What's another Trillion? Right? Nothing according to the LWL. But that's ONLY the beginning.The $1.1 trillion measure combines much of the year's unfinished budget work — only a $626 billion Pentagon spending measure would remain — into a 1,000-plus-page spending bill that would give the Education Department, the State Department, the Department of Health and Human Services and others increases far exceeding inflation.
The measure combines $447 billion in operating budgets with about $650 billion in mandatory payments for federal benefit programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. It wraps together six individual spending bills and also contains more than 5,000 back-home projects sought by lawmakers in both parties.
The measure provides spending increases averaging about 10 percent to programs under immediate control of Congress, blending increases for veterans' programs, NASA and the FBI with a pay raise for federal workers and help for car dealers.
It bundles six of the 12 annual spending bills, capping a dysfunctional appropriations process in which House leaders blocked Republicans from debating key issues while GOP lawmakers dragged out debates.
Just the $626 billion defense bill would remain. That's being held back to serve as a vehicle to advance must-pass legislation such as a plan to allow the government's debt to swell by nearly $2 trillion. The government's total debt has nearly doubled in the past seven years and is expected to exceed the current ceiling of $12.1 trillion before Jan. 1.
What else will this Bill do?
Saturday's bill would offer an improved binding arbitration process to challenge the decision by General Motors and Chrysler to close more than 2,000 dealerships, which often anchor fading small town business districts. It also would renew for two more years a federal loan guarantee program for steel companies.
The bill also caps a heated debate over Obama's order to close the military-run prison for terrorist suspects at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. It would permit detainees held there to be transferred to the United States to stand trial but not to be released.
The bill would void a long-standing ban on the funding of abortion by the District of Columbia government and overturns a ban on federal money for needle exchange programs in the city. It also would phase out a D.C. school voucher program favored by Republicans and opens the door for the city to permit medical marijuana.
It would also lift a nationwide ban on the use of federal funds for needle-exchange programs.
Federal workers would receive pay increases averaging 2 percent, with people in areas with higher living costs receiving slightly higher increases.
{Sigh}
Hey folks,
Welcome to the Big Sunday Edition of the OPNTalk Blog. Glad to have ya. Also in the news? Seems Iran will play ball. {Double Sigh} According to the AP - Iran agrees to nuclear fuel swap, with caveats By Associated Press Writer Barbara Surk,
MANAMA, Bahrain – Iran is ready to exchange the bulk of its stockpile of enriched uranium for nuclear fuel rods — as proposed by the U.N. — but according to its own mechanisms and timetable, the foreign minister said Saturday.The minister's remarks come just days before an expected meeting between the U.S. and allies to discuss new sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program. The offer, however, falls far short of the conditions set by the international community.
Speaking to reporters at a regional security conference in Bahrain, Manochehr Mottaki said Iran agreed with a U.N. deal proposed in October in which up to 2,600 pounds (1,200 kilograms) of its uranium would be exchanged for fuel rods to power its research reactor.
"We accepted the proposal in principle," he said through a translator. "We suggested in the first phase we give you 400 kilograms of 3.5 percent enriched uranium and you give us the equivalent in 20 percent uranium."
Iran has about 3,300 pounds (1,500 kilograms) of low-enriched uranium and needs to refine to 20 percent to operate a research reactor that produces medical isotopes.
Your Joking right? They are not going to do it folks. Unless they already have all they need. But we will most likely let them stall even more.
Anyway, coming right up today?
AP Working Overtime To Further Propagate The SCAM
The Swine Flu Is Still Out There
DLA for 121309
IWA For Sunday 121309
Oh yeah, Just in case you missed it, Tiger is leaving Golf. According to the AP - Tiger Woods taking 'indefinite' leave from golf By AP Golf Writer Doug Ferguson,Tiger Woods is shifting his focus from winning majors to saving his marriage.
Two weeks after Woods crashed his SUV into a tree outside his Florida home, setting in motion a swift fall that featured reports of rampant extramarital affairs, golf's biggest star delivered a stunning development of his own. He temporarily is walking away from the game that made him the first $1 billion athlete.
"After much soul searching, I have decided to take an indefinite break from professional golf," Woods said Friday evening on his Web site. "I need to focus my attention on being a better husband, father, and person."
Once again, someone that does not live in reality, that has EVERYTHING that he could have possibly wanted, loses EVERYTHING. Sorry, but if Tiger's Wife stays with him, it's most likely all about the money. The guy is a CREEP! He deserves whatever it is he gets.
Meanwhile in Washington, there are still those pesky Socialists that want to take over the Country. Of course, the MMD {Mainstream Media Drones} will report it, you know, after they are done with Tiger.
Going to fill my cup. Go fill yours, and I will meet you right back here in just a second.
Peter
Sources:
AP- Senate GOP denied on spending filibuster attempt
AP - Iran agrees to nuclear fuel swap, with caveats
AP - Tiger Woods taking 'indefinite' leave from golf
