WASHINGTON (AP) — Suggesting an uphill fight for President Barack Obama, House members staking out positions are either opposed to or leaning against his plan for a U.S. military strike against Syria by more than a 6-1 margin, a survey by The Associated Press shows. The Senate is more evenly divided ahead of its vote […]
Congress
Posted inLetters
E. Ayer: Not the best candidate
Here we go again. Members of Congress are home on vacation to listen to people’s complaints of having Obamacare shoved down their throats with no regard for the consequences. But there are still no meetings scheduled to talk about it that I have heard about. Just another example of elected officials’ total disregard for the […]
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Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Kevin Raye says he will run for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District
AUGUSTA — Former Maine Senate President Kevin Raye says he’s running for Maine’s open 2nd Congressional District Seat and plans a formal announcement after Labor Day. Earlier this week, former Republican state treasurer Bruce Poliquin announced his candidacy. Raye, also a Republican, said at the time he wasn’t ready to make an announcement. But he […]
Posted inLetters
R. Lacombe: Time to restore America
When reflecting on the politicians who represent America, I feel no pride; nor do I feel safe. They make me feel sick and deeply depressed. Today’s America is not the America that I knew and loved. This isn’t the America my ancestors staked their lives upon. Today, big government reigns, enslaving the people, denying freedoms. […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Congress: Divided, discourteous — taking a break
WASHINGTON (AP) — The accomplishments are few, the chaos plentiful in the 113th Congress, a discourteous model of divided government now beginning a five-week break. “Have senators sit down and shut up, OK?” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid blurted out on Thursday as lawmakers milled about noisily at a time Sen. Susan Collins was trying […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Michaud, Pingree sponsor bill requiring 2-person train crews
PORTLAND — U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud on Friday introduced a bill that would mandate a minimum crew of two for freight trains in the aftermath of a runaway train derailment that killed 47 people in Canada. Canadian transportation officials already issued a directive banning solo-operator crews for trains hauling dangerous materials following the July 6 derailment […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Collins the only Republican supporting $54 billion transportation bill
WASHINGTON — Sen. Susan Collins of Maine was the only Senate Republican who voted for a $54 billion measure for transportation, housing and community development grants Thursday. The Senate Republicans killed it because it exceeded the spending limits required under automatic budget cuts that are the product of Washington’s failure to deal with its fiscal problems. […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
U.S. to send two Gitmo detainees back to Algeria
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration announced Friday its intention to repatriate two prisoners from the Guantanamo Bay detention facility to Algeria, the first such transfers in nearly a year. White House press secretary Jay Carney said in a statement that the Defense Department notified Congress of the transfers, which will be done “in a responsible […]
Posted inOur View
Is our Congress serious about getting to work?
Would that it were true. Could the U.S. Congress actually, finally, mercifully be seeking to end partisan gridlock? On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud and U.S. Sen. Angus King were among 80 elected officials who participated in a “Make Congress Work: No Labels” event as part of a long-term, problem-solving coalition. The aim of the […]