Very Smart Wife

This a true example of when two people really know each other:
Retired veteran with a very smart wife.
 Early one morning, an elderly retired veteran just finished a piece of artwork he had been working on and yelled to his wife. "Honey! Come see what I created! It's an abstract panorama, depicting the eight Years of the Obama administration!"
 She yelled back, "Flush the toilet, Jim, and come eat your breakfast!"

Sharon Tate

What a waste.

The main men in her life remain, Roman Polanski, child rapist pedophile and convicted murderer Charlie Manson.

Don't Confuse Me

The girl on the left has to be photo-shopped, no way is she that big.
Yeah, I know who she is, she's the girl that married that racist entertainer.

Roll Back Boys

Congress.org presents MEGAVOTE for February 23, 2017 and Georgia's 13th Congressional District.

Recent Congressional Votes

• Senate: Confirmation of Steven Mnuchin to be Secretary of the Treasury
• Senate: Confirmation of David Shulkin to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs
• Senate: Confirmation of Linda McMahon to be the Administrator of the Small Business Administration
• Senate: Disapprove Instant Criminal Background Check Rule
• Senate: Confirmation of Mick Mulvaney to be the Director of the Office of Management and Budget
• Senate: Confirmation of Scott Pruitt to be the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
• House: Red River Gradient Boundary Survey Act
• House: Disapprove Local Government Retirement Plan ERISA Exemption Rule
• House: Disapprove State Retirement Plan ERISA Exemption Rule
• House: Disapprove Unemployment Benefit Drug Testing Rule
• House: Disapprove Alaska Predator Control Rule
• House: Disapprove HHS Planned Parenthood Funding Rule

Recent Senate Votes:

Confirmation of Steven Mnuchin to be Secretary of the Treasury Vote Confirmed (53-47)

The Senate confirmed Steven Mnuchin to be secretary of the Treasury.

Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES

Sen. David Perdue voted YES

We already talked about this.

Confirmation of David Shulkin to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs Vote Confirmed (100-0)

The Senate confirmed David Shulkin to be secretary of Veterans Affairs 

Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES 

Sen. David Perdue voted YES

An Obama man gets recycled, voted in unanimously.

Confirmation of Linda McMahon to be the Administrator of the Small Business Administration Vote Confirmed (81-19)

The Senate confirmed Linda McMahon to be the administrator of the Small Business Administration.

Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES

Sen. David Perdue voted YES

The wrestling chick from Connecticut gets approved.

Disapprove Instant Criminal Background Check Rule Vote Passed (57-43)

The Senate passed legislation which would disapprove, under terms of the Congressional Review Act, a December 2016 Social Security Administration rule that could make it easier for certain mentally challenged individuals to be placed on the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), thereby restricting them from purchasing firearms.

Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES

Sen. David Perdue voted YES

Gun control temporarily stopped. The pressure will never end.

Confirmation of Mick Mulvaney to be the Director of the Office of Management and Budget Vote Confirmed (51-49)

 The Senate confirmed South Carolina Republican Rep. Mick Mulvaney to be the director of the Office of Management and Budget.

Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES

Sen. David Perdue voted YES

Mulvaney, formerly a South Carolina congressman, gets in on a close vote. At least he isn't from Yale or Harvard

Confirmation of Scott Pruitt to be the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Vote Confirmed (52-46, 2 Not Voting)

The Senate confirmed Scott Pruitt to be the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES 

Sen. David Perdue voted YES

This went pretty much according to party lines, but considering the comparable sizes of the teams in the Senate, I expected this vote to be closer. He takes this job after having served as the Attorney General of Oklahoma. A pragmatist who does not reflexively accept the environmentalist holier than though so the debate is over bullshit.

Recent House Votes:

Red River Gradient Boundary Survey Act Vote Passed (250-171, 10 Not Voting)

The bill would require the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to pay for a private survey to identify the south boundary line along the Red River separating Texas and Oklahoma with regards to land title and ownership, with the states of Texas and Oklahoma to determine which lands are federal lands and which are private.

Rep. David Scott voted NO

BLaM, just say no.

Disapprove Local Government Retirement Plan ERISA Exemption Rule Vote Passed (234-191, 6 Not Voting)

The measure would disapprove the rule issued by the Labor Department on Dec. 20, 2016, that exempts local government-administered retirement plans for workers at private sector businesses and nonprofit entities from certain restrictions and requirements under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).

Rep. David Scott voted NO

Squeeze play on the Department of Labor.

Disapprove State Retirement Plan ERISA Exemption Rule Vote Passed (231-193, 7 Not Voting)

The measure would disapprove the rule issued by the Labor Department on Aug. 30, 2016, that exempts state-administered retirement plans for workers at private sector businesses and nonprofit entities that don't offer retirement plans from certain restrictions and requirements under ERISA.

Rep. David Scott voted NO

Keep it going.

Disapprove Unemployment Benefit Drug Testing Rule Vote Passed (236-189, 6 Not Voting)

The joint resolution would disapprove the rule issued by the Labor Department on Aug. 1, 2016, that defines the occupations for which states can require individuals applying for unemployment benefits to undergo drug testing.

Rep. David Scott voted NO

Yes, yes, yes....

Disapprove Alaska Predator Control Rule

Vote Passed (225-193, 12 Not Voting)

The joint resolution would disapprove the rule issued by the Interior Department on Aug. 5, 2016, that prohibits certain predator control practices in national wildlife refuges in Alaska (such as the taking of mother bears and their cubs, the killing of wolves and their pups at den sites, and aerial shooting).

Rep. David Scott voted NO

The Department of the Interior is more interested in what PETA has to say than proactical application of wildlife management. This should be handled by local experts and the Department should as required and enforce to prevent abuse.

Disapprove HHS Planned Parenthood Funding Rule Vote Passed (230-188, 12 Not Voting)

The resolution would disapprove the rule issued by the Health and Human Services Department (HHS) on Dec. 19, 2016, that modifies eligibility requirements for Title X grants for family planning services to specify that states awarding funds cannot prohibit a health care provider from participating for reasons other than its ability to provide Title X services.

Rep. David Scott voted NO

I see a little stinky fit coming.

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Red Herrings

Congress.org presents MEGAVOTE February 13, 2017 for Georgia's 13th Congressional District.
Recent Congressional Votes

• Senate: Prohibit Sen. Elizabeth Warren to Speak on Senate Floor When Debating Sen. Sessions Nomination to be U.S. Attorney General
• Senate: Confirmation of Sen. Jeff Sessions to be U.S. Attorney General
• Senate: Confirmation of Rep. Tom Price to be Secretary of Health and Human Services
• House: Disapprove BLM Land Use Planning Rule
• House: Disapprove State Education Accountability Rule
• House: Disapprove Teacher Education Program Rule 

Upcoming Congressional Bills

• Senate: Nomination of Steven Mnuchin to be Secretary of the Treasury
• Senate: Nomination of David Shulkin to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs
• House: Texas-Oklahoma Border Lands
• House: Disapprove Unemployment Benefit Drug Testing Rule
• House: Disapprove State Retirement Plan ERISA Exemption Rule
• House: Disapprove Local Government Retirement Plan ERISA Exemption Rule
• House: Disapprove Alaska Predator Control Rule
• House: Disapprove HHS Planned Parenthood Funding Rule

Recent Senate Votes:

Prohibit Sen. Elizabeth Warren to Speak on Senate Floor When Debating Sen. Sessions Nomination to be U.S. Attorney General Vote Sustained (49-43, 8 Not Voting)
The Senate voted to sustain the ruling of the presiding officer (Montana Republican Sen. Steve Daines) in which he prohibited Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren from speaking on the Senate floor for the remainder of the debate concerning Alabama Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions' nomination to be U.S. attorney general. The presiding officer ruled that Sen. Warren violated Senate rule 19 prohibiting senators from "imputing" one another.
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted Not Voting
Sen. David Perdue voted YES

Happy to see McConnell stand, or in this case not stand, for something. Basically I believe all politicians suck, Elizabeth Warren was doing something that we see many Senators do during confirmation hearings. Either by party orders, or by having a bug up their ass, they circumvent the purpose of the hearings which is to vet nominees for appropriateness to office. 

Confirmation of Sen. Jeff Sessions to be U.S. Attorney General Vote Confirmed (52-47, 1 Present)
The Senate confirmed Alabama Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions to be U.S. attorney general.
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES
Sen. David Perdue voted YES

A just decision and shame on the Democrats for a month of red herrings.

Confirmation of Rep. Tom Price to be Secretary of Health and Human Services Vote Confirmed (52-47, 1 Not Voting)
The Senate confirmed Georgia Republican Rep. Tom Price to be secretary of Health and Human Services.
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES
Sen. David Perdue voted YES

Just like to Sessions, red herring complaints. The stock issue was obvious to anyone as a minor portion of a balance trade. This as a complaint will be revisited because the next association will be that to own a stock infers an approval of all the things that that corporation does. All politicians are vulnerable on this mode of attack.

Recent House Votes:
Disapprove BLM Land Use Planning Rule Vote Passed (234-186, 12 Not Voting)
The joint resolution would disapprove the rule issued by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on Dec. 12, 2016, which modified the process under which BLM develops plans for the use of the public lands it manages, including by considering a wider variety of issues and possible impacts.
Rep. David Scott voted NO

David Scott wants to continue the practices of liberal policy promotion by unaccountable bureaucrats. Lucky he is in the wrong camp.

Disapprove State Education Accountability Rule Vote Passed (234-190, 8 Not Voting)
The joint resolution would disapprove the rule issued by the Education Department on Nov. 29, 2016 which addresses implementation of a state's accountability systems when receiving federal education funding under the Elementary and Secondary School Act (ESEA). Among other things, the rule requires states to identify low-performing schools for comprehensive or targeted support and improvement, and requires that each state's statewide plan use multiple indicators of student success that are the same for all public schools (including charter schools).
Rep. David Scott voted NO

These were all obvious in the expected outcome, The Republicans want to slash, at least appear to slash regulations that take priority over local school administration. One thing is clear; Federal leadership on school curricula is an abject failure; more money and more administration does not make the teacher to student teaching effectiveness improve.

Disapprove Teacher Education Program Rule Vote Passed (240-181, 11 Not Voting)
The joint resolution would disapprove the rule issued by the Education Department on Oct. 31, 2016, relating to teacher preparation programs that require states to annually evaluate the effectiveness of teacher preparation programs at institutions of higher education and to publicly report this information, including the job placement and retention rates of graduates.
Rep. David Scott voted Not Voting

Same point made above.

Upcoming Votes:
Nomination of Steven Mnuchin to be Secretary of the Treasury - PN26 The Senate is expected to take up the nomination of Steven Mnuchin to be secretary of the Treasury.

Owing to my delay, he got it, confirmed 53–47.

Nomination of David Shulkin to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs - PN39 The Senate is expected to take up the nomination of David Shulkin to be secretary of Veterans Affairs.

This post must be one the Democrats do not care about because on February 13th, Shulkin was unanimously confirmed . More accurately, Shulkin was first posted by President Obama.

Texas-Oklahoma Border Lands - HR428
The bill would require the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to pay for a private survey to identify the south boundary line along the Red River separating Texas and Oklahoma with regards to land title and ownership, with the states of Texas and Oklahoma to determine which lands are federal lands and which are private.

More BLM bullshit, if they see an opportunity to set aside more land, they do it, every time.

Disapprove Unemployment Benefit Drug Testing Rule - HJRes42 The resolution would disapprove the rule issued by the Labor Department on Aug. 1, 2016, that defines the occupations for which states can require individuals applying for unemployment benefits to undergo drug testing.

Reeling in the liberal bureaucrats and their circumvention of Congress.

Disapprove State Retirement Plan ERISA Exemption Rule - HJRes66 The measure would disapprove the rule issued by the Labor Department on Aug. 30, 2016, that exempts state-administered retirement plans for workers at private sector businesses and nonprofit entities that don't offer retirement plans from certain restrictions and requirements under the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).

The Department of Labor should feel lucky that Congress isn't taking their preferred course, to wipe it from the face of the earth. 

Disapprove Local Government Retirement Plan ERISA Exemption Rule - HJRes67 The measure would disapprove the rule issued by the Labor Department on Dec. 20, 2016, that exempts local government-administered retirement plans for workers at private sector businesses and nonprofit entities from certain restrictions and requirements under ERISA.

See comments above, not many people benefit by the actions of this department today. Like unions, it has outlived its purpose.

Disapprove Alaska Predator Control Rule - HJRes69 The resolution would disapprove the rule issued by the Interior Department on Aug. 5, 2016, that prohibits certain predator control practices in national wildlife refuges in Alaska (such as the taking of mother bears and their cubs, the killing of wolves and their pups at den sites, and aerial shooting).

If licensing is controlled in an objective manner, the focused energy on predator eradication particular areas  needs to be as efficient as possible.

Disapprove HHS Planned Parenthood Funding Rule - HJRes43 The resolution would disapprove the rule issued by the Health and Human Services Department (HHS) on Dec. 19, 2016, that modifies eligibility requirements for Title X grants for family planning services to specify that states awarding funds cannot prohibit a health care provider from participating for reasons other than its ability to provide Title X services.

Watch the hair on the back of their necks go up. 

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Self Evaluation

Can be extremely difficult, but the process of stripping down to purpose, cause and effect can be liberating.

CBS Anchor Dickerson Says Media Ruined Its Own Reputation, Not Trump

The American public, consumers of news, does not have the attention span or the patience to labor over the minutia that many stories focus on. They do however assemble news through unsophisticated personal filters. The overarching media business understands this limitation and has allowed itself to slip into playing on the biases created by these filters. To sell, news is offered in a format the business has elected to sell to its target market. The combination of an uneducated market, liberally trained journalists and market focused product has evolved into a media system that has myopic view of the world.
Many consumers of journalism have training and belief sets that do not align with liberal dogma. These folks have, over the years, sloughed out the major media market consumption and sought alternative sources that, also focused, cater to their preferences.
Recently the more trusting followers of liberal based journalism, have been exposed to evidence, some real, some exaggerated, but evidence of journalistic deception and journalistic alignment with one party over another. These biased predilections, by way deductive reasoning, had been suspected by conservative consumers over many years. In the last presidential election, facts were exposed that confirmed said suspicions.
Forty years ago, a man I greatly respected, an educated well learned man, described Dan Rather, of CBS, as "Dan Smather", railing on and on about what liar the newsman was, This was the beginning of my doubt in network new anchors positions and willingness to tell the truth. Later Rather was exposed has creating fake news about G. W. Bush.
Here we have CBS host John Dickerson admitting to culpability in the ruination of its reputation. Should the networks go through the cathartic process and reshape purpose, the benefit could be for everyone.

Harold Gregory Moore, Jr.

Like most working folks, the personal email accounts are not read as often as they should be.
This weekend via Patriot Guard Riders, I learned too late to participate in a ride for a departed hero of the United States Army.
Retired Lieutenant General Hal Moore passed away in in Auburn Alabama. He was 94 years old and much beloved by his family, church and brothers in arms.
Harold Moore started his 32 years of service as a Cadet at West Point during World War II, fighting in Korea and with distinction in Vietnam, ending as Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Department of the Army.
The movie "We Were Soldiers" is an account of the the lead up to the start of the Vietnam war and the early 1965 Battle of la Drang. Moore was instrumental in developing the application of helicopters for Army troop deployment. At la Drang commanded 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division which was George Custer's command  when he was killed at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876.
Hal Moore preached the credo "there is always one more thing you can do to increase your odds of success". This I wholeheartedly agree with.
Moore's awards of service include:
Some of his awards are:
DSC, DSM, ,LM (2 OLC), BSM (3 OLC) w V device, AM(8 OLC) , JSCMARCOM (2 OLC) PH, ACM, APAMWWIIVM, AOM, NDSM (1 OLC), KSM, AFSM, VSM, UNSM, CIB (2Awd), Mastprchtbad, ARavBad, GLiBad, VCofGwP (3 Awd), RVNCCUCwP, ROKPOC (2 Awd), OrderofNatSctyMeritGut-SeonMd1,ROK, VNArmyprcBad, PUC

Hal Moore was two week shy of his 95th birthday.

I regret missing the opportunity to pay this man respect and offer this as token of same.

In the future I will try to read my mail sooner.

Big Pants

Congress.org presents MEGAVOTE for February 8, 2017 and Georgia's 13th Congressional District.

Recent Congressional Votes

• Senate: Confirmation of Elaine Chao to be Secretary of Transportation
• Senate: Confirmation of Rex Tillerson to be Secretary of State
• Senate: Disapprove Stream Buffer Rule
• Senate: Disapprove Disclosure of Payments by Resource Extraction Issuers Rule
• Senate: Confirmation of Betsy DeVos to be Secretary of Education
• House: Disapprove Disclosure of Payments by Resource Extraction Issuers Rule
• House: Disapprove Stream Buffer Rule
• House: Disapprove Labor Law Rule
• House: Disapprove Instant Criminal Background Check Rule
• House: Disapprove BLM Methane Rule

Upcoming Congressional Bills

• Senate: Nomination of Sen. Jeff Sessions to be U.S. Attorney General
• Senate: Nomination of Rep. Tom Price to be Secretary of Health and Human Services
• Senate: Nomination of Steven Mnuchin to be Secretary of the Treasury
• House: Disapprove BLM Land Use Planning Rule
• House: Disapprove Teacher Education Program Rule
• House: Disapprove State Education Accountability Rule

Recent Senate Votes:
Confirmation of Elaine Chao to be Secretary of Transportation Vote Confirmed (93-6, 1 Present)
The Senate voted to confirm Elaine Chao to be secretary of Transportation.
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES
Sen. David Perdue voted YES

Mitch McConnell's wife, yuck. Caio baby!

Confirmation of Rex Tillerson to be Secretary of State Vote Confirmed (56-43, 1 Not Voting)
The Senate voted to confirm Rex Tillerson to be secretary of State.
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES
Sen. David Perdue voted YES

Tillerson, from my perspective is a choice that reflects the need to change foreign policy dynamics. Undoubtedly, the bureaucrats at state are going to passively resist change, t they always have. Descriptions of this institutional inertia are explained in The Best and the Brightest and the John Bolton book that I am about half the way through. This explains why countries like Iran and North Korea are consistently allowed to extort position acceptance in Europe and the United States. In the case of both of these countries, aggressive postures have nuclear standing that is difficult to unseat.  If a new tact works, great, the businessman Trump knows not to repeat policies that are not effective.

Disapprove Stream Buffer Rule Vote Passed (54-45, 1 Not Voting)
The bill would disapprove the Interior Department's Stream Buffer Rule requiring that surface coal mining operations be designed to minimize the amount of waste placed outside the mined-out area, thus minimizing the amount of land disturbed.
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES
Sen. David Perdue voted YES

The jargon of the bill description belies the position of the author. For myself, poisonous water contamination should be prohibited in all forms, where the border for containment is should be the property lines.  If aquifer contamination is a risk then proper precautions should be employed.

Disapprove Disclosure of Payments by Resource Extraction Issuers Rule Vote Passed (52-47, 1 Not Voting)
The measure would disapprove of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rule issued in July 2016 that requires resource extraction issuers (companies that extract oil, natural gas or minerals) that are registered in the United States to provide detailed, public reporting of certain payments to governments that equal or exceed $100,000 per project annually.
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES
Sen. David Perdue voted YES

A department imposing rules on its governing body, do I read that correctly. Someones pants have gotten a little big.

Confirmation of Betsy DeVos to be Secretary of Education Vote Confirmed (51-50)
The Senate voted to confirm Betsy DeVos to be secretary of Education. The tie-breaking yes vote was cast by Vice President Mike Pence.
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES
Sen. David Perdue voted YES

Pence.........scores!

Recent House Votes:
Disapprove Disclosure of Payments by Resource Extraction Issuers Rule Vote Passed (235-187, 10 Not Voting)
The measure would disapprove of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rule issued in July 2016 that requires resource extraction issuers (companies that extract oil, natural gas or minerals) that are registered in the United States to provide detailed, public reporting of certain payments to governments that equal or exceed $100,000 per project annually.
Rep. David Scott voted NO

See above comments.

Disapprove Stream Buffer Rule Vote Passed (228-194, 10 Not Voting)
The bill would disapprove the Interior Department's Stream Buffer Rule requiring that surface coal mining operations be designed to minimize the amount of waste placed outside the mined-out area, thus minimizing the amount of land disturbed.
Rep. David Scott voted NO

See above, not sure how I feel about the vote.

Disapprove Labor Law Rule Vote Passed (236-187, 9 Not Voting)
The bill would disapprove a Defense Department, General Services Administration and NASA rule that requires federal contractors to self-certify violations of 14 specified federal labor laws and equivalent state laws. The laws include the Fair Labor Standards Act, Occupational Safety and Health Act, National Labor Relations Act, Davis-Bacon Act, and Americans with Disabilities Act, among others.
Rep. David Scott voted NO

Absolutely right, self-certification is costly and ridden with temptation to cheat.

Disapprove Instant Criminal Background Check Rule Vote Passed (235-180, 17 Not Voting)
The bill would disapprove, under terms of the Congressional Review Act, a December 2016 Social Security Administration rule that could make it easier for certain mentally challenged individuals to be placed on the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
Rep. David Scott voted NO

Throwing traction on a slippery slope.

Disapprove BLM Methane Rule Vote Passed (221-191, 20 Not Voting)
The bill would disapprove, under terms of the Congressional Review Act, a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rule issued last November that requires oil and gas producers to implement measures that reduce natural gas waste.
Rep. David Scott voted NO

The Bureau has been overstepping for years, it is time to have their balls cut off.

Upcoming Votes:
Nomination of Sen. Jeff Sessions to be U.S. Attorney General - PN30 The Senate is expected to take up the nomination of Alabama Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions to be U.S. Attorney General.

He made it, now all the talk about rescuing himself from votes is moot. Watch Elizabeth Warren, aka Fauxahontas, get her ass sat down was worth delay, the only thing in the last 6 years that McConnell has done worth complimenting.

Nomination of Rep. Tom Price to be Secretary of Health and Human Services - PN33 The Senate is expected to take up the nomination of Georgia Republican Rep. Tom Price to be secretary of Health and Human Services.

After a lot of haranguing, Tom Price was voted into the post. Looking into the details of the stock buying issue was Democratic hyperbole.

Nomination of Steven Mnuchin to be Secretary of the Treasury - PN26 The Senate is expected to take up the nomination of Steven Mnuchin to be secretary of the Treasury.

Late is this post is, here is the news, he was accepted. Steven Mnuchin is a Yale man and basically an investment banker. The Democrats continue to be a pack of bitchy obstructionists, voting as a group against everyone.  

Disapprove BLM Land Use Planning Rule - HJRes44 The joint resolution would disapprove the rule issued by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on Dec. 12, 2016, which modified the process under which BLM develops plans for the use of the public lands it manages, including by considering a wider variety of issues and possible impacts.

Anything that fucks with the BLM, I am for.

Disapprove Teacher Education Program Rule - HJRes58 The joint resolution would disapprove the rule issued by the Education Department on Oct. 31, 2016, relating to teacher preparation programs that require states to annually evaluate the effectiveness of teacher preparation programs at institutions of higher education and to publicly report this information, including the job placement and retention rates of graduates.

What goes for the BLM goes goes double for the DOE.

Disapprove State Education Accountability Rule - HJRes57 The joint resolution would disapprove the rule issued by the Education Department on Nov. 29, 2016, which addresses implementation of a state's accountability systems when receiving federal education funding under the Elementary and Secondary School Act (ESEA). Among other things, the rule requires states to identify low-performing schools for comprehensive or targeted support and improvement, and requires that each state's statewide plan use multiple indicators of student success that are the same for all public schools (including charter schools).

Government control of education is the problem. Americans spend more money per student than any other country in industrial world, and the returns are diminishing. The answer is not money, more programs or more administration. When something is out of control, simplify by removing complicating factors. The corrective path should be reduce the number Federal rules, if not all, allow local school boards to shape curricula appropriate to local needs, then focus as much money as possible on teaching.

Congress could be helpful by figuring out how to restrict the courts from imposing policies that are unimaginably inefficient.  

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The Gangs All Here, Let's Have a Party

Congress.org presents MEGAVOTE for January 30, 2017 and Georgia's 13th Congressional District.

Recent Congressional Votes

• Senate: GAO Access and Oversight Act
• Senate: Confirmation of Gen. James Mattis to be Secretary of Defense
• Senate: Confirmation of Gen. John Kelly to be secretary of Homeland Security
• Senate: Confirmation of Kansas Rep. Mike Pompeo to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency
• Senate: Confirmation of South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley to be ambassador to the United Nations
• House: Abortion Funding

Upcoming Congressional Bills

• Senate: Nomination of Rex Tillerson to be Secretary of State
• Senate: Nomination of Elaine Chao to be Secretary of Transportation
• House: Disapprove Interior DepartmentÂ’s Stream Buffer Rule
• House: Disapprove SEC Oil and Gas Anti-Bribery Rule
• House: Disapprove Instant Criminal Background Check Rule
• House: Disapprove Labor Law Rule
• House: Disapprove Venting and Flaring Rule

Recent Senate Votes:
GAO Access and Oversight Act Vote Passed (99-0, 1 Not Voting)
The bill would grant the Government Accountability Office access to the National Directory of New Hires. The directory contains information from states about new employees.
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES
Sen. David Perdue voted YES

Unanimous, enough said.

Confirmation of Gen. James Mattis to be Secretary of Defense Vote Confirmed (98-1, 1 Not Voting)
The Senate confirmed Gen. James Mattis to be secretary of Defense.
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES
Sen. David Perdue voted YES

There was some strutting about on he Democrats part, but in the end most nominees are skating through the approval process. Having reusable soundbites on the news is the objective for being whining bitches.  

Confirmation of Gen. John Kelly to be secretary of Homeland Security Vote Confirmed (88-11, 1 Not Voting)
The Senate confirmed Gen. John Kelly to be secretary of Homeland Security.
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES
Sen. David Perdue voted YES

There are a few more folks here that object but the result is the same.

Confirmation of Kansas Rep. Mike Pompeo to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Vote Confirmed (66-32, 2 Not Voting)
The Senate confirmed Kansas Republican Rep. Mike Pompeo to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES
Sen. David Perdue voted YES

A close vote, an interesting topic. Typically, Republicans support intelligence funding but the President has sent mixed signals in terms of respect for the department.

Confirmation of South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley to be ambassador to the United Nations Vote Confirmed (96-4)
The Senate confirmed South Carolina Republican Gov. Nikki R. Haley to be the representative of the United States of America to the United Nations, with the rank and status of ambassador, and the representative of the United States of America in the Security Council of the United Nations.
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES
Sen. David Perdue voted YES

Another pass with flying colors. Those against were, Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.).

Recent House Votes:
Abortion Funding Vote Passed (238-183, 11 Not Voting)
The bill would permanently prohibit the use of federal funds to pay for abortion or abortion coverage. It also would not allow federal medical facilities and health professionals from providing abortion services, and prohibit individuals and small businesses from receiving federal subsidies and tax credits under the 2010 health overhaul law to purchase health care plans that cover abortions.
Rep. David Scott voted NO

This is going to have trouble in the Senate, possibly with the President as well, if it gets that far. Watch the press apply lots of pressure while ignoring the evidence of malfeasance on the part of Planned Parenthood.

Upcoming Votes:
Nomination of Rex Tillerson to be Secretary of State - PN25 The Senate is expected to take up the nomination of Rex Tillerson to be secretary of State.

Here's a hint, he is in, this is a late report.

Nomination of Elaine Chao to be Secretary of Transportation - PN35 The Senate is expected to take up the nomination of Elaine Chao to be secretary of Transportation.

Chao baby was approved on the 31st. This is Mitch McConnell's wife so her judgement is suspect. Six Dems voted against Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.), Jeff Merkley (Ore.), Bernie Sanders (Vt.), Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), Cory Booker (N.J.) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.).

Disapprove Interior Department’s Stream Buffer Rule -  This measure would disapprove, under terms of the Congressional Review Act (CRA), the Interior Department's Stream Buffer Rule requiring that surface coal mining operations be designed to minimize the amount of waste placed outside the mined-out area, thus minimizing the amount of land disturbed.

Regulation easing.

Disapprove SEC Oil and Gas Anti-Bribery Rule - The measure would disapprove, under terms of the CRA, a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rule issued in July 2016 that requires resource extraction issuers (companies that extract oil, natural gas or minerals) that are registered in the United States to provide detailed, public reporting of certain payments to governments that equal or exceed $100,000 per project annually.

Regulation easing.

Disapprove Instant Criminal Background Check Rule -  The measure would disapprove, under terms of the CRA, a December 2016 Social Security Administration rule that could make it easier for certain mentally challenged individuals to be placed on the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), thereby restricting them from purchasing firearms.

Regulation easing.

Disapprove Labor Law Rule
The measure would disapprove, under terms of the CRA, a Defense Department, General Services Administration and NASA rule that requires federal contractors to self-certify violations of 14 specified federal labor laws and equivalent state laws. The laws include the Fair Labor Standards Act, Occupational Safety and Health Act, National Labor Relations Act, Davis-Bacon Act, and Americans with Disabilities Act, among others.

Regulation easing.

Disapprove Venting and Flaring Rule - The measure would disapprove, under terms of the CRA, a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rule issued in November 2016 that requires oil and gas producers to implement measures that reduce natural gas waste.

Regulation easing. Do it.

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