House Republican Aims To Dismantle Drilling Moratorium

Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) has attracted 47 co-sponsors to an amendment to the CLEAR Act that would “repeal the Obama administration’s ban on offshore drilling.”

“President Obama’s moratorium on drilling will cause more long-term damage to Louisiana than the oil spill itself, and I will continue fighting until it is overturned,” says Scalise…

Obama Announces He Will Sign The Tribal Law and Order Act Thursday

Previously passed by the House on Wednesday, July 21 a major piece of legislation affecting law enforcement within tribal communities will be signed by the President tomorrow, Thursday July 29th.
The Tribal Law & Order Act of 2009 grants Tribal Courts the authority to impose harsher sentences and requires U.S. Attorneys to keep a better record of declinations involving Indian Country among other provisions. The Act also grants Tribal Courts the authority to impose a sentence of three years imprisonment and a fine of up to $15,000 for a single count. Those are raised from the previous maximums of one year imprisonment and a $5,000 fine as outlined in the Indian Civil Rights Act.

President Obama said in a statement after it’s initial passing through the house, “The federal government’s relationship with tribal governments, its obligations under treaty law, and our values as a nation require that we do more to improve public safety in tribal communities.  And this Act will help us achieve that.”

 
-Alexa Gitler


Kagan Now Has Support From Four Republicans

Sen. Olympia Snowe has announced that she will vote ‘yes’ to confirm the nomination of Supreme Court hopeful Elena Kagan. Snowe joins her state’s junior Senator, Susan Collins (R), as well as Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Richard Lugar (R-Ind.)…

Judge Blocks Key Components Of Arizona Immigration Law

The Associated Press is reporting that U.S. District Court Judge Susan Bolton has issued an injunction against the state of Arizona that blocks, for now, several controversial items within S.B. 1070 from going into effect. The New York Times has more on the story…

Reid Spokesman Responds To Republican BP Bailout Bill

Jim Manley, spokesman for Senator Harry Reid (D- Nev.) released a statement Wednesday responding to energy proposals from the GOP saying, “Republicans want taxpayers to foot the bill for BP’s disaster and allow BP to use endless legal battles to run out the clock on those whose livelihoods they destroyed – just like Exxon did to victims of the Valdez spill. Republicans should come to their senses and remember that they represent the American people, not BP. Our responsibility is to make sure the Americans affected by this disaster are made whole – not to protect BP’s profits.”

- Alexa Gitler