard that one of the Democratic Senators might not be there due to a recent operation. But I guess he is, since 100 votes were just cast.

[Lasher]

20. SENATOR BYRD IS SPEAKING!!

Woo hoo!

[Sydnie]

21. Rule 28! Hear ME!

He knows his stuff! If they allow this to stand, we are done as a government. They will never have order again. Anyone can do what ever they want and no one will care because they all will feel entitled to add what ever they want when ever they want to anything they want any time they want.

Byrd is so dead on balls right!