Travis Martinez – University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

Claiming that Democrats are pulling ‘gimmicks’ on the American public, Senate Republicans on Friday blasted Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) health reform bill, which the Congressional Budget Office says will cost nearly $2.5 trillion after all the provisions have been enacted.

“In the words of the great Yogi Berra, ‘this is deja vu all over again’,” said Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.). “They [Democrats] assume savings on the [Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act], which Sen. Conrad has described as a ponzi scheme of the first order…something that Bernie Madoff would be proud of.”

The CLASS Act, S.697, sponsored by the late Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), would amend the Public Health Service Act to create a national, voluntary disability insurance program under which all employees are automatically enrolled, but are allowed to waive enrollment. Establishing this new program is contingent upon Reid’s big bill passing.

Thune his Republican colleagues were flanked by massive charts displaying the nation’s current debt as well as potential debt increases that they argued would be caused by H.R. 3590, otherwise known as the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.” With a major vote to determine whether or not the bill will proceed to the floor expected to take place Saturday night, GOP leaders are looking to convince a few moderate Democrats to join them.

“It would be our hope that our more moderate colleagues on the Democratic side would respect the wished of the constituents, rather than doing the bidding of Harry Reid,” said Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.). ”At the end of the day, this health care legislation will impact every American in extraordinary ways. We believe in a very negative way. We hope the views of the American people will be respected.”

By Julianne LaJeunesse – University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

Hopefully, no one told U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner that pitching the Obama administration’s financial reform plan to Congress was going to be painless. During a heated Joint Economic Committee hearing on Thursday, U.S. Republican Reps. Michael Burgess (Texas) and Kevin Brady (Texas) called on Geithner to step down, telling him that his work is not adequately serving Americans.

“Conservatives agree that as point person, you failed,” Brady argued. “Liberals are growing in that consensus as well. Poll after poll shows the public has lost confidence in this President’s ability to handle this economy… for the sake of our jobs, will you step down from your post?”

Geithner responded to Brady by saying he’s privileged to serve in his position, but did not give the Congressman an answer. Responding to Brady’s concerns over unemployment and the types of jobs lost, Geithner remarked, “Almost nothing in what you said represents a fair and accurate perception of where this economy is today.”

The purpose of Geithner’s visit to the Hill, his second in as many days, was to encourage lawmakers to include four elements that he argued, “are critical to a strong package of [regulatory reform] legislation.”

Among them: Forcing non-banks who act as banks to be subjected to the same safeguards as recognized monetary institutions; accountability that includes a proposed council that will ensure that banks, regardless of size, work on a level playing field; a more capable financial system that will better absorb shocks and failures and adoption of a “no institution should be considered too big to fail” motto, which Geithner explained would be enforced by the government under “resolution authority.”

“This emergency authority, what we call resolution authority, has to be designed to facilitate the orderly demise of a failing firm…not ensure its survival,” he said. “Any risk of loss, must be recouped from the largest institutions, in proportion to their size. The financial industry, not the taxpayers, need to be on the hook.”

By Meagan Wiseley – University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) Wednesday called the shootings carried out by Major Nidal Hasan at Fort Hood Army Base earlier this month the “most destructive terrorist attack on America since 2001.”

Lieberman said the Senate Homeland Security Committee will begin an investigation into the shootings to determine if they could have been avoided.

“We are interested in getting the facts and correcting the system so that our government can provide the best homeland security possible for the American people,” Lieberman said during an afternoon press conference, “At the completion of the investigation the committee will issue a report and recommendations.”

Lieberman said the investigation will focus on answering two specific questions: did the Federal Government know information concerning Major Hasan that could have prevented the attack on Fort Hood, and, how does this incident affect the government’s understanding and enforcement of “home grown Islamic terrorism” in the U.S.?

A Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing on the Fort Hood attacks was initially scheduled for Wednesday, but has been postponed until the following day.

“Our hearing tomorrow will begin with a focus on what we know on the public record about the Fort Hood attack and Nidal Hasan,” Lieberman added.

TRNS Bureau Chief Ellen Ratner speaks with Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) about the status of healthcare reform legislation in the Senate. Merkley tells Ratner that he expects Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to release a merged bill later today, but adds that Republicans will attempt to block a vote on the bill, which he hopes will take place by this weekend at the latest. The Democrat from Oregon says he doesn’t think the bill will come out of conference until January. Merkley describes the whole process as being “painfully slow.” Click the audio icon below to listen to the full interview. (7:44)

 

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By Paul Brandus – Talk Radio News Service

It has been a very busy day for President Obama on his first and only full day in the Chinese capital.

After a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People, Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao got right down to business, hitting on every single subject of importance; “Every single one,” emphasized Jon Huntsman, the American Ambassador to the People’s Republic – Iran, North Korea, the global economy, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

“We’re actually getting a little bit of traction” on these issues, claimed Huntsman, the former Republican Governor of Utah.

Observers have been speculating for weeks whether Obama, not known for being a confrontationist, would take up the issue of human rights with his hosts. It is a subject the President has avoided with Beijing, underscored by his recent decision not to meet with the Dalai Lama, the spritual leader of Tibet, for fear of offending the Chinese government. But Obama did, in fact, confront Hu, challenging him to protect the freedom of religion and the rights of ethnic minorities in the separatist region.

“The President was candid in describing human rights as a core, a fundamental, bedrock principle of U.S. foreign policy,” said Jeff Bader, senior director of the National Security Council for Asian Affairs. “This was as direct a discussion on human rights as I’ve seen by any high-level visitor with the Chinese.”

But Obama apparently stopped short of saying Tibet should be allowed to break away, an omission regarded by some observers as a de facto acknowledgement with Beijing that Tibet is legally part of the People’s Republic.

As for Iran and its nuclear program, Obama – who warned over the weekend that time is running out for Tehran to come to the negotiating table in earnest – failed to get much support from Hu, according to Bader. Obama has said that if Tehran doesn’t meet the so-called P5+1 negotiators halfway by the end of the year, then tougher economic sanctions may be inevitable. The President has also refused to rule out the possible use of force against Iran.

It seems unlikely that China, which like the U.S. holds permanent veto power in the U.N. Security Council, would ever back tough new sanctions against Tehran barring a dramatic change in the status quo, Bader said.

“The President did talk to President Hu about the possibility… that we will not reach resolution of this issue and we may have to go to track two and greater pressure. I would not say that we got an answer today from the Chinese, nor did we expect one on the subject.”

Hu seems more concerned with neighboring North Korea, which tested a second nuclear device earlier this year and taunted neighbors, and the U.S., by test firing more missiles.

“From the Chinese perspective, North Korea is a more immediate problem and a more immediate security concern, so it’s not surprising that they would place more emphasis on that.” Bader added.

On climate change, the U.S. and China will join forces to, among other things, speed up renewable energy programs, develop electric cars and clean coal technologies. But both Obama and Hu have tacitly acknowledged that next month’s long-awaited global climate conference in Denmark will not result in a treaty to curb carbon emissions, a setback to supporters of rolling back emissions. Washington and Beijing now view Copenhagen as just another step along the way towards meaningful action on curbing emissions, as opposed to the kind of sweeping action that supporters say is already dangerously overdue.

“They agreed that the issue of climate change can’t wait,” claimed Deputy National Security Advisor Mike Froman, who said the joint efforts to develop new technologies represents “an important step forward on climate change.”

The President also squeezed in a bit of sightseeing today, ditching his suit for a distressed leather jacket before embarking on a tour of the Forbidden City. Wednesday, it’s off to the Great Wall of China, an hour’s drive northwest of Beijing. Mr. Obama then heads to South Korea, the final stop on his Asian tour. He’ll return to Washington on Thursday.

Paul Brandus filed this report from Beijing

By Paul Brandus – Talk Radio News Service

BEIJING – It’s hard to keep up with President Obama. Whether it’s pressing the “reset” button in Moscow, turning a new page with Muslims in Cairo, or talking books with Hugo Chavez in Trinidad, the new U.S. President has traveled the equivalent of three times around the equator – far more in his first ten months in office than any of his recent predecessors, according to White House travel records.

His latest batch of frequent flyer miles: this week’s 22,000 mile slog through Japan, Singapore, China and South Korea. And preparations are already underway for next month’s trip to Oslo, where Obama will pick up his Nobel Peace Prize – and maybe make a side trip to the Copenhagen climate summit – a city he just visited in his failed bid to bring the Olympics to Chicago.

All told, the energetic Mr. Obama has made no less than 7 trips abroad to 19 countries, spending nearly 12% of his time out of the United States. Why?

“With all due respect to the prior administration, it can be argued that a lot of damage was done to America’s reputation abroad,” says a senior U.S. official here in Beijing. “I spent the last few years getting the door slammed in my face…it got harder to get some things done.” The official, who has served in the Middle East as well, detects a shift in the way foreigners perceive the United States and its policies.

That perception is borne out, to a large extent, by a Pew Global Attitudes Project survey released last week, which says citizens along this week’s stop – Japan, China and South Korea – are more comfortable with Barack Obama in the White House than they were with George W. Bush.

Here in China, for example, 62% of respondents say they have “some” or “a lot” of confidence in Obama; last year it stood at 30%. In South Korea, the needle jumped from 30% to 81%, and in Japan from 25% to 85%. The gains among key U.S. allies in Europe are even more dramatic. Last year, 14% of Germans had confidence in Bush. Today, 93% do in Obama. Britain jumped from 16% to 86%, and even the finicky French got on board, with the number surging from 13% to 91%.

In Arab and Muslim countries, the Pew study says the Obama effect has been more muted. In 2008, 7% of Pakistanis had confidence in Bush; 13% now do in Obama. In Egypt, the number stands at 42%, and in the world’s biggest Muslim nation, Indonesia, where Obama spent part of his childhood, the number increased 26 percentage points to 63%. Strong gains for Obama – or simply relief in some quarters now that Mr. Bush has left the stage.

But does this personal approval of Obama translate into political achievement on the world stage? Mr. Obama, thus far, has been unable to move the Middle East peace process along, and Iran shows few signs of backing down from its nuclear program. Mr. Obama, probably goaded by Israel, warned Tehran over the weekend that time is running out. North Korea, meanwhile, tested a second nuclear device in May along with a series of cruise missiles and continues to both tease and taunt the West about negotiations.

On turning back global warming, a key Obama objective, next month’s Copenhagen climate summit will come and go with no substantive, let alone binding agreement to reduce carbon emissions. The most substantive and far-reaching goals have been kicked down the road, and although the House of Representatives has passed legislation, Senate passage of a similar climate/energy bill is far from certain.

In Afghanistan, the war Mr. Obama has called “essential,” he has been unable to persuade allies to send meaningful numbers of reinforcements, thus upping the pressure on him to consider a “surge” of tens of thousands of fresh U.S. troops. Last week, Mr. Obama rejected all four Afghan options presented to him by his advisors; another Situation Room meeting on the issue will be held when the President returns from Asia.

“What’s clear is that while personal appeal – the kind President Obama has in droves – certainly doesn’t hurt, it’s no guarantee that a leader will be able to advance his or her agenda,” says the American official. Still, the world clearly appears more comfortable with this president than the prior one. Mr. Obama can only hope that all the miles, all the jet lag and all the handshakes and photo-ops with foreign leaders has laid the foundation for overseas achievements that thus far, have largely proven elusive.

Paul Brandus filed this report from Beijing

By Leah Valencia, University of New Mexico- Talk Radio News Service

Leaders of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice urged U.S. Senators Monday to remove language from the final health care reform bill that restricts federal funding for abortion.

“Health care reform that attacks the rights of more than half of the population by subjecting some of their most basic and intimate decisions to a large and powerful church’s governing body is not reform at all,” said Barry Lynn, Executive Director for Americans United for Separation of Church and State, during a morning press conference hosted by the National Press Club.

While the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, an organization with members from a variety of religious backgrounds, advocated women’s reproductive rights, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops pushed House leaders to amend their bill to prohibit abortion coverage.

The Stupak-Pitts amendment, included in the House bill, restricts abortion coverage in a government-run insurance plan as well as in private plans funded by government subsidies.

“How surprising and appalling to see that a provision designed to curtail women’s right to abortion was slipped into the health care bill at the behest of a powerful religious group, a provision that reflects the doctrine of that group,” Lynn said.

President Barack Obama has remarked that he does not believe health care reform should change the “status quo” in regards to abortion. However, many moderate Senate Democrats say they will urge firm restrictions on abortion funding in the final health care bill.

Obama has not commented as to whether he will sign a bill with language that prohibits abortion funding.

Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) stated Friday that he is frustrated by the pace at which climate policy is developing in the U.S.

“It’s fairly clear at this point that we’re not going to be in a position to make a significant, new legislative achievement between now and the time of the Copenhagen meeting,” said Daschle during a telephone briefing with reporters, referencing December’s United Nation’s climate change conference.

“Time is wasting, work needs to be done,” he added.

Daschle acknowledged that health care reform has monopolized a great deal of Congress’ time, but expressed hope that after work on the issue is completed, legislators will give greater focus to climate change legislation.

“As we go forward, this will become more and more central,” said Daschle. “The House has acted, and there’s every expectation the Senate will as well.”

The American Clean Energy and Security Act passed through the House in June. The Senate moved the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, sponsored by Senators John Kerry and Barbara Boxer, through the Environment and Public Works Committee in early November.

Travis Martinez, University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service

Former Homeland Security Council Chairman Frances Fragos Townsend Thursday examined national security threats that continue to challenge the U.S. government, particularly in the arena of cybersecurity.

“We need the personnel we have inside the U.S. government with technical backgrounds in intelligence agencies who will be collectors who know how to ask the right questions,” said Townsend during a key-note address at the Heritage Foundation.

Townsend said that one of her last tasks as council chair was a $17 billion push for enhanced cyber security. However, Townsend explained that while the funds are now available, hiring new personnel will pose an obstacle since the U.S. will be drawing from a pool of employees who have experience in the private sector and could thus come to the jobs with conflicting interests.

Townsend also called for technical advancement in the analysis of security risks posed by weapons of mass destruction, either by a state or non-state actors. One of these risks, according to Townsend, is detecting those responsible.

“There has to be a degree of certainty on who you’re going to respond to,” said Townsend.

By Meagan Wiseley – University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

Sen. Benjamin Cardin (D-Md.) applauded House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer on the passage of the Affordable Health Care for America Act on Tuesday, but called the Stupak Amendment, which prohibits federal dollars from financing abortions, “regrettable.”

“I think many of us thought the right policy is to avoid coming down on one side or the other on the abortion issue and to handle health care reform as a separate issue… the Stupak Amendment tries to advance a particular view, and I think it’s regrettable,” Cardin said.

The amendment, offered by Rep. Bart Stupak (R-Mich.), was added minutes before the House came to vote on final passage of the bill and prohibits the public option insurance plan from covering abortions. It would also prevent private insurance companies from offering abortion coverage to customers who receive government subsidies.

The Stupak Amendment passed with with a vote of 240-194, with 64 Democrats in favor.

Added Cardin, “Abortion is a very controversial issue with the American people…I will certainly prefer a bill that does not include the Stupak Amendment.”