BILLBOARD News Now
Recess Is Over
What do you expect tomorrow when Congress returns? If you said normal you are wrong. There is nothing “normal” about the 119th Congress.
Speaker Johnson sent Members home days before the August recess. House Members were about to bring a resolution to the floor demanding the Trump administration release the Epstein files. However, since Johnson did not want to lose a vote & face President Trump…he said good-bye…enjoy your summer.
Senate Majority Leader Thune was ordered by President Trump (when did Senators ever take orders from a President) to stay in session thru August…to confirm his pending nominations. That was a tall order, and Thune could not keep Senators in town.
When Congress returns to the Capitol City, they will not find it normal (anything but) with Trump’s troops roaming the streets. However, they will find serious issues that may impact many of their 2026 races.
Staying in Washington during the summer recess is very unusual. But Republican Chairman James Comer (R-Ky) of the House Committee on Oversight stayed to investigate the Epstein matter during August. The Committee subpoenaed Department of Justice (DOJ) documents and from the Epstein estate. Former officials who oversaw investigations of Epstein in past administrations were summoned.
At the same time President Trump “shook up” the electoral process by asking various states to rearrange their congressional maps to assure a Republican win and save his presidency beyond November 2026. This action meant incumbent Members of Congress could be thrown into new districts and must introduce themselves to new voters and leave behind established relationships, donors & supporters. Others could end up running against colleagues. Beyond that this could disrupt how they vote on issues.
The Trump thieves at the Office of Management and Budget want to cancel $4.9 billion that lawmakers previously approved for the United States’ contribution to the United Nations and economic development aid programs run by the State Department. It is not normal to cancel a $4.9 billion appropriation with less than the 45-day time period that Congress requires to consider a rescission request.
The “power of the purse” belongs to Congress…read the Constitution! When are the Republicans who oversee both houses of Congress going to stand up to President Trump and exert their constitutional duty. It’s about time they show some guts & teach him a lesson.
All of this comes at the time when Congress must pass 12 appropriation bills to fund the government before September 30th. If they cannot come to an agreement the government will shut down. Of course, there is the old standby…a Continuing Resolution to keep the government open…but that might also be contentious.
In the meantime, there are serious foreign policy issues on everyone’s agenda.
Use icons and envelope above to forward this post to your friends.
Follow us on Twitter (X), Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook or Threads.
In Case You Missed It
Only a small news clip was in the local paper about the new cost of healthcare reform. The Congressional Budget Office tells us that if Congress decides to fund all the provisions in the new law it could add at least $115 billion more to health care spending over the...
Political Tidbits…..
Charleston native Sara Feinberg has left Rahm Emanuel’s WH staff….but she leaves behind husband Dan Pfeiffer….he directs White House Communications. Once worked on a project (non-political) with her….she is a first class operator. It is construction season and...
A Republican Lesson for 2012
(This post was delayed due to Internet difficulties) President Obama has created a bright future for Republicans. He has not delivered on his promises, his management style turns out to be one of vacillation and his policies have created a polarized nation. The...
For WV Tea Partiers
(This post was delayed due to Internet difficulties) Tea party groups have sprung up across the State. This is a first experience in politics for most. In talking with many they have ask “now what do we do”. Some good advice was offered by Richard Viguerie which I...
Negative May Not Work This Time
(This post was delayed due to Internet difficulties) Combine arrogance and negativity and it may spell defeat. An opinion piece in WSJ is a must read.
First Congressional District Effort Costly
Voters in the West Virginia’s first congressional district are finding out why it has been so long since Rep. Alan B. Mollohan has had an opponent. It is a costly thing seeking office….not only in reducing your personal assets but in reputation. This is particularly...
China
It has been apparent for sometime our relations with China are likely the most important in today’s world. We have the issue of Taiwan, nuclear weapons, the internet, climate change and the global economy. With all the attention given to the growing economic leverage...
Michael It’s Time To Go
Republican National Chairman Michael Steele is dragging Republicans down and draining its bank account. He has created controversy since his election more than a year ago. That’s not bad enough he even wrote a book in which he says Republicans will not in 2010 take...
Palin In WV
West Virginia Facebook followers of former Governor Sarah Palin woke up this morning to learn she will be visiting our State. The Fix a Washington Post political column reports she has targeted 20 congressional seats held by Democrats as we moved into the 2010...
Give Obama Line Item Veto
President Obama wants lawmakers to remove state specific projects inserted in the health care legislation. Congress should include a line-item veto provision in the reconciliation bill to force him to cut these – if the health care bill gets to his desk. His call for...
Taxpayers Money for Political Campaigns?
There is a bill moving the final days of the Legislature that makes no sense. The Manchin administration had proposed using taxpayer’s money to finance the 2012 Supreme Court race. It now appears in a contested primary a candidate would get $200,000 of taxpayers’...
Senator Byrd We Need You
Senator Byrd is needed in the United States Senate more than ever. He needs to be there to protect the Senate from itself. It is well known the Obama administration is pressuring Congress to use a process known as reconciliation to pass health care reform. After...
BILLBOARD Archives
Happy Birthday, Senator Randolph
Today is the 108th birthday of Senator Jennings Randolph. He was a man of vision and accomplishment. He worked tirelessly for West Virginia. Jennings Randolph was a Senator for 26 years and a member of the House of Representatives for 14 years. He never considered...
Glad I am Not An Incumbent Democrat
President Obama made it clear he does not care about the re-election of Democrats as he wrapped up the health care summit. After warning if there is not enough serious effort in a month’s time “….then I think we’ve got to go ahead and make some decisions,” the...
Obama Is No Bill Clinton
When consideration of health care reform started we were told President Obama did not want to make the same mistake as former President Clinton. You will recall the Clinton administration presented its own bill to Congress. President Obama turned the writing of...
Speaker Thompson Positioning
Speculation has centered on House Speaker Rick Thompson (D-Wayne) as a candidate for the Democrat nomination for Governor in 2012. He was elected Speaker in 2007 with the strong support of Labor. Many political and business leaders have seen Labor's support as a...
It’s Not About Your Survival, Mr. President
It’s about the survival of those without jobs. But that is not where President Obama spent his time since the election returns from the bluest of blue states on Tuesday. Instead he is pulling together those who helped him win in 2008. The concern at The White House...
How Could He Promise Change
I have been reading “The Audacity to Win” a book by David Plouffe about the campaign of Barack Obama. It is a firsthand account about the speeches, news conferences and messages he delivered. This brought back his passionate promise of “change you can believe in”. ...
Capito Leads the Way
West Virginia’s lone Republican in Congress, Shelley Moore Capito, held a sit down meeting with Lisa Jackson Administrator of the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA). Sometime ago Capito requested the “face to face” meeting to express concern about the...
Manchin Declares War on EPA
Governor Manchin is preparing to lead a battle against the Obama Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) after its decision to review 23 pending coal-mine permits. He spoke with MetroNews Talkline from Berlin, Germany. Joining in the war Obama has declared on the...
Obama Takes Two Hits at West Virginia in Five Days
Last Friday world leaders in Pittsburgh for the Group of 20 summit agreed to phase out fossil fuel subsides. The Obama administration championed the wording of the statement according to The Washington Post. The wording of the statement was a signal from the world’s...
Service Employees International Union, ACORN & Healthcare
Last May when various national healthcare organizations met with President Obama at the White House I wondered why the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) was present. Of course, I recalled the major role SEIU played in the election of President Obama....
An Idea for the Gazette
Here is an idea for The Charleston Gazette. The Washington Post is asking it’s readers to weigh in as its editorial board prepares an endorsement in the Virginia gubernatorial race. Readers may send an email making a case for their candidate in 200 words or less. ...
A Must Read
Charles Krauthammer had a great column in today's Sunday Gazette-Mail. It should be read by everyone. Their web site did not carry it so I hunted it down.