McCain Calls For Surge In Afghanistan

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

John McCain (R-Ariz.) stated Wednesday that he agreed with General Stanley McChrystal’s assessment that the efforts in Afghanistan are deteriorating and called for an increase of U.S. forces in the country.

“There has to be a surge, there has to be a significant increase in troops on the ground and there has to be an overall strategy such as employed in Iraq, adaptive to Afghanistan,” McCain said during a press conference with Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich) on the contents of the National Defense Authorization Bill for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 conference report.

Both McCain and Levin went on to outline their views of the report.

“The conference report on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 reflects almost all of the decisions of the Secretary of Defense and the President to terminate troubled programs, delay programs for which requirements are not yet defined, and reorient programs and systems to deal with today’s threats and apply the lessons gained from more than seven years of war,” said Levin.

“I am happy to support the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 conference report which funds the needs and requirements of our brave men and women in uniform to succeed in their mission," McCain said. "I am disappointed that this year’s conference report includes hate crimes legislation, which I continue to oppose, and funding for continued development of the alternate engine for the Joint Strike Fighter."

Lawmakers Introduce Legislation To Retire Age Discrimination

Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), and Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.) introduced bicameral legislation called the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act that would make it easier for older workers to show that they have been victims of age discrimination.

The legislation is aimed at combating a recent Supreme Court decision, Gross v. FBL Financial, that essentially resulted in victims of age discrimination no longer being able to prove that age was a motivating factor in an adverse employment decision.

“We intend to make certain that ... all older workers in this country enjoy the full protection of the law,” said Harkin.

“Preserving the Age Discrimination and Employment Act is important to ensure that the great progress we have made in widening the doors of opportunity for all Americans continues in the future. I am concerned that the [aforementioned Supreme Court decision] will allow employers to discriminate on the basis of age with impunity,” said Leahy.

Sen. Alexander: 100 U.S. Power Plants In 20 Years

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

U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) wants to see 100 new nuclear power plants built within the next 20 years. Alexander spoke to 200 conservationists today at a forum hosted by conservative think tank Resources For The Future.

“I believe that what Americans should most fear about nuclear power is [that] the rest of world will use it to create low-cost, carbon-free electricity while [America], who invented the technology, will not,” said Alexander. “Within twenty years a new energy sprawl will consume an area larger than that of Nebraska... The unintended consequences from using renewable energy to mitigate climate change could damage the environment in the name of saving the environment.”

The United States has not built a nuclear power plant since 1990. Alexander said that future climate legislation should include details on optimum nuclear power plant site utilization and resources for low-carbon or carbon-free energy production.

Alexander said he does not have legislation prepared, but is asking for someone to take charge. “Two words: Presidential leadership. The president went to New York, to the UN climate change summit where he lectured other countries for not doing enough, when [other countries] are building nuclear power plants, when the U.S. hasn't built one in thirty years,” he said.

Bureau of Labor And Statistics Commissioner: We Have Moved Into A Normal Recession

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

Following Friday's announcement that unemployment has reached 9.8 percent, Bureau of Labor and Statistics Commissioner Keith Hall told the Joint Economic Committee Friday that while the U.S. economy is still in bad shape, it is at beginning to stabilize.

“We have moved into a normal recession... we really did have a six-month period that was unprecedented,” said Hall. “This particular recession was so broad and deep."

Hall added that the U.S. is slowly making a recovery in the manufacturing sector, explaining that it has expanded for the second consecutive month.

Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) responded to Hall by making it clear that the American economy is still hurting.

“The sky is falling... We can not be overly optimistic, but we need to call it like it is,” Said Cummings.

Rep. Kevin Bradley (R- Texas) was quick to the blame the Obama administration's use of TARP funds as an inhibitor to the economy.

“The unpredictability of government is the new invisible hand of the market. It is slowing the recovery- discouraging companies from making decisions that could lead to rehiring old workers and hiring new ones,” Brady said.

All panel members offered their condolences toward Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) whose husband recently passed away.

Baucus Accuses Republican Senator Of Attempting To "Gut And Kill" Health Care Reform

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus accused Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) of attempting to "gut and kill" health care reform legislation Thursday during the Committee's seventh day of markup for the America's Healthy Future Act.

“You want to gut the President’s program, or you want to cut health care reform," Baucus said to Crapo. He added, “you want to take away personal responsibility for individuals to buy personal coverage… this amendment guts and kills health care reform."

The amendment states "This amendment provides that no tax, fee or penalty imposed by this legislation shall be applied to any individual earning less than $200,000 per year or any couple earning less than $250,000 per year."

There was a ray of bi-partisanship Thursday when Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.) introduced an amendment that would allow taxpayers to deduct over-the-counter medical products as medical expenses. Chairman Baucus along with Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D- Mich.) offered to assist the Senator from Kentucky on the amendment, both agreeing that it addresses an important issue.

Chairman Baucus hopes to finish the markup late Thursday night. The Finance Committee has heard arguments for 107 amendments of the 564 submitted.