Just in Case You Didn’t Notice …
Posted: June 29, 2012 Filed under: U.S. Economy, U.S. Politics | Tags: highway fund, student loans 34 Comments
Congress finally renewed highway funds and extended the lower student loan rate. This news comes via the HILL. This should save a few jobs and fill a few potholes. It also renews my Flood Insurance during the hurricane season!!!
Congress on Friday approved legislation that will extend federal highway programs through 2014, a low interest rate on student loans for one year, and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for five years.
Leaders in the House and Senate negotiated the giant package, leaving no doubt that it would have enough support to pass. The bill will likely be the last major piece of legislation approved by Congress until after the November elections.
The House voted 373-52 in favor of the bill, which was supported by every voting Democrat, while 52 Republicans opposed it. In the Senate, the tally was 74-19, with 23 Republicans joining every Democrat in voting for the measure. Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) voted present, while Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) missed the vote.
White House spokesman Jay Carney said President Obama looks forward to signing the bill.
Congress faced a weekend deadline for extending the highway and student loan provisions. The rates for federally backed student loans were set to double from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent, and transportation funding was due to expire.
See? They can work together ever so often.
peej
Carissa
bostonboomer
ecocatwoman
mablue2
peggysue22
quixote
skydancingguestblogger
Mona (aka Wonk the Vote)
Sky Dancing 
Guardian news @guardiannews
Barack Obama visits Colorado Springs neighbourhood destroyed by wildfires http://gu.com/p/38y78/tf
So many homes went up in flames…
You’d think the Republicans could have done this earlier instead of waiting till the very last minute. But it’s a relief that they did it.
Maybe these dances around legislation by the Republicans are just their idea of foreplay. .
I bet it was moved along on the quiet while all the right wing loud mouths are blaming epilepsy for Roberts decision.
OK — I have to say it . . . . I do NOT understand the Republicans — their logic is heads up their asses.
Why on earth are the against road improvements. There are so many roads that need upgrading or simply tantalizing. I know because I spent the winter driving on some really awful roads comparing those to the ones that have recently been repaved or upgraded. Arizona where many of the nutjobs live have some of the worst roads. This is where the nearly unregulated trucks — heavy loads seem common and 3 (three) trailers following behind the big rigs. The more progressive states limit truck loads — and our roads are much better.
Also there were a lot of road workers staying at RV parks — which brought in a lot of money to the local communities in the road work zones. How can the GOP nutjobs not see that money going into the economy can only be helpful?
And then student loans — banks get zero percent interest (welfare to the banking industry) but students need to pay higher interest rates. Personally I believe public colleges should be very inexpensive for students — like back in the stone ages– before RayGun was Prez.
They are against anything Obama is for. They decided to do this the night of Obama’s inauguration and they stuck to their word.
Just what the gop did with Clinton — and GWB carried that onward to the point of ignoring warnings about Bin Laudin — just ’cause Clinton was worried about the psychopath well the cheney bush gang would do the opposite. Recent release of CIA secret data tells of all the missed opportunities by the cheney bush psychopaths.
Yes of course the Republicans are immature — when are the dems and real liberals going to buy a clue? Try to work with the gopers — not possible.
You could see they actually can get stuff done when they have to when they rushed all that stuff through before Boehner took over. They should have had a fire lit under them during the Bush years. Idiots.
Think toddlers who want their way and believe in magical thinking.
NWRain, this is completely OT but I gotta say it, last night my daughter and I watched the Long Long Trailer, and I must admit…I thought of you. 😉
OT– This is hilarious. Justice Department won’t prosecute Attorney General Holder for contempt of Congress.
All that time and energy wasted by Darrell Issa and his fellow thugs–was it worth it?
Isn’t it ironic they are using St. Ronnie’s justice department policy against them?
They got a talking point which is all the whole thing was about, nothing more.
Family Research Council says SCOTUS is now aligned with Satan after Obamacare decision.
http://www.talk2action.org/story/2012/6/28/172934/489
And Roberts is vacationing in an impregnable fortress 🙂
The christofascists strike again. Please, can we send them to Afghanistan so they can have a Hatfield and McCoy type shoot out with their cousins the Taliban?
And they think that the mythical Jesus would approve — the same Jesus who was concerned about the smallest sparrow? Better not mess with Jesus’ sparrows.
Mt:10:29: Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
Mt:10:31: Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Lk:12:6: Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?
Lk:12:7: But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Where_in_the_bible_did_Jesus_talk_about_the_sparrow#ixzz1zEJgaMAr
Apparently Obama tried to burn them out 🙂 Jeez Louise
Meanwhile Romney argues that the federal government should not get involved in disaster relief.
Did you see what Charlie Pierce wrote about this today? Apparently Colorado Springs eliminated almost all public services and public employees. Even the mayor is only part time and earns about $6,000 per year!
http://www.esquire.com/blogs/politics/Colorados_Burning
Pierce also highlighted Screaming Crazy Malkin as well. Great as always!
I wonder what Malkin was saying when New Orleans was drowning.
She was probably trying to remotely hold it under water.
OK then let the whole damned place burn.
The crazies moved there — so let it burn and then bring in tents and charge double the price and let their god take care of them.
/rant
Hillary Clinton’s Last Tour as a Rock-Star Diplomat
I’m going to miss her a lot I;m afraid. That program is needed in the US for small business.
Mitt can’t keep his policy stances straight … probably because he’s been on just about every side of an issue at one time or another
Romney tells TPM he misstated his own immigration policy to Newsmax http://bit.ly/MY1lkk”
Right now Al Sharpton is playing tapes of Romney bragging about his health care plan. Ed Rendell said that Romney gave a presentation to PA officials explaining how great his plan was and how PA could implement it. He even urged Obama to copy his plan back in 2009. Some group should follow him around showing all those sound bites.
If Rmoney tries running against Obamacare, everyone in the country will probably see all those sound bites multiple times 😉
He’s nuts if he thinks that would work. He has to criticize a Bush appointed supreme court justice and remind every one that his program was basically the source of the mandate. Plus, the polls show that most people are still concerned about jobs and the economy. If he and the Rethugs keep pushing these stupid things that excite the crazies they’ll drive off the independents. Plus, it only helps Obama if he doesn’t talk about jobs and the economy. Really really stupid.
Charles Pierce is simply hilarious here on the Fortnight of Freedom.
http://www.esquire.com/blogs/politics/Happy_Fortnight_Of_Freedom