U.S. House to adopt health care bill without voting on it?

Throughout the year we've highlighted the challenges state lawmakers have had with embracing a transparent legislative process. Not to be out done, the U.S. House may be poised to show it can play even bigger games than state lawmakers. Struggling to secure the votes needed to pass health care legislation, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has identified a new strategy: adopting the bill without having members vote for it. The Washington Post has the details . . . READ MORE

Senator wants changes to 17th amendment

Senator Val Stevens (R-39) has introduced a resolution calling on Congress to initiate a constitutional amendment that would restore the selection of U.S. Senators by state legislatures instead of by direct elections. Here are details from SJM 8020 - Requesting that Congress amend the 17th amendment of the United States Constitution . . . READ MORE

GAO: Nation's long-term fiscal outlook remains unsustainable

The U.S. Government Accountability Office today released its Fall update on The Federal Government's Long-Term Fiscal Outlook. The prognosis is grim unless our elected officials in D.C. take action soon. From the report: Weaknesses in the economy and financial markets—and the government’s response to them—have contributed to near-term increases in federal deficits, which reached a record level in fiscal year 2009. While a lot of attention has been given to the recent fiscal deterioration, the federal government faces even larger fiscal challenges that will persist long after the return of financial stability and economic growth. GAO’s simulations continue to show escalating levels of debt that illustrate that the long-term fiscal outlook remains unsustainable. In little over 10 years, debt held by the public as a percent of GDP under our Alternative simulation is projected to exceed the historical high reached in the aftermath of World War II and grow at a steady rate thereafter . . . READ MORE

Federal transparency bill moves step closer to floor vote

Earlier this year Washington Congressman Brian Baird (D) introduced a resolution calling for a 72-hour review period on legislation before a vote could be taken. Baird's House Resolution 554 is co-sponsored by Rep. John Culberson of Texas (R). Since House leadership has not scheduled the bill for a vote, Baird has joined with other Representatives to try to force floor action on the transparency proposal. According to The Hill: "Democratic Rep. Brian Baird (Wash) has signed on to a discharge petition intended to force a floor vote on transparency legislation backed by Republicans. If the petition wins 218 signatures, it would pave the way for a vote on legislation that would change House rules to require that bills are posted online for 72 hours before the House votes on them. It is rare for a lawmaker to sign on to a discharge petition intended to force the leaders of his party to hold a floor vote. It is also considered to be a slap in the face of leaders . . . READ MORE 

Protestors target government spending priorities

Protests were held across the country this past Saturday by citizens frustrated with the spending decisions being made in Washington D.C. Among the local protests were rallies at the state capitol in Olympia and in Yakima. Here are some photos of the Olympia rally. When asked by The Yakima Herald why he was at the Yakima rally, sixty-nine year old Jack Weston replied: “Bank bailouts should never have happened. Taking over the car companies should never have happened,” he said. He ultimately came away encouraged. “I’m doing a small part in protecting this county.” The largest of the spending protest occurred in Washington D.C. with an estimated tens of thousands converging on the Capitol. The New York Times reports the number of protesters took authorities by surprise . . . READ MORE