Lieberman Pushes Legislation To Repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell

By Sofia Sanchez University of New Mexico/ Talk Radio News Service

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) introduced legislation Wednesday that will effectively repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, a controversial policy that has prevented gay men and women from openly serving in the military.

"In sum, it is time for Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell to go," said Lieberman during a press conference Wednesday.

The bill, titled the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, has also found backing from Senators Carl Levin (D-Mich.), Sen. Roland Burris (D-Ill.), Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colo.), Sen. Kristen Gillibrand (D-N.Y.).

“When people are not allowed to serve simply because of their sexual orientation, it diminishes our readiness, it diminishes our strength, it denies us ... men and women who can contribute to the defense of their country,” said Levin, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, during an appearance alongside Lieberman.

Levin went on to dismiss concerns that allowing openly gay soldiers to serve in the military would damper morale, and pointed to several other nations that have allowed gay men and women to serve without any impact on unit cohesion or morale.

"We have asked about this in hearings," said Levin. "We have been assured that there is no diminution of readiness or morale.”

Top Democrats Rail Against Republican Who Voted Against Extending Unemployment Benefits

By Sofia Sanchez - University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

Congressional Democrats expressed rage Monday over an attempt by Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.) late last week to filibuster a vote to extend by 30 days a benefits program for the unemployed. As a result of Bunning's actions, many of those benefits expired yesterday.

“What really bothers me about this...is to see that one Senator, in this case Senator Bunning, could hold up something that everyone knows would go forward, would go through [and] makes common sense for the workers of this country,” said Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) in remarks given to reporters on Monday. “To me, this makes no sense at all.”

Klobuchar also suggested doing away with the “old rule” of senate filibustering because of the way she said Republicans have abused the system. Instead, said Klobuchar, legislative items should all be subject to straight up or down votes, which was actually an option afforded to Bunning last week.

“What I believe we need to do here, and what the American people want us to do, is move forward, get these jobs bills, and get the economy going, and get it done,” said Klobuchar.

House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) said he believes Bunning's objection may allow Democrats to capitalize politically.

“I am very hopeful that this little experience that we are having with Senator Bunning will be constructive and enlightening to the American people,” said Clyburn.

For effect, Clyburn recanted a series of bills that Bunning had voted for despite the fact that they were not paid for, including a $1.3 trillion tax cut and the $395 billion Medicare Part D program.

“To deny a one month extension to families that need assistance, in the short term, is beyond me,” said Clyburn.

Biden Takes Jab At Bunning

By Sofia Sanchez- University of New Mexico/ Talk Radio News Service

Vice President Joe Biden managed to take a jab Friday at Republican Senator Jim Bunning (R-Ky.), who recently acted to block a Democratic move to extend unemployment insurance.

“One of the things I am really disappointed in is that right now a single Republican Senator is standing up in the chamber that I worked in for a long, long time filibustering ... the extension of unemployment insurance," said Biden. "If he succeeds, one million people next month will be thrown off the unemployment rolls and into despair.”

Bunning has stated that he is not opposed to the extension in principle, but would like it to be covered through Recovery Act funds. He has come under fire for using profanity while voicing his displeasure on the Senate floor.

The unemployment package was set up to extend unemployment insurance and health benefits for those out of work until April 5th. The Senate adjourned Thursday without passing the legislation. Benefits for many are due to expire Sunday.

“I wish that Senator [Bunning] would think about how that man or woman is going to explain to their kids, how they are going to get by the next three, four, five, seven months,” said Biden.

Biden's remarks came during an appearance with White House Office of Management and Budget Director Peter Orszag marking the close of first year of the “Middle Class Task Force," which the Vice President has steered.

“The irony here is while we are making progress in the task force, because of a single senator in the United States Senate, ... there is going to be an immediate hurt on a lot of people."

Education Secretary Duncan: We Must Educate Our Way To A Better Economy

By Sofia Sanchez University of New Mexico/ Talk Radio News Service

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan stated Thursday that an improvement in education will help mend the U.S. economy.

“We have to educate our way to a better economy. It is the only way we can get there. We have a dropout rate of 27% in this country. We have 1.3 million young people leaving our schools and going to the streets. That is morally unacceptable and economically unsustainable," Duncan said during an appearance before the House Committee on the Budget.

Duncan's remarks came during a hearing on the Department's budget proposal for fiscal year 2011. $49.7 billion has been requested, a raise from 2010's $46.2 billion request.

Duncan said the department has done program eliminations that resulted in $123 million in savings, and also eliminated earmarks, which resulted in $217 million in savings.

A full copy of the proposed FY2011 budget for the Department of Education can be found on the Department of Education's website.

Hoyer: Hitting Restart Button On Health Care Reform Would Not Be Efficient

By Sofia Sanchez University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said Tuesday that requests from Republicans to restart efforts to reform the U.S. health care system are unrealistic.

“We have had very fullsome consideration of this bill and starting over does not seem a path that would be very efficient at all,” said Hoyer.

The Majority Leader also discussed the differences between the Republicans' and Democrats' legislative approach to health care, saying “the Republican bill will only cover three million Americans as opposed to the Democrats' bill which will cover 31-35 million Americans.”

Hoyer added that he hopes the Health Care Summit at the Blair House Thursday will bring about an open forum for both Republicans and Democrats to present their best ideas for health care reform.

Hoyer also commented on the small signs of bipartisanship surrounding the jobs bill, most notably the five Republican senators have helped bring it to a final vote.

“I think it’s a good sign,” said Hoyer.

The Senate is expected to pass the bill this week.