Reid has threatened to shut down the government. Call him and tell him to

[OregonBlue]

do it!!

The Republican House has attached the ANWAR drilling provision to the Defense Spending bill, Senator Reid has threatened to shut down the government. Call him and tell him it's time to stop talking and do it. Pay the political price. It's time we stopped this corrupt Republican juggernaut.

Phone: [phone] / Fax: [phone]

I'm sick of the politics. I'm tired of lip service. Let him know we'll back him all the way!!

[Ron Mexico]

1. I'm on it. Go, Harry, go. (n/t)

[napi21]

2. Do our soldiers get paid from this?

That would be my only problem. I really don't care if the damn Pentagon shuts down. I think it's a good thing! However, I don't know if our military personnel are paid out of this appropriations bill. If they are, I don't want them to suffer any more than they already have, just to prove a point.

[Horse with no Name]

4. That's why the Pubs do it this way

The sneaky bastards want the Dem leadership to be put in a position to have to say no to the troops...therefore that they don't support the troops.
It's time for a major overhaul of how legislation is passed.

[babylonsister]

10. Then I say, don't sign off on the damn bill until

the other stuff is scrapped-simple. I'm furious they threw in ANWR AFTER it was ok'd by the Senate.
This will set a precedent if it's not stopped now!:grr:

[FreedomAngel82]

54. And it's very interesting

how they're not doing this a seperate bill. If people really want it why are they attaching it to this spending bill? I saw a few minutes of Kay Bailey Hutchinson talk about this and she claims the people of Alaska want it to happen. So if that's the case why are they not doing this seperate? I don't get why they're not having it be it's own bill.

[FreedomAngel82]

53. Exactly

People don't get it about voting for bills like that either. They don't get how the republicans do. It's like with that Hunter bill they were trying to pass as Murtha's which it wasn't. All they can do is say so and so voted against the troops without giving a chance to say why they did.

[soothsayer]

9. A little hardball will make the pukes back down on arctic drilling

The troops will be fine as you will see that provision disappear PRONTO.

Once this tactic is fought and exposed, they will retreat.

[FreedomAngel82]

49. That's what I want to know too

We're giving them all this money but where is it going? They're not getting armor or anything like that. :shrug: So who gets it? Haliburton? Other private contractors?

[haroldgiowa]

76. Just to prove a point?

Yes they do get paid out of this, that is why the republicans chose this tactic. I feel bad for the soldiers, but somewhere you have to stand your ground.

[babylonsister]

3. What did Reid say specifically? nt

[OregonBlue]

6. Read it this morning. Have to go look for the article again. Let you

know in a minute.

[OregonBlue]

7. Here it is from NYT this morning.

New York Times
House Backs Arctic Drilling at End of Marathon Session

By CARL HULSE
Published: December 19, 2005

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 - Working through the night, the House early today voted to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling as part of a military measure and narrowly approved a $40 billion budget-cutting plan as bleary-eyed lawmakers concluded a marathon weekend session.

Last paragraph in the article is:

"This is a dark day in the history of the American constitutional form of government," said Mr. Reid, who threatened to slow the Senate over the next few days and block any votes on nominations as Republicans try to wrap up the session before Christmas.

[babylonsister]

8. Thank you! I'm calling NOW! nt

[helderheid]

5. gotta take my son to school and then I am on it.

[lonestarnot]

11. Cool calling now!

[helderheid]

12. please recommend this thread y'all

[lonestarnot]

13. Left my message, staff too busy to anwer phone.

[Horse with no Name]

14. Done.

Just told him to shut it down.

[lonestarnot]

39. You in Phoenix Horse with no name? Have a plan for soon. P M me

[Horse with no Name]

41. Won't be in until Thursday

Leaving Texas Wednesday. Will pm you when I arrive.:)

[lonestarnot]

45. OKee dokey!

[goclark]

15. Kicked and R ~ called they are very nice

you can easily leave your words of support when you hear the message.

[Sydnie]

16. I called. Lines are far too open people

I had NO wait to talk to an aid. Jam those lines. Send that message before he makes a deal with STevens that makes us look weak!

[in_cog_ni_to]

17. Did he threaten this today? Or is this his threat from a few months ago?

I know he threatened this over SCOTUS nominations, but was THIS threat new?

[in_cog_ni_to]

18. Never mind! I see your above post!

I'm on it! Going to go call now!:hi:

[iconoclastNYC]

19. I support TOUGH tactics. But over ANWR?

I think we should hold off for something the more of the public can get behind.

[in_cog_ni_to]

21. Give 'em an inch, they take a mile! They MUST BE STOPPED! n/t

[iconoclastNYC]

28. I agree in spirit.....but in implementation

I think we could pick an issue for our stand that would divide the Republicans.....such as the encroaching big brother state.....True conservatives hate this....if we make a stand over this we'll help fracture the republican coalition.

[OregonBlue]

33. It's the process they're using to shove this through. Reid can make

it clear that they will block until the process is changed!!

[babylonsister]

34. It's the way they snuck ANWR in. They tried to get the defense

bill passed, had the majority of the Senate behind them, and then snuck in ANWR w/o the Senate knowing. It's their underhanded way of doing things that I strenuously object to. If they let this slide, what's next?

[iconoclastNYC]

42. Good points.

Hopefully we can counter the "tree hugger" talking points.

[donkeyotay]

58. The public is behind this stand on ANWAR, but that's not what it's about

It's about the legislative process and representative government. They already voted against ANWAR, so now they're overriding that vote and conducting business in committee. They're cheating, lying and pissing on the Constitution. Think the public can get behind that?

[in_cog_ni_to]

20. I called! Flood the phone lines!!!!!

Call NOW!!!!:bounce:

[stubertmcfly]

22. done and done n/t

[ThomWV]

23. Here's How To Contact Your Senator

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

[Rainscents]

24. SHUT. IT. DOWN!!!

WAY TO GO Sen. Reid!!!

[Freddie Stubbs]

25. Heve we learned anything from history?

Does anyone remember how well the last government shut-down went over with the public?

[Bill McBlueState]

31. No, nobody does, unfortunately.

Good point.

[mopinko]

40. maybe because they saw it clearly

for the political stunt that it was. maybe people will be equally able to see this for the desperate attempt to stop a bunch of fascist monsters that it is. i think you are seriously underestimating the intelligence of the american people. i know this is hard to do, but i think your usual cynicism has helped you. i still have a ray of hope.

[EFerrari]

44. Do you remember how it went over with the Republican leadership?

And the Thuggery is polling even worse right now.

Harry Reid is one smart man.

[coffeenap]

26. Thanks--just called. nt

[Peace Patriot]

27. I'm all for shutting down this menace of a government, but I think we're

missing the point if we let ONE HUNDRED BILLION MORE DOLLARS pour into Dick Cheney's and Donald Rumsfeld's hands with NO OVERSIGHT, to continue and to expand AN ILLEGAL, UNJUST, MURDEROUS WAR in the Middle East, in which the Bush Cartel is imprisoning and torturing ANYONE THEY PLEASE, WITH NO OVERSIGHT, and are meanwhile SPYING ON AMERICAN CITIZENS also with NO OVERSIGHT.

This is a junta, not a government. And if we think some tweak to the Defense spending bill is going to stop Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld and Condoleeza Rice from taking Halliburton's and Chevron's enemies on black flights to torture dungeons in Poland and points east, I think you are fooling yourselves. There is NO OVERSIGHT of what they do. None! They can say and do whatever they like.

The Democrats--if they still believe in our Republic--should be shutting down this government, period--and, at minimum, DENYING it any more funds until its Mafia-like crime and treason are fully investigated, and all Bushi'ite criminals brought to justice.

ANWR--important as it is--is a DISTRACTION. That's WHY the Bushi'ites put it in there.

[Peace Patriot]

29. P.S. By all means, support Reid in his action, and support and pressure

Democrats on all righteous fronts, but do include CONTEXT in your letters. Let them know that we DO understand what is going on here, and we want this heinous and illegitimate regime off our backs NOW. They have forfeited any right to any more of our money--let alone ONE HUNDRED BILLION DOLLARS MORE FOR THEIR HIDEOUS WAR AGAINST THE *PEOPLE* OF THE MIDDLE EAST, and their WAR HERE AT HOME AGAINST *US*!

[ticapnews]

30. My email to Senator Reid (and info for those calling)

Senator Reid (and staff),

I understand that you can only repsond to people from your own state but you are our minority leader so you represent me as well. I watched the incredible events in the House on C-SPAN until early this morning and have followed the events this morning on C-SPAN2. You have threatened to slow down or shut down the Senate if ANWR remains attached to the Defense bill. I wholeheartedly encourage you to do so. Little by little the Republicans have chipped away at precedents, rules, traditions and even laws. The events of the past week have opened many eyes. PLEASE follow through and shut down the Republican Rubber Stamp machine. Further appeasment of the GOP leadership is not an option!

The activists in the Democratic Party will proudly stand by you. You are not only the Senator from Nevada - you are our voice in the Senate. Speak for us now and we will not forget it.

--

For people who are calling, don't forget to call his offices in Nevada. They keep track of calls there as well, and you might have more luck getting through. I'm going to try now.
http://reid.senate.gov/offices.cfm
Carson City, NV 89701
Phone: [phone] / Fax: [phone]

Las Vegas, NV 89101
Phone: [phone] / Fax: [phone]

Reno, NV 89501
Phone: [phone] / Fax: [phone]

Phone: [phone] / Fax: [phone]
Toll Free for Nevadans: 1-866-SEN-REID (736-7343) -Restricted to calls originating from area codes 775 and 702-

[EFerrari]

32. Done. I called the Carson City office and got through

right away.

:kick: and nominated

[G_j]

35. called earlier

Senator Reid agrees on drawing the line, given the ANWR shenanigans and the PATRIOT Act bullying. They are pleased to hear of our support in shutting it down. Keep calling and also let your own Senators have an earful!

[laylah]

36. Done and kickin'!

[AuntiBush]

37. I Called both NV & DC Offices...

and let my Rep Senator Reid know we're behind him 100 percent.

Both offices answered rapidly, and were pleased to hear the support.

What a disgrace. The daily deterioration of our democracy is crumbling due to the most corrupt GOP leadership ever! Sick of it!

Want my country back! :(

[Maraya1969]

38. The political price is he will be seen as a Dem with a BACK BONE

I don't see how this could be bad for Reid. This country needs people making waves now more than every. We are going to remember the ones who made the effort, the time, and had the fortitude to STAND UP TO CORRUPTION!

[rman]

43. It only makes sense to attach that provision

to the Defense Spending bill, if you acknowledge that we live under military-industrial rule,
Also it lends credit to the notion that war is practically always about resources.

[ComerPerro]

46. I am so sick of the Republicans playing politics with people's lives

They do crap like this so they can say Dems won't vote to support the troops.

Its fucking bullshit.

[FreedomAngel82]

47. I sent an Email

I hope he does it!! Everybody Email progressive networks too!! Help them get the word out!

[IndyOp]

48. Done!

The Senate has GOT to block this horrible legislation and protect the House - in which the GOP is now ramming through a new procedural rule according to which they don't have to provide the bills well in advance of the vote. If it passes they will be able to drop a 6,000 page bill on the desk and say "Vote in 30-minutes!"

:grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr:

[IndyOp]

50. NASTY DEAL TO CUT LOW-INCOME PROGRAMS NOW FACING FINAL VOTE

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5636674

NASTY DEAL TO CUT LOW-INCOME PROGRAMS NOW FACING FINAL VOTE:
CALL YOUR SENATORS NOW!!

House and Senate leaders in Congress have agreed upon nearly $40 billion in cuts over 5 years. Although early reports suggested that the agreement left out most cuts hurting low-income people initially proposed by the House, that is NOT the case. Many harmful cuts in Medicaid, child support, foster care, SSI, TANF, and student loans remain in the agreement.

The agreement now stands or falls on the final vote in the Senate.

The House voted to approve these cuts (212-206) after an all-night session and virtually no time for members to look at the 774 page bill. Here's how your member voted: http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2005/roll670.xml These provisions are substantially worse than the bill the Senate initially approved. The Senate is expected to take up the agreement sometime Monday or Tuesday. Your calls to your Senators are urgently needed.

Please vote NO on the budget reconciliation conference report (S. 1932). It hurts low-income children, families, the elderly and disabled. Do not allow these one-sided sacrifices to be inflicted on low-income Americans while Congress is preparing to give still more tax breaks to the rich.

Here are some of the cuts in this nasty deal:

Medicaid: Low-income families will have to pay more than they can afford for medical care under Medicaid and face shrinking benefits.

SSI: People with disabilities will have to wait as long as a year to receive the back SSI benefits they are owed because the government has taken so long to approve their application.
Child Support: Children will be deprived of $2.9 billion over 5 years/$8.4 billion over 10 years in child support not collected because of cuts in enforcement.

Foster Care: Grandparents or other relatives in certain states will lose foster care assistance.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families: The agreement assumes that work requirements will be made more harsh and expects states to fail – and so estimates that states will pay penalties to the federal government. The Congressional Budget Office expects that states will in turn create harsher penalties for poor families, causing more to lose benefits.

Child Care: CBO estimates that it will cost $12.5 billion in new funding to pay for the harsher work requirements and to keep up with the costs of providing existing child care. The budget deal only provides $1 billion – a gap of $11.5 billion. That means 255,000 fewer children will receive child care in 2010 compared to this year.

Student Loans: Cut $12.7 billion over 5 years.

[Clara T]

61. Please keep us posted on these bills

and the outcome. It's all disgusting.

I've made calls talked to aides and expressed my disgust at these bills w/ the usual lip service response.

Just building more jet fighters and cruise missiles. No food or shelter for the poor and needy. I'm afraid what is needed is for the American people to WAKE THE F**K UP find the fire deep inside their soul and shut the snakepit down themselves. How much are we going to put up with?

[IndyOp]

51. Call Senate! 95B tax relief for rich, 29B for Gulf Coast - TRY AGAIN!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5634888

The House version of the budget that passed at 5:00 am this morning is a nightmare!

Most of the money that is being released to the Gulf Coast is going to incompetent FEMA; to crony-led corporations; to faith-based schools and charities *instead of* to the people who are in desperate need!

Where is the housing? Where is the financial safety net? Where is healthcare? People are being evicted from their homes so landlords can charge exhorbitant rents to people who can pay; people are sleeping in barns and cars; forced to pay mortgates for homes that no longer exist; unable to pay for medications; construction laborers are being stiffed by contractors hired by the companies - like KB&R - that FEMA hired and no one is watching out for laborers.

Tell the SENATE to resurrect and fully fund the "Democratic Katrina Emergency Relief Plan" - described in full below (and tell them to get ANWR and provisions to gut campaign finance that passed in the House version OUT of the "budget").

Hurricane Survivors are saying over and over and over that they have been forgotten.
Do you need inspiration to take action on behalf of the hurricane survivors?

Watch "Do They Know Its Christmas?" <http://www.savefile.com/files.php?fid=4306696 >

Then, please send the link far and wide, tell people what is happening *right now* and ask them to call Congress & Senate today!!

Tell Congress: We will not forget. Take Care of the Hurricane Survivors Now!
Call Congress Toll Free: 1-800-426-8073

[Sapphire Blue]

52. ***** CALL YOUR SENATORS NOW!! ***** 1-800-426-8073 *****

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5636674

[Rainscents]

59. I just called both my Senator's and they're voting "NO"!!!

[savemefromdumbya]

55. yes shut down the govt and lock the doors

[Helga Scow Stern]

56. Done. n/t

[lonestarnot]

57. Think they already left no one answers McCains phones.

Left a message for Senator Reid.

[Clara T]

60. Done

Just spoke to an aide in Reid's office. They are getting numerous calls. Will we get satisfaction? Will we get justice?

If this goes through with the nod of a few Dems there is then only one solution remaining and that lies in people en masse shutting down the halls of Congress. Our world is being annihilated by these criminals.

[doublethink]

62. Damn how'd I miss this thread all morning .....

okay. Dialing now. :) ....

[rd_kent]

63. Yes!! shut it down and change the locks!!!!!

[doublethink]

64. Actually the timing to do this is perfect anyway .......

shut it down, leave for the holidays, the Senators go back home to their constituents, get press coverage on all this over the next month, to hopefully raise the awareness of the FASCIST Country we are becoming .... Come back in late January and throw the mofo Repubs out of office. Peace. :)

[rodeodance]

65. Reid and Frist are chatting on the Senate floor at this moment.

[rodeodance]

66. Durbin is next to him (quorum call at the moment).

[rodeodance]

67. c-span just said the Repugs said they have the 51 votes needed!

[vanboggie]

68. Done

Called with my support.

[vanboggie]

69. deleted - dupe post n/t

[jmowreader]

70. The Republicans themselves might shut down the government

The trick here is that the Senate and the House must sign off on the same bill--word for word. If the Senate passes a bill and sends it to the House, which adds ANWR, a five-brazillion-dollar performance bonus to Halliburton and a kitchen sink to it, there must then be a conference on the bill to reconcile it--to take the House and Senate bills and produce one bill from both.

And then, IIRC, they have to send the bill back to the full Congress to be re-voted on.

In this conference is the time to remove the ANWR provision, the performance bonus and the kitchen sink.

This is not to say that the Dems shouldn't follow through on their threat, but if the Senate has said "no ANWR in the defense bill" and the House has put it in, the war between the two houses should be entertaining to say the least.

[redacted]

71. K&N!

[electropop]

72. Kerry is threatening a filibuster too.

Got a letter from him on this today.

Go for it people! Time to draw the line!

[ClayZ]

73. Thank you Harry Reid!

We have got to end the Horror of the bu$h Crime Family! SHAME ON THEM!

I watched C-SPAN in the middle of the night last night when the greedy republicans came out to sneek their miserable bills through. It was indeed an honor to watch the Democrats shame them.

[faithnotgreed]

74. kick

[Canuckistanian]

75. When will you people learn?

Sorry about this, but until you forever get rid of this "tacking on provisions" nonsense, you're going to be fighting this.

What you should be fighting for is a "congressional line-item vote", which would let lawmakers clearly vote for the one item at hand.

I remember that congress voted down a "line-item veto" for the president, but that only prolongs the issue.

Just get rid of this ridiculous method of passing odious laws under the cover of legitimate bill-passing.

Just my 2c.

[sinkingfeeling]

77. Toll free phone numbers to US Senate here.....

888-818-6641 or 888-355-3588. There are operators on duty 24 hours a day. This is from http://www.millionphonemarch.com