Macaca
05-05 07:15 AM
Democrats' Momentum Is Stalling (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/04/AR2007050402262.html) Amid Iraq Debate, Priorities On Domestic Agenda Languish By Jonathan Weisman and Lyndsey Layton (http://projects.washingtonpost.com/staff/email/jonathan+weisman+and+lyndsey+layton/) Washington Post Staff Writers, Saturday, May 5, 2007
In the heady opening weeks of the 110th Congress, the Democrats' domestic agenda appeared to be flying through the Capitol: Homeland security upgrades, a higher minimum wage and student loan interest rate cuts all passed with overwhelming bipartisan support.
But now that initial progress has foundered as Washington policymakers have been consumed with the debate over the Iraq war. Not a single priority on the Democrats' agenda has been enacted, and some in the party are growing nervous that the "do nothing" tag they slapped on Republicans last year could come back to haunt them.
"We cannot be a one-trick pony," said House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel (Ill.), who helped engineer his party's takeover of Congress as head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. "People voted for change, but Iraq, the economy and Washington, D.C., [corruption] all tied for first place. We need to do them all."
The "Six for '06" policy agenda on which Democrats campaigned last year was supposed to consist of low-hanging fruit, plucked and put in the basket to allow Congress to move on to tougher targets. House Democrats took just 10 days to pass a minimum-wage increase, a bill to implement most of the homeland security recommendations of the Sept. 11 commission, a measure allowing federal funding for stem cell research, another to cut student-loan rates, a bill allowing the federal government to negotiate drug prices under Medicare, and a rollback of tax breaks for oil and gas companies to finance alternative-energy research.
The Senate struck out on its own, with a broad overhaul of the rules on lobbying Congress.
Not one of those bills has been signed into law. President Bush signed 16 measures into law through April, six more than were signed by this time in the previous Congress. But beyond a huge domestic spending bill that wrapped up work left undone by Republicans last year, the list of achievements is modest: a beefed-up board to oversee congressional pages in the wake of the Mark Foley scandal, and the renaming of six post offices, including one for Gerald R. Ford in Vail, Colo., as well as two courthouses, including one for Rush Limbaugh Sr. in Cape Girardeau, Mo.
The minimum-wage bill got stalled in a fight with the Senate over tax breaks to go along with the wage increase. In frustration, Democratic leaders inserted a minimum-wage agreement into a bill to fund the Iraq war, only to see it vetoed.
Similar homeland security bills were passed by the House and the Senate, only to languish as attention shifted to the Iraq debate. Last week, family members of those killed on Sept. 11, 2001, gathered in Washington to demand action.
"We've waited five and a half years since 9/11," said Carie Lemack, whose mother died aboard one of the planes that crashed into the World Trade Center in New York. "We waited three years since the 9/11 commission. We can't wait anymore."
House and Senate staff members have begun meeting, with the goal of reporting out a final bill by Memorial Day, but they concede that the deadline is likely to slip, in part because members of the homeland security committees of both chambers, the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the two intelligence committees all want their say. The irony, Lemack said, is that such cumbersomeness is precisely why the Sept. 11 commission recommended the creation of powerful umbrella security committees with such broad jurisdiction that other panels could not muscle their way in. That was one recommendation Congress largely disregarded.
The Medicare drug-negotiations bill died in the Senate, after Republicans refused to let it come up for debate. House Democrats are threatening to attach the bill to must-pass government funding bills.
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, has proposed his own student-loan legislation, but it is to be part of a huge higher-education bill that may not reach the committee until June.
The House's relatively simple energy bill faces a similar fate. The Senate has in mind a much larger bill that would ease bringing alternative fuels to market, regulate oil and gas futures trading, raise vehicle and appliance efficiency standards, and reform federal royalty payments to finance new energy technologies.
The voters seem to have noticed the stall. An ABC News-Washington Post poll last month found that 73 percent of Americans believe Congress has done "not too much" or "nothing at all." A memo from the Democratic polling firm Democracy Corps warned last month that the stalemate between Congress and Bush over the war spending bill has knocked down the favorable ratings of Congress and the Democrats by three percentage points and has taken a greater toll on the public's hope for a productive Congress.
"The primary message coming out of the November election was that the American people are sick and tired of the fighting and the gridlock, and they want both the president and Congress to start governing the country," warned Leon E. Panetta, a chief of staff in Bill Clinton's White House. "It just seems to me the Democrats, if they fail for whatever reason to get a domestic agenda enacted . . . will pay a price."
Republicans are already trying to extract that price. Sen. Jon Kyl (Ariz.), chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, said Democrats are just "trying to score political points on the war. . . . Part of their party can't conceive of anything else to talk about but the war."
Norman J. Ornstein, a Congress watcher at the American Enterprise Institute, said a Congress's productivity is not measured solely on the number of bills signed into law. Bills and resolutions approved by either chamber totaled 165 during the first four months of this Congress, compared with 72 in 2005. And Congress recorded 415 roll-call votes, compared with 264 when Republicans were in charge and the House GOP leaders struggled to impose their agenda on a closely divided Senate.
Democratic leaders remain hopeful that a burst of activity will put the doubts about them to rest. They have promised to pass a war funding bill and a minimum-wage increase that Bush can sign, to complete a budget blueprint and to finish the homeland security bill by Memorial Day. The House wants to pass defense and intelligence bills, its own lobbying measure and the first gun-control legislation since 1994, which would tighten the national instant-check system for gun purchases. The Senate hopes to complete a comprehensive overhaul of immigration laws.
Rep. Chris Van Hollen (Md.), chairman of the House Democratic campaign committee, said his party needs to get some achievements under its belt, but not until voters begin to focus on the campaigns next year. "People understand the Democrats in Congress are doing everything in their power to move an agenda forward, doing everything possible to change direction in the war in Iraq, and the president is standing in the way," he said.
Kyl was not so sanguine. If accomplishments are not in the books by this fall, he said, the Democrats will find their achievements eclipsed by the 2008 presidential race. Panetta agreed.
"This leadership, these Democrats have shown that they can fight," he said. "Now they have to show they can govern."
In the heady opening weeks of the 110th Congress, the Democrats' domestic agenda appeared to be flying through the Capitol: Homeland security upgrades, a higher minimum wage and student loan interest rate cuts all passed with overwhelming bipartisan support.
But now that initial progress has foundered as Washington policymakers have been consumed with the debate over the Iraq war. Not a single priority on the Democrats' agenda has been enacted, and some in the party are growing nervous that the "do nothing" tag they slapped on Republicans last year could come back to haunt them.
"We cannot be a one-trick pony," said House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel (Ill.), who helped engineer his party's takeover of Congress as head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. "People voted for change, but Iraq, the economy and Washington, D.C., [corruption] all tied for first place. We need to do them all."
The "Six for '06" policy agenda on which Democrats campaigned last year was supposed to consist of low-hanging fruit, plucked and put in the basket to allow Congress to move on to tougher targets. House Democrats took just 10 days to pass a minimum-wage increase, a bill to implement most of the homeland security recommendations of the Sept. 11 commission, a measure allowing federal funding for stem cell research, another to cut student-loan rates, a bill allowing the federal government to negotiate drug prices under Medicare, and a rollback of tax breaks for oil and gas companies to finance alternative-energy research.
The Senate struck out on its own, with a broad overhaul of the rules on lobbying Congress.
Not one of those bills has been signed into law. President Bush signed 16 measures into law through April, six more than were signed by this time in the previous Congress. But beyond a huge domestic spending bill that wrapped up work left undone by Republicans last year, the list of achievements is modest: a beefed-up board to oversee congressional pages in the wake of the Mark Foley scandal, and the renaming of six post offices, including one for Gerald R. Ford in Vail, Colo., as well as two courthouses, including one for Rush Limbaugh Sr. in Cape Girardeau, Mo.
The minimum-wage bill got stalled in a fight with the Senate over tax breaks to go along with the wage increase. In frustration, Democratic leaders inserted a minimum-wage agreement into a bill to fund the Iraq war, only to see it vetoed.
Similar homeland security bills were passed by the House and the Senate, only to languish as attention shifted to the Iraq debate. Last week, family members of those killed on Sept. 11, 2001, gathered in Washington to demand action.
"We've waited five and a half years since 9/11," said Carie Lemack, whose mother died aboard one of the planes that crashed into the World Trade Center in New York. "We waited three years since the 9/11 commission. We can't wait anymore."
House and Senate staff members have begun meeting, with the goal of reporting out a final bill by Memorial Day, but they concede that the deadline is likely to slip, in part because members of the homeland security committees of both chambers, the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the two intelligence committees all want their say. The irony, Lemack said, is that such cumbersomeness is precisely why the Sept. 11 commission recommended the creation of powerful umbrella security committees with such broad jurisdiction that other panels could not muscle their way in. That was one recommendation Congress largely disregarded.
The Medicare drug-negotiations bill died in the Senate, after Republicans refused to let it come up for debate. House Democrats are threatening to attach the bill to must-pass government funding bills.
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, has proposed his own student-loan legislation, but it is to be part of a huge higher-education bill that may not reach the committee until June.
The House's relatively simple energy bill faces a similar fate. The Senate has in mind a much larger bill that would ease bringing alternative fuels to market, regulate oil and gas futures trading, raise vehicle and appliance efficiency standards, and reform federal royalty payments to finance new energy technologies.
The voters seem to have noticed the stall. An ABC News-Washington Post poll last month found that 73 percent of Americans believe Congress has done "not too much" or "nothing at all." A memo from the Democratic polling firm Democracy Corps warned last month that the stalemate between Congress and Bush over the war spending bill has knocked down the favorable ratings of Congress and the Democrats by three percentage points and has taken a greater toll on the public's hope for a productive Congress.
"The primary message coming out of the November election was that the American people are sick and tired of the fighting and the gridlock, and they want both the president and Congress to start governing the country," warned Leon E. Panetta, a chief of staff in Bill Clinton's White House. "It just seems to me the Democrats, if they fail for whatever reason to get a domestic agenda enacted . . . will pay a price."
Republicans are already trying to extract that price. Sen. Jon Kyl (Ariz.), chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, said Democrats are just "trying to score political points on the war. . . . Part of their party can't conceive of anything else to talk about but the war."
Norman J. Ornstein, a Congress watcher at the American Enterprise Institute, said a Congress's productivity is not measured solely on the number of bills signed into law. Bills and resolutions approved by either chamber totaled 165 during the first four months of this Congress, compared with 72 in 2005. And Congress recorded 415 roll-call votes, compared with 264 when Republicans were in charge and the House GOP leaders struggled to impose their agenda on a closely divided Senate.
Democratic leaders remain hopeful that a burst of activity will put the doubts about them to rest. They have promised to pass a war funding bill and a minimum-wage increase that Bush can sign, to complete a budget blueprint and to finish the homeland security bill by Memorial Day. The House wants to pass defense and intelligence bills, its own lobbying measure and the first gun-control legislation since 1994, which would tighten the national instant-check system for gun purchases. The Senate hopes to complete a comprehensive overhaul of immigration laws.
Rep. Chris Van Hollen (Md.), chairman of the House Democratic campaign committee, said his party needs to get some achievements under its belt, but not until voters begin to focus on the campaigns next year. "People understand the Democrats in Congress are doing everything in their power to move an agenda forward, doing everything possible to change direction in the war in Iraq, and the president is standing in the way," he said.
Kyl was not so sanguine. If accomplishments are not in the books by this fall, he said, the Democrats will find their achievements eclipsed by the 2008 presidential race. Panetta agreed.
"This leadership, these Democrats have shown that they can fight," he said. "Now they have to show they can govern."
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Adam
04-24 11:10 PM
lookin' good :thumb: that first one is still my favourite!!
savioz
02-02 10:55 AM
Currently I�m holding h1 and same time has AOS with my existing employer. I�m continuing my employment based on h1 and use Advance parole for travel purpose. My employer mentioned about not revoking I-140, even if I move to new employer. Since with new client, I�m transferring my H1 visa, I have 2 options with regard to my AOS portability
1) Either just transfers my h1 without porting AOS with new client. Continue with my AOS with old employer, since he won�t revoke my I-140 and provide support for future employment.
2) H1 transfer and Porting my AOS with new client and it does require my job and description mentioned in I-140 matches with current offer.
I would really appreciate, if you provide your valuable suggestion/recommendation. The best option to go ahead with.
1) Either just transfers my h1 without porting AOS with new client. Continue with my AOS with old employer, since he won�t revoke my I-140 and provide support for future employment.
2) H1 transfer and Porting my AOS with new client and it does require my job and description mentioned in I-140 matches with current offer.
I would really appreciate, if you provide your valuable suggestion/recommendation. The best option to go ahead with.
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martinvisalaw
07-02 06:51 PM
Whatever you call it, you are really always applying for a new EAD. There is no such thing as renewing an existing EAD. The I-765 form that you complete will ask about any prior EADs that you had. If you do not have details, please put as close to the facts as possible. If you still have a CIS receipt number, definitely include that so CIS can look up the details.
more...
glus
07-25 10:45 AM
Is any one got receipt of 485filing on july 2nd? Please post the status like checks are cashed, receipt,retuns etc.
Not yet. They are still entering Jun cases.
Not yet. They are still entering Jun cases.
joeglen3
08-08 11:10 PM
My I-140 was approved April 30,2007. The appoval letter indicated that not yet elligible for change of status. The I-485 was returned together with the checks we paid. Please clarify and what can I do next other than waiting?
more...
cagedcactus
11-24 02:48 PM
so many viewed, but not a single reply.....
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go_guy123
03-16 10:11 AM
UK to impose tax on all visa seekers
US also will slowly take this route I think.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Features/Visa/UK-to-impose-tax-on-all-visa-seekers/articleshow/4270275.cms
US already has far more tax levied on H1B in the form of training fees
1500$ and anti-fraud fees of 500$. Just that it is named differently.
US also will slowly take this route I think.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Features/Visa/UK-to-impose-tax-on-all-visa-seekers/articleshow/4270275.cms
US already has far more tax levied on H1B in the form of training fees
1500$ and anti-fraud fees of 500$. Just that it is named differently.
more...
lux_mani82
09-28 11:55 AM
Hi All ,
I am currently on L1B visa valid till Dec 25 2008 and current I-94 valid still July 2009.
I can't apply for I-94 extension until Jan 09.
I am travelling to india on Nov and will return on Nov 30 2008.
Is it advisable to go for Visa Stamping during Nov 08 or can i file my extension once i returned back to US on NOv 30 2008.My visa will be valid only for 25 days and want to know if that will create any issues.
Any views would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
I am currently on L1B visa valid till Dec 25 2008 and current I-94 valid still July 2009.
I can't apply for I-94 extension until Jan 09.
I am travelling to india on Nov and will return on Nov 30 2008.
Is it advisable to go for Visa Stamping during Nov 08 or can i file my extension once i returned back to US on NOv 30 2008.My visa will be valid only for 25 days and want to know if that will create any issues.
Any views would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
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immilaw
04-10 03:10 PM
I have a similar question. My EB-3 PD is August 2005 (I-140 was approved but I never filed the I-485 because of retrogression). Few months back I found out that the employer had withdrawn/revoked the I-140. Now my employer is getting ready to file my EB-2 I-140 and my question is: Can we retain/interfile the priority date from 2005? I know the answer is yes but I am looking for examples where any fellow member was able to successfully do so. Thanks!
more...
akshayae
09-10 04:43 PM
Folks,
Members from the DC area we have a meeting room/Conference room set up where we can meet up at the Chantilly public library (Virginia)
The meeting room is booked from 6 pm to 7.30 pm for Wednesday September 12 th 2007.
The address for Chantilly Regional Library is
Conference Room
4000 Stringfellow Rd
Chantilly, VA 20151-2628
703-502-3883
Date and Time
Wednesday September 12 th 2007.
Timing 6 pm to 7.30 pm
We look forward to meeting you at Chantilly Regional Library
Members from the DC area we have a meeting room/Conference room set up where we can meet up at the Chantilly public library (Virginia)
The meeting room is booked from 6 pm to 7.30 pm for Wednesday September 12 th 2007.
The address for Chantilly Regional Library is
Conference Room
4000 Stringfellow Rd
Chantilly, VA 20151-2628
703-502-3883
Date and Time
Wednesday September 12 th 2007.
Timing 6 pm to 7.30 pm
We look forward to meeting you at Chantilly Regional Library
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gaz
07-22 08:31 PM
Hi,
Can the invitation letter and the letter to the consulate be faxed to my parents to present to the consulate, or do I need to courier the original signed letters over?
Thanks!
Can the invitation letter and the letter to the consulate be faxed to my parents to present to the consulate, or do I need to courier the original signed letters over?
Thanks!
more...
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roseball
07-10 04:58 PM
Couldnt resist replying:
DOS = Denial of Service = Dept of State.
:D :D :D
DOS = Denial of Service = Dept of State.
:D :D :D
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tcsonly
07-21 04:42 PM
Bumping up to enlighten our members about legislation.
-C.
-C.
more...
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pendingGC
07-16 11:21 PM
Hello Attorney
I am on H4 visa now and when I was on F2 visa I have used medicaid and wic for prenatal care. It was used during my pregnancy only. I am never asked for that in my h4 visa inteviews. Since my husband is applying for CP for green card . Will it be a problem for me to go for CP ? Will consular office consider it a public charge and deny my GC ? Just in case if I get denial how to overcome that denial ? is there a standard process ? Will it affect my husband's GC ?
I am on H4 visa now and when I was on F2 visa I have used medicaid and wic for prenatal care. It was used during my pregnancy only. I am never asked for that in my h4 visa inteviews. Since my husband is applying for CP for green card . Will it be a problem for me to go for CP ? Will consular office consider it a public charge and deny my GC ? Just in case if I get denial how to overcome that denial ? is there a standard process ? Will it affect my husband's GC ?
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GCcomesoon
02-25 11:31 PM
Hi
I received my 485 approval back in April 2008 & also received my physical card in next few months. I applied for my parents extension last month ( I-539) who are here for visit. It was filed in CA. My last H1B was approved in Oct 2007 from CA. Today to my surprise I see updates in extension case with no message change but update in my H1B approved case, with message saying that this case is reopened & the decision is being reviewed.
I think this is some kind of error. Has anyone experienced this ?
Thanks
GCcomesoon
I received my 485 approval back in April 2008 & also received my physical card in next few months. I applied for my parents extension last month ( I-539) who are here for visit. It was filed in CA. My last H1B was approved in Oct 2007 from CA. Today to my surprise I see updates in extension case with no message change but update in my H1B approved case, with message saying that this case is reopened & the decision is being reviewed.
I think this is some kind of error. Has anyone experienced this ?
Thanks
GCcomesoon
more...
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sudiptasarkar
07-22 03:32 AM
Hi,
I have filed my 485 on July 2007. I am currently working using EAD and last time entered US in Feb 09 using AP. My current AP is valid till Oct 17 2009. I will be going out of the country for few days in early Sep. I wanted to know can I apply for my renewal of AP now. I read the following in the I-131 filing instructions (page-4)
If you travel before the advanced parole document is issued, your application will be deemed abandoned if:
1. You depart the United States; or
2. The person seeking advance parole attempts to enter the United States before a decision is made on the application
So can I apply for my AP renewal now (I am assuming if I apply now it won't get approved before my travel in Sep) or do I need to first complete my travel in Sep, come back to US and then apply for the renewal.
Please reply.
Thanks
Sudipta
I have filed my 485 on July 2007. I am currently working using EAD and last time entered US in Feb 09 using AP. My current AP is valid till Oct 17 2009. I will be going out of the country for few days in early Sep. I wanted to know can I apply for my renewal of AP now. I read the following in the I-131 filing instructions (page-4)
If you travel before the advanced parole document is issued, your application will be deemed abandoned if:
1. You depart the United States; or
2. The person seeking advance parole attempts to enter the United States before a decision is made on the application
So can I apply for my AP renewal now (I am assuming if I apply now it won't get approved before my travel in Sep) or do I need to first complete my travel in Sep, come back to US and then apply for the renewal.
Please reply.
Thanks
Sudipta
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gparr
November 24th, 2005, 12:00 PM
How can I transfer a raw file into a jpg file in Photoshop? It only give me a few options-tiff., phtshp, ect... I want to upload a few pics and can't figure it out.
Thanks
:)
Image, Mode, then convert from 16 bits/channel to 8 bits/channel. Then try to save as a jpeg.
gary
Thanks
:)
Image, Mode, then convert from 16 bits/channel to 8 bits/channel. Then try to save as a jpeg.
gary
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thesparky007
04-01 12:49 AM
*reported posts* - 5 million
Blog Feeds
10-28 12:20 PM
Delaware Immigration Lawyer Blog Has Just Posted the Following:
Some decisions and cases support that a corporation even if it is owned and operated by a single person may hire that same individual in an H-1B capacity. This is based on the concept that the corporation is a separate legal entity fron its owner. However, self-sponsored H-1Bs are subject to careful review. The parties have to prove existence of a bona fide employer and employee relationship.https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1142140030762969806-934276915910839855?l=deimmigration.blogspot.com
More... (http://deimmigration.blogspot.com/2009/09/self-sponsored-h-1b.html)
Some decisions and cases support that a corporation even if it is owned and operated by a single person may hire that same individual in an H-1B capacity. This is based on the concept that the corporation is a separate legal entity fron its owner. However, self-sponsored H-1Bs are subject to careful review. The parties have to prove existence of a bona fide employer and employee relationship.https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1142140030762969806-934276915910839855?l=deimmigration.blogspot.com
More... (http://deimmigration.blogspot.com/2009/09/self-sponsored-h-1b.html)
sandy_anand
05-29 03:17 PM
Where can I look at amendments?