By Matthew Desmond
Here's just a short list of some of the bills that Republicans have
blocked, or attempted to block, since Obama became President:
Tax on Companies that ship jobs overseas- A bill that would have
eliminated a tax break that companies get when they ship jobs
overseas. Republicans blocked this, allowing companies to keep the tax
break they receive when they ship jobs to other countries.
Political Ad disclosure bill- Would have required all donors to
political campaigns to reveal themselves. Republicans blocked this,
not once but twice.
Subpoena Power for the Committee investigating the BP Oil Spill – Give
subpoena power to the independent committee responsible for
investigating BP's roll in the oil spill. Republicans attempted to
block this.
The Small Business Jobs Act -would give LOCAL, community banks access
to billions of dollars to loan to small businesses. Republicans
blocked this, then attempted to block it a second time and failed.
The DREAM Act- Gives immigrant youth who were brought here as children
a path to citizenship by earning a college degree or serving the
military for 2 years. Republicans blocked this.
Repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"- Would have repealed the law that
forces gay and lesbian services members to lie about their sexuality
and gives the military the right to discharge soldiers based on their
sexuality. Republicans blocked this.
From Crooks and Liars - When John McCain led the filibuster of the
Defense Appropriations Act yesterday, he blocked far more than the
DREAM Act and repeal of DADT. Here are just a few of the other blocked
provisions, courtesy of Mother Jones.
No permanent military bases in Afghanistan.
Report identifying hybrid or electric propulsion systems and other
fuel-saving technologies for incorporation into tactical motor
vehicles.
Protection of child custody arrangements for parents who are members
of the Armed Forces deployed in support of a contingency operation.
Improvements to Department of Defense domestic violence programs.
Department of Defense recognition of spouses of members of the Armed Forces.
Department of Defense recognition of children of members of the Armed Forces.
Enhancements to the Troops-to-Teachers Program.
Fiscal year 2011 increase in military basic pay.
Improving aural protection for members of the Armed Forces.
Comprehensive policy on neurocognitive assessment by the military
health care system.
Authority to make excess nonlethal supplies available for domestic
emergency assistance.
And those were just some of the progressive provisions. On the
conservative side, there are these, and more:
Prohibition on the use of funds for the transfer or release of
individuals detained at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay,
Cuba.
Prohibition on the use of funds to modify or construct facilities in
the United States to house detainees transferred from United States
Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Prohibition on use of funds to give Miranda warnings to Al Qaeda terrorists.
And here's the bills that Republicans had blocked when we compiled our
first list;
Senator Franken's Anti-Rape Amendment to the Defense Appropriations
Bill - Makes it so that women raped overseas while working for foreign
contractors have the right to have their case heard in an American
court instead of having their case mediated by the company they work
for. Only Republican men voted against this, but it passed.
Benefits for Homeless Veterans- Would have expanded benefits to
homeless veterans and homeless veterans with children. Republicans
blocked this.
Affordable Health Care For America Act- Prevents insurance companies
from discriminating against you on the basis of "pre-existing
conditions". Requires that insurance companies spend 85 cents of every
dollar that you pay on your actual health care. Limits health
insurance companies profit margins. Republicans blocked this for
months before it finally passed and have vowed to repeal it if they
are elected.
Health Care for the 9/11 First Responders who got sick from being at
Ground Zero- Would provide billions of dollars in health care to help
the 9/11 First Responders who were at Ground Zero on 9/11 and are now
sick because of it. Republicans blocked this.
The Jobs Bill- Offsets the payroll tax for 1 year for companies that
hire new employees, or people receiving unemployment insurance. Also
gives other tax incentives to companies hiring new employees.
Republicans attempted to block this.
Wall Street Reform- Puts stricter regulations on the banks, preventing
them from becoming "too big to fail". Curbs reckless spending
practices that caused the banking crisis. Republicans attempted to
block this.
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act- Pumped billions of dollars
into state and local Governments to prevent us from sinking into a
second Great Depression. Republicans opposed this but now want to take
credit for the parts of it that we know are successful.
Oil Spill Liability- Raises the liability on what companies can be
made to pay to clean up after an oil spill. Republicans blocked this.
Immigration Reform- Republican suggested comprehensive immigration
reform until Obama supported it. Now they're rabidly opposed to it and
even voted against their own legislation. Republicans blocked this.
Unemployment extension bill HR-4213- Would provide additional aid to
the millions of Americans still on unemployment who are just trying to
support themselves and their families. Republicans blocked this bill
for 8 weeks before it finally passed. Republicans blocked this for 8
weeks before it finally passed.
Fair Pay Act of 2009- Also called the Lily Ledbetter bill. Requires
that women receive equal compensation to men for doing the same work.
Republicans attempted to block this.
The next time someone tells you that the Republicans care about the
American people just give them this list of all the bill Republicans
wanted to fail.
--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy
--
Thanks for being part of "PoliticalForum" at Google Groups.
For options & help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum
* Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/
* It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls.
* Read the latest breaking news, and more.
No comments:
Post a Comment