Rachel Maddow's Blog, page 3386
June 21, 2013
House, Senate moving in different directions
Getty Images
Sens. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and John Hoeven (R-N.D.) had reason to smile.
By yesterday afternoon, the prospects for immigration reform in the Senate were soaring. Sens. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and John Hoeven (R-N.D.) formally unveiled their "border surge" plan, which Democratic negotiators were willing to accept to increase GOP support, and which pushed the head count for the overall bill higher.
Indeed, in light of the Corker/Hoeven measure, Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) said he's prepared to support the bipartisan bill, and soon after, Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) suggested he's ready to do the same. Politico reported, "Negotiators said as many as 15 GOP senators who were on the fence will now be inclined to vote for the landmark bill," and by the close of business, the prospect of 70+ plus Senate votes no longer seemed unrealistic.
But on the other side of Capitol Hill, a very different dynamic was unfolding, as the House killed a farm bill that House Republican leaders assumed would pass. What does this have to do with immigration? John Stanton told Rachel on the show last night that if the House GOP leadership can't even pass a farm bill, immigration may be too heavy a lift. Jonathan Bernstein made a related case yesterday.
Sure, it's possible that Republicans can manage to hang together for one [immigration] vote to get something to conference ... But overall, going along to get along -- or "Do it to save our party from humiliating embarrassment" -- doesn't seem to carry much weight with most House Republicans.
Brian Beutler is thinking along the same lines.
[The farm bill] is a very big whoops.... [I]t's tough to look at the farm bill fiasco and imagine the House passing an immigration reform bill that Dems don't carry. If that's the case, then the key to the whole immigration reform effort really is John Boehner accepting the internal consequences of just putting something similar to the gang of eight bill on the floor and getting out of the way.
This is not to suggest that the farm bill fiasco is necessarily proof that immigration will fail in the House, but rather, the deminse of the farm bill offered a stark reminder that passing much of anything in the House -- other than anti-abortion bills -- is exceedingly difficult. The radicalized Republican majority is simply too extreme and too unruly to be led.
Which in turn offers a reminder: if the lower chamber is going to play a constructive role on immigration, Boehner will almost certainly have to rely on Democratic votes. The alternative is failure.
Morning Maddow: Summer Solstice
VA Office of Inspector General
Stacks of Veterans Affairs claim folders at a regional office in Winston-Salem, N.C.
Pres. Obama to discuss the NSA in his first meeting with civil liberties board.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi calls the GOP handling on the farm bill "amateur hour."
Pres. Obama makes his choice of James Comey to lead the FBI official today.
The revolt against the timing of the NJ special Senate election spreads; but a court sides with Gov. Christie.
The VA announces progress on clearing its claims backlog. But they have a long way to go.
Sen. Claire McCaskill reveals that the gov't contractor that performs most background checks (including Edward Snowden's) is under investigation.
Pres. Bushes' newly-notorious ancestor.
June 20, 2013
Links for the 620 TRMS
The rather lengthy list of citations for Thursday night's show is after the jump.
Latino vote a landslide for Obama
Sean Hannity: I've 'Evolved' On Immigration Reform, Support 'Pathway To Citizenship'
Can You Make One or Two Really Quick Calls into Senate Offices Today?
Will the South Rise Again? Opportunities for white advocates.
Out of Africa? Races are more different than previously thought.
Controversial "Pro-English" Group Launches Ad Campaign To Take Down Immigration Reform
Heritage Foundation: The Fiscal Cost of Unlawful Immigrants and Amnesty to the U.S. Taxpayer (pdf)
Heritage study co-author opposed letting in immigrants with low IQs
http://www.alternativeright.com/main/the-magazine/model-minority/">Model Minority? By Jason Richwine
Holocaust Amnesia Day By Jason Richwine
Heritage immigration study co-author penned articles for 'nationalist' website
Immigration Law Changes Seen Cutting Billions From Deficit
J.T. Ready, Neo-Nazi and One-Time Pal of Russell Pearce's, is Shooter in Gilbert Massacre (w/Update)
Why Authorities Could've Prevented J.T. Ready's Murder Spree
Minuteman Founder Arrested On Suspicion Of Child Molestation
Senators reach immigration deal to attract conservative support
Debunking a 'cure' for homosexuality
UW-Platteville hosts third annual Business Plan Competition
Inglett application letter (pdf)
Inglett nominated for UW System Board of Regents
UW-Platteville student named to UW System Board of Regents
Walker Withdraws UW–Platteville Student As Board Of Regents Nominee
Scott Walker pulls student's regents appointment over recall petition
University of Wisconsin System (pdf)
Tens of thousands rally for Walker recall at the Capitol
Paul LePage: NAACP Can 'Kiss My Butt' (VIDEO)
LePage Spins Windmill Conspiracy Theory
Maine to Consider Tracking Toxins in Toys, Products
Maine lawmakers overwhelmingly endorse no toxic chemicals in children's toys
The lobbyist in the henhouse: Whose interests is Maine's DEP commissioner serving?
LePage issues new policy: No more talking to 3 newspapers
State Department official resigns over 'D.C. madam'
ABIGAIL NOEL FISHER, Petitioner v. UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN, (pdf)
SHELBY COUNTY, ALABAMA, Petitioner v. ERIC H. HOLDER, JR., ATTORNEY GENERAL, ET AL (pdf)
DENNIS HOLLINGSWORTH, ET AL., Petitioners v. KRISTIN M. PERRY, ET AL. (pdf)
Letter from the Attorney General to Congress on Litigation Involving the Defense of Marriage Act
Ahead on the 6/20 Maddow show
Tonight's guests include:
John Stanton, Buzzfeed Washington, D.C. bureau chief
Cliff Schechtman, executive editor of the Portland Press Herald
Here's tonight's soundtrack!
And here's executive producer Bill Wolff with the preview:
Thursday's Mini-Report
Today's edition of quick hits:
* When it comes to U.S. diplomacy, it is an exceedingly awkward time in Afghanistan right now.
* Also in Afghanistan: "The Taliban proposed a deal in which they would free a U.S. soldier held captive since 2009 in exchange for five of their most senior operatives at Guantanamo Bay, while Afghan President Hamid Karzai eased his opposition Thursday to joining planned peace talks."
* Bernanke seems to have rattled a few investors: "Global markets tumbled on Thursday over concern about a credit crunch in China and uncertainty about the United States central bank's plans for withdrawing the monetary stimulus upon which the American economy has become dependent."
* The Corker/Hoeven deal is done: "Two Senate Republicans reached an agreement on Thursday on a plan to strengthen border security with the bipartisan group of eight senators that drafted an overhaul of the nation's immigration laws, raising hopes that the new deal could build Republican support for the immigration legislation being debated on the Senate floor."
* It was a 54-43 vote: "The Senate on Thursday rejected Sen. John Cornyn's (R-Texas) immigration reform bill amendment that would have put mandatory border security triggers in place before immigrants were given legal status."
* Not funny: "During a question and answer session following a relatively dry policy speech at the University of Nebraska in Omaha tonight, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel pointed to the audience and joked, 'You're not a member of the Taliban, are you?'"
* Greg Sargent has taken the lead on pushing for the declassification and release of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court opinions authorizing NSA surveillance programs. There was some action on Capitol Hill on the issue today.
* I'll have more on this once the announcement is made: "President Obama is preparing regulations limiting carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants, senior officials said Wednesday. The move would be the most consequential climate policy step he could take and one likely to provoke legal challenges from Republicans and some industries."
* An overdue honor: "The unveiling of the Frederick Douglass statue in the Capitol on Wednesday drew a rich cross-section of American society as dignitaries and descendants gathered to commemorate the storied abolitionist's legacy, as well as throw in a little politicking."
* Hmm: "Billionaire casino mogul Sheldon Adelson said Thursday that he is 'morally opposed' to online gambling."
* Noted without comment: "CNN's longtime media reporter, Howard Kurtz, is moving to Fox News. As first reported by Mediaite and subsequently confirmed by the network itself, Kurtz will be taking over the spot currently occupied by Fox News' weekend media criticism program, Fox News Watch."
Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
Stay classy, Paul LePage
Associated Press
For those unfamiliar with Maine Gov. Paul LePage (R), it's tempting to offer some kind of recap of his greatest rhetorical hits, but it would simply take too long. Do we start with the time he told the state NAACP to "kiss my butt" or the time he equated the IRS with Nazis? Either way, the far-right governor's penchant for buffoonery has turned LePage into something of a laughingstock.
There are many in the state who hoped that as the governor settled into his post, he might grow into the office, become more composed, and have a better appreciation for his responsibilities. LePage was, after, all, a Tea Party candidate elected in 2010 with just 38% of the vote in a three-way race, so Mainers wanted him to approach his duties with some humility.
Gov. Paul LePage on Thursday said a Democratic lawmaker, Sen. Troy Jackson of Aroostook County, "claims to be for the people but he's the first one to give it to the people without providing Vaseline."
LePage also said that Jackson has a "black heart" and that he should go back in the woods and cut trees "and let someone with a brain come down here and do some good work."
A local reporter suggested some might find his choice of words offensive. "Good," LePage said before ending the interview by walking away.
Rachel will have more on this and some related angles on the show tonight.
House kills its own farm bill
Associated Press
It was widely assumed that the House would pass its version of the farm bill this afternoon. In fact, it was such a foregone conclusion, most of the speculation was what was likely to happen when the House and Senate versions went to conference.
But to the surprise of nearly everyone, the lower chamber rejected its farm bill.
The House failed to pass a major farm bill on Thursday after most Democrats joined with a handful of conservatives to scuttle the nearly $1 trillion legislation.
The House voted 195-234 to defeat the bill, which had been expected to pass. The Senate has already passed its own farm legislation.
Democrats, who were angry about the legislation's cuts to food stamp programs, largely opposed the measure. Conservative groups like the Club for Growth and the Koch Brothers-linked Americans for Prosperity had meanwhile ratcheted up pressure on Republican lawmakers to oppose the legislation.
Update: here's the roll call of today's vote.
From a progressive perspective, it's hard to shed tears over the bill's demise -- this was an awful, needlessly punitive piece of legislation. Its GOP proponents, without so much as a hint of shame, were a little too eager to redistribute wealth in the wrong direction -- punishing poor families and rewarding wealthy agricultural interests -- and their efforts to slash funds for food stamps bordered on cruel.
To be sure, even if the House had passed its bill, it wasn't going far given the scope of the opposition from Senate Democrats and an unambiguous veto threat from the Obama White House.
But the real takeaway here is that the House Republican leadership, once again, failed miserably: "The House defeated the farm bill resoundingly ... dealing another blow to Speaker John A. Boehner as he continues to struggle to move legislation opposed by conservative interest groups."
Keep in mind, the Speaker was heavily invested in this, personally intervening during the debate, urging his colleagues to follow his lead on stripping dairy subsidies from the bill. The amendment was successful, leaving Boehner feeling pretty good -- right up until the overall bill fell far short, catching him off-guard.
As for what happens now, it's not entirely clear, but the next move will probably be a temporary extension of the status quo, while GOP leaders redouble their efforts to learn how to count to 218.
Cantor plays the blame game (poorly)
Associated Press
The demise of the farm bill on the House floor today caught nearly everyone off-guard, but it's the House Republican leaders who look like chumps. House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.), and House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) have consistently struggled to lead effectively, but today was an especially ignominious failure -- they had no idea their bill couldn't pass.
But don't worry; the Republican leaders (I use the word loosely) know just who to blame.
"The question is: are Democrats in the House willing to govern, and today's demonstration proves that that might not be the case," Rory Cooper, the communications director for House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., told reporters.
Look, I don't mean to belabor the point, but the first step towards recovery is admitting you have a problem. About a third of the House Republican caucus broke ranks today and voted to kill their own caucus' farm bill. Some did so for ideological reasons (they wanted deeper cuts), some were motived by regional concerns (the agricultural industry in their areas would be adversely affected).
The bottom line was a clear defeat -- the House farm bill garnered 195 votes, 23 short of what was needed for passage.
Cantor's office is right to feel embarrassed, but it's time GOP leaders at least considered taking responsibility. It is, after all, what holding "leadership" positions is all about.
Cantor doesn't have to like Democrats or their agenda, but blaming their willingness to govern for today's outcome is ridiculous. Of course House Dems voted against this bill in droves -- it was a cruel piece of work, slashing investments in food stamps to a degree that even seemed extreme for today's GOP. Why blame the House minority for the demise of a bill backed by the House majority's leadership? For that matter, why would a Majority Leader with zero accomplishments in three years bring a willingness to govern in the first place?
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) was amazed by the Republicans' disarray this afternoon, telling reporter s, "It's silly. It's sad. It's juvenile. It's unprofessional. It's amateur hour."
One thing is for sure: we didn't see embarrassments like today's when Pelosi was carrying the gavel. Cantor should probably stop blaming her and start taking notes on how she ran the chamber so effectively.
Making an 'exodus' from a cruel, absurd initiative
Associated Press
For several years, the religious right took its "conversion therapy" campaign quite seriously, and it remained a leading movement priority, right up until it collapsed under the weight of its own ridiculousness.
To reiterate what we discussed in April, the religious right movement's main argument against LGBT rights has been that sexual orientation is a choice, and to that end, far-right groups and leaders became heavily invested in the 1990s in an effort to convince gay people that they could be "converted" to heterosexuality. An entire ministry was built around idea that Christian "therapy" could turn gay people straight.
A few months ago, John Paulk, the ministry's former chairman and chief spokesperson resigned, apologized, and conceded that his sexual orientation never actually changed, despite claims to the contrary. This week, the ministry itself has ceased to be.
A Christian ministry that was the leading proponent of the "ex-gay" movement -- which held that gays could be "cured" through prayer and psychotherapy -- said that it was ceasing operations amid widening internal rifts and growing skepticism of its mission.
The decision by the board of Exodus International to stop operating comes as the group's president, Alan Chambers, has been increasingly vocal in proclaiming that there was no cure for homosexuality and that therapy did not work in changing a person's sexual orientation. In a statement posted on the group's Web site Wednesday, he cited a recent letter he had written to gay men and lesbians.
"I am sorry for the pain and hurt many of you have experienced," he said in the letter. "I am sorry that some of you spent years working through the shame and guilt you felt when your attractions didn't change. I am sorry we promoted sexual orientation change efforts and reparative theories about sexual orientation that stigmatized parents."
The "conversion therapy" campaign was a cruel and pathetic initiative, which even many conservatives now prefer to forget. The demise of this faith-based campaign is welcome, though it clearly never should have been launched in the first place.
Back to the rhetorical drawing board
Associated Press
OK, Republicans, you now know that the pending immigration-reform bill drastically reduces the deficit without raising taxes, boost economic growth, improve the finances of the Social Security and Medicare systems, help private-sector employers, and begin to repair the damage between the GOP and Latino voters -- the fastest growing segment of the American electorate. Every argument you've floated thus far has been discredited, and you're out of excuses.
And yet, many of you still intend to kill the popular, bipartisan legislation.
The trick, at this point, is the difficulty in explaining why. "Because we hate immigrants" probably won't cut it. "Because our base hates immigrants" isn't any better. Your challenge is to come up with new talking points, and to do so quickly. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), maybe you have an idea on how to counter the fact that immigration reform will boost economic growth?
"This increased GDP will be at the expense of poor and working-class Americans. The benefit will go to the business owners while the wages of U.S. workers -- which should be growing -- will instead decline."
Right. So, according to Sessions, who has never expressed the slightest interest in looking out for low-income Americans, immigration reform will do too much to benefit the folks Republicans like to describe as "job creators." Business owners, he says, will benefit -- and for the first time in Sessions' adult life, he thinks that's a bad thing.
Maybe Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has a different approach that might be more compelling?
Well, it's .
...Cruz, on the Senate floor [Wednesday], made the argument that we should oppose immigration reform for the sake of undocumented immigrants. He stood before a blown-up picture of a graveyard as he solemnly eulogized on behalf of unnamed souls who had been killed crossing the border:
"No one who cares about our humanity would want to maintain a system where the border isn't secure," Cruz said, noting that "vulnerable women and children" are being preyed upon by drug dealers and are being "left to die in the desert."
So Cruz opposes the legislation backed by immigration advocates because he's so deeply worried about undocumented immigrants.
I'm afraid the GOP will have to do quite a bit better than this if they hope to (a) persuade others their opposition has merit; and (b) avoid blame if the reform effort collapses in the face of Republican opposition.
