LynnRMitchell.com endorsement: Ed Gillespie for U.S. Senate

LynnRMitchell.com Editorial

LynnRMitchell.com enthusiastically endorses Republican candidate Ed Gillespie for U.S. Senate 2014. His vision for the Commonwealth has re-energized Virginia’s citizens who have felt unrepresented by incumbent Mark Warner and, in the gridlock that is Washington politics, Mr. Gillespie brings fresh ideas with his proposed EG2 economic plan for Virginia. He is positive and optimistic, and has carried that upbeat attitude on the campaign trail with his belief that “the old normal is the new mediocre. We can do better.”  (continue reading here)

U.S. House schedule for Tuesday, October 8, 2013

From Majority Leader Eric Cantor's office....

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8TH
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business. First votes expected: 1:30-2:00 p.m. Last votes expected: 3:00-3:30 p.m.

One Minute Speeches

H.J.Res. 84 - Head Start for Low-Income Children Act (Closed Rule, 40 Minutes of Debate) (Sponsored by Rep. Harold Rogers / Appropriations Committee)

H.J.Res. 83 - Impact Aid for Local Schools Act (Closed Rule, 40 Minutes of Debate) (Sponsored by Rep. Harold Rogers / Appropriations Committee)

Special Order Speeches

Printable PDF

U.S. House schedule for Monday, October 7, 2013

From Majority Leader Eric Cantor's office....

MONDAY, OCTOBER 7TH
On Monday, the House will meet at 12:00 p.m. for morning hour and 2:00 p.m. for legislative business. Votes will be postponed until 6:30 pm.

One Minute Speeches

H.J.Res. 77 - Food and Drug Safety Act (Closed Rule, 40 Minutes of Debate) (Sponsored by Rep. Robert Aderholt / Appropriations Committee) 

Special Order Speeches

Printable PDF

My two cents: Government shutdown ... so what has been accomplished?

So here we are on Day 3 of the Government Shutdown. Nothing has been accomplished and there's no end in sight.

There's enough blame to go around on all sides of this debacle but the show horses of the Republican Right, led by Ted Cruz and encouraged by Rand Paul and Marco Rubio, got their way even though past history predicted a train wreck.

If Mr. Cruz had been paying attention, he would have realized the backlash was going to be against him. From all accounts, he entered the battle without a survival plan or exit strategy. If this was to help pad his presidential hopes, it certainly didn't show good leadership skills. A poll before the shutdown showed 71 percent of Americans were against it, and a poll released after the shutdown showed 72 percent of Americans were against it. Clearly, it was going to be a suicide mission for Republicans.

The problem with these kinds of stunts is the unintended and unexpected consequences that emerge and hit mainstream media and social media. The Washington Post today lists ten of the more serious ones.

For some, the thought of being furloughed without a paycheck is a scary proposition. Imagine having a mortgage, car payment(s), and daily living expenses only to lose your income or have it delayed. Sure, the investment types talk about having six months' worth of income bankrolled for a rainy day, but how many have truly been able to do that? With the constant financial demands of raising a family, many find themselves living paycheck-to-paycheck.

Military families are impacted and commissaries were shut down on bases around the country.

On Tuesday, a group of elderly World War II veterans were so ticked off when they saw the World War II memorial closed that they pushed aside barricades set up by the government, and visited anyway. Most were from out of state on probably the only chance they will ever have to see this memorial erected by the American people to honor the service of those who saved not only America but the world. As many noted, these men had scaled the cliffs of Normandy in their youth. A barrier was not about to block them, and the news spread like wildfire through Twitter and Facebook.

For those of us who live in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, it's ridiculous to have the gates closed to Shenandoah National Park at the start of leaf season, blocking the scenic Skyline Drive as well as access to lodges and hiking trails utilized by thousands. Is the down-time going to be added to season passes to make up for the lost days? It's a mere inconvenience to us but not for those from overseas or states across the country who had planned October visits to this well-known national park, nor to workers who are now on furlough and out of work.

Even though a last-minute decision by the National Park Service kept the Blue Ridge Parkway open, all facilities along this 470-mile ridgetop drive have been shuttered. That leaves tourists helpless as they drive past Mabry Mill, Peaks of Otter, campgrounds, restaurants, and visitor centers not to mention restrooms.

For communities bordering national parks throughout the country, the loss of tourist dollars is going to hurt big-time, pushing some who were hanging on by a thread over the brink. Peaks of Otter near Bedford had just reopened; will it recover from this unexpected shutdown? On the Outer Banks, the lighthouses are closed as well as NPS-controlled beaches.

The News Virginian made good sense in Wednesday's editorial, Congress needs to rethink priorities:

If the government is shutting down, why haven’t they turned off the lights? That was a random thought from our staff Monday night, while following the House and Senate debates. Midnight passed, all of the deadlines expired and members of both parties talked about how the government was shut down now. Yet a government which shut down Shenandoah National Park Tuesday morning due to lack of funds kept the lights going as both parties argued whose fault it was, long into the night.

They added:

Let’s be realistic. Whether you agree with the Affordable Care Act or not, nobody is going to defund it. House members can vote another 40 times and while it looks good on paper, nothing is actually accomplished. The Democrat-controlled Senate is not going to vote to shut down something that President Obama has made a key part of his legacy.

While many were against ObamaCare, News Leader columnist Matthew Poteat makes a valid point:

Take for example the willingness of a small but influential bunch of House Republicans to shut down the Federal government because they oppose implementing the Affordable Care Act. Never mind that the law was passed by due process, signed into law by a duly elected (and reelected) president, and validated by the Supreme Court.

It was the reelection of Barack Obama that showed the majority of Americans were in favor of ObamaCare. Republicans fought it for three years and lost. That's the way our system works. If the shoe was on the other foot and Democrats were pulling this stunt, Republicans would be excoriating them for ignoring the will of the people.

I'm weary of the hypocrisy from both sides of the political aisle. That includes the hypocrisy of Congressional members who are exempted in what many consider an odious law. What's good for the American people should be good enough for our elected leaders who voted for the Affordable Care Act.

No one is going to emerge from this fight unscathed but, sadly, Republicans are going to bear the blunt of the blame which brings to mind that explanation of insanity: "Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results."

U.S. House schedule for Wednesday, October 2, 2013

From Majority Leader Eric Cantor....

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2ND
On Wednesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business. First votes expected: 1:30-2:30 p.m. Last votes expected: 5:30-6:30 p.m.

One Minute Speeches

Consideration of Legislation Related to Critical Funding of Government Operations

Special Order Speeches

COMMITTEE ACTIVITY OF THE DAY
Small Business Committee hearing on “The Challenge of Retirement Savings for Small Employers” (Wednesday, October 2nd, at 1:00 p.m.)

Printable PDF

U.S. House schedule for Monday, September 30, 2013

From Majority Leader Eric Cantor....

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30TH
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for legislative business.
First votes expected: not before 11:00 a.m. Last votes expected: TBD.

One Minute Speeches

Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:

1) H.R. 3174 - To authorize the Secretary of Transportation to obligate funds for emergency relief projects arising from damage caused by severe weather events in 2013, and for other purposes (Sponsored by Rep. Cory Gardner / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)

2) S. 1348 - Congressional Award Act Program Reauthorization Act of 2013 (Sponsored by Sen. Thomas Carper / Education and the Workforce Committee)

Further consideration of H.J.Res. 59 - Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 (Sponsored by Rep. Harold Rogers / Appropriations Committee)

Special Order Speeches

COMMITTEE ACTIVITY OF THE DAY
Rules Committee meeting on “H.R. 992, Swaps Regulatory Improvement Act; H.R. 2374, Retail Investor Protection Act” (Monday, September 30th, at 5:00 p.m.)

Printable PDF

Strong opposition to government shutdown includes Republicans

The first paragraph of Byron York's article in the Washington Examiner says it all:

"A new poll done for Republican members of Congress has found huge public opposition, and solid opposition among Republicans, to the idea of shutting down the government over the issue of funding Obamacare."

An overwhelming 71 percent of Americans do not want a repeat of 1995 when Republicans shut down the government for three weeks. Even 61 percent of Republican women don't want to see Republicans go through with such a plan.

For those who were not paying attention in 1995 when the GOP shut down the government, it wasn't pretty. Google it. Or listen to the voices of experiences who have been there and done that, like Senator Saxby Chambliss, 69, and Joe Scarborough who was a congressman at the time.

Now a poll, commissioned by Republicans, is confirming that a shutdown will not bode well for the GOP. Will those "show horses" of the U.S. Senate, as the New York Times called Rand Paul of Kentucky, Ted Cruz of Texas, and Marco Rubio of Florida, continue to push for it?

Byron York, like others, can look at this poll and read the tea leaves:

"But there is no doubt defunding advocates anticipate a possible shutdown; their hope is to persuade the public to blame President Obama, and not Republicans, for it. The new numbers suggest they will have a lot of persuading to do."

It brings to mind once again American philosopher George Santayana's much-quoted belief, "Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it." Hopefully, GOP leadership and experienced voices will be able to stop the proposed fallacy.

U.S. House schedule for Wednesday, June 5, 2013

From Majority Leader Eric Cantor....

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5TH
On Wednesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business. First votes expected: 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. Last votes expected: evening.

One Minute Speeches

Begin consideration of H.R. 2217 - Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2014 (Open Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. John Carter / Appropriations Committee)

The rule provides for one hour of general debate and makes in order any amendment offered that complies with the House rules.

Special Order Speeches

COMMITTEE ACTIVITY OF THE DAY
Armed Services Committee markup of “H.R. 1960, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014” (Wednesday, June 5th, at 10:00 a.m.)

Printable PDF

National Review: "Exit Barney Frank"

The news on Monday that Congressman Barney Frank would not seek reelection to the U.S. Congress sent a buzz throughout news outlets. An editorial at the National Review said, "Representative Frank will be remembered as an embarrassment, a reckless gambler, and a legislative malefactor."

The American Spectator noted, "Barney Frank decided that introducing himself to a new set of constituents and asking for their votes was too high a price to continue wielding power. Thus with his congressional district redrawn, the Massachusetts Democrat will not seek reelection to Congress next year."

Barney is the latest  Democrat to announce he will not be back making some wonder if he is a bellwether for Democrats in D.C. Seventeen Democrats have announced they will not return prompting The Fix to comment that, "... the number of Democratic retirements in the next couple months will be a key indicator of whether the rank-and-file truly believe the majority is attainable. As President Obama’s numbers continue to languish and the economy struggle, some may see the goal slipping away."

Not all are happy to see him go, however ... his escapades in the House were legendary. Michelle Cottle at The Daily Beast commented, "... much of the time he barely bothers being civil to those he does like. It is part of the prickly, impatient Dem’s charm. Part of what makes Barney Barney—along with his lightning wit, his unnerving intellect, his naked arrogance, and his lax approach to personal grooming."

A fixture on the Hill for 32 years, Barney Frank partially blamed Congress for his leaving, calling the government body "broken."

"To my disappointment, the leverage you have within the government has substantially diminished,” Frank told Politico's Jonathan Allen. “The anger in the country, the currents of opinion are such that the kind of inside work I have felt best at is not going to be as productive in the foreseeable future and not until we make some changes.”

But decisions made by Frank over the years have contributed to the mood of the country and the anger of voters whether he wants to admit it or not. National Review perhaps said it best:

From his relatively petty transgressions related to his personal life to his more consequential role in enabling Fannie and Freddie, Representative Frank personifies a great deal of what is wrong with American public life. Though a highly intelligent man, he made the wrong decisions at every turn, and compounded his policy errors with the petty and vindictive style of his politics. Republicans will not miss him. Neither should his Democratic colleagues, his constituents, or the American public that will be paying off the cost of his errors and those of his allies, with interest, for a great many years. We hope that he will find in the obscurity of retirement the grace and wisdom that eluded him as an elected official, but we do not assume that it will be so.

Krystle at Bearing Drift has more and concluded, "It's a good thing Frank is retiring."

Va Rep. Forbes votes for 'In God We Trust' ... Rep. Bobby Scott votes against

Congressman Randy Forbes (R-VA) and the overwhelming majority of Congress voted on Tuesday to reaffirm that the motto of the United States of America is, "In God We Trust."

The national motto is not, as President Barack Obama stated last year in Jakarta, Indonesia, "E Pluribus Unum," which in Latin means, "Out of many, one."

Despite the fact the mainstream media didn't laugh Obama out of Washington over that one (insert here, "If it had been George W. Bush...."), by reaffirming "In God We Trust," Congress' action was meant to encourage the motto's display in public schools and government buildings. It may also help in the battle against those who want God removed from the public domain in America.

Audrey Hudson with Human Events reported that the resolution needed two-thirds approval to pass and did so easily with a vote of 396-9. Eight of the votes against it were Democrats and one was Republican.

Here's a news flash for those of you in Virginia's 3rd Congressional District: Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) voted against it. In addition to Scott, the seven other Democrats who voted against it were Representatives Gary Ackerman (D-NY), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Judy Chu (D-CA), Mike Honda (D-CA), Pete Stark (D-CA), Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), and Henry Johnson (D-GA).

The lone Republican to vote against it was Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI) who was supported by the tea party in 2010.

Addressing Congress, Forbes pointedly called out the President on the issue:

"For the President of the United States to incorrectly state something as foundational as our national motto in another country is unacceptable. The President is the primary representative of our nation to the world, and whether mistake or intention, his actions cast aside an integral part of American society. We need to make clear to the people in this country that our motto is 'In God We Trust,' and encourage them to proudly display that motto."

After dissent from the Democrat side of the aisle, Rep. Jeff Miller (R-FL) summed it up with thoughts from an earlier president by noting, "Yes, there are attacks on God, every day. As President Reagan​ said, 'If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.' "

Karen Kwiatkowski to take on Goodlatte for 6th District congressional seat

Standing on the steps of the Augusta County Courthouse Thursday in downtown Staunton, against a noisy background of mid-day traffic with two of her four children and several other supporters holding campaign signs,  Karen Kwiatkowski formally announced her candidacy for U.S. Congress.

With a campaign slogan to "Reduce, Redirect, and Rein-In" the federal government and hoping for a series of debates, the Shenandoah County resident is running as a Republican and will seek the GOP nomination in 2012 against long-time incumbent Republican Congressman Bob Goodlatte, 58. It will be the first time Goodlatte has been challenged from within the party since taking office in 1992.

Another Shenandoah County resident, Democrat Andrew Schmookler, announced earlier this year that he planned to run for the seat.

Kwiatkowski, 50, is a retired Lieutenant Colonel who spent 20 years in the United States Air Force who was at her desk in the Pentagon when the terrorist attack took place on 9/11. Self-described as a Shenandoah Valley farmer, military veteran, parent, grandparent, and teacher, she has extensive and varied background in academia and writing.

A Ron Paul supporter, she called herself a "conservative constitutionalist from the liberty wing of the GOP,"  and added, "Certain parts of the GOP talk the talk but don't walk the walk."

She has co-authored a book about Ron Paul and counts his backers among her supporters. Indeed, she was even been mentioned as a possible vice presidential candidate for Ron Paul's presidential run.

Her educational background includes an MA in Government from Harvard, an MS in Science Management from the University of Alaska, completed both Air Command and Staff College and the Naval War College seminar programs, and has a Ph.D. in world politics from Catholic University of America.

Kwiatkowski is critical of Goodlatte, claiming he appears to have lost his conservative roots and bends to the will of party bosses. She did not support his vote for the "fear-driven Patriot Act, violating the Constitution, growing government, and reducing liberty," noting she would fight to repeal it to restore "common sense, Constitutionality, and liberty."

Goodlatte, she said, had pursued a twenty-year career as a member of Congress despite promises to limit his terms. If elected, she would seek to reduce Congressional salaries, end the Congressional retirement program, and demand that Congressmen purchase their own private health insurance.

On defense, she objected to Goodlatte's vote for what she described as the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan and the attacks on Libya, and viewed much of the US. overseas military budget as wasteful and at times, unlawful. She was also critical of his votes over the years to raise the federal government's borrowing limit "in direct defiance of Virginia's lawsuit against it."

The 6th District nomination will take place next year in a primary or convention. "I must gain the confidence of the people of the 6th District, and I must also gain the confidence of the Republican establishment in the 6th District," she noted. "We have been to many parts of the District in the past few months, talking to people who grew up here, who live here, who work here and who have retired here. What we are hearing is that they are sick of status quo politics. There is a sense that we are being governed by politicians who do not care what we know, what we want, and what we can afford."

More coverage of this event can be found at the Waynesboro News Virginian, Staunton News Leader, and NBC-29.

Karen Kwiatkowski announces bid for U.S. Congress at Augusta County Courthouse.

Karen Kwiatkowski

Cross-posted at Bearing Drift

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
18 August 2011

Vet from Moran town hall appears on Fox & Friends

Thursday night Virginia Democratic Rep. Jim Moran (8th Congressional District) was conducting  a town hall meeting when he was asked a question by a disabled military veteran. Moran's disrespect and rudeness in responding to the vet were captured on videotape and spread by Rush Limbaugh, Hot Air, Weekly Standard, and Fox News.


This morning the military vet was a guest on Fox & Friends as he talked with anchor Steve Doocy about the incident. Wayne Tunick, a 27-year U.S. Navy veteran, attended the town hall to ask why Congress was on the verge of a shutdown that would stop paychecks to military men and women including active troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. He also questioned why Moran was conducting a town hall instead of being in DC working on a resolution to the budget crisis.


When Moran commented that Tunick was making "caustic" remarks,  Tunick took exception and told the Congressman so. That resulted in Moran telling the veteran to be quiet and sit down.


Another town hall attendee taped the entire episode and it quickly went viral on Friday. I wrote about it at the Washington Examiner as well as others who called attention to the exchange.


Moran's office responded to the incident by saying there were people waiting in line waiting and they couldn't disrupt those wanting to ask questions. When asked by Doocy about that, Tunick said there were not a number of people in line behind him ... there was one person.


His motivation, he said, was the ultimate leadership lesson he learned from the military: number one is you always take care of your troops. The troops, he told Doocy, did not need to worry about a government shutdown cutting off their paychecks with their spouses wondering whether they would be able to pay the bills.

With a late-night deal struck with Congress at the eleventh hour Friday, there will be no government shutdown.