Appropriations

Playing 'Gotcha' on Gitmo

Rep. David Price | Posted 11.03.2009 | Politics


Rep. David Price

he administration's efforts to close the facility have been hampered by another more cynical reality: Congressional Republicans have turned the debate over closing Guantánamo into a partisan game of "gotcha."

Senator Murkowski Lights a Fire Under Alaskan Ice

Heather Taylor-Miesle | Posted 09.21.2009 | Green


Heather Taylor-Miesle

Clearly, Alaska is on the front lines of climate change - and they are losing the battle.

Reid Threatens To Cancel October Break

The Hill | Alexander Bolton | Posted 11.15.2009 | Politics


Congress has only been back in session for a week, but Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is already warning he may cancel the next break because of a ...

Ethics Panel Members Get Defense Earmarks While Investigating Them

Washington Post | Posted 08.31.2009 | Politics


Members of the House ethics committee, who are investigating a pattern of lawmakers steering federal funds to generous defense contractors, have just ...

If It Squeals Like Pork...

Rick Horowitz | Posted 08.30.2009 | Politics


Rick Horowitz

You can always use an extra transport plane -- that's the way I figured it. I knew just where to find one, too. I called Congress.

A Crucial Step for Advancing HIV/AIDS Prevention

Kevin Robert Frost | Posted 08.20.2009 | Politics


Kevin Robert Frost

With more flexibility to use federal funds for evidence-based programs, including syringe exchange programs, local governments and agencies will be better equipped to combat HIV transmission in their communities.

US Congress: Keep Your Word to Abused Women

Meghan Rhoad | Posted 08.15.2009 | Politics


Meghan Rhoad

When Michelle arrived at the shelter in Portland, Oregon, staff members had to help her remove her earring because the side of her face was so swollen from the last beating by her abuser.

Schumer Says Reform by Labor Day, While Cowardly Democrats Vote with Sessions

Frank Sharry | Posted 08.14.2009 | Politics


Frank Sharry

Why are Democrats letting Senator Sessions set the agenda with empty, irrelevant, "build the fence bigger" immigration amendments?

Senator Leahy Holds the Future of the Peace Corps in His Hands

Laurence Leamer | Posted 08.06.2009 | Politics


Laurence Leamer

Thursday, Leahy will have the power to give birth to a bold new Peace Corps or possibly to destroy that dream forever.

What Comes After Abstinence-Only: Advocates Urge White House and Congress to Broaden Teen Pregnancy Initiative

Jodi Jacobson | Posted 07.30.2009 | Politics


Jodi Jacobson

Far more must be done to address teen sexuality, prevent unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, and to prevent the violence and coercion by intimate partners.

Chris Dodd's Peace Corps: "The Ambitious Sense of the Possible"

Laurence Leamer | Posted 07.26.2009 | Politics


Laurence Leamer

Dodd's bill was born not in his office in the Russell Building but in the tiny village of Moncion in the Dominican Republic more than forty years ago.

Glass Half Full: House Democratic Caucus Backs McGovern Afghanistan Exit Amendment

Tom Andrews | Posted 07.26.2009 | Politics


Tom Andrews

For those concerned the U.S. is becoming mired in a military quagmire in Afghanistan there was good news and bad news on the House floor this afternoon.

Got a Minute? Congressman McGovern and 80% of Afghans Need You

Tom Andrews | Posted 07.26.2009 | Politics


Tom Andrews

The question is why the leadership on both sides of the political aisle are so set against an amendment that does what the president himself has said is required in this war torn country.

Common Sense vs. the Military-Industrial-Political-Complex on the Floor of the U.S. House Today

Tom Andrews | Posted 07.25.2009 | Politics


Tom Andrews

The Defense bill Congress takes up today is less about meeting the national defense needs of the United States and more about meeting the pork-barrel political needs of Washington politicians.

Congress Needs to Hear From Us Today on Afghanistan

Tom Andrews | Posted 07.24.2009 | Politics


Tom Andrews

This week Congress is set to authorize $550 billion in defense spending and, with it, an additional $130 billion to fight the wars in Iraq and Afghani...

The Alchemy of the Impossible

Laurence Leamer | Posted 07.18.2009 | Politics


Laurence Leamer

For the past few months, I have been involved with a small band of sisters and brothers leading tens of thousands in one of the most inspiring political dramas of our time.

House Appropriations Committee Moves Against Iraq Mission Creep

Tom Andrews | Posted 06.07.2009 | Politics


Tom Andrews

The Farr amendment not only affirms Congressional support, but positions Congress to keep a close eye out for evidence of mission creep.

New Congressman Quigley Requests Millions In Earmarks

Huffington Post | Posted 05.25.2009 | Chicago


Just days after being sworn in as the newest Democratic member of Congress, U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley submitted requests for tens of millions of dollars ...

Enough Hand-Wringing Over Cuba

Jake Colvin | Posted 04.12.2009 | World


Jake Colvin

The changes to Cuba policy in the omnibus bill are small but important. Congress has shown a willingness to ease provisions of the embargo and forge a path forward for future changes.

Media Focus On Earmarks Allows Omnibus Opponents To Control Debate

Media Matters | Posted 04.10.2009 | Politics


Numerous media outlets have devoted significant coverage to the earmarks contained in the pending omnibus appropriations bill, even though, according ...

Democrats Should Just Say No To Budget Filibusters

Chris Weigant | Posted 03.21.2009 | Politics


Chris Weigant

A little-known rule in the Senate may dramatically change the balance of power between the parties during the upcoming budgetary process.

Did Judd Gregg Conceal Donors Who Received Millions In TSA Contracts While He Served As Approps Chair?

Mark Nickolas | Posted 03.08.2009 | Politics


Mark Nickolas

Did Gregg deliberately conceal nearly a dozen contributors to his leadership PAC -- White Mountain PAC -- at the very time he served as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee?

The Department of Defense and The Arrogance of Chu

Hal Donahue | Posted 01.07.2009 | Politics


Hal Donahue

David Chu, the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, has struck once again.

The New Bush

Logan Nakyanzi Pollard | Posted 10.13.2008 | Politics


Logan Nakyanzi Pollard

We knew Bush wasn't "smart." And now we know Palin isn't either. But can Dems find a way to show why all these sorted facts matter?

Dems Expected To Pass Billions In New War Funding

Politico | Martin Kady II | Posted 05.02.2008 | Politics


House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is rapidly pulling together a carefully orchestrated plan for what looks to be the last Iraq war supplemental be...