Conor Kenny's News Articles

Debate Over Iraq War Continues to Surge in Congress

by Conor Kenny — July 12, 2007 - 6:10pm
  • Topics: U.S. Congress, Democracy, U.S. Government

    • The Iraq War is once again the hottest issue on Capitol Hill, as numerous bills and amendments aimed at ending the four and a half year-old conflict have been introduced. Earlier this year, both chambers passed a supplemental appropriations bill which required President Bush to begin removing U.S. combat troops from Iraq later in 2007, and also provided nearly $100 billion for the war through Sept. 30 of this year. When Bush promptly vetoed the measure, Congressional Democrats sent him a new bill which provided the funds with no troop withdrawal requests or mandates but vowed to revisit the issue, which they are doing now.

    The key question is whether enough Republicans will defect and vote with the Democrats to get a majority that could override Bush's expected veto. Most recently, Sens. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.), Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), and George Voinovich (R-Ohio) have called for a change in policy, though Lugar, at least, has stated that this doesn't mean he will vote for a Democratic withdrawal bill.

    Which Republicans have publicly supported a withdrawal? Help us keep track by adding to the list on Congresspedia's congressional actions to end the Iraq War article, which also contains information on the current proposals and how your members of Congress voted.

    Those current proposals include:

    Coming Up This Week in Congress: Iraq, Education, and Health

    by Conor Kenny — July 9, 2007 - 6:00pm
  • Topics: U.S. Congress, Democracy, U.S. Government

    • Both the House and Senate are in session this week, with each chamber expected to debate and consider several important bills and resolutions. Highlights include:

    TheWeekInCongress (June 25-29, 2007)

    by Conor Kenny — June 29, 2007 - 3:56pm
  • Topics: U.S. Congress, Democracy, U.S. Government

    • It was a busy week on Capitol Hill, as many high-profile issues were debated and considered in both the House and Senate. The House took up several appropriations bills, while the Senate tried (and failed) to pass comprehensive immigration legislation. For an in-depth look at the bills considered in Congress since Monday, we again turn to Robert McElroy’s TheWeekInCongress.

    Guest Blog: The AFL-CIO's Tula Connell on the Employee Free Choice Act

    by Conor Kenny — June 25, 2007 - 8:21pm
  • Topics: U.S. Congress, Labor

    • Managing Editor's note: This is a guest blog by User:Tula Connell, the managing editor at the AFL-CIO. It does not necessarily represent the views of the Center for Media and Democracy or the Sunlight Foundation. We welcome all informative, quality submissions related to Congress and Congresspedia articles, regardless of the point of view. If you'd like to submit a post for publication on the front page, see the guest blog info page.

    The Senate will hold a cloture vote Tuesday on Employee Free Choice Act (S.1041). The bill passed the House by 241-185 in March and would level the playing field for workers seeking to form unions.

    Current labor laws make it extremely difficult for America's workers to form unions without harassment and intimidation from their employers. Many employers want it both ways—workers who produce a lot but who are not paid enough for what they do. The union difference makes a big difference: When comparing wages alone, union workers on average make 30 percent more - that's a median weekly wage of $833 for a union worker compared with $642 for a full-time nonunion worker in 2006. (The full picture of the union difference is here.)

    Congresspedia's "Congress in the News" updates, May 18-June 21, 2007

    by Conor Kenny — June 25, 2007 - 2:00pm
  • Topics: Congresspedia News Updates, U.S. Congress, Democracy, U.S. Government

    • Coming Up This Week in Congress: Immigration, Labor, and Defense

    by Conor Kenny — June 25, 2007 - 1:48pm
  • Topics: U.S. Congress, Democracy, U.S. Government

    • Both the House and Senate are in session this week, with each chamber expected to debate and consider several important bills and resolutions. Highlights include:

    • The Senate will return to debating a comprehensive immigration bill. Senate leaders have agreed to a list of twenty-four amendments that will receive floor votes, with a final vote on the bill expected by the end of the week.
    • The Senate will consider the Employee Free Choice Act, a bill previously passed by the House which would make it easier for workers to form unions.
    • The Senate may consider the fiscal year (FY) 2008 Defense Department authorization bill, which was approved by the House last month.
    • The House will vote on two fiscal year (FY) 2008 spending bills; a $21.4 billion Financial Services measure and a $27.6 billion Interior-Environment bill. If passed, the Interior measure could face a veto threat as it is $1.9 billion above the Bush administration's request.

    After the jump is a full listing of this week's House and Senate hearings, courtesy of GovTrack.

    TheWeekInCongress (June 18-22, 2007)

    by Conor Kenny — June 22, 2007 - 5:27pm
  • Topics: U.S. Congress, Democracy, U.S. Government

    • There was lots of action on Capitol Hill this past week, as many high-profile issues were debated and considered in both the House and Senate. The House took up veterans’ legislation and a State Department appropriations bill, while the Senate passed comprehensive energy legislation. For an in-depth look at the bills considered in Congress since Monday, we again turn to Robert McElroy’s TheWeekInCongress.

    Bush Vetoes Bipartisan Stem Cell Bill for Second Time

    by Conor Kenny — June 21, 2007 - 6:12pm
  • Topics: U.S. Congress, Democracy, U.S. Government

    • For the second time in less than a year, President Bush vetoed a bill which would have lifted the current ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. The measure had passed in the House and Senate earlier this year by 247-176 and 63-34 margins, respectively (neither margin is veto-proof).

    Coming Up This Week in Congress: Energy, Immigration and Labor

    by Conor Kenny — June 18, 2007 - 3:50pm
  • Topics: U.S. Congress, Democracy, U.S. Government

    • Both the House and Senate are in session this week, with each chamber expected to debate and consider several important bills and resolutions. Highlights include:

    • The Senate will continue to debate a comprehensive energy bill, including provisions which would raise corporate fuel economy standards, require utilities to produce at least 15% of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020, and add loan guarantees to enhance private investment in coal-to-liquids plants.
    • The Senate will consider a long list of amendments pertaining to a comprehensive immigration bill, including one which would provide more than $4 billion for border security and employment verification initiatives.
    • The Senate will vote on the Employee Free Choice Act, a bill previously approved by the House which would make it easier for workers to form unions.
    • The House will likely take up several appropriations measures this week, most likely aiming to pass the Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and State-Foreign Operations spending bills.

    After the jump is a full listing of this week's House and Senate hearings, courtesy of GovTrack and Thomas.

    TheWeekInCongress (June 11-15, 2007)

    by Conor Kenny — June 15, 2007 - 6:20pm
  • Topics: U.S. Congress, Democracy, U.S. Government

    • It was an eventful week on Capitol Hill, as many high-profile issues were debated and considered in both the House and Senate. The House took up veterans’ benefits and a Homeland Security appropriations bill, while the Senate debated a comprehensive energy bill. For an in-depth look at the bills considered in Congress since Monday, we again turn to Robert McElroy’s TheWeekInCongress.

    Syndicate content