Simulation ends as Obama signs "Healthier Foods Act" into law

ACC-SPAN Washington DC: Amidst Cheers and champagne corks, the President today signed the "Healthier Foods act" into law, thus ending the congressional session-which turned out to be in reality only a Community College "Simulation." ACC-SPAN would like to offer a full apology, we got a weird tip and we showed up at the school and saw the pillars and all of the books, and we were almost certain we were in the right place. Still, for a simulation, it was pretty good.Had our entire staff fooled.Full Play-by-Play at: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/ACCSPAN/108370439192685?ref=ts

Right now! Senatorial play-by-play at

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/ACCSPAN/108370439192685?ref=search&sid=1007815311.466131421..1

Senate Sex Scandal???

ACC-SPAN WASHINGTON DC: Just hours before the Senate will meet to debate important and controversial legislation ranging from energy to the elderly, An envelope containing a single photograph was left on the doorstep of ACC-SPAN headquarters. The photograph depicts what appears to be Senator Barbera Boxer (D-CA), and Senator Harry Reid (D-VT)locked in a romantic embrace, in the front seat of a vintage Buick. Both party's camps have been unreachable since the photo was released, and ACC-SPAN awaits a statement from each.

A H.E.L.Ping of controversy

ACC-SPAN Washington DC: Tensions raised during a meeting of the Senate Committee on Housing, Energy, Labor and Penions, Wednesday. Fierce debate raged over a proposal by President Obama to extend elderly care.Horns locked between Al Franken (D-MN), and the ever-Conservative Michael Enzi (R-WY, ACC-SPAN cameras were there.

Committee on Environment, Public Works hash out this sessions proposed legislation.

ACC-SPAN Washington DC


Ideas flew at Monday's preliminary meeting of the Senate committee on the Environment and Public Works. Most were batted down by the waving hands of opposition, some took flight and will be pushed forward for floor debate.
The committe led off with a controversial proposal by Oklahoma Conservative
James M. Inhofe, with the “Removal of Ethanol Act of 2010” Mr.Inhofe states as a primary benefit that removing or reducing Ethanol from fuel related products will decrease cost of corn (syrup) for edible consumption, moreover,it will decrease cost of fuel pump filters, which is increasing as more ethanol is going bad.


The discussion did not reach a depth as the consensus was very much in opposition of removing ethanol. An option would be to increase production of fuel flex cars instead of getting rid of ethanol.
The Bill was voted 9 in favor of removing the bill

Next was the Democratic legislative team of Barbara Boxer and Harry Reid, and their “Proper Disposal of Mercury Act.”
Most agreed with the need for better disposal of Mercury, there were, however, contentions in the area of storage and transportation. Suggested changes made:
(a) All mercury containers should be placed in a larger container with a tight fitting lid.
(b) Kitty litter or oil-absorbent matter around product during transportation
(c) Label all containers containing mercury
(d) you must wait for a hazardous waste collection day, store products safely in their containers with labels intact, and keep them out of reach of children and pets.
(e) Transport container to a household hazardous collection center in a cardboard box. Secure them so they do not tip over. This will minimize shifting or sliding during sudden or turns.
(f) Transport containers in the back of a pick-up truck or in a car trunk. If you must transport in the passenger compartment, make sure there is adequate ventilation.
Sec. 3 Recycling and Disposal
(a) All state and local agencies will have developed collection/exchange programs for mercury-containing devises, such as thermometers, manometers, and thermostats, and recycling programs for fluorescent light bulbs. All counties and cities must also have household hazardous waste collection programs.
(b) If you improperly dispose of products with mercury in them, they may break and release mercury vapors which are harmful to human and ecological health, so all mercury has to be disposed of properly, if not then heavy taxing will be imposed.
The committee unanimously agreed that proper disposal is necessary. Arlen Specter(D-Pa) brought a good point to the table, reminding us that in 1997 he voted in favor disposing of excess mercury inside the Yucca mountains in Nevada. 6 voted in favor of imposing a tax to fun safe removal and fines be placed on those that don’t dispose of mercury properly.
Next on the roster was Senator David Vitter(D-LA)- “Hybrid Car and Green Environment Act of 2010” which Proposes a minimum quota of 10% to car manufacturers in The United States of America to produce hybrid cars
Sec. 3 Proposes
(a) To reduce the toxic pollutants on city roads
(b) Promote a healthier or green environment for city roads
(c) Reduce the noise pollution on city roads
(d) Reduce the nation’s consumption of automobile fuel
Senator Vitter stated this would not only reduce our dependency on oil and increase jobs as well. Senator Reid(D-NV) speculated the over the higher cost if hybrids, around $7000 stated by Vitter. Senator Specter(D-PA) mentioned the positive response from the Cash for Clunkers rebate receiving up to $4500, “which is more than enough to put on a down payment on a hybrid”. The final decision was that in order to consider the bill more research needed to be done.

Senator Mitch McConnell(R-KY)-“Enhancing Mining Operations Act” definitely had the coal lobby's black fingerprints all over it.
Sec. 2
(a) Redirect $0.01 on the dollar of federal energy tax revenue to Kentucky Center for Technologies, in order to develop technologies that are cleaner and safer, for the fiscal years of 2011 and 2012
Sec. 3 Allow continued production of coal mining industries in absence of EPA permit
(a) Coal mining companies may begin/continue operations in six months of submitting proper permit applications with the EPA
(b) The EPA is not permitted to enforce a stop operations of a mining companies production after a company’s permit application has been submitted for a period of six months and has not been processed.
(c) If the EPA has reviewed and processed the application within the six month time frame, then part (a) of sec. 3 no longer applies
(d) If the EPA processes permit application after the six month period and part (a) has been acted upon, and succinctly find a company incongruent with the environmental guidelines, then that company must have no less than one months notice to stop operations
Christopher Bond(R-MO) opposed sec. 3 (a) “You cannot tell a business mining for over 50 years to stop production while a permit is being processed, it will go out of business.” He proposed a grace period be made to continue production while waiting on the permit. If the permit doesn’t pass then enact sec. 3 (d) . The committee agreed unanimously to revise the wording of Sec. 3 this bill awaits the greenlight.

Bi-Partisan tensions smoulder as Republicans release official rebuttal to Monday's SOTU address

ACC-SPAN Washington:On the steps of Austin Community College,(still, both the Executive and Legislative branches are being tight-lipped about the important role such an obscure and modest learning institution has been playing in the political happenings of late. We can only speculate.) Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell delivered rousing opposition to the Obama administration's plans for the coming year. The Republican leadership has a tough road ahead, as polls show favorable public opinion remains for the President and the Congressional majority, even following the passionate and eloquent speech given by Mr.McConnel:

"In my state of Kentucky, as well as in the rest of the U.S., we’re suffering from severe job shortages. In times like these the government should encourage job creation. Some of the legislation we have seen proposed recently not only inhibits jobs, but in some instances destroys jobs altogether. The Democrat’s have introduced 34% more bills than Republicans that impose more limitations than anything else. We should be working to help hard working Americans, not enacting laws that make things harder on them. I think my fellow Republicans and I can agree that exploring green, alternative energy is beneficial to America in the long run, but we can also agree that using our natural resources that we have here is imperative to loosening our dependence on foreign oil. If we have to wait for green energy to encompass the whole of the U.S. then we could be waiting for well over a decade for that goal to be realized. My opinion is why wait to be energy independent when we can mine for more coal and drill for oil off of our coast right now. Another issue that is of concern in America right now is health care. We all want every American to have health care coverage, but an approach should be taken that will not entrench America in more debt; debt that will be detrimental to our children. Our future generations will be indebted due to actions that we are taking right now, and that is an undue burden that the recent health care legislation is contributing to. The American people have spoken and what they want is to have the government stay out of their business. It’s not the federal government’s duty to sweep down and make individuals be responsible and healthy as per how they see fit. Americans don’t want to be told, and they especially don’t want to be mandated, on how to conduct their private affairs. This administration has encouraged the partisan bill passing machine that is taking place in today’s congress. We need to work towards bipartisan efforts to come to a consensus on all major legislation that will affect the entire country. More importantly, we need to revisit the principle of small government that this country was founded on."

Apologies for the poor audio.

Official SOTU transcript released today

Acc-Span Washington DC:

President Barack Obama released the transcripts of Monday's State of the Union Address:

Vice President Biden, Madame Speaker, Members of
Congress, distinguished guests and fellow Americans:

I awoke this morning with great excitement.
As I prepared for the day, I remembered my esteemed duty.
And as I just now walked to stand in front of you all, I
became surrounded by tranquil pride. Pride for my nation,
my countrymen, and for the future of which I am about to
speak.

Americans: We have achieved change through recent
legislation. Sprouted from hope each and every American
will now never fear becoming ill for financial reasons.
Instead, they can focus on healing and those who cannot
heal will live their last days in peace; knowing that they
will not leave their loved ones in debt. Our children will
never be denied treatment; your brother will be able to afford

his medication. But what about your mother?
Your grandmother?
Should they not also be allowed quality care when they can no
longer fend for themselves? Why is it that you and I can afford
healthcare, yet our parents and their parents before them cannot
afford care in their elderly and immobile years? The answer is
simple: because we haven’t yet made it so.

We have before us a stepping stone that can, with careful
masonry, pave the way to an impressive road of
accomplishment. Changes in health care took a long time
to achieve, let’s not wait longer to protect the future of
our cherished ones’ elderly stages of life; a future that we
will all, let’s face it (chuckle), eventually encounter.

Not only are private care facilities costly, they are often
times dangerous. Do you want to place your grandmother
into an institution where her chances of being abused,
exploited, or neglected are extremely high? If she does,
infact, experience such adversity and is unable to speak
for herself, who will defend her?
We will. Through detailed legislation we can create safe,
reliable and affordable institutions for our older
Americans. Let us improve upon the change we’ve already
made and perfect the America that you and I have all dreamed
of. Let us love our mothers and fathers such as they loved us
and ensure to them an enjoyable life after youth.

Now…I would like to address the issue that we all want to
tackle: unemployment. Many of you are concerned at the
newest employment situation summary that was released this
Friday. Rightfully you should be, but let me highlight some
inspiring facts.

The number of unemployed persons has finally slowed.
In fact, March’s unemployment rate was little changed from
that of February. Perhaps this doesn’t seem like a step up,
but I believe it things will surely begin to improve. When it
comes to the marginally attached, only a small change was
detected from last year’s discouraged workers and this year’s.
This means that people are still looking. Now is not the time
to give up! Now is the time to press on more than ever before!
With employment in fields such as health care, mining, and
federal government increasing, it’s evident that we can sustain
attainable employment. But what about those of us who are
not doctors or senators? What can we do?

At one time in America’s history we faced this very same
dilemma, and the answer then is the same answer now:
the launch of economic recovery programs. President
Roosevelt created, in his genius, hundreds of programs
that provided work stability for unemployed Americans.
I can think of no better time than now to continue this
practice and start providing employment to able Americans.

Now I know that the Republicans in this room are
unsupportive of such a controversial suggestion, but let
me ask you this: Do you know a fellow friend or family
member who is unemployed? Have you consoled someone
while they sobbed over a lost mortgage or expressed worry
over how their children would get to school because just
yesterday the family vehicle repossessed? If you haven’t,
you are lucky, but rest assured that those sad days will soon
come. That is, if we unless we do something about it!

This is the time to decide if you will be your brother’s
keeper, or exile him into preventable suffering. Work with
me as I help your brother stand on his two feet again; for
I see the people of this nation as rightful recipients of
happiness, not as unequal groups of democrats and
republicans. Unite with me on this front and together we
can get this nation to once again stand tall.

I’m going to tell you now that I will not pass legislation
requesting the lowering of taxes, for they will be the aid
in providing the afore mentioned programs that I plan to
create. I will, however, meet you on some productive
middle ground in which the people of this nation are
helped, and never hindered. Cooperation from all parties
is what’s needed to improve this pressing issue.
Our futures lay before us unknown, but I do not want
them to remain unplanned. Let us make a plan, a plan that
every American can be proud to have been a part of; a plan
that our future generations will thank us for.

Thank you. God Bless You. And God Bless the U.S of A.

State of the Union Address

ACC-SPAN Washinton DC: The President delivered to a beleaguered nation, this afternoon,the traditional State of the Union Address.Prescriptions for ailing Health, Economic, and Security systems were among the key topics. To a Senate chamber packed with colleagues, some respectfully-but noticeably-silent,most uproariously in praise of Obama and his controversial administration's sweeping changes; the young president kept his trademark cool and delivered a stunning speech. Stay tuned to ACC-SPAN for Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell's rebuttal, following Cooking with Biden at its regular time slot, after The Liberal Guilt Quilting Bee, and before The National Rifle Association Classic Theatre's broadcast of the immortal John Wayne feature: Tough, Grizzled Cowboy who mumbles and spits.

State of the Union address Monday, Obama vows more change:"This is just the beginning of the America I dream of. "

ACC-SPAN Washington DC
In a statement made saturday from a Camp David Easter-egg hunt, President Obama spoke of Monday's scheduled State of the Union address, saying he'd "Speak about improving the change we have already accomplished." Obama, who has faced fierce opposition from the right for his administration's sweeping reforms, went on to assure the public that: "This is just the beginning of the America I dream of." He made no comment on the unprecedented choice of holding the address at noon, in an Austin,Texas community college Government class.

Washington DC (ACC-SPAN)

The deadline was Wednesday for submission of Senate Bill proposals.Senate committees on Health, Education,Labor and Pensions; and Environment and Public works released a list of proposed Legislation this session. The proposals will now be appraised by the committes, to decide the few that will merit further consideration. Among the proposed legislation:

Environment and Public works:
Hybrid Car and Green Environment Act of 2010
Proper Mercury disposal Act of 2010
Removal of Ethanol Act of 2010
Enhancing Coal Mining Operations Act of 2010

Health,Education,Labor and Pensions:
Prison Stability Act of 2010
Health Care Indebtedness Act of 2010
Healthy Foods in Public Schools Act of 2010
Reliable Convalescent Care Act of 2010

Puppy Mill Act of 2010

Congressional Schedule released

Washington DC (ACC-SPAN)

Congress, today, released to the public their legislation schedule for April:

April 5th: 12pm - 12:15pm President’s State of The Union Address (Location: classroom)
12:20pm - 12:30pm Republican Response (Location: classroom)
12:35- ?? (Locations TBA)
April 7th: 12pm - 1:15pm Committee Meetings and Hearings (Locations TBA),April 8th: 7pm - 9pm? Floor Debate (Location: RGC 016)