Thursday, October 2, 2008

Cheat sheet: (Futile) Lobbying for a Better Bailout Bill

UPDATE II: It looks like there are now at least 13 Representatives publically reported in the various news media as changing their votes. Congratulations. Get to know your new $700 billion toxic assets, and look to see if one of the new tax breaks might be good for you.

Link to the bill on Senate website

PDF of bill at the Wall Street Journal (courtesy of Andrew Leonard)

Is lobbying for a better bill a futile notion, not just because I'm thinking about influencing at the last minute legislators with whom I have no relationship, but because something has to be done, and this is what's possible? (Thanks again to Andrew Leonard.)

UPDATE:

"Emboldened by the feverish bidding for votes, other members of both parties were demanding substantial changes to the legislation before they would vote for it. A group of Republican opponents indicated they'd back it if the price tag were slashed to $250 billion and several special tax breaks added by the Senate—including for children's archery bow makers, imported rum producers and racetrack owners _were removed. Democrats wanted to add a way to pay for the bailout and more help for homeowners staring at foreclosure."

Fun Facts About What's In the "New" Bill

Changing votes to yes

David Dreier (R?-CA)
Zach Wamp (R-TN)
John Shadegg (R-AZ)
Jim Gerlach (R-PA)
Tim Murphy (R-PA)
Patrick Tiberi (R-OH)
Steve LaTourette (R-OH)
Henry Cuellar (D-TX)
Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL)
Jim Ramstad (R-MN)
Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO)
Shelley Berkley (D-NV)

Changing votes to yes?

Doc Hastings (R-WA)
Gene Green (D-TX)
Earl Blumenauer (D-OR)
Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ)
Adam Schiff (D-CA)
Elijah Cummings (D-MD)
Donna Edwards (D-MD)
Other Arizonans?

Changing votes to no?

Spencer Bachus (R-AL)
Some Blue Dog Democrats?
Not changing yes votes: Dan Boren (D-OK), Jane Harman (D-CA), Jim Marshall (D-GA), Jim Cooper (D-TN)


Not changing

Marcy Kaptur (D-OH)
Steve King (R-IA)
Lloyd Doggett (D-TX)
Brad Sherman (D-CA)
Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD)
Pete Stark (D-CA)

Sources

AP 1
AP 2
Bloomberg
Baltimore Sun 1
Baltimore Sun 2
San Fran (Chron?)
Drudge's AP
AZ Republic
Drudge's AP 2

http://news.google.com/?ncl=1253382426&hl=en&rfilter=3&hubgeo=United+States

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008221336_econ02.html

2 Comments:

Blogger MickeyWhite said...

Marsha Blackburn (TN-7) is my congressman and she is NO conservative. She voted no the first time, but if they promise her a good committee assignment, she very well may change her vote (if it is close), if it appears to pass overwhelmingly, she may stick to Yes just to 'look' conservative.
Obama and McCain ? one of the same!
bluecollarrepublican.com

October 02, 2008 9:49 PM  
Blogger Blake said...

Thanks for the local insight. She sounds typical of most venal Congressfolk.

I think there will be a significant improvement in style of governance if we elect Obama instead of McCain, but I agree that as usual, there isn't nearly as much stated difference between them. I wish the Dems & GOP were replaced by the Greens & the Libertarians--and that third parties became a permanent presence & influence.

October 02, 2008 10:43 PM  

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