No fireworks here
WASHINGTON–Lawmakers are easing back into the legislative groove after a week-long 4th of July recess. On the agenda in the Senate are some pre-break leftovers—a housing rescue bill, terrorist surveillance legislation, and a Medicare payment fix for doctors, all items the Senate was supposed to finish before the holiday.And don’t expect fireworks from the House, where lawmakers will consider a bevy of non-controversial “suspension” bills along with the Electronic Message Preservation Act and two natural resources measures.
There is at least one item of local interest: a bill renaming a post office in West Frankfort, Ill., after the former congressman from that region, ex-Rep. Kenneth Gray, a Democrat. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Belleville, would name the post office at 219 East Main Street the “Kenneth James Gray Post Office Building.”
Great news!!!
The Senate voted 69-30 today in favor of proceeding to final passage on the Medicare payment fix for doctors.
18 Republican Senators voted Yes.
McCain is the ONLY Senator who missed the vote — he said he would have voted NO.
Bush says he will VETO the bill.
The bill passed in the House by a vote of 355-59.
Shame on McCain. Shame on Bush. Shame on Kit Bond. They want to kill Medicare.