Hispanic Caucus Applauds AZ Immigration Ruling

By Brandon Kosters - Talk Radio News Service

Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus praised U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton for enjoining parts of the new Arizona immigration law, and discussed what can be done to improve living conditions for illegals nationwide.

Bolton yesterday filed preliminary injunctions against the parts of the bill that required immigrants to carry proof of citizenship at all times, and required police to inquire about citzenship status, a measure which opponents felt encouraged racial profiling.

Rep. Joe Baca (D-Calif.) applauded Bolton’s ruling, saying “[God] didn’t say ‘love they neighbor’ because they’re U.S. citizens…[He] said, ‘love thy neighbor.’”

Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) touted a bill that the Hispanic Caucus has drafted, that would require the use of magnified, federally issued Social Security cards. The bill would also prosecute employers who don’t use the cards.

Gutierrez said the immigration debate should not focus on the immigrant population in the U.S. in terms of numbers, but rather in terms of individuals and families who have established roots in the country. He challenged “pro-life”, “pro-family values” politicians who “would take a child in the womb of the mother…[and] would say ‘you must have that child’…’That child has the right to be born.’ And when the child is born, [they want] to deport that child.”

Embattled Rangel Will Stand Trial In September

Robert Hune-Kalter - Talk Radio News Service

A House Ethics Subcommittee laid out 13 charges of House rules violations this afternoon against Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), and began making preparations to hold what promises to be a highly watched trial.

Rangel had worked feverishly this week to strike a plea bargain with the committee, but ultimately came up short in that effort. Such a deal would’ve likely required the 80-year-old Rangel to admit to some wrongdoing.

The list of charges against the former Ways and Means Chairman was read by Rep. Gene Green (D-Texas) and Rep. Jo Bonner (R-Ala.) who lead the investigation into Rangel’s alleged misconduct.

“The charges in the Statement of Alleged Violation relate to four general subject matters,” said Green.  “Solicitations and donations to the Rangel Center for Public Service at the City College [of] New York; errors and omissions on Rep. Rengal’s Financial Disclosure Statements; use of rent-stabilized residential apartment by respondent’s campaign committees; and failure to report and pay taxes on rental income on Respondent’s Punta Cana beach villa.”

Chairwoman Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) and Ranking Member Michael McCaul (R-Texas) both agreed that the trial would be necessary for the House to regain the trust of the American public.

“The American people deserve to hear the truth in this case and the charges against [Rangel],” said McCaul.  “[House Speaker Nancy Pelosi] herself has said that we are entering into an era of transparency and accountability. I agree. Let us begin today, let justice be served.

Ex-Arlington National Cemetery Head Leaves Senate Panel Scratching Heads

Philip Bunnell - Talk Radio News Service

Senate Homeland Security member Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) had harsh words for former Arlington National Cemetery Superintendent John Metzler on Thursday, asking him if family members will be sure that they are “standing at the real grave site of [their] loved one.”

Metzler ran the historic military burial ground for almost two decades. A recent investigation by the Army revealed that as many as 6,600 graves had been mismarked.

McCaskill, chair of a committee oversight panel, asked Metzler about the first date he felt something was wrong, and pressed former deputy superintendent Thurman Higginbothom about his reportedly strained relationship with Metzler. Higginbothom subsequently invoked his Fifth Amendment right not to make self-incriminating testimony.

Metzler said the situation “pained him personally,” and expressed his “deep regret” towards families that the mistakes may have affected. Metzler cautioned the committee not to rush to judgment on an issue of great “complexity and breadth.”

That didn’t go over too well with more than a few members. Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) expressed his frustration and contempt for the mismanagement, telling Metzler that he was “interested to hear what the excuses are, because I can’t think of any in my head.”

Tester also mocked Metzler. “This isn’t putting a man on the moon,” said the Senator. “There’s nothing really mystifying about burying our loved ones.”

Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) equated the scandal to crushing the soul of a child.

This is “like learning that there’s no Santa Claus or Easter Bunny,” he said. “There are so many questions, what have you, in fact, done?”

Boehner Mocks Democrats' Manufacturing Agenda

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) took issue with Congressional Democrats’ recent attempts to pass legislation aimed at spurring America’s troubled manufacturing industry, casting the move as too little too late.

“Finally after 18 months of moving their job killing policies now they want to go out and talk about their manufacturing agenda,” Boehner said during his weekly press conference Thursday. “Well, if they are serious about their manufacturing agenda, why do we want to raise taxes on manufactures when we want their jobs to remain in America?”

The “Make It In America” strategy currently being pursued by House Democrats includes legislation that would require a four-year analysis of the manufacturing sector, the expansion of clean technology production and tackling the trade deficit.

Boehner characterized the move as a sign of desperation.

“As we head into August, a time when Congress normally talks about its accomplishments, the Democrats are divided, they are distracted and frankly, they are … desperate,” Boehner said.

Boehner declined to discuss reports regarding his campaign to become House Speaker following the 2010 mid-term elections.

Defense Train Wreck Could Be Coming, Cautions Independent Panel

By Sarah Mamula - Talk Radio News Service

With future military engagements eminent, the independent panel assigned to examine the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR), the Congressionally mandated overview of U.S. military policy, says that U.S. defense needs to be modernized in nearly every aspect. A report from the panel calls for more people, equipment and, ultimately, more money.

“Our current federal government structures, both executive and legislative, and in particular those related to security, were fashioned in the 1940s and they work at best imperfectly today,” said former National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley, who steers the panel along with former Defense Secretary William Perry. The pair testified this morning before the House Armed Services Committee Thursday.

The report states that “the aging of the inventories and equipment used by the services, the decline in the size of the Navy, escalating personnel entitlements, overhead and procurement costs, and the growing stress on the force mean that a train wreck is coming.” 

To avoid such a grim fate, Hadley and Perry recommended expanding personnel, acquisition and the overall force structure.

Rep. Howard McKeon (R-Calif.), the Ranking Member of the committee, applauded the panel’s conclusion, which stands in contrast to calls from many on Capitol Hill to reduce defense spending and the streamlined interpretation of military policy included in the QDR itself.

Despite the report’s answers on how the military should be improved, how to pay for such changes remains in question.