Bird's Eye View: Empty Senate Chamber

A decidedly empty chamber awaited each Senator as they came in at their appointed time and stood near their desk, waiting for the podium to be brought to them so they could have a chance to speak. I watched as a lone Senator addressed no one in particular and CSPAN observed. A stenographer stood six feet to the Senator’s left with a typewriter like apparatus strapped to a board. It hung from his neck much like an archaic technology-albatross from yesteryear.

From the press box, I looked down, surveying the floor from directly above the presiding member’s desk. All of the balcony areas were empty, save for the area to my right, which was stuffed with eager tourists. The floor of the Senate within the Capitol was eerily silent, as no electronic devices are allowed in and therefore not even the sound of a vibrating Blackberry was to be heard.

From the camera view, the average American will see only shots back and forth as the camera switches from the view of a member of Congress, to the presiding member, and back. They cannot see staffers wandering in and out of the double doors, the lack of people in the balcony, or the odd hollowness that sound creates in such a large, empty room.

Congress frequently puts out the call for a debate on an issue. But heated debate rarely seems to actually occur on the floor itself, since, as is apparent, they are almost never on the floor at the same time.

The Senator from New Mexico put a large, colorful posterboard up on a easel and gestured emphatically at it to no one in particular. The stenographer typed rapidly. The audience, which now included quite a few high school students, strained to see the tiny words printed on the board as the Senator waved his hands around and jabbed a finger into his notes.

All the passion that may or may not accompany a speech is no longer evident once it’s in a transcript. It is likely that a lot of information is going to be passed that way, via a paper or electronic copy of what was said.

It is much more effective, I would think, for someone to actually be seen in person as they give their speech, since the stenographer isn’t likely to point out elements of composure, such as saying that a Senator was ‘so excited that his hair was shaking and his face was beet red,’ or ‘as Senator so-and-so spoke, he was so into it that he spit on the guy in front of him.’

Since most members of Congress are only going to read what was said, the all important element of passion in a speech will be missed.

Pity.

Congressional leaders discuss aggressive new trade agenda

In a conference call this afternoon, a group of prominent members of Congress discussed launching a new trade bill. Among those contributing were Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Oh), Representative Mike Michaud (D-Me), Representative Betty Sutton (D-Oh), and Citizens Trade Campaign director, Andy Gussert.

Brown said that in 1992 the trade deficit in the U.S. was 38 billion dollars and in 2007 the trade deficit was over 750 billion dollars. Specifically, the trade deficit with China has gone up 1200% since 1992. He said that because of these staggering statistics, he and his colleagues have put serious thought into a bill that will give U.S. trade a different direction. Brown said that one of the major problems with the trade policy is the tendency for U.S. based companies to outsource jobs to other countries, which hurts the U.S. economy, which is why part of the new trade agenda is the Patriotic Employment Act, which is designed to offer tax incentives to companies that decide to manufacture goods in the U.S. The Senator from Ohio said that because this bill contains so many new ideas it probably won’t make it through congress this year, but that it is a step in the right direction.

Michaud said that this new trade agenda is not opposed to trade, it is opposed to the way the US participates in trade. He said that the agenda is focused on developing a set of guidelines that can be implemented and will be used as a “roadmap” for future trade negotiations. Michaud said that bad trade policies were costing Americans jobs and that working class families understand the need for a new trade policy.

Senate Judiciary Committee concerned over low income legal assistance

The Senate Judiciary Committee convened today to discuss low-income legal assistance. The hearing on “Closing the Justice Gap: Providing Civil Legal Assistance to Low-Income Americans,” was heard by one senator and had two witnesses testifying. Although it is law in this country that legal assistance can be provided to all, no matter income status, there is a growing concern that proper legal assistance to those who need it is not being provided.

Helaine M. Barnett, President of Legal Services Corporation and Jonann C. Chiles, Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation were on hand to testify. They spoke about their corporation and their mission including the requested budget from the federal government and how they utilize it. In Senator Leahy’s submitted testimony, he says “The LSC and the many organizations it funds work to ensure that the least fortunate among us are able to have their voices heard in civil court, and, in turn, their rights protected.” The LSC was present today to discuss the state of this industry and the need for funding.

Today from the Capitol

Today was a busy day inside the halls of the capital. With today being dedicated as Peace Officers' Memorial Day, there were many supporters in and outside of the capitol including a memorial gathering outside the capital at one o’clock.

As for legislative business, the House began the day discussing the Iraq and Afghanistan Supplemental Appropriations bill. With members entering and exiting the chamber through out the day, this issue was obviously a hotly contested one. There is a natural tussle of ideas as to whether or not to pull the funding, or to grant more money for our troops. Naturally there is a large number of representatives wanting out of the war, and a way to end the war is by stopping the funding. However, to those that do support the war, their response was that by cutting the funding, this will result in not supplying our soldiers adequately with what they need to fight the battle. So there was a struggle of ideals between the representatives as to what to do. House Democratic leadership wants this wrapped up before Memorial Day, however it seems as if this will be problematic. Speaking of House Democratic Leadership, they were the most harshly criticized group among the arguments given from Republicans. They were continually accused of setting their own agenda and not working together to get legislation passed.

The House was later on discussing the conference report on H.R.2419 which is on the “Food and Energy Security Act of 2007.”

On the Senate side, the Senators resumed debate on H.R. 2419 which is the “Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act.” Some high profile Senators were in and out of the chamber as there was a news conference held by Diane Feinstein whom was accompanied by Senators Levin, Snowe, Cantwell, Collins, Dorgan, and Wyden. Essentially the Senate passed a measure to cut off the “Enron Loophole,” which was part of the Farm Bill conference report the Senate had passed. “This legislation provides new tools to stop price manipulation, excessive speculation, and trading abuses that have too often clobbered American families with unfair energy price hikes,” said Senator Levin. “We’ve finally done it. Today, the Senate sends the President a bill to close the Enron Loophole once and for all,” stated Senator Feinstein.

Lastly, in regards to foreign affairs, The Congressional International Anti-Piracy Caucus held a news conference to announce the top six countries which were put on the 2008 priority watch list. These countries included China, Russia, Canada, Greece, Spain and Mexico. China, Russia and Canada are the top three countries with troubling pirating issues. China especially is of concern after Canada and Russia have made minimal attempts to deal with the issue. Representatives from the MPAA and RIAA were on hand to discuss the damaging effects from piracy not only to individuals, but also to economies. If material is being stolen from others, it’s not just going to take away from the main artist, but all those that contributed to the project.

Senate urges pressure on Saudi Arabia to increase oil production

Five senators held a press conference today immediately following a vote on a Democratic proposal to “suspend filling the nearly full Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) in order to increase supply and lower energy prices,” the official release said. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) said that Saudi Arabia currently produces nearly two million barrels of oil per day below capacity, and said that prices would likely lower by 50 cents per gallon in the next month or two if they increased production by just one million barrels per day. Schumer said that himself and the other senators wanted to present President Bush with a “motion of disapproval” of the Saudi arms deal, and urge him to put pressure on the Saudis to increase productivity and lower prices as he leaves for his trip to the Middle East today. “We are saying to the Saudis that ‘if you don’t help us, why should we be helping you?’” Schumer said. “You need our arms, but we need you to cooperate and not strangle American consumers.”

Sen. Bernard Sanders (D-VT) said that OPEC functions as a cartel, and that it is time for Pres. Bush to say to OPEC that “we are going to challenge their very existence,” so they can no longer “limit production and artificially raise prices.” Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) said that Bush “needs to demonstrate leadership,” and while he is “talking to the Saudis about oil production as he should, he should have done it long ago.”

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) said that she is “pleased” that the Senate was able to pass the amendment today, but she “would rather see a comprehensive package.” She added, “but if we’re going to have to do it one scrap at a time, that’s how we’ll do it.”