Angry Congress lashes out at Obama - Dodge Diesel

crobtex · 11-20-2009, 04:58 AM

ECONOMIC WOES TAKING A TOLL
House Republicans call on Geithner to resign

Growing discontent over the economy and frustration with efforts to speed its recovery boiled over Thursday on Capitol Hill in a wave of criticism and outright anger directed at the Obama administration.
Episodes in both houses of Congress exposed the raw nerves of lawmakers flooded with stories of unemployment and economic hardship back home. They also underscored the stiff headwinds that the administration faces as it pushes to enact sweeping changes to the financial regulatory system while also trying to create jobs for ordinary Americans.
President Obama's allies in the Congressional Black Caucus, exasperated by the administration's handling of the economy, unexpectedly blocked one his top priorities, using a legislative maneuver to postpone the approval of financial reform legislation by a key House committee.
Two buildings away, at a session of the Joint Economic Committee, Republicans escalated their attacks on Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner, including a call for his resignation.
"Conservatives agree that as point person, you failed. Liberals are growing in that consensus as well," said Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Tex.). "For the sake of our jobs, will you step down from your post?"
Rep. Michael C. Burgess (R-Tex.) took a different tack. "I don't think that you should be fired," he told Geithner. "I thought you should have never been hired."
Even Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), a friend of the administration, suggested that Geithner had been inconsistent in addressing China's practice of keeping its currency low against the dollar.
And Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) said Wednesday on MSNBC that he thinks Geithner should step down, pointing to his handling of the aftermath of American International Group's meltdown.
Across Capitol Hill, senators signaled their opposition to rushing regulatory reform. While some Democrats voiced reservations about parts of the bill, Republicans went further, faulting Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.) for pushing ahead before the roots of the crisis were understood.
Perhaps most troubling for the administration was that one of the few measures to succeed Thursday was an amendment by Rep. Ron Paul (R-Tex.) that would subject the Federal Reserve to unprecedented scrutiny. The amendment, which won bipartisan support in the House Financial Services Committee despite the reservations of administration officials, would allow the Government Accountability Office to audit all of the Fed's operations, including its decisions on interest rates and its transactions with foreign central banks.
Paul and allies in both parties -- more than 300 members of Congress have endorsed the measure -- are looking to increase oversight of an institution they consider partly to blame for the financial crisis. Federal officials and many private economists worry that the amendment could make future central bank policymakers reluctant to take unpopular steps to prevent inflation or support the economy for fear of second-guessing by Congress and government auditors.
The House committee had been set to vote to send the final piece of its regulatory reform package to the House floor after months of debate. That is, until the committee's chairman, Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), told a shocked committee room that passage of the bill would be delayed until Dec. 1 because the Congressional Black Caucus wanted the administration to do more to help African American communities suffering in the economic decline.

Frank told committee members that black lawmakers were "frustrated by the response to the economic situation by the administration." He said the caucus had no issues with the legislation itself. "They want obviously to continue to have some bargaining power with the administration," he said after the hearing.
The caucus itself did not publicly detail its concerns Thursday, but one member, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), issued a statement: "The recession has created a unique systemic risk that threatens all parts of the African-American community, including the poor and the middle class."
The caucus began discussing its concerns with Frank and the administration several weeks ago. Frank hosted a meeting Monday night between caucus members, Geithner and White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.
"You're talking about people whose constituents have been badly hammered by this," Frank said. "Given the nature of this recession, there needs to be some more conversations."
Frank said the caucus had concerns about whether minorities were being fairly represented in helping carry out Treasury's bailout programs and other federal efforts to resolve the financial crisis. The government has contracted out much of the work to Wall Street firms.
Congressional aides said the caucus's concerns are similar to those of the Democratic Party's liberal wing. Caucus members are pushing for legislation that would directly lead to new jobs by providing tax benefits, for example, that would provide incentives for home renovations and funding for new infrastructure projects. They also want to extend health-care and unemployment benefits.
Meanwhile, Geithner was taking a beating as he urged Congress to pass regulatory reform as quickly as possible, arguing that delay would create uncertainty for businesses across the country. Lawmakers sharply criticized him for his role in the crisis during the tense Joint Economic Committee meeting. They were particularly critical of his involvement in the decision, as president of the New York Fed, to bail out AIG.
But Geithner pressed forward: "To ensure the vitality, the strength and the stability of our economy going forward, we must bring our system of financial regulation into the 21st century. Nobody in my job should ever be in the position again of having to come into a crisis like this without those basic authorities."
Dodd, chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, chose the marbled Caucus Room in the Russell Senate Office Building -- site of past hearings on Watergate, Pearl Harbor and the Wall Street abuses during the Great Depression -- to open debate on a massive draft bill designed to achieve the most ambitious reworking of the financial system in decades.
"This is one of those moments in our nation's history that compels us to be bold," Dodd said.
But soon, ranking committee Republican Richard C. Shelby (Ala.) took the floor, and for 18 uninterrupted minutes he opined that nearly every element of Dodd's bill was misinformed, uninformed, unnecessarily rushed or just plain flawed. "This committee has not done the necessary work to even begin discussing changes of this magnitude. Nevertheless, you have laid a bill before the committee," Shelby said. "I will be opposing this legislation. Not because we disagree on its ends, but rather on its means."
Shelby said Dodd was wrong not to conduct an investigation into the causes of the recent financial crisis before pushing forward with legislation. He said rather than ending the problem of institutions that are "too big to fail," the current bill expands the government's ability to bail out big banks. Shelby apologized for the length of his critique, expressed his hope that the two men might "yet find some common ground," and yielded the floor.
"Well," Dodd said in the morning's only moment of levity, "I thank you for the endorsement."

cbrahs · 11-20-2009, 08:44 AM

let it explode within. I would like to see a good ol English fight! them guys over there don't mess around and have seen them throw punches in Parliment.

raymond21 · 11-20-2009, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbrahs

let it explode within. I would like to see a good ol English fight! them guys over there don't mess around and have seen them throw punches in Parliment.

2nd that! I like to what there parliment ( or whatever it is ) on PBS, it's almost like a comedy show. ( I guess are congress would be to if it wasn't so disgusting).

cbrahs · 11-20-2009, 08:59 AM

watch someone come across the desk and lay the smack down on ried and pelosi. I would pay serious money to watch that. Pay Per View would make a killing!

raymond21 · 11-20-2009, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbrahs

watch someone come across the desk and lay the smack down on ried and pelosi. I would pay serious money to watch that. Pay Per View would make a killing!

WoooHooo!!!! your really getting me excited just thinking of the possibilities!!

hamilton71801 · 11-20-2009, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbrahs

watch someone come across the desk and lay the smack down on ried and pelosi. I would pay serious money to watch that. Pay Per View would make a killing!

As River Ram pointed out in another thread...capitalism at work!!!

cbrahs · 11-20-2009, 09:49 AM

yes sir!

rockcrawler304 · 11-20-2009, 09:51 AM

I love to watch the infighting. It just helps to prove that there is so much confusion and IMHO it has to do with some of these people have been in their current position for so darn long they have lost touch with reality and what their constituents really want. Again I say we need term limits! I bet things would be a LOT more efficient and much more productive.

cbrahs · 11-20-2009, 09:52 AM

just imagine if our house went to fist a cuffs. 1/2 would stroke out and die. maybe that is what we need. a good ol bar fight! ELECT ME! I will start it!

patdaly · 11-20-2009, 09:52 AM

That's rich, Barney Frank complaining..........

rockcrawler304 · 11-20-2009, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbrahs

just imagine if our house went to fist a cuffs. 1/2 would stroke out and die. maybe that is what we need. a good ol bar fight! ELECT ME! I will start it!

You got my nomination!!

A tatted up ex-military guy is the perfect person to get things moving in the right direction

Colo_River_Ram · 11-20-2009, 11:03 AM

We could actually pay down all of our debts and get "Affordable Heath Care" with the pay per view fighting, I would give some big bucks myself to watch the Hockey Mom take down Bo Bo the clown..

raymond21 · 11-20-2009, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockcrawler304

You got my nomination!!

A tatted up ex-military guy is the perfect person to get things moving in the right direction

Chris Brahs for "Brawler of the House"!! Vote now, Vote today!!

cbrahs · 11-20-2009, 11:45 AM

SAWEEET!! I would do it too.

stinkindiesel · 11-20-2009, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbrahs

watch someone come across the desk and lay the smack down on ried and pelosi. I would pay serious money to watch that. Pay Per View would make a killing!

Elect me and I'll make your wildest dreams come true... wedgies for all of them; "atomic" wedgies for the worst!!

Chris and I can watch each other's back! I think me and Chris vs. 98 career politicians is about right.

11-20-2009, 04:58 AM	#1
crobtex Chapter President Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Sedalia, Texas Posts: 4,495 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	Angry Congress lashes out at Obama ECONOMIC WOES TAKING A TOLL House Republicans call on Geithner to resign Growing discontent over the economy and frustration with efforts to speed its recovery boiled over Thursday on Capitol Hill in a wave of criticism and outright anger directed at the Obama administration. Episodes in both houses of Congress exposed the raw nerves of lawmakers flooded with stories of unemployment and economic hardship back home. They also underscored the stiff headwinds that the administration faces as it pushes to enact sweeping changes to the financial regulatory system while also trying to create jobs for ordinary Americans. President Obama's allies in the Congressional Black Caucus, exasperated by the administration's handling of the economy, unexpectedly blocked one his top priorities, using a legislative maneuver to postpone the approval of financial reform legislation by a key House committee. Two buildings away, at a session of the Joint Economic Committee, Republicans escalated their attacks on Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner, including a call for his resignation. "Conservatives agree that as point person, you failed. Liberals are growing in that consensus as well," said Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Tex.). "For the sake of our jobs, will you step down from your post?" Rep. Michael C. Burgess (R-Tex.) took a different tack. "I don't think that you should be fired," he told Geithner. "I thought you should have never been hired." Even Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), a friend of the administration, suggested that Geithner had been inconsistent in addressing China's practice of keeping its currency low against the dollar. And Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) said Wednesday on MSNBC that he thinks Geithner should step down, pointing to his handling of the aftermath of American International Group's meltdown. Across Capitol Hill, senators signaled their opposition to rushing regulatory reform. While some Democrats voiced reservations about parts of the bill, Republicans went further, faulting Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.) for pushing ahead before the roots of the crisis were understood. Perhaps most troubling for the administration was that one of the few measures to succeed Thursday was an amendment by Rep. Ron Paul (R-Tex.) that would subject the Federal Reserve to unprecedented scrutiny. The amendment, which won bipartisan support in the House Financial Services Committee despite the reservations of administration officials, would allow the Government Accountability Office to audit all of the Fed's operations, including its decisions on interest rates and its transactions with foreign central banks. Paul and allies in both parties -- more than 300 members of Congress have endorsed the measure -- are looking to increase oversight of an institution they consider partly to blame for the financial crisis. Federal officials and many private economists worry that the amendment could make future central bank policymakers reluctant to take unpopular steps to prevent inflation or support the economy for fear of second-guessing by Congress and government auditors. The House committee had been set to vote to send the final piece of its regulatory reform package to the House floor after months of debate. That is, until the committee's chairman, Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), told a shocked committee room that passage of the bill would be delayed until Dec. 1 because the Congressional Black Caucus wanted the administration to do more to help African American communities suffering in the economic decline. Frank told committee members that black lawmakers were "frustrated by the response to the economic situation by the administration." He said the caucus had no issues with the legislation itself. "They want obviously to continue to have some bargaining power with the administration," he said after the hearing. The caucus itself did not publicly detail its concerns Thursday, but one member, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), issued a statement: "The recession has created a unique systemic risk that threatens all parts of the African-American community, including the poor and the middle class." The caucus began discussing its concerns with Frank and the administration several weeks ago. Frank hosted a meeting Monday night between caucus members, Geithner and White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. "You're talking about people whose constituents have been badly hammered by this," Frank said. "Given the nature of this recession, there needs to be some more conversations." Frank said the caucus had concerns about whether minorities were being fairly represented in helping carry out Treasury's bailout programs and other federal efforts to resolve the financial crisis. The government has contracted out much of the work to Wall Street firms. Congressional aides said the caucus's concerns are similar to those of the Democratic Party's liberal wing. Caucus members are pushing for legislation that would directly lead to new jobs by providing tax benefits, for example, that would provide incentives for home renovations and funding for new infrastructure projects. They also want to extend health-care and unemployment benefits. Meanwhile, Geithner was taking a beating as he urged Congress to pass regulatory reform as quickly as possible, arguing that delay would create uncertainty for businesses across the country. Lawmakers sharply criticized him for his role in the crisis during the tense Joint Economic Committee meeting. They were particularly critical of his involvement in the decision, as president of the New York Fed, to bail out AIG. But Geithner pressed forward: "To ensure the vitality, the strength and the stability of our economy going forward, we must bring our system of financial regulation into the 21st century. Nobody in my job should ever be in the position again of having to come into a crisis like this without those basic authorities." Dodd, chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, chose the marbled Caucus Room in the Russell Senate Office Building -- site of past hearings on Watergate, Pearl Harbor and the Wall Street abuses during the Great Depression -- to open debate on a massive draft bill designed to achieve the most ambitious reworking of the financial system in decades. "This is one of those moments in our nation's history that compels us to be bold," Dodd said. But soon, ranking committee Republican Richard C. Shelby (Ala.) took the floor, and for 18 uninterrupted minutes he opined that nearly every element of Dodd's bill was misinformed, uninformed, unnecessarily rushed or just plain flawed. "This committee has not done the necessary work to even begin discussing changes of this magnitude. Nevertheless, you have laid a bill before the committee," Shelby said. "I will be opposing this legislation. Not because we disagree on its ends, but rather on its means." Shelby said Dodd was wrong not to conduct an investigation into the causes of the recent financial crisis before pushing forward with legislation. He said rather than ending the problem of institutions that are "too big to fail," the current bill expands the government's ability to bail out big banks. Shelby apologized for the length of his critique, expressed his hope that the two men might "yet find some common ground," and yielded the floor. "Well," Dodd said in the morning's only moment of levity, "I thank you for the endorsement." __________________ SUPPORT OUR TROOPS ! 1999 Ram 2500, SLT Laramie, Quad Cab, LWB, 4X4, 5 Spd, Camper/Trailer Tow Pkg, LS/RE, Westin step bars, Ram molded splash guards (front and rear),diamond pattern bed caps and toolbox, Isspro EV boost, pyro and FP pillar mount. FASS II on 6/5/05. Rancho RS9000's on 8/23/05. RV275's on 12/11/05. AirRites on 3/5/06. MBRP 4" on 3/14/06. DSS on 4/8/06. Smarty on 10/12/06. New front rotors and axle seals: 8/08 Jammer 3's on 9/6/08, South Bend Con O on 1/30/09 304/718 on 4/1/06.

11-20-2009, 08:44 AM	#2
cbrahs Chapter President Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: misplaced Idahoan stuck in New Mexico Posts: 5,889 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	let it explode within. I would like to see a good ol English fight! them guys over there don't mess around and have seen them throw punches in Parliment. __________________ 07 Mega, 9" lift, Toyo's, 8" stacks, Billet Clamps, Smarty, Ravelco, Ice Box, HID's, RECON, Ranger 6900 CB, Sterling grill My Marine son protects your honor student The last people you want to anger are the ones you taught to shoot and hit their target from MILES away! Disabled Combat Rescue USAF Vet. SAC Member #1 Megacab Club # 81 3rd Gen Stack Club #18 Soldiers for Jesus Motorcycle Club (Prospect status Jan, 30th) NMDTR #44 PM me for details

11-20-2009, 09:51 AM	#8
rockcrawler304 And BTW, How do I get the "Registered User" under my name changed? Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Far West El Paso Texas Posts: 2,297 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	I love to watch the infighting. It just helps to prove that there is so much confusion and IMHO it has to do with some of these people have been in their current position for so darn long they have lost touch with reality and what their constituents really want. Again I say we need term limits! I bet things would be a LOT more efficient and much more productive. __________________ Tow vehicle...2006 Atlantic blue Mega Cab 2500 4x4 6 spd. 3.73's CTD 325/610.. Silencer Ring gone...Amsoil EAA189 filter... Air Box mod... Quadzilla Max Mileage Module... Fuel Tank Vent Mod... Muffler gone Member #3 of DTR Megacab Club Join Here Member #12 of DTR GoofBall Club Join Here Towed.. Jeep CJ7, 304 with Holley Fi, T-18 trans, Dana 300 with 4 to 1 gear set, Dana 44 with Detroits F&R, 35x16.5x15 Boggers with MRT bead Locks, and way too much more to list.

11-20-2009, 09:52 AM	#10
patdaly Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Streator Illinois Posts: 2,942 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	That's rich, Barney Frank complaining.......... __________________ "Brownie" 1997 2500 Ext.cab SLT, 4X4 auto, 3.54 gears, posilock, 98/99 steering conversion. New TC, lovin her again! Sold 3/13/2010, gone but not forgotten. "Greenie" 1997 2500 Ext. cab SLT, 4X4, NV4500, 3.54 gears, Ready to install SB DD3250, built just 216 trucks after Brownie!

11-20-2009, 11:03 AM	#12
Colo_River_Ram Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: The Gas Patch Posts: 1,226 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	We could actually pay down all of our debts and get "Affordable Heath Care" with the pay per view fighting, I would give some big bucks myself to watch the Hockey Mom take down Bo Bo the clown.. __________________ 08-Sterling Bullet 5500 4x4 6.7 Cummins,188.5,Quad Cab,White,Custom Built Flat-Bed,6sp Aisan,4.88's ,P-3,PTO/Snow Plow Prep. 05-3500 4X4.5.9, Jake Brake, Imp. Blue.Big Horn, Long Box Quad Cab, G56 SRW.3.73 LS.Custom Built Bed Rack/Weatherguard Tool Chest.Line-X OTRBL B&W T.O.B.,P-3 W/Valley "V30137" In Bed Harness. 01-Cat/EP 4x4 Forklift, 4.2L Perkins 32' 16.5K GN 42' 24K GN-el/hyd disc brakes There Is No Distinctly American Criminal Class - Except Congress. Mark Twain

11-20-2009, 08:59 AM	#4
cbrahs Chapter President Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: misplaced Idahoan stuck in New Mexico Posts: 5,889 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	watch someone come across the desk and lay the smack down on ried and pelosi. I would pay serious money to watch that. Pay Per View would make a killing!

11-20-2009, 09:49 AM	#7
cbrahs Chapter President Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: misplaced Idahoan stuck in New Mexico Posts: 5,889 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	yes sir!

11-20-2009, 11:45 AM	#14
cbrahs Chapter President Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: misplaced Idahoan stuck in New Mexico Posts: 5,889 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	SAWEEET!! I would do it too.

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