Republicans Flex Muscle in Lame-Duck Session

The congressional lame duck session will come to a close soon now that the legislation to extend various tax cuts including the Bush tax cuts and unemployment benefits has passed the House and will be signed by the president. The next step will be to approve a FY 2011 spending measure.A lame duck session became necessary because the outgoing Congress did not pass any of the 12 appropriations bills that fund the government. However, that earlier passed CR expires at 12:01 a.m., Sunday, December 19th. Therefore, if Congress does not act pass a new funding measure by that date the federal government will be forced to shut down.While there were critics of the lame duck session, many members of Congress argued that besides the CR, Congress had to use the session to pass an extension of unemployment...

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Deficit Reduction Reports Hovers over Lame Duck Session

Amidst all of the drama within both parties – Tea Party versus establishment Republicans, liberals versus conservative/moderate Democrats, make no mistake the 800 pound gorilla settling in Washington is the draft report issued by the bipartisan National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. President Barack Obama creates the commission to seek recommendations on ways to reduce Federal spending and control future deficits.The Commission, co-chaired by Former Republican Senator Alan Simpson (WY) and Erskine Bowles, the former Chief of Staff to President Bill Clinton, submitted a preliminary report with five basic recommendations:1. Enact tough discretionary spending caps and provide $200 billion in illustrative domestic and defense savings in 2015.2. Pass tax reform that dramatically...

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On to the Next Round

The election is over and now both Republicans and Democrats will chart a course over the next two years with the intent to win the 2012 presidential elections. Since only one side can win the ultimate prize, the White House, drama will take center stage in Washington, DC. Here is what we know about the election:The Republicans elected in both the House and Senate are more fiscally conservative than their predecessors and are chomping at the bit for a show down with President Barack Obama to reduce Federal spending. Republicans in both chambers are talking tough about cutting non-defense programs to the 2008 levels. Republicans have been soliciting recommendations from the public on which programs to cut. The site, America Speaking Out, allows citizens to recommend where they would like to...

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One Chapter Ends, Another Begins

The drama surrounding the current election season will come to a close November 2nd and the ensuing results will usher in the next chapter of our country’s political history. Beyond the numbers, time will tell which political party, which individuals and which movement was victorious. However, for the country to expect anything less than more partisanship is naïve and unrealistic.Post-Election Partisanship The partisanship will begin the moment the results are tallied. If predictions are correct, history will stay true to form and the party of the president in power, Democrats, will suffer losses. The size and severity of those losses are debatable at this time. The estimate of Democratic losses in the House of Representatives ranges from 40 to 75. It is possible, but unlikely, Republicans...

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Leading up to the election, AVIEWFROMDC will provide its readers with some articles of interest about the election:2010 ElectionGOP poised to win redistricting supremacy, tooDown-ticket races could dilute Democrats' influence for next 10 yearsBy Jennifer C. KerrThe Associated PressThe stimulus worked — but for which party?'The failed stimulus' has become a Republican mantra this election seasonBy Tom CurryMSNBC National affairs writerElection Day could bring historic split: Democrats lose House, keep SenateBy Karen TumultyThe Washington PostTea Party Already Shapes '12 RaceBy Peter WallstenThe Wall Street JournalGauging the scope of the tea party movement in AmericaBy Amy GardnerThe Washington PostTea party groups say media has been fair, poll showsBy Amy GardnerThe Washington PostYes, They...

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Election Outcome Still in Doubt

With the election fast approaching, its outcome, and the subsequent political climate of the nation, is still in doubt. While the specific results are yet to be determined, there are still some predictions we can make about the aftermath of November 2, 2010.1. There will be a number of surprises on Election Day. Expect the unexpected.2. Whichever party “wins” November 2, it will overplay the significance of its victory. Historically, the party of the president in office loses congressional seats in the first mid-term elections. The fact of the loss is almost certain. What is not known is how big the loss will be.3. Very little will be accomplished in Congress as Republicans seek to weaken President Barack Obama in the attempt to reclaim the White House in 2012.4. The most significant...

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Interesting Reads

The Midterm Election of ‘62: A Real “October Surprise”By Rhodes CookCrystal BallReport: Fla. adds 2 seats, N.Y. losesBy Richard E. CohenPoliticoIf Voters Choose Divided Power, What Then?By Morton M. KondrackeRoll CallWhat to watch as Rahm Emanuel leavesBy Glenn Thrush & Kendra MarrPoliticoThe GOP's 'Pledge to America': a closer look at the detailsBy Perry Bacon Jr.Washington PostAfter 2 turbulent years, officials assess TARPBy Brady DennisThe Washington PostThe Secret World of Extreme MilitiasBy Barton GellmanTime MagazineGlenn Beck is obsessed with Hitler and Woodrow Wilson. (I'm just saying.)By Dana MilbankThe Washington P...

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Drama Surrounds November Election

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