OK then,.... this is the deal with the POTUS, Iran and the Congress....
The Congress returns from its summer vacation on the 8th of this month, a Tuesday.
If they wish to block the Iran agreement they must vote on a “resolution of disapproval” by the 17th, the second Thursday after their return. A simple 51% majority in each of the two chambers is required for it to pass.
In the House where the Republicans hold 246(7?) seats of the 435-seat House, approval of the resolution is a done deal.
In the Senate, where Republicans hold 54 seats, obviously enough for passage, a 60 vote yea-count is needed to move the resolution to the floor for a final vote. As of today, Friday the 4th, the Senate Pubs have 3 Dems who claim they will support the passage of “the resolution of disapproval”: Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland, Sen. Charles Schumer of New York and Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey.
The death cultists then need to peel off 3 more Dems. Popular wisdom seems to be that they'll pick these up in the time available. No doubt the peace activists that support the President's Iran agreement and the neocon activists that oppose it, have each targeted certain Democratic senators who seem to be especially persuadable in one direction or another for phone calls and letters. I'll dig a little deeper about who they may be and update this post with what I find.
Beyond that, if it passes the Congress by the 17th and goes to the President's desk for signature, he'll be sure to veto it, whereupon it'll be returned to the Congress. At this point the Pubs will need 67 votes to over-ride the veto. Conversely, the President will need a minimum of 34 supporters in the Senate to stop the over-ride. As of this past Wednesday, the 2nd, thanks to the pledge of Sen. Barabara Mikulskie of Maryland, the Iran agreement has the commitment of those 34 Senators needed to block an over-ride of the President's veto. Certainly it would be most desirable to see that buffer increase.
After I get the “swing-Dem” info up to speed I'll post some resources and references that you might find valuable to support your arguments in favor of the agreement. The propaganda blitzkrieg that's gearing up right now is just extraordinary and does a very good job at positioning itself as definitive in its arguments. But once pull back the curtain on their shrill sanctinomy, the mendacity of it all can be seen to be truly breathtaking.
There does seem to be a lot of optimism going around for Obama's success in the wonkish press, some even calling it “a lock.” Lets all make sure it is by bringing our good spirits and world optimism to the fore and adding our voices of support and gratitude to the Senators that are gonna carry this through. Ideally it would be great if it never leaves the Congress. So check in with your own Senators n give 'em a ring to praise them if they have decided in favor of the President's efforts or to encourage them to do so if they are still on the fence. Be back at 'cha after the weekend. PEACE! (or some reasonable facsimile thereof!!)
:-)
The Congress returns from its summer vacation on the 8th of this month, a Tuesday.
If they wish to block the Iran agreement they must vote on a “resolution of disapproval” by the 17th, the second Thursday after their return. A simple 51% majority in each of the two chambers is required for it to pass.
In the House where the Republicans hold 246(7?) seats of the 435-seat House, approval of the resolution is a done deal.
In the Senate, where Republicans hold 54 seats, obviously enough for passage, a 60 vote yea-count is needed to move the resolution to the floor for a final vote. As of today, Friday the 4th, the Senate Pubs have 3 Dems who claim they will support the passage of “the resolution of disapproval”: Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland, Sen. Charles Schumer of New York and Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey.
The death cultists then need to peel off 3 more Dems. Popular wisdom seems to be that they'll pick these up in the time available. No doubt the peace activists that support the President's Iran agreement and the neocon activists that oppose it, have each targeted certain Democratic senators who seem to be especially persuadable in one direction or another for phone calls and letters. I'll dig a little deeper about who they may be and update this post with what I find.
Beyond that, if it passes the Congress by the 17th and goes to the President's desk for signature, he'll be sure to veto it, whereupon it'll be returned to the Congress. At this point the Pubs will need 67 votes to over-ride the veto. Conversely, the President will need a minimum of 34 supporters in the Senate to stop the over-ride. As of this past Wednesday, the 2nd, thanks to the pledge of Sen. Barabara Mikulskie of Maryland, the Iran agreement has the commitment of those 34 Senators needed to block an over-ride of the President's veto. Certainly it would be most desirable to see that buffer increase.
After I get the “swing-Dem” info up to speed I'll post some resources and references that you might find valuable to support your arguments in favor of the agreement. The propaganda blitzkrieg that's gearing up right now is just extraordinary and does a very good job at positioning itself as definitive in its arguments. But once pull back the curtain on their shrill sanctinomy, the mendacity of it all can be seen to be truly breathtaking.
There does seem to be a lot of optimism going around for Obama's success in the wonkish press, some even calling it “a lock.” Lets all make sure it is by bringing our good spirits and world optimism to the fore and adding our voices of support and gratitude to the Senators that are gonna carry this through. Ideally it would be great if it never leaves the Congress. So check in with your own Senators n give 'em a ring to praise them if they have decided in favor of the President's efforts or to encourage them to do so if they are still on the fence. Be back at 'cha after the weekend. PEACE! (or some reasonable facsimile thereof!!)
:-)
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