Racine Post: Kohl

Showing posts with label Kohl. Show all posts

Jun 20, 2008

Are they talking about the same FISA bill? Sadly, yes

And speaking of marginally-competent telephone companies -- as Dustin was in the previous post -- let us take note of Congress' action today, retroactively granting the phone companies a free Get Out of Jail card for cooperating with dozens of warrantless surveillance projects conducted by the government after 9/11.

OK, it was for a good cause, but still... Or, as the bumper sticker asks, "Feel Safer Now?"

Passage of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Amendments of 2008 (FISA) basically enables the government to intercept the international communications of Americans without a court order. A case can, of course, be made in wartime that this is a good thing. Or maybe not, since it's been prohibited until now (but done anyway; go figger).

The House passed FISA today by 293-129. Senate approval is expected next week.

Sen. Russ Feingold, D-WI, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, has been a strong and vocal opponent of FISA. Here's what he said about the measure yesterday:

"The proposed FISA deal is not a compromise; it is a capitulation. The House and Senate should not be taking up this bill, which effectively guarantees immunity for telecom companies alleged to have participated in the President’s illegal program, and which fails to protect the privacy of law-abiding Americans at home.

"Allowing courts to review the question of immunity is meaningless when the same legislation essentially requires the court to grant immunity. And under this bill, the government can still sweep up and keep the international communications of innocent Americans in the U.S. with no connection to suspected terrorists, with very few safeguards to protect against abuse of this power. Instead of cutting bad deals on both FISA and funding for the war in Iraq, Democrats should be standing up to the flawed and dangerous policies of this administration."

Today, however, Feingold is in the minority. Here's what Rep. Paul Ryan, R-WI, 1st District, had to say after voting in the majority today:

“While we should have closed the gaps in our intelligence laws a long time ago, today’s bipartisan compromise will serve as a significant blow to radical terrorist networks seeking to do us harm. This bill protects telecom companies that stepped forward in the days following 9/11 to assist the government in keeping us safe. Those acts deserve admiration – not lawsuits.

“Congress has repeatedly failed in its attempts to modernize the tools to combat terrorism. Since the expiration of the Protect America Act over four months ago, America has been fighting terrorism with pre-9/11 intelligence capabilities. Today, Congress has taken a significant step forward in giving our intelligence community the tools they need to keep America safe, while upholding the treasured freedoms and civil liberties that we hold dear.”

Ryan noted that under the original 1978 law, the U.S. Constitution and the FISA Court, the monitoring of suspected foreign terrorists still must gain approval ... after the fact. As his press release notes, "Rather than waiting for court approval before taking action – a delay that would put American lives at risk in the post-9/11 world – intelligence officials can seek court approval within a week of emergency eavesdropping on foreigners. To be clear, this bill strengthens current protections for U.S. citizens against unlawful monitoring by U.S. intelligence agencies."

Not to put too fine a point on it: the eavesdropping is not just on "foreigners;" telephone calls have people at both ends of the line, and in the U.S., most likely, at one end of the call is an "American."

As Feingold said: "Under this bill, the government can still sweep up and keep the international communications of innocent Americans in the U.S. with no connection to suspected terrorists, with very few safeguards to protect against abuse of this power."

The bill sunsets in 2012, unless renewed by Congress.

Further details on the bill can be found HERE, as written by Sen. Kit Bond, R-MO, ranking Republican member on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and printed in the Wall Street Journal yesterday.

Jun 9, 2008

Kohl asks FEMA for State of Emergency declaration

U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl, D-WI, was joined by the Wisconsin congressional delegation in urging Administrator David Paulison of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to give immediate consideration to Gov. Jim Doyle’s state of emergency declaration after severe storms and flooding caused massive damage throughout the state.

The delegation's letter says:

Dear Mr. Paulison:

Yesterday Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle declared a state of emergency for 29 counties hard hit by widespread flooding and severe storms. These storms have caused considerable damage to homes, businesses, roads, power lines and trees.

These storms are particularly challenging to regions of our state which had already experienced above normal rainfall. As of 9:30 A.M. (Eastern Time) today the Red Cross has opened shelters in Columbus, Gays Mills/Soldiers Grove, Spring Green, La Farge, Ontario, Viroqua, Reedsburg, Richland Center, Elroy, Madison, Avoca and Racine,Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Department of Corrections has or is preparing to dispatch work crews to Baraboo, Fall River and Columbus. The state Emergency Operations Center continues to receive requests for sandbagging, evacuation and other assistance.

Over the next few days damage assessment reports will be analyzed in more detail. Once that occurs, we anticipate a state appeal for federal disaster assistance. We encourage you to give any appeal submitted by Governor Doyle your immediate and full consideration.

Jun 4, 2008

Wasting no time, Kohl endorses Obama

Sen. Herb Kohl, D-WI, issued the following statement today:

“Both candidates ran spectacular campaigns, and it’s clear that either would make a great President. We were fortunate to have two exceptional candidates who were willing to put themselves forward and work tirelessly these many months, and for that they have our gratitude.

“Now that Senator Obama has won the nomination, we can unite behind his historic candidacy. He has worked to restore the trust of so many Americans who are clamoring for a new direction. I endorse and fully support Senator Obama’s candidacy and will work to see that he is elected in November.”

Jun 3, 2008

GM announcement is 'gut-wrenching,' says Ryan

Update:Tuesday night, Sens. Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl and Rep. Paul Ryan sent a letter to GM CEO Rick Wagoner asking him to reconsider the decision to close the Janesville SUV plant and requested a meeting to discuss the possible retooling of the plant for different production lines. A copy of the letter is HERE.

Original post: Congressman Paul Ryan, R-WI, 1st District, a fifth-generation Janesville native, made the following statement in response to today’s announcement that General Motors will close it Janesville SUV plant by 2010:

“Today’s news is downright gut-wrenching for Janesville. Growing up and living in Janesville, this is something we’ve always feared. First of all, my thoughts and prayers are with the workers and their families, many of whom I’ve grown up with and am still close friends with. If GM’s plans are fully carried out, this would be a big psychological and economic blow to our community and our state; but Janesville will survive this, because we simply have to survive this. As I have witnessed time and again, I have faith that our community will pull together to support one another in the difficult days ahead. It is my hope that as this 2010 shutdown date approaches, Janesville will be in a better position to reverse this decision.”

Ryan said he will work closely with union leaders, GM officials, and members of the Janesville community to support those hit hardest by the closure.

Sen. Herb Kohl, D-WI, issued the following statement:

“It’s a tragedy that General Motors plans to close its plant in Janesville, leaving behind thousands of skilled and dedicated employees. The community of Janesville depends on these jobs, and I will do everything in my power to convince General Motors to reconsider their decision or help their employees find new work.

“Today I’m urging officials at the Labor Department to make job training and transitional assistance for GM’s employees readily available. The people at the Janesville GM plant are second to none, and I hope that GM supports these employees with the same loyalty and commitment that these men and women have brought to the job everyday.”

And Sen. Russ Feingold, D-WI:

“For generations, the people of Janesville have poured their heart and soul into General Motors and have proven to be an incredible asset for the company. GM should immediately take steps to ensure the continued success of the GM plant including retooling the plant for new production lines. I will continue to work with Governor Doyle, Senator Kohl, Congressman Ryan, state and local officials, related businesses, and the leadership of GM to do all I can to support an ongoing and vital GM presence in Janesville. The people of Janesville have worked too hard for too long to deserve anything less.”

And Sen. Barack Obama, D-IL:

"My heart goes out to the workers and families affected by the closing of these GM plants, including the Janesville plant that I visited a few months ago. Today's news is a painful reminder not only of the challenges America faces in our global economy, but of George Bush’s failed economic policies. For eight long years, we’ve had an energy policy that funds both sides in the war on terror without promoting fuel efficiency or helping make our auto companies more competitive. That’s part of the reason thousands of more Americans in Wisconsin and Ohio will no longer be able to count on a paycheck at a time when they’re already being pinched by rising costs. Unlike John McCain, I’m not in this race to extend the failed Bush economic policies; I’m in this race to end them. I’ve proposed investing $150 billion over ten years in green energy and creating up to five million new green jobs. We’ll finally provide domestic automakers with the funding they need to retool their factories and make fuel-efficient and alternative fuel cars. And we’ll invest in efforts to make sure that the cars of the future are made where they always have been -- in the United States. Because the fight for American manufacturing is the fight for America’s future – and I believe that’s a fight this country will win."

Gov. Jim Doyle:

“After all the years of work and everything the people of Janesville have given, it is tough to stomach what GM is doing here today. Families here have dedicated their working lives to this General Motors plant. The city of Janesville, the state of Wisconsin – we have all been committed to making this plant work.

“So many people here have put their hearts into building trucks at the Janesville assembly plant, and now they are left with a cold decision that casts them aside. We all feel it in our guts.

“GM made it clear that this was a plant that they were invested in. They brought Barack Obama here just months ago. It was clear that this plant was the pride of GM. It should have been obvious long ago that the future was not where GM was headed. Bad corporate decision kept these lines turning out gas guzzlers as fuel prices went from 2 dollars to 3 dollars and now to 4 dollars per gallon.

“Now we stand here, carrying the burden of those bad corporate decisions – failed leadership that culminated in a calculation that left out the very heart of this company, the workers who built it.

“I am inspired by the workers who in the face of all this – in these difficult times – are saying they will work to make the best of this. That’s the spirit that made this company worth something, and that’s the spirit that built Janesville. I want Wisconsin workers that the state will stand with you. We will work together to fight for Janesville and our future together.”

May 30, 2008

GOP straw poll suggests Ryan for U.S. Senate

Getting tired of all the talk about Paul Ryan as a potential Vice Presidential candidate?

Well, how about Paul Ryan as a U.S. Senate candidate!

Racine County Republicans conducted a straw poll at Burlington's Chocolate Fest last weekend, seeking candidates for the 2010 Governor and U.S. Senate primaries. Not surprisingly in a county he already represents in Congress, Ryan led the Senate poll, with 68% of the vote. Former Congressman Mark Green came in second with 26%. The Democratic opponent in 2010, presumably, would be Sen. Russ Feingold, who will be completing his third term that year.

In the Republicans' gubernatorial straw poll for 2010, voters again stuck with the familiar: Scott Walker, Milwaukee County Executive, got 58% of the vote, easily beating former governor Tommy Thompson, who polled 12% and former Congressman Mark Neumann with 10%.

The party noted, "Although much focus is on the 2008 Presidential elections, it’s never too early to start thinking about who will be our Governor and U.S. Senator come 2010." Governor and Senate candidates, that is.

May 23, 2008

Senate passes Kohl bill helping state vets buy homes

Last night, the Senate passed Sen. Herb Kohl’s legislation that would help 600 more veterans in Wisconsin receive low-interest home loans by increasing the state’s volume of tax-exempt mortgage bonds to $100 million. The provisions were included in a larger veteran’s tax relief package approved by the Senate.

“This Memorial Day, as we commemorate the men and women in our armed services who made the ultimate sacrifice, it is essential we honor our veterans with real actions of gratitude, not kind words alone,” Kohl, D-WI, said. “Many veterans from Wisconsin who have bravely served our nation face great difficulties affording a home and providing for their families."

Currently, Wisconsin, Alaska, Texas, Oregon and California have the ability to issue federally tax-exempt bonds, the proceeds of which are used to finance low-interest mortgage loans to veterans. In 2006, Congress eliminated the pre-1977 active duty requirement for veterans in the state and reduced the financing window for those individuals to 25 years for Wisconsin, Oregon and Alaska. But Congress dramatically reduced the bond volume-limit for these three states, capping it to $25 million.

While the expanded program eligibility has helped the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs and the other states’ veteran service agencies reach a broader group of individuals, the lower bond caps hampered their ability to assist veterans with low-interest financing. Last year, Kohl introduced bipartisan legislation to correct this problem by raising the state volume cap limits in Wisconsin, Alaska and Oregon.

Once enacted, Kohl’s measure would increase the volume cap for these bonds in these states from $25 million to $100 million. The Qualified Veterans Mortgage Bond program has been a critical tool for veterans seeking financing to purchase a home, especially given the current credit crisis and instability in the housing market.

On Tuesday, the legislation, as part of the larger relief package, was passed unanimously by the House of Representatives. The legislation now goes to the President’s desk.

Mar 11, 2008

Who's the most Conservative of them all?

Mirror, mirror, on the wall,
Who's the most conservative of them all?

When it comes to Wisconsin's Congressional delegation, do you really have to ask?

Rep. Paul Ryan, R-WI, 1st District, is the most Conservative member of the Wisconsin Congressional delegation. And pretty darn Conservative overall, compared to the rest of the House: He voted Conservative 79.7 percent of the time, and is the House's 94th most Conservative member (out of 435).

Click on table to enlarge.

When it comes to votes on foreign issues, Ryan is ranked "more liberal" than 0 percent of other House members.

This unstartling bit of information comes from the National Journal's ratings of all Congressmen, based on an analysis of how they voted on a variety of issues. By their count, Wisconsin Reps. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, and Gwen Moore, D-Milwaukee, are the state's most Liberal, voting that way 95 percent of the time. (And tying for 1st place in the entire House of Representatives, a six-way tie.)

As the National Journal explains: Members are assigned separate scores for their roll-call votes on key economic, social, and foreign-policy issues during 2007. The members are rated in each of the three issue categories on both liberal and conservative scales, with the scores on each scale given as percentiles. An economic score of 72 on the conservative scale, for example, means that the member was more conservative than 72 percent of his or her House colleagues on the key votes in that issue area during 2007. An asterisk [*] means that the member missed more than half of the rated votes in an issue area. Composite scores are an average of the six issue-based scores. Members with the same composite scores are tied in rank.

Click on table to enlarge.

Meanwhile, Sens. Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl are among the Senate's most Liberal members. Feingold ranked as the Senate's 10th most Liberal member; Kohl as the 21st.

The complete HOUSE RANKINGS are here.

The complete SENATE RANKINGS are here.

(And just to save you the effort: Hillary Clinton is ranked 16th Liberal, more so than 82.8 percent of the Senate; Barack Obama is the Senate's No. 1 Liberal, more so than 95.5 percent of the Senate. John McCain? Well, he missed too many votes to be categorized.)

Mar 10, 2008

Kohl moves against court confidentiality agreements

It happens far too often: Somebody gets hurt by a defective product and sues the manufacturer. Eventually, he or she settles for a pot of cash. In return, the manufacturer obtains a confidentiality agreement keeping details of the settlement secret. Everybody wins.

Everybody but you and me.

The legal landscape is littered with examples of product safety settlements that hid really serious problems for years -- problems which injured, and sometimes killed, many more people before they finally came to public attention.

The most famous case involved Bridgestone/Firestone tires: From 1992 to 2000, tread separations caused many accidents. The company quietly settled dozens of lawsuits, most of which included secrecy agreements. It was not until 1999, when a Houston public television station broke the story, that the company recalled 6.5 million tires. By then, it was too late for the more than 250 people who had died and 800 more who were injured in accidents related to the defective tires.

Last week, Congress began to act on the problem. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved legislation by Sen. Herb Kohl, D-WI, to prohibit courts from shielding important health and safety information from the public as part of legal settlement agreements.

Kohl’s bipartisan Sunshine in Litigation Act will require judges to consider public health and safety before granting a protective order or sealing court records and settlements. They have the discretion to grant or deny secrecy based on a balancing test that weighs the public’s interest in a potential public health and safety hazard and legitimate interests in secrecy. The Act is co-sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-SC, and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-VT.

“Far too often, our courts permit vital information that is discovered in litigation -- which bears directly on public health and safety -- to be covered up,” Kohl said. “This legislation simply says that while litigants may want total confidentiality when resolving their disputes in court, information about public health and safety dangers does not deserve court-endorsed protection. This bill creates the appropriate balance between secrecy and openness in cases involving public health and safety.”

Besides the Bridgestone/Firestone tires case, other examples of recent court-endorsed secrecy agreements include:

Over-the-Counter Children’s Medicine: In 1996, a seven year old boy in Washington state suffered a sudden stroke and fell into a coma hours after taking an over-the-counter medicine used to treat an ear infection. After three years in a coma, he died. The child’s mother sued the manufacturer of the medicine alleging that the stroke was induced by PPA, an ingredient with deadly risks which was later banned by the FDA. Unknown to the boy’s mother, the public, and perhaps even to the FDA, many similar lawsuits in state and federal courts had previously been filed against the drug manufacturer, but were settled secretly, with the lawyers and plaintiffs subject to restrictive confidentiality orders.

Defective Baby Cribs: In May 1998, 16-month-old Danny Keysar was strangled to death at his licensed childcare facility when a Playskool “Travel-Lite” portable crib collapsed, trapping his neck in the “V” of its folded rails. Danny’s parents sued the crib manufacturers, Kolcraft. During discovery, they learned that three prior lawsuits involving the same product defect had been settled secretly. Kolcraft offered Danny’s parents a settlement, but only on the condition that they agree to a secrecy provision. The parents would not accept a settlement that mandated their silence. Despite intense pressure to agree to a secret settlement, on the eve of trial, the parties reached a non-secret $3 million settlement agreement.

Zyprexa: In 2005, the drug company Eli Lilly settled 8,000 cases related to Zyprexa, a drug used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. These cases alleged that Eli Lilly did not disclose known harmful side-effects of Zyprexa, such as inordinate weight gain and dangerously high blood sugar levels that sometimes resulted in diabetes. Eli Lilly was also accused of promoting off-label use of the drug by urging doctors to prescribe it to elderly patients with dementia. All of the settlements required plaintiffs to agree “not to communicate, publish or cause to be published…any statement…concerning the specific events, facts or circumstances giving rise to [their] claims.” The public did not learn about these settlements or Zyprexa’s dangerous side effects until two years later, in 2006, when The New York Times leaked documents from the case that were subject to a protective order.

Cooper Tires: In 2002, Johnny Bradley’s wife was killed, and he and his son were injured, in a Ford Explorer rollover accident. The accident was allegedly caused by tread separation in the SUV’s Cooper Tires. While litigating the case, Mr. Bradley’s attorney uncovered Cooper Tire documents that showed Cooper tires were prone to tread separation because of design defects. These documents had been kept secret through protective orders in numerous cases prior to the Bradley’s car accident. In Bradley’s case against Ford and Cooper Tire, the jury found that Ford was not liable for the accident. Before the trial proceeded to the claims against Cooper, Cooper settled with Mr. Bradley on the condition that almost all litigation documents be kept confidential under a broad protective order. Mr. Bradley and his lawyer, familiar with the documents and unable to speak about the details due to protective orders, believe that if the documents were made public Cooper Tire would be forced to fix the tread separation problem.

Earlier examples of court secrecy agreements that resulted in injuries or fatalities include:

· Defective heart valves
· Dangerous playground equipment
· Side-saddle gas tanks prone to causing deadly car fires
· Complications from silicone breast implants
· “Park to reverse” problems in pick-up trucks
· Dangerous birth control devices

Feb 26, 2008

Kohl, Feingold concerned about our aphrodisiac

I must have led a sheltered life, because when I saw the news release today from Sens. Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl about their efforts to protect Wisconsin ginseng, my first reaction was: Whaaaaa? I grew up in New York, and everybody there knows ginseng comes from Chinatown.

Well, once again, I am wrong.

Feingold and Kohl report that 90 percent of the ginseng grown in the U.S. comes from Wisconsin. They further claim that Wisconsin ginseng "is widely heralded as the premier ginseng in the world," a claim I'll have to accept on their word, since I've never ginsenged.

The issue here is whether the Senate Agriculture Committee will keep a requirement in the Senate Farm Bill that raw ginseng root must be labeled to identify the country where it was harvested.

Kohl and Feingold say the high demand for ginseng has led smugglers from Canada and Asia to label their ginseng, "which often has traces of pesticides and other chemicals not approved in the U.S.," as Wisconsin-grown, misleading consumers and undercutting domestic ginseng growers. A country-of-harvest label would help consumers and producers by ensuring that consumers who pay a premium for Wisconsin-grown ginseng are getting what they pay for and that the higher prices find their way back to the pockets of hard-working American ginseng farmers, they say.

"This ginseng labeling provision is crucial for Wisconsin ginseng farmers and consumers who lose when foreign farmers free-load off of Wisconsin ginseng’s unparalleled reputation," Feingold said. “The final Farm Bill must maintain this simple provision to ensure that consumers looking for Wisconsin ginseng are getting the real thing and not a knock-off."

The ginseng provision in the Senate version of the Farm Bill was based on Kohl and Feingold's Ginseng Harvest Labeling Act of 2007.

But what is ginseng, anyway, and what's it used for? And what's the difference between Wisconsin-grown and China-grown ginseng? Ah, so! Once again, we turn to the Internets for answers. All the smutty sex talk you were hoping for is after the break.

HowStuffWorks.com reports:

Ginseng is another long-touted aphrodisiac. Recently, the Journal of Urology reported, "the Mean International Index of Erectile Function scores were significantly higher in patients treated with Korean red ginseng than in those who received placebo." In animal studies, ingesting ginseng doesn't appear to have an immediate effect on testosterone levels, but the ginseng may trigger other mechanisms that lead to increased performance and libido.

(They also debunk the value of Rhino horn.)

WebMD says:

An herb very commonly associated with love is ginseng. Some say ginseng is an aphrodisiac because it actually looks like the human body. (The word ginseng even means "man root.") Studies have reported sexual response in animals who have been given ginseng, but there is no evidence to date of ginseng having any effect on humans.

(But at least it's better than Yohimbe and Spanish Fly, both of which have nasty side-effects like paralysis and death.)

The Food and Drug Administration is also less than encouraging:

Many ancient peoples believed in the so-called "law of similarity," reasoning that an object resembling genitalia may possess sexual powers. Ginseng, rhinoceros horn, and oysters are three classical examples.

The word ginseng means "man root," and the plant's reputation as an aphrodisiac probably arises from its marked similarity to the human body. Ginseng has been looked on as an invigorating and rejuvenating agent for centuries in China, Tibet, Korea, Indochina, and India. The root may have a mild stimulant action, like coffee. There have been some experiments reporting a sexual response in animals treated with ginseng, but there is no evidence that ginseng has an effect on human sexuality.

(Coffee?)

So, exactly what is the purpose of ginseng? We turn to the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin -- which makes clear the difference between our ginseng and Asia's, while at the same time ignoring totally any purported sexual side-effects. (Didn't they get the memo?) It's all about temperature, donchaknow:

"There are two types of ginseng. Often both types are taken for a health balancing effect. Consumers take American ginseng for a cooling effect and Asian ginseng for a heating effect."

Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng): This ginseng is white root and generally used to cool the body. It is an adaptogen (a substance that helps the body adapt to stress) that cools and soothes. American ginseng is produced in Wisconsin.

Panax ginseng (Asian ginseng): This warms the body. This root is red and is typically grown in China and Korea. It is used to increase stimulation and warm the body.

There you have it. Just be sure to check the label. And be careful out there. (One of these days, when they're least expecting it, we'll ask Kohl and Feingold what they use ginseng for...)

Feb 14, 2008

WEEKEND ELECTIONS? Kohl proposes voting reform

As the 2008 national elections approach, U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl, D-WI, unveiled legislation to encourage greater participation in Presidential and Congressional elections by moving the polling date to the first weekend of November, instead of the first Tuesday of that month.

"The serious business of our democracy relies on the participation not of the few, but of the many eligible voters," Kohl said. "Holding elections on the first Tuesday of November makes it difficult, even impossible, for many Americans with jobs and family to exercise their fundamental right to vote. We should do what is in our power to make this process easier, to encourage more people to make their voice heard in Washington. Holding elections over the weekend rather than a work day will make it significantly easier for millions of Americans to vote.

"By enacting my legislation, we ensure fairer, more open and more credible elections that allow more Americans to participate in their inherent right to choose their representatives and leaders."

Sen. Kohl’s legislation, The Weekend Voting Act, if enacted into law, would mandate national polls to be open from 10 a.m. (Eastern Time) Saturday to 6 p.m. (ET) Sunday in the 48 contiguous states. Election officials would be permitted to close polls during the overnight hours if they determine it would be inefficient to keep them open.

By providing registered voters with an alternative to casting their ballots in just one day, The Weekend Voting Act expands on election reforms enacted in 2002 with the passage of The Help America Vote Act, which was co-sponsored by Sen. Kohl. The Help America Vote Act established minimum standards for states in the administration of federal elections and in providing funds to replace outdated voting systems and improve election administration.

The Weekend Vote Act would also build on efforts to increase voter participation by providing absentee ballots and early voting. As it stands now, 28 states, including Wisconsin, now permit registered voters to vote by absentee ballot. Thirty-one states permit in-person early voting at election offices or at other approved locations. Sen. Kohl first introduced this legislation in 1997. In 2001, the National Commission on Federal Election Reform recommended that the date of federal elections be moved to a non-working national holiday.

The tradition of holding federal elections on the first Tuesday of November began in the mid-19th century. Tuesday was selected because of its comparative convenience because it was a designated "court day" and the day in which landowners would typically be in town to conduct business. In today’s America, 60 percent of all households have two working adults. Since most polls are open only 12 hours (from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.) voters only have one or two hours to vote. As seen in the 2004 election and in recent primaries, long lines in many polling places kept voters waiting longer than one or two hours.

Sen. Kohl added, "If we are to grant all Americans an equal opportunity to participate in the electoral process, and to elect our representatives in the great democracy, then we must be willing to reexamine all aspects of voting in America. Given the stakes – the integrity of future elections and full participation of as many Americans as possible – I hope my colleagues in Congress recognize this legislation to hold elections on the weekend rather than a work day as a common sense proposal whose time has come."

Feb 10, 2008

Earmarks smackdown! Kohl defends Ryan nemesis

We've run a lot of articles here about earmarks -- those specific funding bills stuck willy-nilly into legislation by Congressmen, often at the last minute, usually bringing money to their own districts -- mostly because Rep. Paul Ryan, R-WI, 1st District, has made opposing them such a large part of his oeuvre.

Just plug the word "earmark" into the search box at the upper left of this web page and you'll see all we've written: about Ryan voting against a ban on waterboarding in part because the bill contained earmarks; about his Boondoggle awards pointing out the year's worst of 'em; about how much money other Wisconsin Congressmen bring their districts while ours stakes out the moral high ground and doesn't even try; and so on. Just this week, we wrote about the Feingold/Ryan Bipartisan Line Item Veto Bill, yet another attack on earmarks. (The Omnibus Spending Bill approved by Congress in December had more than 9,000 earmarks.)

Just this Saturday, when the Americans For Prosperity gave Ryan their "Defender of the American Dream" Award, he hammered earmarks again.

So it's not a new subject. But now Sen. Herb Kohl has weighed in -- on the side of earmarks! Smackdown!!

Kohl very neatly put the issue of earmarks into perspective (in his response to Bush's FY2009 budget.). Here's what he had to say:

As the budget debate goes forward, we fully expect robust discussion of Congressional earmarks. This debate, in our view, can be healthy insofar as it prompts more scrutiny to ensure that earmarks serve legitimate public purposes.

But with all the conflicting information this topic generates, we believe it's also important to keep earmarks in fiscal perspective. For fiscal year 2008, earmarks comprised 1.7 percent of discretionary spending. As a percentage of total government spending (including entitlements and other mandatory programs) earmarks constituted 0.6 percent of all anticipated federal spending.

Though modest in their overall share of the federal budget, earmarks can serve as a legitimate response to state and local needs which might otherwise be ignored by the Federal government. Continued vigilance is essential to ensure that legitimate public interests are being served through earmarks. That will continue to be our central objective when advocating Wisconsin projects in the coming fiscal year.

The months ahead will be punctuated by fierce competition for limited federal resources.

I caught up with Rep. Ryan on Monday afternoon when he visited the 21st Century Preparatory School, to talk to 7th and 8th graders, and gave him a copy of Sen. Kohl's statement. Ryan came out of his corner swinging (or whatever it is they do in wrestling):

"The system is broken. I'm fighting a culture of spending that has overtaken Washington. They're earmarking things that Congress has no business spending.

"It's a cesspool of earmarks. Of every ten of them, maybe seven make sense, but three are tainted with corruption. I want to create new, clean rules."

I asked Ryan about the fact that other districts are receiving funds, but his 1st District is not -- unless one of our Senators manages to get funding directed our way. It's a question he's heard before: "It bothers me that everyone plays the game this way. I'm pledged to fight this corrupt practice, the uglier it is. I'm going to fight, rather than go along."

As for Herb Kohl, he said: "Herb is an honorable man, but this is a disservice I'm going to fight."

(Disclaimer: The real Paul Ryan had nothing to do with the amazingly lifelike -- in your dreams! -- illustration above.)

Feb 9, 2008

Feingold's efforts to limit U.S. spying on us rejected

Sen. Russ Feingold, D-WI, had a bad day last Thursday, as two of his amendments to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) were rejected by the Senate. In debate on the Senate floor, Feingold took on some heavy hitters from the Administration -- and gave as good as he got, as you'll see on the video, HERE.

The legislation, which will overhaul electronic surveillance laws and determine how much spying the administration can do -- balancing the right of Americans to privacy against the government's ability to wiretap suspected terrorists -- comes up for Senate passage this week.

One of Feingold's amendments would have given the FISA court, which oversees government eavesdropping on telephone calls and e-mail of people within the United States, the choice to block the government from using information about a U.S. citizen if that information had been collected illegally. That provision was rejected 56-40; Sen. Herb Kohl voted with Feingold in the minority.

Feingold's second amendment would have prevented "reverse targeting" -- stopping the government from wiretapping a foreigner communicating with someone in the United States when the real target is the person in the U.S. Feingold's amendment would have required a FISA court order whenever the intent of the surveillance is to monitor an American inside the U.S. This one failed 57-38, again with both Feingold and Kohl in the minority.

A complete story about the FISA debate appeared in Congressional Quarterly, and can be found HERE.

During the debate Thursday, Feingold took on what he called the "tired accusations" of Attorney General Michael Mukasey, Director of National Intelligence J.M. McConnell and Sen. Kit Bond, R-MO, vice chairman of the select committee on intelligence. "Let's worry less about the alleged feelings of a secret court and worry more about the rights and privacy of perfectly innocent Americans," Feingold said. Watch for yourself: Here's Feingold's response, on VIDEO

A transcript of what Feingold said about listening in on Osama bin Laden can be found on the Empty Wheel blog.

Feb 7, 2008

Kohl, Ryan explain their stimulus votes

Both houses of Congress today passed the economic stimulus program that will provide tax rebates for most of us, and all three Wisconsin congressmen voted 'yes.' Here's what Sen. Herb Kohl, D-WI, and Rep. Paul Ryan, R-WI, 1st District, had to say about their votes:

Herb Kohl:

“When Congress began working on a stimulus package, I urged a swift process to provide real relief for middle-income families struggling as the economy teeters.

“I am proud to say today we have done just that. By passing this economic stimulus plan in the Senate, we are ensuring that families whose household budgets are stretched thin, Social Security recipients and disabled veterans can get these rebates in the coming months.”

Paul Ryan:

“Allowing American families to keep more of their own hard-earned money is a good policy. Americans are already overburdened by taxes and are facing the threat of outrageous tax hikes. I firmly believe that increasing personal economic freedom is good for our economy. Businesses will benefit from the incentives included in this bill.

“Yet I can not stand behind the idea that tax rebates will add any lasting strength to our economy. Growth of a strong free market economy is not founded on government rebates, but in policy rooted in lower taxes and an inviting atmosphere for business. Real economic growth will come from low tax rates on workers and business owners alike. I supported this bill because working men and women, who are simply trying to keep up with the cost of living, deserve to have more control over their own money.”

BUSH TO WISCONSIN: DROP DEAD!

OK, we're using hyperbole here. The President didn't really tell Wisconsin to drop dead. Still, our recycling of the famous New York Daily News headline from 1975 is based on facts.

The President's $3.1 trillion budget has the same effect on Wisconsin that President Ford's refusal to provide emergency aid had on New York City all those years ago. Wisconsin would lose millions from the federal funds we now receive and thousands of Wisconsin citizens would lose services they now depend on if Bush's budget were to become law.

According to a detailed analysis prepared this week by Sen. Herb Kohl's staff -- looking at the budget from a uniquely Wisconsin perspective -- the result could be devastating. We're not talking about the fallout from the $407 billion deficit, but rather specific program cuts that would affect specific Wisconsin citizens.

Not that Sen. Kohl, D-WI, thinks it's at all likely that Bush's budget will pass as presented. "Congress can and will do better at addressing the challenges Americans face on education, health care, job creation, crime prevention and high energy costs," he said.

Nonetheless, here are some of the ills Wisconsin would suffer if the President's budget became law:

--Community Development Block Grants create jobs, spur economic development and create affordable housing. The level of funding proposed would give Wisconsin $12 million less in FY2009 than in FY2008.

--Section 8, Housing Vouchers: Cuts of $740 million to the program nationwide would leave about 900 families in Wisconsin without housing assistance.

--Manufacturing Extension Partnership: Last year, MEP helped 435 Wisconsin manufacturers produce $135 million and saved or retained 855 jobs. In five years, Wisconsin MEP has helped 1,200 manufacturers achieve $839 million in economic impact, and created or saved 8,000 jobs. Bush, in his FY2009 budget, eliminates the MEP program.

--No Child Left Behind: President Bush proposes to fund this at $14.7 billion below the authorized levels; meanwhile, Title 1 funding for disadvantaged schools is funded at $10.7 billion below the authorized level. Wisconsin schools would get $198 million in Title 1 funds, rather than the $348 million authorized by Congress, meaning 41,407 Wisconsin children will be denied services.

--Rural DevelopmentPrograms: the budget would eliminate several USDA programs that provided rural communities in Wisconsin $8.7 million in 2007.

--Clean Water State Revolving Fund provides low-interest loans to help communities update wastewater systems. Under the President's FY20098 budget, Wisconsin would receive $3.6 million less than in FY2008.

--Aid for Wisconsin's College Students: The president's budget eliminates funding for Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, which assist students with exceptional financial need. Wisconsin college students would lose $16.1 million in FY2009.

--Commodity Supplemental Food Program, provides food assistance to the low-income people, many of whom are elderly. Elimination of the program, proposed in Bush's budget, would affect 5,000 Wisconsin recipients.

--Medicare provides health benefits to 754,000 Wisconsin residents. The President's budget cuts $105 billion from Medicare over the next five years: the American Hospital Association projects that over the next five years hospital reimbursements would be cut by $1.3 billion in Wisconsin alone, and $89.8 billion nationally.

--Rural Hospitality Flexibility Grants provided Wisconsin $615,000 last year, to support 60 rural hospitals. Bush's budget eliminates the program.

--Community Oriented Policing Service, has put 1,353 cops on the beat in Wisconsin, and spent more than $113 million on law enforcement in the state since 1994, funding technology, bullet-proof vests, DNA initiatives, etc. In FY2009, the President proposes to eliminate the program.

--Amtrak: Nearly 600,000 passengers utilized the Hiawatha line between Milwaukee and Chicago. The President's budget proposed $800 million for Amtrak, a $500 million reduction from FY2008, passing more costs onto the states.

--Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program gave eligible Wisconsin residents $69.7 million in FY2007. Under the FY2009 budget, the state would lose $10 million.

And so it goes ... that was about half of the items Kohl's staff came up with, in what they called an "instant analysis," issued just three days after the budget was released. The full report is HERE.

Feb 4, 2008

A federal budget only its mother could love?

President Bush unveiled the nation's first budget to top $3 trillion today, a $3.1-trillion behemoth that he won't be in office to oversee.

The first bullet points I heard included:

-- $407 billion deficit in 2009.
-- Pentagon gets $515 billion, a 7.5% increase
-- Medicare will be cut by $178 billion
-- Medicaid will be cut by $17 billion
-- Other "social programs" also cut
-- A return to a "surplus" in 2012 (if you believe in the Tooth Fairy)

The LA Times reported, with a straight face: "In a cost-saving gesture, the government for the first time did not provide free copies of the four-volume proposal to Congress, instead releasing it online and charging $200 per printed copy ordered through the Government Printing Office." Oh, yeah, that'll help. Here's the LINK, if you want to read the budget's fine print for free.

Democrats immediately pronounced the budget "irresponsible," but I was most interested to hear what Rep. Paul Ryan, R-WI, 1st District, had to say. I'm guessing that he must be conflicted: torn between his support of the President while at the same time upended by the budget's overall fiscal irresponsibility -- another $800 billion in deficits over two years, anyone? Um, maybe not ...

After the break, read what Ryan, the ranking Republican on the House Budget Committee, had to say. Also, below that, Sen. Herb Kohl weighs in.

“The President's budget achieves the important goal of balancing the budget in the near term – without raising taxes – through fiscal policies that promote economic growth, and limit federal spending to realistic levels.

“The President's budget also recognizes that our nation's challenges go well beyond the next few years. This budget takes a significant, critical step toward addressing the greatest threat to our nation's future strength and prosperity -- the unsustainable growth of our largest entitlement programs. While acknowledging it doesn't 'fix' the entitlement problem in one fell swoop, this budget proposes reforms that would reduce Medicare's long-term unfunded liability by nearly one third.

“Last year, this Congress adopted a budget that called for massive increases in the already-unsustainable rate of federal spending -- all to be financed by the largest tax increase in our nation's history. It also failed to propose critical entitlement reforms – instead choosing to further expand these programs that we know, today, cannot keep their promises as currently structured. With each year Congress fails to address the entitlement crisis, the worse the problems, and more difficult the solutions, become.

“There are two key goals Congress must keep in mind as it crafts this year's budget: first, to keep taxes low and spending in check; and second, to set a sustainable path for our nation's future.”

Sen. Herb Kohl, D-WI, said this about Bush's budget:

“The President proposed a three-trillion-dollar budget with record deficits and the biggest defense expenditure since World War II. It squeezes Medicare and Medicaid, sacrificing families’ access to medical care. It puts college tuition further out of reach, and cuts assistance to Americans struggling with energy bills, especially at a time when the economy is limping and family household budgets are stretched thin.

“This budget is not going to get the job done. Congress can and will do better in addressing the problems of real people on education and health care, creating new jobs, preventing crime in our communities, and bringing down energy costs. I look forward to working with Democrats and Republicans alike in passing a plan that puts the priorities of the American people first.”

Jan 28, 2008

Three Congressional reactions ... to the same speech?

The reactions of our three Congressmen to President Bush's seventh -- and final! -- State of the Union address almost make one wonder whether they heard the same speech. At the very least, they targeted different aspects of it.

Sen. Russ Feingold, D-WI, focused on Bush's "attempt to bully Congress" into giving the Executive Branch more powers against terrorists; Rep. Paul Ryan, R-1st District -- who didn't mention war, terrorism or even the word Iraq in his response -- is "pleased the president focused on the economy;" and Sen. Herb Kohl, D-WI, says the president "should heed calls from Congress to responsibly end the war."

The contrast between Feingold and Ryan was stark. Feingold used words like, "unfortunately," "bully," "myopic," "most troubling;" while Ryan's reaction was peppered with "pleased," "encouraged" and "support."

Decide for yourself who heard the speech you heard. All three reactions, complete as received, are after the break:

Russ Feingold:

“In his final state of the union address, President Bush unfortunately continued to advocate positions and policies that have been harmful to our nation. He once again attempted to bully Congress into giving broad powers to the executive branch far beyond what is necessary to protect the country from terrorists. Congress must stand up to these tactics and pass a law that allows our intelligence community to go after al Qaeda and other threats to our national security while protecting the rights and freedoms of law-abiding Americans.

“Perhaps most troubling was the President’s steadfast commitment to an Iraq policy that has led to the deaths of nearly 4,000 American troops, continues to cost this country billions of dollars per month, and fails to make us safer in the global fight against al Qaeda and its affiliates. The president’s policies are keeping nearly 160,000 American troops stuck in Iraq and sapping our ability to address the global terrorist threat presented by al Qaeda.

“As we continue to pay a tremendous price because of the administration’s myopic focus on Iraq, al Qaeda maintains its safe haven in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The recent bombings in Algeria also remind us that the enemy we face is global and that a narrow focus on Iraq is self-defeating. Our next commander-in-chief will face great challenges in this critical region of the world, made more difficult because of the lack of attention the Bush administration has given to it.

“It is important to note that this is the last state of the union this President will give. I look forward to working with whoever takes office as our next President to change course, and begin to undo the damage this Administration will leave behind. We need to reform our broken health care system, and move away from a one-size-fits-all education policy. We need a real commitment to protecting our environment, and to moving away from the flawed trade policies that have led to so many American workers watching their jobs leave this country. I join many Americans in looking forward to addressing these challenges as the country prepares to move beyond the failed policies of this administration.”

Paul Ryan:

“I am pleased the President focused on the economy and the need for bipartisan action to create jobs. While I am encouraged that the stimulus package did not include a congressional wish list of new spending, I am doubtful this package will do much to actually create sustainable job growth. I believe it should have included more immediate tax reform to create more jobs in our country and provide more growth to our nation’s economy.

"Earmark reform is also critical to restoring accountability and fiscal responsibility to the federal budget. While I am pleased that the President is committed to reducing earmark spending, I do not believe the President went far enough. Congress should immediately impose a moratorium on earmarks and reform the spending process to end this pork barrel spending as we know it. The President also needs the Legislative Line Item Veto to stop earmarks like the “Bridge to Nowhere” from becoming law. I, along with Senator Russ Feingold, introduced the Congressional Accountability and Line Item Veto Act to provide this tool to the President to stop wasteful government spending.

"In addition, I support the President’s call to balance the budget by 2012 without raising taxes. As the Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, I look forward to working with the other side of the aisle to ensure that taxpayers are not overburdened with tax increases and that taxpayer dollars are not spent on wasteful government programs.”

Herb Kohl:

“Tonight, President Bush rightfully commended Congress for working in a bipartisan way to achieve a short-term plan to get our stalling economy back on track and provide timely relief for millions of working families. As part of a larger stimulus package, I believe we should also consider temporary measures to extend unemployment coverage for Americans out of work, address the housing foreclosure crisis, and expand food stamps and home heating assistance for families struggling to make ends meet.

“On Iraq, though there has been a reduction in violence in recent months, little progress – if any – has been made on achieving a long term political solution that puts the responsibility of leadership back into the hands of the Iraqis. The President should heed calls from Congress to responsibly end the war and redeploy our combat troops out of harm’s way.

“I look forward to debating these issues in the Senate, and taking a closer look at the specifics of the President’s plan when he unveils his budget proposal next week.”

Jan 23, 2008

Sen. Kohl's priorities for 2008 Congress

As the U.S. Senate reconvened for the second session of the 110th Congress this week, Sen. Herb Kohl, D-WI, discussed his national and Wisconsin-specific legislative priorities. Kohl is a member of the Senate Appropriations and Judiciary committees. He is also chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging.

“With the presidential election season in full swing, a fierce partisan air in Washington and a divided executive and legislative branch, it will take more determination than ever to reach across the aisle to get things done for the American people,” Kohl said. “The best ideas aren’t the exclusive property of one party or the other, but a result of many minds working with our country’s best interest at heart. I look forward to a busy and productive session in the Senate.”

Kohl’s priorities for the upcoming session are listed after the break:

Strengthening the economy:

The President is expected to detail his economic stimulus proposal in the State of the Union address next week, and other possible proposals concerning what should be included in the package will be debated in Congress in the coming weeks. Kohl believes that the priority should be getting tax rebate money into the hands of middle-income working families as quickly as possible. Kohl is also reviewing proposals to extend unemployment benefits and food stamps, implement tax incentives for small businesses to encourage investment, and provide funding for states for increased Medicaid costs and the housing crisis. Kohl and a group of bipartisan Senators have requested additional funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program as part of the stimulus package.

Addressing the mortgage crisis:

The rise in foreclosures continues to affect communities and the economy, and new foreclosure rescue scams have emerged. Congress will likely consider legislation that would improve lending standards and protect future homeowners from receiving predatory loans. Kohl is considering proposals that would allow bankruptcy judges to restructure mortgage loans for those who have filed for bankruptcy, encourage lenders to work with troubled borrowers and counseling organizations to create affordable and sustainable loan solutions, and place a temporary moratorium on foreclosures.

Ending the war in Iraq:

· Kohl has voted repeatedly to withdraw troops from Iraq in a responsible manner and shift the burden of security to the Iraqi people. After five years of occupation and over $800 billion, the military has been stretched to the breaking point. Kohl believes we need to withdraw U.S. combat troops from Iraq and refocus on destroying Al Qaeda and bringing Osama bin Laden to justice.

Reining in the costs of health care:

Kohl is the author of legislation to end the collusive arrangements between brand name and generic drug companies that keep lower priced drugs off the market.

· Kohl is also the sponsor of legislation to bring full disclosure to the practice of pharmaceutical, medical device and biologics manufacturers providing payments and gifts to doctors. It is estimated that drug companies spend $19 billion annually to lobby physicians. Recent studies show that the more doctors interact with drug marketers, even through receiving small gifts and modest meals, the more likely doctors are to prescribe the expensive new drug that are being marketed to them when a more affordable generic would do. Consumers lose out with unnecessarily high drug costs while drug manufacturers and doctors may benefit.

· Continue oversight of Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans to ensure that the healthcare needs of participants—not the financial interests of insurance companies—are the priority.

Defending Wisconsin’s interests in the Farm Bill negotiations:

Extend and improve the MILC program

Allow interstate commerce in state-inspected meat and poultry products
Restore the Wetland Reserve Program so more wetlands and wildlife habitats in Wisconsin will be protected

Continuing to provide federal funding, through the Appropriations Committee, to strengthen:

Food safety and import inspections

Nutrition programs that help young people, older Americans and those in need

Housing programs to address the housing needs of low-income families
Safe and efficient transportation networks

Protecting the Great Lakes:

With reports of water levels decreasing and the continual threat of invasive species, ensuring the sustainability of the Great Lakes is a priority in 2008. Kohl is a cosponsor of the Clean Water Restoration Act, to restore the original protections of the nation’s rivers, streams, and wetlands. Over the years, there have been attempts - some successful - to chip away at the original protections of the Clean Water Act that Congress passed in 1972. Passage of this bill will be a priority in 2008.

Strengthening education:

Congress is slated to reauthorize the “No Child Left Behind Act of 2001” (NCLB), to provide reform of the nation’s public schools and opportunity for students to succeed. One of the key components to the success of NCLB is making sure funding is sufficient to meet the law’s goals. Kohl, as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee – and its subcommittee with jurisdiction over the U.S. Department of Education -- will continue to support full funding for NCLB programs and investments.

Bolstering crime prevention and juvenile delinquency prevention programs:

The Senate will debate the reauthorization of the Juvenile Justice Bill this year. Kohl, a long-time proponent of crime prevention and anti-gang programs, will work to increase funding for state and local law enforcement officials and address the problem of juvenile offenders.

Increasing consumer protection:

End the collusive arrangements between brand name and generic drug companies that keep lower priced drugs off the market

Help “captive shippers” like many small businesses and farmers by eliminating the railroads’ antitrust exemption

End the pernicious practice of secret court settlements when public health and safety is affected

Preserve discount price stores in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision in Leegin

Protect retirement security by cracking down on so-called “senior financial advisors” who prey on the retirement savings of older Americans, and by requiring the simple and clear disclosure of investment fees to the more than 50 million Americans with 401(k) plans.

Preserving manufacturing jobs:

Kohl is the Senate’s main proponent for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program, a nationwide network of centers that helps small- and medium-sized manufacturers compete by producing advanced products, using emerging technology, and streamlined processes. Kohl increased the authorization level for MEP by $19 million, including $122 million for MEP in FY2009.

Improving long-term care in America:

· Push for a nationwide system of comprehensive background checks for all long-term care workers in order to keep those with a record of abuse or a criminal history from working close to vulnerable seniors in nursing homes.

· Allow consumers timely access to accurate information on nursing homes, including the results of government inspections, the number of staff employed at a home, and information about the home’s ownership.

· Strengthen the government’s system of enforcing nursing home quality standards and ensure that regulators are able to intervene quickly in order to protect the safety of residents.