Pete King's Thoughts & Whereabouts: 8/9 - 8/10
Monday, August 9, 2010
7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. - Delta Shuttle from LaGuardia to Reagan. Returning from special session.
Tuesday, August 10th
10:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. - Meeting of New York Congressional delegation in Room 137 of the Capitol to discuss 9/11 healthcare bill. Charlie Rangel chaired the meeting. Almost 20 Democrats were there. I was the only Republican. Also present were Denis Hughes, the President of NYS AFL-CIO, and Steve Cassidy, the President of the Firefighters.
We were seated around a rectangular shaped table. Ironically enough, Anthony Weiner and I were next to each other. Without going into any details which should remain in the meeting, we agreed to try to find some way to bring it forward and get it passed on the House floor. It won't be easy but it is possible.
Anthony Weiner and I spoke privately at the end and agreed to stop our fight and do what we can to move the bill.
12:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. - to House floor to vote on Tom Price's resolution to prevent controversial votes in a lame duck session after election day. I don't fully agree with Tom's resolution but I voted with him against the Democrats motion to prevent it from even being debated. The Democrats won their motion (236-163).
We did adopt by a voice vote (no roll call) a border protection bill (H.R. 6080) which provides more border security. This is not enough but a step in the right direction.
During this time Charlie Rangel spoke on the House floor for 37 minutes regarding his ethics case. It's difficult for most of my supporters to understand but I personally get along with Charlie Rangel. I saw today's speech as Charlie attempting to get back at President Obama and the Democratic leaders for what he thinks is their abandonment of him. Democrats did not want him to give the speech.
2:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. - phone interview with Steve Malzberg (WOR Radio) on WTC Mosque.
3:05 p.m. - 3:10 p.m. - to House floor to vote against H.R. 1586 (Education, Jobs and Medicaid Act). Thihs bill adds $25 billion in new spending and raises taxes. It passed 247-161.
4:00 p.m. - 5:20 p.m. - US Air Shuttle from Reagan to LaGuardia.