Kerry: Congress Must Tone Down Rhetoric, Get Down To Business

Following this weekend’s tragic events in Arizona, Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) told an audience at the left-leaning Center for American Progress (CAP) that Congress must work to eliminate the hyperpartisan atmosphere and rhetoric that has engulfed the process in which America’s government functions.

“In the weeks and months ahead, the real issue we need to confront isn’t just what role divisive political rhetoric may have played on Saturday, but it’s the violence, divisive, overly simplistic dialogue does to our democracy every day,” Kerry said.

The Senator supported House Speaker John Boehner’s decision to suspend the House’s usual business this week but called on Congress to “suspend and end business as usual in the United States Capitol” moving forward. The effects of hyperpartisanship are evidenced in the record number of cloture votes held in the 111th Congress, Kerry said. Additionally, he asserted that his call for bipartisanship should echo through Congress in a time when the nation is mourning and struggling to trust an entity Kerry said shies away from making tough but necessary decisions.

“The big question wasn’t whose rhetoric was right or wrong,” Kerry said. “But whether our political conversation was indeed worthy of the confidence and trust of the American people.”

Aside from toning down political rhetoric on the hill, the Senate Foreign Relations Chair made clear that extreme spending cuts alone would not yield the amount of recovery needed to sufficiently reduce the nation’s deficit. The former Democratic presidential candidate stressed that increasing infrastructure and alternative energy investments will create jobs for America and will keep the nation amid the world’s elite countries.

“In this time of crisis, in this time of mourning, in this time of challenge and opportunity, we all need to commit to reaching across the aisle as colleagues did before us to unite to do the exceptional things that, together, can keep America exceptional,” Kerry said. “That’s our mission and we need to get about the business of accomplishing it.”

Kerry Backs McChrystal, Urges Washington To 'Back Off'

By Brandon Kosters- Talk Radio News Service

Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) said he spoke with General Stanley A. McChrystal, Commander of International and U.S. Forces in Afghanistan, this morning about comments McChrystal made in a recent interview with Rolling Stone. McChrystal spoke critically of the Obama administration regarding how it is handling the war in Afghanistan.

"I emphasized to him that...those are comments that he's going to have to deal with," Kerry said. "I have enormous respect for General McChrystal and I think he's a terrific soldier."

Kerry said that it would be best not to fixate on this issue, and emphasized the remaining presence of U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

"All of us would be best served by backing off, staying cool and calm and, you know, not succumbing to the normal Washington twitter about this for the next 24 hours."

Taliban Recruiting In Marjah Is On The Rise, Says Kerry

By Monique Cala
University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

Army General John Nicholson discussed progress in Afghanistan, in particular the city of Marjah, during a hearing held by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

“We cleared systematically, over the course of the past two years, some of the key and most densely populated areas, resulting in this remaining enemy sanctuary and this remaining narco-trafficking sanctuary in the area of Marjah,” said Nicholson.

Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-Mass.) lamented the fact that Marjah has become such a hotbed of dangerous activity despite being a fairly insignificant area.

“Marjah is not a great Afghan city like Kabul, Herat or Kandahar,” he said. “Marjah was the last Taliban stronghold in the central Helmand River Valley and it was the poppy production hub of Afghanistan and the world.”

Kerry said a recent survey showed that the majority of villagers in Marjah harness negative feelings toward foreign troops and blame them for the increasing number of men joining the Taliban. Kerry, a veteran himself, attributed such attitudes to the lack of jobs, money for marriage and inability for people there to buy land.

“The ultimate measure of our success is going to be if we can win the trust of the Afghan people and transfer security and governance to them,” said Kerry. “Our challenge was never to just clear the territory, it’s always been to hold it, to build it, and then to transfer it. I think transfer is the single most critical element of all.”

Czar Debate Enters Baucus Bill Markup

Travis Martinez, University of New Mexico- Talk Radio News Service

Friday morning brought the fourth day of the Senate Finance committee’s markup of the America’s Healthy Future Act. A large portion of Friday’s talks consisted of concerns over health care czars, keeping transparency within the bill and blocking age discrimination for premiums.

Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) proposed an amendment evoking the advise and consent clause, stating that any czar associated with health care should face a Senate confirmation process similar to those required for cabinet secretaries.

Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) was once again quick to deny the Republican amendments.

“The job title czar does not exist,” he countered. “Having a czar confirmed by the Senate and the chance to testify would be a waste of time."

The amendment ultimately failed with 10-13 vote.

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) offered a bill that would stop age discrimination, but after more than an hour of debate on whether the amendment was germane, Kerry ultimately withdrew his amendment upon the request of Chairman Baucus.

Friday’s session recessed at noon. It will return Tuesday, September 29 at 9:30

Kerry Calls For China And U.S. To Speed Up Climate Change Conversation

Travis Martinez. University of New Mexico- Talk Radio News Service

Sen John Kerry (D-Mass.), who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called upon the U.S. and China to escalate their efforts to prevent climate change Tuesday.

"These conversations [about climate change] between the U.S. and China are at a critical stage... they need to speed up. They need to focus," Kerry said during a conference call.

"The U.S. needs to lead, we [the U.S.] have an obligation to lead", Kerry added. However, Kerry stressed that this did not release China from responsibility.

"China needs to understand along with the developing world that we [the U.S.] cannot enter into a global treaty without meaningful commitments", Kerry said.

China and the U.S. lead the world in CO2 emissions.

Efforts are currently being made to secure new climate change agreements among the international community before 192 countries converge in Copenhagen this December.