Obama calls on Congress to end FAA impasse

[James48]

Source: http://www.govexec.com

Democrats on Wednesday argued the FAA fight is the latest example of House Republican "hostage taking" following the pattern of negotiations on a continuing resolution and raising the debt ceiling. They said yielding this time would simply invite new demands from Mica and House Republicans.

"This is their modus operandi," Boxer said. "Government by crisis that they make up; government by hostage taking; government by threat."

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said anger over the FAA spat should fall "on Mr. Mica," who by refusing a clean extension has already cost the government more than it would save through cuts to rural airports. "Why? Because he has taken us hostage," Hoyer said.

The mood isn't very cordial on Capitol Hill anyway, and Democrats in both chambers cried foul over the dilemma Reid faced after the House adjourned on Monday--to pass a bill that no Democrat likes or let 4,000 FAA workers remain on furlough and halt some 200 construction projects employing 70,000 people.





Read more: http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=48433&oref=todaysnews

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Amazing. I thought extortion was illegal under federal law. Perhaps we can get the Justice Department to level a case against republican terrorists.


18 U.S.C. § 872 : US Code - Section 872: Extortion by officers or employees of the United States

Whoever, being an officer, or employee of the United States or any department or agency thereof, or representing himself to be or
assuming to act as such, under color or pretense of office or employment commits or attempts an act of extortion, shall be fined
under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both; but if the amount so extorted or demanded does not exceed $1,000,
he shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[SugarShack]

2. oh your funny. not. this thread is important as this new crises is ALL ABOUT Delta unionizing!

Sen. Rockefeller Speaks out About FAA Crisis6 days ago – Rockefeller Speaks out About FAA Crisis. Last Updated on Thursday, ... Rockefeller also believes Delta Airline's refusal to let their employees unionize played a factor in this decision. FAA shutdown complicated by debt ...
wdtv.com/index.../7876-sen-rockefeller-speaks-out-about-faa-crisis - Cached

[FarLeftFist]

3. How do you know he wouldn't have?

First, Sanders would have to have been President. Sanders is not only intelligent enough to pull this off but have you ever seen him on TV during interviews? NO MAN makes more sense than Sanders and if he was President during this period he could have easily been on television every day rallying support for his cause, which would apply to 90% of Americans. This administration has a messaging problem.

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Igel]

6. Yes.

When you have to make a fairly straightforward story say something it doesn't really say, it does get confusing.

House passes bill. Calls for reauthorizing FAA, collecting taxes; tweaks the rules on union voting in a way that may be serious; cuts subsidies to some rural airports in (D)-represented states/districts.

Senate looks at bill and doesn't like it. It wants the House to pass a bill to its liking. Some leaders really, really don't like reducing subsidies that help their constituents. It takes a day or two, but eventually the media talk about effects on union votes. Senate's home by that point.

Usual minimum response: Vote down the bill.

Preferred response: Amend bill, vote, pass, send to conference committee.

Obama's response: Blame the House for not producing the bill the Senate, and he, would have liked. But it's still a problem that the House's work is done; it's approved a bill, which is now waiting for debate and vote in the Senate. Can't much blame the House; doesn't want to blame the Senate.


If you like this one, wait until Congress returns and has to reauthorize the gas tax and transportation spending. *That* will be a debate to watch, I suspect.

[Lifelong Protester]

5. I would hope the President will CALL congress back,

and tell them to park their sorry a**es in the capitol until it's DONE, and KEEP THE UNIONS INTACT.

(Hey, I can dream, can't I?)
Seriously, I want to see more Rahm/Chicago politics from now on. I don't see where the President is getting very far with the pleading for common sense. There ain't any in the Repubs.

Demand, propose legislation, propose MORE STUFF, get Reid/Pelosi to introduce it, make them filibuster in the Senate, PIN IT ON THE REPUBS when it goes down in flames.

Call in Panetta, tell him you are taking money from the Defense budget, creating a jobs program like the WPA or CCC, give preference to VETS returning from our many wars, and LET THE DAMN REPUBS FILIBUSTER THAT!

Damn it, CALL THEIR BLUFF, make 'em look the fools they are.

YOU CAN DO IT!!!

[alp227]

8. when the Obama ads roll out later this or next year

they better be hollering and stinging at the ReTHUGS not kissing their feet and holding hands with them. There are many other PACs/activist groups that can get out the message too. And because this involves fiscal matters, Obama can't do it alone via executive order, the Senate has to pass the House's bill first and send it for the Prez signature.

[No Elephants]

7. Airlines are bad enough when the FAA functions anymore. Get FAA back on the job!

[countmyvote4real]

9. They have all shown us who they are. Believe it. n/t

[truebrit71]

10. Congress calls on Obama to go pound sand...

...and then laughs as the Compromiser-in-Chief and his team of 'experts' try and spin that as a win...