Damien

Jacob Andrews, Chicago-Sun Times

Senator, you brag about your 58 seat majority in one breath and then blame democratic obstructionism in another, if your majority is so strong why are you not passing legislation? Is it your inability to compromise to find two Democrats to agree with you?

To the pro-life movement,

Apologies for delays. Just wanted to make clear that I am dedicated to getting this legislation out of the House despite the slow-walking being done by the Republican majority.

Sutherland to White: Get off your butt and protect the unborn

(WASHINGTON, D.C.)—The drastic and horrific act of partial birth abortions continue to be legal due to a lack of leadership from the Speaker and Senate Republicans. The latest delay has occurred when Speaker White failed to docket the legislation, sponsored by House Minority Whip Andrew Sutherland (D-IL-20) for debate in the House Domestic Affairs Committee.

“Look I believe in a proper process to passing legislation,” Sutherland said. “That is why I wanted it to be heard in committee and not skipping the proper process. But that doesn’t mean we should be unnecessarily delaying this legislation which will save lives.”

The Senate has continued to fail to pass the legislation under the leadership of a Republican Majority. Now Speaker White made himself the chair of the Domestic Committee and then failed to docket the legislation in his first docket since becoming chair.

“I can only assume that the lack of urgency from Speaker White is because my name is on the bill,” Sutherland said. “That is unfortunate for the pro-life movement that he says he believes in. If he believes in it so much he should get off his butt and join me in this fight to protect the unborn.”

The bipartisan legislation in the House could have been considered and passed quickly through committee. Sutherland hopes that Speaker White joins the fight, but will seek other avenues to ensure this legislation can be heard both in committee and on the floor of the House.

Balanced Budget Amendment Nothing but Partisan Game Playing

By House Minority Whip Andrew Sutherland

Breaking News! House Republicans are playing partisan games and are hoping you aren’t paying attention to what is actually happening in DC and that you just get angry over an amendment that has no chance of becoming a part of the law of the land. They want you upset at a government that is doing exactly what they are trying to enact.

See this is because we are in 2000 and soon we will be asking for your vote. The problem is Republicans like John White have no record. Even John White used a piece of legislation that failed to become law to defend his proposal that won’t become law. They need to give voters some reason to vote for their poor excuse of a record and what better way then to get you to ignore that record.

The proposed amendment from Speaker White would require that the federal budget is in balance on a yearly basis. That is that proposed spending must match potential revenues at the time of the passage of a budget. On its face, people every day think it’s a great idea. A fun fact so does the Clinton Administration. That is why the current budget will be in surplus at the end of the fiscal year.

See, despite the cries and crocodile tears from the right, the federal budget has been put back together from the devastating deficits we realized under the last two Republican administrations. This Congress has even tried to pass legislation that would put us closer to another deficit, but wise fiscal stewardship by Democrats

and President Clinton has continued to ensure that won’t happen.

When asked how much a piece of legislation would cost the federal government, Speaker White said he didn’t know the answer because he did not have a Congressional Budget Office estimate on the legislation. That is right the Speaker of the House doesn’t care to do his homework, yet then wants to lecture the country on spending policies. That’s like letting an arsonist lecture you about fire safety.

What we need is real leadership that will make the tough choices to protect our budget surplus. We need a plan that doesn’t handcuff policymakers but gives them the tools to ensure our government is fighting to create a fairer, stronger America. America doesn’t need Arsonist White’s advice, we don’t want to burn down the government, we want to make it work for the people.

Now is not the time for games, its time for leadership.

+$670 for pundit comment courtesy of @Brink

Before I forget, I will be having very little access to the site and Telegram starting tomorrow afternoon until Saturday evening due to work.

I will be around this evening but after that dont expect much from me until Saturday night. 

Sutherland Sponsors Legislation to Ban Partial Birth Abortions

(Washington, D.C.)—Legislation to ban partial-birth abortions has finally been introduced after languishing in the Republican-led Senate for an extended period of time. The Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2000 was introduced in the House by House Minority Whip Andrew Sutherland (D-IL-20).

“One abortion is one too many and when you add the factor of partial birth abortions that is just beyond revolting,” Sutherland said. “If the Senate won’t show leadership in banning this awful act, then the House needs to step up. Today, was the beginning of showing the leadership Americans want.”

The legislation as written would simply prohibit the act of partial birth abortions. The legislation was introduced after a tabloid paper showed the graphic nature of the act of a partial birth abortion.

“Its time we end this horrific act and ensure that no one will ever commit it again,” Sutherland said.

Sutherland’s office reports that the proper process is for the legislation to go to committee, but due to the Senate Republicans dragging their feet on getting it passed and the importance of the issue Sutherland’s office also is considering getting it to the floor as soon as possible.

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To be clear, I intend to use this as my backroom thread.

Sutherland on BBA: “Nothing but political theater and lies.”

Calls proposed amendment a perfect example of Republican doublespeak

(Washington, D.C.)—Debate in Washington has moved to an amendment that has very little chance of becoming part of the United States Constitution because of the lack of necessary support to pass the amendment. House Minority Whip Andrew Sutherland (D-IL-20) urged Congress to stop playing political theater and actually working towards real results.

“I mean this legislation probably doesn’t have the votes in the House and definitely doesn’t have the votes in the Senate to become a part of the US Constitution. So while we could be cutting wasteful spending, instead we are wasting our time on an amendment that has no chance of passing,” Sutherland said.

Sutherland also pointed out in debate legislation that the House just passed would shrink the surplus by an unknown amount. The amount is unknown because the House sponsor and Speaker of the House didn’t get a fiscal report on how much it would cost before ramming it through the House chamber.

“Look Speaker White cant proclaim fiscal responsibility out one said of his mouth and then pass legislation that he doesn’t even know how much it will spend,” Sutherland said. “I don’t know about Iowa, but in central Illinois, we call that lying. And what is sad is Speaker White’s constituents are the ones who are going to be paying for his political theater.”

Sutherland seconded a motion to table the amendment so that they could get to legislation that would actually rein in fiscal spending and increase the surplus instead of the reckless Republican spending that is just getting us closer to more deficits and more debt.

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Sutherland selected to serve as next House Minority Whip

Promises to represent middle moderate America in finding solutions

(Washington, D.C.)—House Democratic Leadership has been filled out with the appointment of Andrew Sutherland (D-IL-20) to the position of House Minority Whip. The Illinois Congressman has shown leadership in the House on fiscal issues and now will seek to lead in other aspects with the new position.

“I am greatly humbled with the vote of confidence that my colleagues in the House Democratic Caucus put in me to serve in this capacity,” Sutherland said. “This position will allow me to affect change and show Congress that Americans want to maintain a Congress that truly represents the continued march of progress.”

Sutherland has been quite active in debates regarding fiscal issues, union issues and protecting farmers from unwise trade policies. Now he will look to bring the Central Illinois tradition of getting things done to national issues and look to work with both sides of the aisle in achieving real success for the country

Dem leadership mods for being Whip if thats a thing?

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Sutherland Introduces Legislation to Ensure the Farmer’s Voice in Washington

(Washington, D.C.)—Earlier today, legislation, sponsored by Congressman Andrew Sutherland (D-IL-20), that would protect farmers from penny wise, pound foolish embargo decisions was introduced in the House of Representatives.

“Farmers are the backbone of our economy, but many times are left without recourse from potentially devastating trade decisions made by the executive branch,” Sutherland said. “Congress should have the ability to review these decisions as Congress is more fit to consider local consequences.”

The legislation would require the President to report to Congress any selective embargoes of an agricultural commodity. It also gives recourse to Congress to terminate any embargo that harms farmers across the country.

The legislation will go before the House for due consideration.

Sutherland Moves Forward on Protecting Workers’ Rights

(WASHINGTON, D.C.)—The House Committee on Economic and Domestic Affairs will be taking a vote to consider legislation protecting the rights of workers’ no matter what state they live in.

“This legislation simply says that states cannot use mistreatment of workers as a plus for businesses moving into their state,” Congressman Andrew Sutherland (D-IL-20), chief sponsor of the legislation, said after making a motion to bring the legislation before the committee. “Surely, Speaker White and the Republicans don’t believe states should be allowing businesses to abuse their workers and we can pass this bill quickly.”

The legislation will be voted on if it should be brought up for a hearing and Sutherland’s office believes that every bill deserves its day and hopes that Republicans will see the light on why this bill is important.

Congressman Sutherland believes that Congress can get behind common sense to protect workers and leave behind the rhetoric of the past.

Name: John Alexander

Political/Journalistic Background: Former Political Reporter for WICS-TV, Former Political Reporter for the State Journal Register, Former Communications Director for Congressman Andrew Sutherland 

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Sutherland Disturbed by Republican attempts to gut Hate Crimes Legislation

(WASHINGTON)-- Senate Republicans earlier today showed a lack of concern by the hate crimes that happen across the country due to their attempt to gut legislation that would work towards making hate crimes less frequent.

"I mean once again we are seeing the American people being disappointed by Republicans gutting legislation that could save lives," Congressman Andrew Sutherland (D-IL-20). "Quite frankly I am past disappointed by these actions, I am disgusted."

Senate Republican President Pro Tempore Morris (R-MO) and the caucus moved to cut provisions from the significant Hate Crimes Legislation that passed the House. Sutherland committed to ensuring the House not agree to the changes made by the Senate Republicans if the bill were to return as Morris has proposed.

Sutherland urges middle ground on Panama Canal Treaty

(Washington, D.C.)— Congressman Andrew Sutherland (D-IL-20) issued the following statement in response to the Defense Department announcing their intent to not decommission the military base, Fort Kobbe and Howard Air Force Base, located at the Panama Canal. It is against the Panama Canal Treaty negotiated in the 1970s between Panama and the United States.

“We need to ensure that the safety of every American currently in Panama and our national security are our top priority in dealing with the requirements of the Panama Canal Treaty,” Sutherland said. “I believe that President Clinton will work towards a new agreement with Panama that respects the Panamanian’s sovereignty concern and the American’s concern for safety during any proposed transition.”  

Sutherland believes that there should be some arrangement that allows for America to protect its security interests in the region while allowing for some of the sovereignty concerns that were promised by America in the original treaty.

 

“The people and government of Panama have made it clear that they expect us to keep the promise made to them,” Sutherland said. “Not keeping that promise in some way that we can both agree to will only damage America’s international credibility.”

Sutherland hopes the Clinton administration will continue to strive for an agreement and will assist the administration in getting a deal done as soon as practical.