House Republicans banned earmarks. On Thursday, the House Republicans unanimously agreed on a ban on the pet projects with the lawmakers' name attached to them. Rep. Boehner said in a statement "Earmarks have become a symbol of a Congress that has broken faith with the people, ... This earmark ban shows the American people we are listening and we are dead serious about ending business as usual in Washington.
President Obama is in Lisbon, Portugal to attends the NATO summit.
President Obama spoke in Lisbon and praised the efforts of Portuguese troops in Afghanistan. In the summit, the focuses will be on Afghanistan and the missile defense systems in Europe. The President met with the Georgian President Saakashvili where in 2008 the Russian forces sent 4000 tanks 'in rescue of the Russian citizens'. On 20th, the Russian President Demetri Medvedev will be attending the meeting.
President Obama denounced Republicans for their opposition to the DREAM Act. Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid said on Wednesday he will move the DREAM Act as a standalone bill. He said in a statement "The students who earn legal status through the DREAM Act will make our country more competitive economically, spurring job creation, contributing to our tax base and strengthening communities,""Last time we sought to bring up this bill, all Republicans blocked our effort, even though many have been supporters of the DREAM Act in the past. I hope that our Republican colleagues will join me, Sen. [Dick] Durbin and Democrats in passing this important piece of legislation, now that we have a stand-alone version and that political season is over."
President Obama in a statement expressed his disappointment on the Republican oppositions to Paycheck Fairness Act.
President Obama is in Lisbon, Portugal to attends the NATO summit.
President Obama spoke in Lisbon and praised the efforts of Portuguese troops in Afghanistan. In the summit, the focuses will be on Afghanistan and the missile defense systems in Europe. The President met with the Georgian President Saakashvili where in 2008 the Russian forces sent 4000 tanks 'in rescue of the Russian citizens'. On 20th, the Russian President Demetri Medvedev will be attending the meeting.
President Obama denounced Republicans for their opposition to the DREAM Act. Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid said on Wednesday he will move the DREAM Act as a standalone bill. He said in a statement "The students who earn legal status through the DREAM Act will make our country more competitive economically, spurring job creation, contributing to our tax base and strengthening communities,""Last time we sought to bring up this bill, all Republicans blocked our effort, even though many have been supporters of the DREAM Act in the past. I hope that our Republican colleagues will join me, Sen. [Dick] Durbin and Democrats in passing this important piece of legislation, now that we have a stand-alone version and that political season is over."
President Obama in a statement expressed his disappointment on the Republican oppositions to Paycheck Fairness Act.
I am deeply disappointed that a minority of Senators have prevented the Paycheck Fairness Act from finally being brought up for a debate and receiving a vote. This bill passed in the House almost two years ago; today, it had 58 votes to move forward, the support of the majority of Senate, and the support of the majority of Americans. As we emerge from one of the worst recessions in history, this bill would ensure that American women and their families aren’t bringing home smaller paychecks because of discrimination. It also helps businesses that pay equal wages as they struggle to compete against discriminatory competition. But a partisan minority of Senators blocked this commonsense law. Despite today’s vote, my Administration will continue to fight for a woman’s right to equal pay for equal work.