July 30th, 2010, Washington, DC–From ALG News’ Capitol Hill Correspondent Derek Baker: 
In the Senate, the vote to invoke cloture on the Small Business bill failed yesterday afternoon by a 58-42 vote, with Republicans voting against the measure as a block and Reid voting against it for procedural reasons (so he could call another vote later) when he saw it would fail. This represents a significant blow to Reid as the Leader and jeopardizes Reid’s busy schedule for the remainder of the session before the long August recess. While the Kagan nomination vote is still slated for early next week and energy is also on the agenda, it is unclear what other measure Reid may move to next.
Bottom Line: For Republicans, confusion in the Senate and delay of Reid’s agenda is only a good thing, in that it hinders liberal policy and shows Reid for the inept and duplicitous majority leader that he is. Barring unforeseen circumstances, Kagan will get confirmed, but nothing else will be accomplished in the remaining days of session in the Senate that will do Democrats any good going into the Fall campaign season.
In the House, the Investing in American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act was pulled from the floor last night by Majority Leader Hoyer at the last minute. The bill extends the Build America Bonds program and makes a variety of changes to the tax code. The bill would also increase federal spending by $29.1 billion and increase taxes by $29.3 billion. The Republicans Motion-to-Recommit (MTR) on the bill would have eliminated the small business reporting requirement (starting in 2012) imposed by ObamaCare, which effectively forces small businesses to file a 1099 form with the IRS for every expenditure for goods or services of $600 or more. The bill may come up again today.
Also, regarding the Rangel Ethics trial process that began yesterday, there were rumors circulating that a deal had been reached right before the Ethics Panel met at 1pm, but those reports were false. The Ethics Committee released a 41-page document bringing 13 charges against Rangel, stating there was “substantial reason” to believe Rangel violated multiple House ethics laws and federal regulations. The Rangel affair has largely overshadowed another Ethics Committee investigation into allegations of violations by Rep. Maxine Waters. The Ethics panel just completed its investigation of those allegations and could announce them before the August recess.
The House will wrap-up legislative business today with action on the Oil and Gas Worker Whistleblower Protection bill and potentially try again on the Multiple Peril Insurance bill, then break for the 6-week August recess.
Bottom Line: Every time the Democrat majority is forced to pull a bill on the floor, it’s an embarrassment for the leadership. Pelosi and Hoyer have been forced to pull or modify a surprising number of bills this year at the hands of Boehner and GOP leadership offering inventive amendments and MTRs. Now, as Pelosi desperately tries to defend the Democrats record going in to the Fall elections, she and her Democrat colleagues have scant evidence of anything positive they have done for the economy. It’s going to be a long, hot break for the liberals in Congress.
At the other end of the Avenue, Obama continues his road show on the economy with a trip to Michigan today, speaking at a Chrysler plant and a GM plant this afternoon. The trip may turn out to be particularly poor timing for Obama, since economic data was just released this morning show economic growth slowed to 2.4 percent in the second quarter, the weakest in over a year.
Bottom Line: Obama can travel to only so many auto plants and labor union strong holds across the country with continued 9.5 percent unemployment. It’s rather difficult to blame Republicans for a poor economy when you’re almost two years into the presidency with overwhelming majorities in both houses of Congress. Never fear, Mr. President, next year those majorities will be much slimmer or even nonexistent, and you’ll have plenty of people to blame again for your failed economic policies.
P.S. – Check out America Speaking Out and share your thoughts on how we can return to a limited, constitutional government.
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