“Net Neutrality” is Baaaaaaaack. What the Heck is it?
Did you think you would never have to hear the term “Net Neutrality” again? Well, the fight over that complex “internet thing,” Net Neutrality, is back — and it is as tough to sort out as ever. “Net Neutrality” is what we have now — that is at risk of …
GOP Senators Denounce Healthcare Bill; Rep. McConnell Calls for “Repeal Now, Replace Later”
The defection of two more GOP Senators from supporting a replacement bill to do away with Obamacare, has put the future of the proposed Better Care Act, on shaky ground indeed. This past Monday night, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) joined the list of GOP Senators who …
The Maverick Takes Time Out – And Health Care Will Wait
Last Friday, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) underwent serious surgery — to remove a two-inch blood clot from above his left eye. Sen. McCain’s recovery from the surgery will delay his return to Washington, and this delay may ultimately stall the vote on the Obamacare-replacing Health Care bill. Senate Majority Leader, …
No Summer Vacay for Congress?
It’s a Congressional tradition to take off the entire month of August. But not this year! Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who is pushing to pass the new Health Care bill, decided this past Tuesday that the Senate will remain in session for the first two weeks of August. …
This Week’s Window On Congress
The Week of Monday, July 10, 2017 Congress is tackling bills this week that range widely, from one that ensures a huge military budget, to a bill addressing global sex trafficking. The three bills that DailyClout chose for you to watch are the National Defense Authorization Act, the Medical Controlled …
Wolves of Wall Street, On the Loose?
While the nation’s attention was focused on James Comey giving his testimony about his departure as director of the FBI, the House passed the Financial Choice Act, which makes major changes to rules established after the 2008 financial meltdown. This bill gives what President Trump has called a “very major haircut” to a law known as Dodd-Frank. …
GOP Claims Huge AHCA Savings Without Math
If you’ve been following the action in Congress, or have been on Twitter, or have simply turned on the news, you know that commentary about the GOP’s new health care bill is inescapable. Last week, Republicans passed the American Health Care Act of 2017 or the AHCA. And you don’t …
What the Heck is a Charter School?
Should Maine have more charter schools? Most people know that charter schools are controversial but don’t really know why. Supporters of charter schools say that the schools foster innovation; critics object to money being sucked out of public education. The question that you may perhaps have been too embarrassed to ask is: what exactly …
Obama’s Final Bill Invites Silicon Valley Innovators Into Unelected Government Positions — Under the Trump Presidency
Last week, mere hours before Donald Trump’s Inauguration, President Barack Obama signed, while he was still President of the United States, one final bill into law. Again: this was Pres. Obama’s very last bill. The bill, known rather obscurely as the TALENT Act of 2017, is a last-minute codification of an existing program called the “Presidential Innovation …
Obama Signs Last-Minute “Civil Rights Crimes” Bill. “Cold Cases” Warm At Last?
Just before leaving office, President Obama has made a statement for civil rights and on that, supporters of it would say, honors the many lives lost on the road to achieving them for all Americans. The Emmet Till Bill — or “The Emmet Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Reauthorization Act …
House and Senate Democrats Push to Address the Opioid Addiction Epidemic by Funding Treatment Centers
Twenty-three members of Congress, including Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) and Rep. Elizabeth Esty (CT-05), have written a letter that calls for funding as soon as possible, to deal with what they call the major US problem of opioid addiction. What are “opioids”? “Opioid” is a general term that refers to …
The House Just Passed A Stealth Provision Permitting Discrimination Against LGBT Americans by Federal Contractors
On Wednesday, the House passed the hefty National Defense Authorization Act of 2017 (the ‘NDAA’). Hidden within this thick, must-pass, military spending bill, is a little-noticed provision allowing the government to discriminate against LGBT-identifying employees who are working under federal contracts. The provision, introduced by Republican Representative Steve Russell of …
This Bill Could Slim Down Fat Cats…
The job of a member of Congress is supposed to be simple — to make laws to protect the interests, health and safety of the American people. How Congress members gauge what the people’s “interests” are, is not so simple. This grey area is where the lobbyist comes into his …