Monthly Archive for November, 2012

: November, 2012

Newt Gingrich: There is no fiscal cliff

Gingrich implores his colleagues to not beleaguer themselves with phony and dishonest negotiations – the failure of which will be blamed on Republicans or success credited with the failure of Republican policies. Instead, Gingrich writes that House Republicans should propose solutions they truly stand behind.

Cuomo will make first trip to DC on Monday

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo will travel to Washington, D.C. on Monday to plead his case for a $42 billion appropriation from Superstorm Sandy, sources said. Cuomo, a Democrat who served as secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Bill Clinton, has not visited Washington since taking office in 2011. Indeed, Cuomo makes a […]

House passes bill to increase visas for highly educated immigrants

A bill to increase the number of visas for highly educated immigrants and allow families to stay in the United State while their visas are processed was passed in the House today by a vote of 245-139.

The STEM Jobs Act, sponsored by Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, would increase the number of visas available for students who graduated from American universities with advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics degrees by 55,000 a year.

Will Obama appoint the first openly gay Cabinet member?

As we wait for the end-of-the-first-term Cabinet shuffle to commence, here’s one question that’s being asked: Will President Obama appoint the first openly LGBT Cabinet member? One person asking is Richard Socarides, a former Clinton Administration gay rights advisor. In the New Yorker Socarides listed his version of “Obama’s Gay-Rights To-Do List: Eight Big Ideas.” […]

Nancy Pelosi re-elected minority leader

House Democrats re-elected Nancy Pelosi as their leader Thursday, this time unanimously. Now in the leadership for a decade, Pelosi is one of the longest serving party leaders ever, and of course was the first female Speaker and first female minority leader. In her last leadership election, after the massive 63-seat loss of the Democratic […]

Ex-President George H.W. Bush remains hospitalized in Houston

By DANE SCHILLER Houston Chronicle Former President George H.W. Bush remains in a Houston hospital, where he has been for seven days as doctors battle a lingering cough that has drawn concern, officials said Thursday. Bush, 88, has bronchitis, but his condition is not considered life threatening, said his chief of staff, Jean Becker. “President […]

Gibson eschews tax pledge, a sign he’ll back cliff deal

New York Rep. Chris Gibson is declining to re-sign an anti-tax pledge that has become a litmus test seen as widely necessary by elected Republicans. Gibson, R-Kinderhook, signed the Americans for Tax Reform pledge in 2010, when he ousted ex-Rep. Scott Murphy from the 20th Congressional District, which covered areas of the Hudson Valley from […]

Mitt Romney to lunch with President Obama at the White House tomorrow

“On Thursday, Governor Romney will have a private lunch at the White House with President Obama in the Private Dining Room. It will be the first opportunity they have had to visit since the election,” reads the press release.

Family Research Council chief praises Ugandan president

Family Research Council head Tony Perkins sent out this tweet Monday praising Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni after he embraced criminalization of homosexuality. Museveni was once a highly regarded resistance fighter turned statesman, but now appears to be another president for life. The Ugandan government, reacting to State Department objections, contends the bill no longer imposes […]

Simpson, Bowles warn time’s running out to make budget deal

There’s a two-thirds chance that no budget agreement will happen during Congress’ lame-duck session, plunging the nation off the “fiscal cliff,” Erskine Bowles warned Wednesday.