Washington Watch: Week 22 - "What a Week"

"What a Week" -- Major Supreme Court Rulings, Senate Passes Immigration Reform, Obama and family in Africa.

Supreme Rulings

The Voting Rights Act (from 1965) was gutted and southern states quickly reacted to suppress the minority vote. The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and California's Prop 8 were struck down and gay marriages immediately resumed in California.

Nan Aron, President of The Alliance for Justice, got it exactly right with her HuffPo piece: "The Supreme Court Takes With One Hand, Gives With the Other."

Says Ms. Aron:

"It's been a bittersweet week in the Supreme Court. On the one hand, the Court's decisions on same-sex marriage left many of us profoundly hopeful, while its voting rights opinion was deeply disappointing. By simultaneously moving in opposite directions on fundamental principles of civil rights, this Court has torn a hole in our political fabric, and once again left the nation part equal and part unequal."    Read More

Before the ink had settled on the Voting Rights ruling, Republicans in Texas got busy. From The CS Monitor:

"Shortly after the decision on Tuesday, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott announced that the state’s new voter ID law would immediately take effect. He also said that the state’s challenged redistricting maps “may” also take effect without prior approval from Washington."  Read More

Supporters of voting rights, such as Democratic Strategist Donna Brazile, are calling on Congress to restore provisions of the act. However, even Ms. Brazile realizes this will be difficult given the current climate in Washington. From her CNN op-ed: "Congress Give us new Voting Rights Act,"

"Don't expect the conservative-controlled House of Representatives to jump at the chance though. Just last year, during the 2012 election cycle, Republican elected officials in states across the country pushed deeply hostile voter ID laws that disproportionately limit minority voters. Sometimes, the Republicans were even explicit that the purpose of these laws was to put victories in the "R" column. And all that took place with a full and complete Voting Rights Act still on the books."  Read More

In brighter news... with the decisions on DOMA and Prop 8, weddings are free to resume in those states which allow gay marriage. As a matter of fact, two of the plaintiffs in the historic ruling--Kris Perry and Sandy Stier, from Berkeley, were the first to be married with California Attorney General Kamala Harris officiating.


Btw.......Did Chris Christie just lose 2016 with this stance on gay marriage?

"New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) blasted the Supreme Court ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act, calling it "wrong."   Read More"

Maybe this is his stance going into the GOP primaries (which depend on the right-wing vote) however, should he become the Presidential candidate I predict he will "see the light" on this issue.

Will the Immigration Bill be Stalled?

The Senate passed a bi-partisan immigration bill this week, now it goes to the House. President Obama has called on Congress to pass the bill before their August recess. (We talked about this likely STALL in our post from week 20.)

Student Loan Rates set to Double

Rates on new student loans will DOUBLE on Monday.  Still, no action from Congress to prevent this.

**********************

President Obama's First Term

A Look Back at Week 22 - 2009:

(Excerpts from my blog National Scene -- Week 22)

National Scene 6/24-6/30/2009
By Linnie Frank Bailey

As the first half of the year ends, the Administration can look back on significant efforts to get America back on track, including -- an economic stimulus, a revamped energy policy, the beginnings of health care reform, and a new approach to international relations. Moreover, the following legislation has been passed and signed by President Barack Obama in 2009:

1. Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act – (fair pay for women) Signed: January 29, 2009
2. Children’s Health Insurance Reauthorization Act –(continue state program SCHIP) Signed: February 4, 2009
3. DTV Delay Act – (delayed implementation of digital TV until June 2009) Signed: February 11, 2009
4. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act – (major economic stimulus bill) Signed: February 17, 2009
5. Small Business Act Temporary Extension – (temporarily extends SBA programs) Signed: March 20, 2009
6. Omnibus Public Lands Management Act – (public land conservation) Signed: March 30, 2009
7. Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act – (increases and manages community service programs and funding) Signed: April 21, 2009
8. Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act – (steps to end mortgage fraud and predatory lending) Signed: May 20, 2009
9. Helping Families Save Their Homes Act – (steps to prevent foreclosures and rewrite mortgage loans) Signed: May 20, 2009
10. Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform Act – (defense procurement reform) Signed: May 22, 2009
11. Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009 – (consumer credit protection) Signed: May 22, 2009
12. Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act – (steps to prevent children and teens from smoking) Signed: June 22, 2009

...Read More on Week 22, 2009  -- Immigration Reform...Pell Grants Extended...FAFSA Simplified

**********************

And Finally.....back to 2013:

The Obamas in Africa:

View the video for a behind the scenes with the President & The First Lady at Gorée Island -- including a visit to the Masion des Esclaves (House of Slaves) Museum. Below Barack Obama stands at the "door of no return" where countless Africans were forced to board ships to the Americas where they were enslaved.
Watch and Listen -- an eloquent narrative by the First Lady.

Washington Watch: Week 21 -- "Full Court Press"

Week 21 -- All eyes on the Supreme Court for landmark rulings; and progressive activists and bloggers gathered in San Jose for Netroots Nation. 

Full Court Press

Rulings were expected from the Supreme Court last week, however it looks as though the major decisions have been left to this week before their summer recess.

Much is at stake in the areas of civil rights, voting rights, worker rights, and gay rights.

We are reminded that ALL areas of our lives are touched by the judicial branch of our government. Not just at this top level. Equally important are the Circuit Courts, particularly the DC Court of Appeals that many times determines what gets passed to the Supreme. Perhaps this is why the President is having a hard time getting his nominations confirmed?

Today, the Supreme Court took action on the affirmative action case.  Well, maybe.

Washington Watch: Week 9

Repercussions...

So much going on this week in Washington. All with major repercussions on how we live. I'll summarize here and then continue with the stories that moved me the most this week.

Healthcare

A recent poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that most Americans  (indeed nearly two/thirds!) do not understand the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare to most) or how it will affect themselves and their families.

Recognize that we are three years after the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the ACA), and the subsequent Supreme Court Ruling on the mandate...yet there is little coverage on the major provisions which are coming in 2014.  Little coverage ..and NO EXPLANATION of what the states are, and are not, doing to prepare for implementation. So many questions, including the basics:

Will everyone be covered? What are the costs for individuals and families? Will insurance premiums increase? Will everyone have access to quality care? What are these 'exchanges' we hear about? Will Medicare and Medicaid (or MediCal in California) continue as is?

2014 is coming soon and the American public knows very little.  For the full findings of the Kaiser tracking poll click here.

This is Obama's baby and the Administration is NOT getting the information out to the masses. Congress has no reason to do so because they want to overturn the President's health reform bill, (at least the GOP-controlled House does).

DOMA and Prop 8 

The Supreme Court takes on Gay rights as they hear arguments to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act (which defines marriage for federal purposes as between a man and a woman) and California's Proposition 8 which outlawed same-sex marriages. In a stunning reversal, in just a few short years, the American public now supports same-sex marriage, as does the President and many in Congress on both sides of the aisle. All eyes are now on the Supreme Court.

Oral arguments continue, although the Administration is not defending DOMA (signed into law by Bill Clinton who now believes it should be overturned); neither is California Attorney General Kamala Harris going to argue in favor of Prop 8. Stay tuned.

The Sequester Festers

Who knows where we are with the Sequester and the Federal budget?  The media seems to be able to report only one major story a week and the budget has been off of the front page for the past couple of weeks.  Cuts are being made (last week I talked about cuts to Veteran's programs) but it only seems to matter to those being affected.  Which is why....

Americans are Unhappy With Government

Eight out of ten Americans are unhappy with government according to a CBS News poll released Tuesday. According to HuffPo:

"Eighty percent of Americans expressed some level of unhappiness with things in Washington -- 30 percent said they were "angry" and another 50 percent said they were "dissatisfied." Just 18 percent expressed positive opinions.
There have also been other signs of dissatisfaction in Washington. President Barack Obama's approval rating, which bounced after his reelection, has since fallen back below 50 percent in most polls. Congress, which has suffered low approval for years, is at a near record-low of 11 percent, according to CBS."

From the 'Other' America (AND their numbers are growing):

While Washington spins its wheels, there is real suffering going on in America. There were two stories which moved me this week. Those of us who interface with the homeless know these stories...we can put real faces on these stories...still to read them reminds us there is SO much to be done to fight hunger, homelessness and poverty in America. Remember, many of these people had jobs, homes, healthcare, and stable lives at one point. Maybe their condition is compounded by bad decisions, but there is no denying the economy's effect on these citizens. Read the stories.

The American Prospect reports (warning...this is a lengthy story), the Great Recession has turned formerly stable families into the new homeless.  

And then there's The Nation's: Old, Female, and Homeless, the title says it all.

**********************

President Obama's First Term

A Look Back at Week 9 - 2009: 

(Excerpts from my National Scene blog, March 24, 2009)

• Obama Meets with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus
  The President held a meeting with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to discuss immigration and the US-Mexico relationship, including how the two countries can work together to stem Mexico’s drug-related violence. President Obama, who supports comprehensive immigration reform, announced that he will travel to Mexico next month to meet with President Calderon.
• The President Visits Orange County
  President Barack Obama led a town hall meeting in an auditorium on the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa.  The purpose of the meeting was to drum up support for his economic plans while reassuring “average” Americans that he understands the economic challenges they are facing.  Attendees waited in long lines overnight to get seats to the event.
• MakingHomeAffordable.gov
  As part of the Administration’s desire to disseminate needed information on the economic stimulus, the Treasury Department launched a website called -- MakingHomeAffordable.gov. The purpose of the site is to ensure that everybody who can take advantage of the President’s housing plan has access to information which explains how the plan works and who qualifies.  The site is one of several tools the Administration is using to slow down the foreclosure crisis that has gripped the nation. The site includes a calculator that allows homeowners to estimate the reduction to their monthly mortgage payment that the plan provides. Another tool for distressed homeowners is the Homeowner's HOPE Hotline (888-995-HOPE).
• Lessons Learned in California
  While meeting representatives from the National Conference of State Legislatures, President Obama described lessons from his town halls in California, namely—on the heels of the AIG bonus scandal—the need for accountability. The President stated, “Over the last two days I've been traveling in California, talking with Americans about the challenges they're facing as a result of this economic crisis.” He stressed the importance of responsible investing by the Legislators saying, “Decisions about how Recovery Act dollars are spent will be based on the merits."

**********************

And Finally.....

This past week, in the first foreign trip of his second term, President Obama embarked on a four-day visit to Israel, the West Bank and Jordan.
In Jerusalem.....

President Obama tours the crypt containing the birthplace of Jesus. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)