SWAC Girl: January 2012

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Campaign 2012: Florida goes into Mitt Romney column

In the winner-takes-all state of Florida, the stakes were high and the battle was brutal. But in the end, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney won it all and now heads to Nevada.

With 98 percent of Florida's precincts reporting, Romney was leading with 46% , Newt Gingrich had 32%, Rick Santorum had 13%, and Ron Paul came in fourth with 7% of the vote.

The Romney “Believe in America” campaign celebrated the win, writing to supporters:

Thank you, Florida! And thanks to all of you who have volunteered and supported our campaign to restore America.

This was a hard-earned victory, so thank you.

And while we celebrate this primary victory, we must not forget what this election is really about: defeating Barack Obama.

We now move on to Nevada — another state that has been devastated by President Obama’s failed leadership.

Across our nation today, 24 million Americans are struggling for work, 2.8 million Americans have lost their homes, and our national debt now exceeds $15 trillion. This is simply unacceptable. We can — and must — do much better.

Three years ago, President Obama told the American people that if he couldn’t get our economy turned around by 2012, he’d be looking at a one-term proposition. Well, he was right — it’s time to hold him accountable.

All eyes now turn to Saturday’s Nevada primary as the candidates leave Florida and head into that four-day marathon.

U.S. House schedule for Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012

From Majority Leader Eric Cantor....

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1ST
On Wednesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business. First and last votes expected: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

One Minute Speeches (15 per side)

Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:

1) H.R. 3835 - To extend the pay limitation for Members of Congress and Federal Employees (Sponsored by Rep. Sean Duffy / Oversight and Government Reform Committee)

2) H.Res. 496 - Adjusting the amount provided for the expenses of certain committees of the House of Representatives in the One Hundred Twelfth Congress (Sponsored by Rep. Daniel Lungren / House Administration Committee)

3) H.R. 3567 - Welfare Integrity Now for Children and Families Act of 2011, as amended (Sponsored by Rep. Charles Boustany / Ways and Means Committee)

H.R. 1173 - Fiscal Responsibility and Retirement Security Act of 2011 (Modified Open Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Charles Boustany / Energy and Commerce Committee / Ways and Means Committee)

The rule provides for one hour of general debate and makes in order only those amendments that have been preprinted in the Congressional Record not later than the legislative day of Tuesday, January 31, 2012. The rule also provides that the bill shall be considered for amendment for a period not to exceed three hours.

Democratic Motion to Instruct Conferees on H.R. 3630 - Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011 (One Hour of Debate) (Offered by Rep. Michael Michaud)

Special Order Speeches

COMMITTEE ACTIVITY OF THE DAY
Natural Resources Committee Markup of “Energy Jobs and Revenue Portion of American Energy Infrastructure & Jobs Act” (Wednesday, February 1st, at 10:00 a.m.)

Printable PDF

'Tebow Bill' may face defeat Wednesday

Governor Bob McDonnell (R) is for it. Delegate Rob Bell (R- 58th House) sponsored it. The Family Foundation backs it. Home Educators Association of Virginia (HEAV) also backs it.

HB 947, affectionately known as the "Tebow Bill" (see background here), is in danger of being voted down ... again ... by the House Education committee that includes local Delegates Steve Landes (R-25th House) and Dickie Bell (R-20th House) who represent Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County.

The Family Foundation sent out a robocall Tuesday night alerting homeschoolers in the 20th District that Dickie Bell had indicated he would not support the bill in the House Education committee vote that may come as early at 9:00 Wednesday morning. Contact information was included to contact Del Bell: (804) 698-1120 or email DelDBell@house.virginia.gov and ask that he vote yes for HB 947.

The bill was voted out of the House Education sub-committee on January 27, just as it has in previous years. The next vote is where it fails year after year.

A sunset amendment was attached to the bill by Del. Landes that would limit it to a four-year trial period and, at that time, it would need to be re-voted on.

Reportedly the reason Dickie Bell opposes the bill is because it may expose homeschooled students to things they may not consider appropriate, something that crosses over into decisions made by capable parents.

I left a message at Del. Bell's office late this afternoon to learn more and to ask for confirmation but as of the time of publication of this post, I had not heard from him or his staff.

Twenty states across the country allow homeschool access and it has worked for them. Perhaps it's time for the discriminatory homeschool stereotypes to go away in Virginia starting with Del. Bob Tata (R-85th House) who made a very offensive comment concerning homeschoolers:

"I guess what you'd have is sort of like a bunch of adolescent free agents," Tata said with a laugh. "But how would you control it? I mean, you could have some 6 (foot) 4 (inch) gorilla at home who can't read or write but can run a 4.4-second 40-yard dash." [emphasis added]

Kudos to Rob Bell for his continuous support of homeschool families by again submitting the homeschool sports access bill this year and not giving up, something those families may remember when he runs for Attorney General in 2013.

AFP-VA Day at the Capitol

AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY - VIRGINIA

INVITES YOU TO RIDE THE (free) BUS

TO JOIN US AT OUR ANNUAL

DAY AT THE CAPITOL, RICHMOND

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 7

SPECIAL GUESTS INCLUDE

AFP PRESIDENT TIM PHILLIPS

LT. GOVERNOR BILL BOLLING

ATTY. GEN. KEN CUCCINELLI, DELEGATES BEN CLINE AND BRENDA POGGE

LUNCH IS PROVIDED!!

The buses will depart from the Daleville Kroger, Lexington WalMart, Staunton WalMart, Charlottesville Hilton Garden Inn - Pantops, Virginia Beach Indian River Park and Ride, Hampton Coliseum Circle Mall (behind Target), and Williamsburg Walmart (Lightfoot). Departure times will be announced shortly. Please make plans to join us! RSVP today!!

More information to come.

Info: Email Trixie Averill

... and further still as it overlooks the ski runs. The solitude of this house seems to suggest a peaceful retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the resort.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
30 January 2012