It's Christmas Tree Time

By Tim Young

A crowd of a few hundred gathered on Capitol Hill Tuesday night to attend the ceremony to light the Capitol’s Christmas Tree. 

Speaking at the ceremony were Architect of the Capitol Stephen Ayers, Thomas Coleman, chairman of the U.S. Capitol Historical Society’s Board of Trustees and Tom Tidwell, chief of the U.S. Forest Service. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Reps. Dan Lungren (R-Calif.) and Jeff Denham, (R-Calif.) were also present representing the state that donated the tree.

U.S. Army Band and Jazz@8 — an a cappella choir from Summerville High School in Tuolumne, Calif. — performed holiday songs at the event. 

The Speaker of the House ceremoniously lights the tree every year. This year, Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) was joined by Johnny Crawford, a 7-year-old home-schooled student from Sonora, Calif.

“Christmas is not some distant historical event,” said Boehner. “It is a spirit, always bringing us closer to each other and closer to the peace of which the angels sang.”

The tree will be on display until Jan. 1 and will be lit from dusk until 11 p.m. each day.

President Obama Statement On Attempted Christmas Terrorist Attack

THE PRESIDENT: Hey, guys. Good morning, everybody. I just want to take a few minutes to update the American people on the attempted terrorist attack that occurred on Christmas Day and the steps we're taking to ensure the safety and security of the country.


The investigation is ongoing and I spoke again this morning with Attorney General Eric Holder, the Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, and my Counterterrorism and Homeland Security Advisor John Brennan. I asked them to keep -- continue monitoring the situation, to keep the American people and members of Congress informed.


Here's what we know so far. On Christmas Day, Northwest Airlines Flight 253 was en route from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Detroit. As the plane made its final approach to Detroit Metropolitan Airport, a passenger allegedly tried to ignite an explosive device on his body, setting off a fire.


Thanks to the quick and heroic actions of passengers and crew, the suspect was immediately subdued, the fire was put out, and the plane landed safely. The suspect is now in custody and had been charged with attempting to destroy an aircraft. And a full investigation has been launched into this attempted act of terrorism and we will not rest until we find all who were involved and hold them accountable.


This was a serious reminder of the dangers that we face and the nature of those who threaten our homeland. Had the suspect succeeded in bringing down that plane it could have killed nearly 300 passengers and crew, innocent civilians preparing to celebrate the holidays with their families and friends.


The American people should be assured that we are doing everything in our power to keep you and your families safe and secure during this busy holiday season. Since I was first notified of this incident I've ordered the following actions to be taken to protect the American people and to secure air travel.


First, I directed that we take immediate steps to ensure the safety of the traveling public. We made sure that all flights still in the air were secure and could land safely. We immediately enhanced screening and security procedures for all flights, domestic and international. We added federal air marshals to flights entering and leaving the United States. And we're working closely in this country -- federal, state and local law enforcement -- with our international partners.


Second, I've ordered two important reviews because it's absolutely critical that we learn from this incident and take the necessary measures to prevent future acts of terrorism. The first review involves our watch list system, which our government has had in place for many years to identify known and suspected terrorists so that we can prevent their entry into the United States.


Apparently the suspect in the Christmas incident was in the system, but not on a watch list such as the so-called no-fly list. So I've ordered a thorough review not only of how information related to the subject was handled, but of the overall watch list system and how it can be strengthened.


The second review will examine all screening policies, technologies and procedures related to air travel. We need to determine just how the suspect was able to bring dangerous explosives aboard an aircraft and what additional steps we can take to thwart future attacks.


Third, I've directed my national security team to keep up the pressure on those who would attack our country. We do not yet have all the answers about this latest attempt, but those who would slaughter innocent men, women and children must know that the United States will do more than simply strengthen our defenses -- we will continue to use every element of our national power to disrupt, to dismantle, and defeat the violent extremists who threaten us -- whether they are from Afghanistan or Pakistan, Yemen or Somalia, or anywhere where they are plotting attacks against the U.S. homeland.


Finally, the American people should remain vigilant, but also be confident. Those plotting against us seek not only to undermine our security, but also the open society and the values that we cherish as Americans. This incident, like several that have preceded it demonstrates that an alert and courageous citizenry are far more resilient than an isolated extremist. As a nation we will do everything in our power to protect our country, as Americans we will never give in to fear or division, we will be guided by our hopes, our unity, and our deeply held values. That's who we are as Americans. And that's what our brave men and women in uniform are standing up for as they spend the holidays in harm's way, and we will continue to do everything that we can to keep America safe in the New Year and beyond.


Before I leave let also briefly address the events that have taken place over the last few days in the Islamic Republic of Iran.


The United States joins with the international community in strongly condemning the violent and unjust suppression of innocent Iranian citizens, which has apparently resulted in tensions, injuries and even death.


For months the Iranian people have sought nothing more than to exercise their universal rights. Each time they have done so they have been met with the iron fist of brutality, even on solemn occasions and holy days. And each time that has happened the world has watched with deep admiration for the courage and the conviction of the Iranian people, who are a part of Iran's great and enduring civilization.


What's taking place within Iran is not about the United States or any other country -- it's about the Iranian people and their aspirations for justice and a better life for themselves. And the decision of Iran's leaders to govern through fear and tyranny will not succeed in making those aspirations go away. As I said in Oslo, it's telling when governments fear the aspirations of their own people more than the power of any other nation.


Along with all free nations the United States stands with those who seek their universal rights. We call upon the Iranian government to abide by the international obligations that it has to respect the rights of its own people. We call for the immediate release of all who have been unjustly detained within Iran. We will continue to bear witness to the extraordinary events that are taking place there. And I'm confident that history will be on the side of those who seek justice.


Thank you very much, everybody, and Happy New Year.

DOJ Charges Nigerian Man In Northwest Flight Bomb Attempt

The Department of Justice has announced that it is charging Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, a Nigerian national, with attempting to destroy a Northwest Airlines aircraft on its final approach to Detroit Metropolitan Airport on Christmas Day and with placing a destructive device on the aircraft. Abdulmutallab was on a flight from Amsterdam and attempted to set off an explosive device as the plane was approaching Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

The criminal complaint and affidavit can be read here.

Senate Will Stay In Session Christmas Eve For Health Care Vote

The Senate will remain in session Christmas eve to continue debate on health care reform legislation.

“We will be here Christmas eve completing work on this bill,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Tuesday afternoon following his party’s policy luncheon. “I think it’s important that we take the time to analyze it every way we can before the final votes are taken in the Senate.”

While the rules of the Senate provide 30 hours of debate following cloture, there were hopes among Senate Democrats that the minority party would accept an agreement to move the vote up to Wednesday.

Earlier Tuesday, McConnell stated on the Senate floor that he and Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) would pursue an agreement to bring the health care reform debate to a sensible end.

"[Reid and I] are working on an agreement that will give certainty to the way to end this session,” said McConnell. “Hopefully, the two of us together can be recommending something that makes sense for both sides in the not too distant future.”

McConnell could not confirm when he expects the Senate to hold their vote on the 24th.

Health Care Vote May Take Place Prior To Christmas Eve

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) stated Tuesday that the Senate may not hold it’s landmark vote on health care reform Christmas eve. Instead, the body could put the legislation up for its final vote Wednesday.

“Certainly with the ice storms coming ... we hope we can finish tomorrow and not have to do Christmas eve,” Reid said during a late morning press conference.

“But we’ll do whatever is necessary,” the Majority Leader added.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) suggested on the floor Tuesday that his party may back holding the vote sooner than initially planned.

“[Reid and I] are working on an agreement that will give certainty to the way to end this session,” said McConnell. “Hopefully, the two of us together can be recommending something that makes sense for both sides in the not too distant future."