Blog - Congress Links

Here is Wednesday’s look at some articles and blog posts of interest:

• General Electric and Comcast are throwing money at key lawmakers on panels that will hold hearings on the companies’ upcoming merger. Congressmen who have received donations from the companies include Rep. Rick Boucher [D, VA-9], Sen. Charles Schumer [D, NY], Sen. Orrin Hatch [R, UT], Rep. Terry Lee [R, NE-2], Rep. Charlie Melancon [D, LA-3] and Rep. Cliff Stearns [R. FL-6] (The Hill)
• In 2006, Sen. John McCain [R, AZ] said he would consider voting to overturn “don’t ask, don’t tell” if the military’s leadership told him it was necessary. Yesterday, the military leadership said it was necessary but McCain continues to support the policy. McCain has also cited Gen. Colin Powell’s support of DADT as a reason to continue the policy, but today Powell came out against it. (The Washington Post)
• Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, pens a blog post explaining why he favors overturning “don’t ask, don’t tell.” (Department of Defense)
• The White House has reportedly told Congressional Democrats that it supports the plan to have the House pass the Senate health care bill alongside a reconciliation fix. But House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi [D, CA-8] says the Senate has to act first. (The Plum Line)
• If the Democrats do try and change the Senate health care bill through reconciliation, can Republicans stop them by introducing an infinite amount of amendments? David Waldman at Congress Matters has doubts. (The Hill)
• A group of centrist Democrats in the Senate are reportedly planning to push a watered-down climate change bill without carbon caps that is full of hand-outs to the energy industry. Sen. Lindsey Graham, [R, SC], of all people, is warning against this plan saying, “It’s putting off to another Congress what really needs to be done comprehensively. I don’t think you’ll ever have energy independence the way I want until you start dealing with carbon pollution and pricing carbon. The two are interconnected.” (The New York Times)
• A lot of people loved President Obama’s “question time” with House Republicans last week. Will this become a regular thing? According to the White House, the answer is “no.” (The Huffington Post)
• The Democratic supermajority ends tomorrow. Republican Scott Brown, who defeated Martha Coakley in a recent Massachusetts special election, is expected to be sworn into the U.S. Senate on Thursday. (The Hill)