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If all goes as planned, the first session of the 110th Congress will end next week, but Congress still hasn’t finalized emergency funding for U.S. troops in Iraq and Afganistan. That reality continues to irritate President Bush.

“Congress has had plenty of time to consider the emergency funds our troops need. Time is running out,” Bush said in his weekly radio address. “And Pentagon officials say that continued delay in funding our troops will soon begin to have a damaging impact on the operations of our military. Congress’ responsibility is clear: They must deliver vital funds for our troops — and they must do it before they leave for Christmas.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California focused on a completely different subject in the Democratic address: energy legislation passed by her chamber. She touted provisions to improve fuel-efficiecy standards for vehicles and to foster the U.S. biofuels industry, among other things. The goal is to make the United States less dependent on foreign oil as an energy source.

“Our energy bill will strengthen our national security, protect consumers from spiraling energy prices, create jobs, and meet our moral obligation to preserve our planet for future generations,” Pelosi said. “It will tell the world that America is prepared to become a leader in addressing the global climate crisis.”

Categories: Military, California, Iraq, Environment, Nancy Pelosi, Weekly Radio Address, Energy, Budget

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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi served the National Republican Congressional Committee a video feast on an online silver platter today when she responded to Congress’ low approval ratings by saying that she is among those who would give low marks to the legislative body she helps lead.

Pelosi, D-Calif., made the comment in the context of Democrats in Congress not being able to stop President Bush from implementing his policies on the Iraq war, and she ultimately blamed Congress’ ineffectiveness on Bush. But that’s not the headline embraced by the NRCC, which is the campaign arm of House Republicans, or by the media.

Ironically, Pelosi’s admission that she disapproves of Congress’ record came on a day when she and other House leaders celebrated the first year of the 110th Congress

Categories: California, Producer's Picks, Iraq, 110th Congress, Nancy Pelosi

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Rep. Anna Eshoo is becoming a regular at “America’s Business,” the weekly video podcast produced by the National Association of Manufacturers. Last week, NAM aired a segment from the California Democrat about banning taxes on Internet access; this week, Eshoo talked about her bill to foster health information technology in America.

“I don’t think I have to remind the listeners that we live in an information age but that our healthcare system really remains mired in a pen-and-paper past,” Eshoo said. She added, “This is really the last large sector in our nation that for all intents and purposes remains untouched by information technology, so I think it’s about time.”

Categories: California, Health, Technology, Anna Eshoo

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The National Republican Congressional Committee, which is the campaign arm of House Republicans, has produced a series of videos that features GOP lawmakers making the case for putting them in charge of Congress again.

The last of the series, titled “Rediscovering Your Party,” went online Friday. “We’re returning to our roots of fiscal discipline, traditional values, reform, and defense and homeland security,” says Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana.

Other participants in the series were: Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee; Minority Whip Roy Blunt of Missouri; Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio; NRCC Chairman Tom Cole of Oklahoma; Jeb Hensarling of Texas; Kevin McCarthy of California; Patrick McHenry of North Carolina; and Candice Miller of Michigan.

The earlier videos covered topics like: earmarks in spending bills; accountability and transparency for federal spending; opposition to the “fairness doctrine” that once required equal time for competing viewpoints on the airwaves; and the Republicans’ prospects for regaining the House majority in 2008.

Categories: Military, House, California, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Politics, Kevin McCarthy, Terrorism, Budget, Economy, Roy Blunt, John Boehner, Social Policy, Marsha Blackburn, Patrick McHenry, Candice Miller, Tom Cole, Jeb Hensarling

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House Democrats today resurrected the debate over legislation to reauthorize and expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, known as S-CHIP. The chamber passed the bill, dubbed “S-CHIP 2.O,” by a vote of 265-142.

President Bush vetoed an earlier bill on the subject and the House failed to override his veto. House Republicans largely opposed the bill and forced numerous procedural votes to stall passage.

Here are video excerpts of the debate from: Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.; Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio; Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.; Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas; Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y.; and Hilda Solis, D-Calif.