Macaca
09-06 05:30 PM
Congress Deserves Better Ratings, But Not by Much (http://www.rollcall.com/issues/53_22/kondracke/19839-1.html) By Morton M. Kondracke | Roll Call, September 6, 2007
Congress returned to town this week with its poll ratings even lower than President Bush's. That's because nearly all the public ever sees is Members fighting and accomplishing nothing.
But it's not a completely accurate picture. By the time Congress adjourned for the August recess, it actually had racked up some legislative accomplishments that voters didn't appreciate.
So perhaps a fair grade for the 110th Congress so far would be an F for style, a C-plus for effort and an Incomplete for quality of achievement. There is plenty of room for checking the box "shows improvement."
What Congress has accomplished this year came in two bursts - the first "100 hours," when the House pushed through much of its promised "Six in '06" agenda, and the final 100 hours or so last month, when both the House and Senate processed a bevy of legislation.
In between, what occurred was five months of nearly nonstop ugliness - failed Democratic efforts to stop the Iraq War, a fractious and futile fight over immigration reform, vengeful exercises of legislative oversight designed to discredit the Bush administration, and shouting matches between majority Democrats and minority Republicans.
Even the pre-adjournment legislative push was clouded over by a raucous, late-night dust-up over a thwarted House GOP move to deny benefits to illegal immigrants that made for great television, doubtless reinforcing the public's impression of a Congress in total disarray.
It's not a complete misimpression. Partisan wrangling is the dominant activity of this Congress. It makes a mockery of the fervent proclamations by leaders of both parties in January that they understood voters' dismay with endless, pointless point-scoring and the desire that Congress solve their urgent problems.
Congress' failure to make problem-solving its dominant activity accounts for its low public esteem. Polls on public approval of Congress average 22 percent, compared with 33 percent for Bush. An NBC/Wall Street Journal poll showed that only 14 percent have confidence that Congress will do the right thing.
But Congress has done some things right this year and notice should be taken of them.
A statistical rundown by Brookings Institution scholars published in The New York Times on Aug. 26 showed that the current House is running well ahead of recent Congresses in terms of days in session, bills passed and hearings held. The Senate has a mixed record.
One signal, unappreciated accomplishment was overwhelming passage of a $43 billion program designed to bolster America's competitiveness by doubling its scientific research budget and training more scientists and linguists.
Sponsored by Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and Reps. Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.) and Vernon Ehlers (R-Mich.), the final bill passed the House 367-57 and by voice vote without dissent in the Senate.
Other bills passed and sent to the president this year include an increase in the minimum wage, lobbying and ethics reform and homeland security enhancements fulfilling the recommendations of the presidential 9/11 commission.
Also on the list, but the subject of ongoing partisan division, was last-minute legislation authorizing the government to conduct no-warrant intercepts of electronic communication between two overseas parties when the messages pass through a server in the United States.
Civil liberties groups, many Democrats and some editorial writers contend that the measure authorized "domestic spying on U.S. citizens," but the objections seem to reflect distrust of the Bush administration more than any leeway in the law to tap persons in the United States.
Congress will revisit the issue and to the extent that controversy continues, it will reinforce public dismay that its leaders would rather fight than protect them from terrorism.
Meanwhile, some of the claimed accomplishments of the Democratic Congress are less than stellar. Energy bills passed by both chambers fall far short of setting the nation on a path to independence. Neither contains a gasoline tax, encouragement for nuclear power or provisions to expand America's electricity grid.
Farm legislation that passed the House limits subsidies to the richest American farmers but basically leaves intact a subsidy system for corporate farmers that artificially inflates land values, inhibits rural development, hurts farmers in poor countries and puts the U.S. in danger of world trade sanctions.
Bush has signaled his intention to veto both the House farm bill and the Senate energy bill - and also both the House and Senate measures expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program. The Senate SCHIP bill has funding flaws but basically is a responsible, bipartisan bill that deserves to survive a veto.
With Congress back, the prospect is for more combat with Bush, largely over spending and Iraq. The country will be lucky to avoid government shutdowns as the two sides trade charges that the other is fiscally irresponsible.
And a flurry of progress reports on Iraq is only stimulating new rancor, despite widespread underlying agreement that troop withdrawals need to be gradual and responsible.
Congress and the Bush administration ought to resolve to improve their public esteem not at each other's expense, but by seeking agreement in the public interest. Admittedly, the chances are slim.
Congress returned to town this week with its poll ratings even lower than President Bush's. That's because nearly all the public ever sees is Members fighting and accomplishing nothing.
But it's not a completely accurate picture. By the time Congress adjourned for the August recess, it actually had racked up some legislative accomplishments that voters didn't appreciate.
So perhaps a fair grade for the 110th Congress so far would be an F for style, a C-plus for effort and an Incomplete for quality of achievement. There is plenty of room for checking the box "shows improvement."
What Congress has accomplished this year came in two bursts - the first "100 hours," when the House pushed through much of its promised "Six in '06" agenda, and the final 100 hours or so last month, when both the House and Senate processed a bevy of legislation.
In between, what occurred was five months of nearly nonstop ugliness - failed Democratic efforts to stop the Iraq War, a fractious and futile fight over immigration reform, vengeful exercises of legislative oversight designed to discredit the Bush administration, and shouting matches between majority Democrats and minority Republicans.
Even the pre-adjournment legislative push was clouded over by a raucous, late-night dust-up over a thwarted House GOP move to deny benefits to illegal immigrants that made for great television, doubtless reinforcing the public's impression of a Congress in total disarray.
It's not a complete misimpression. Partisan wrangling is the dominant activity of this Congress. It makes a mockery of the fervent proclamations by leaders of both parties in January that they understood voters' dismay with endless, pointless point-scoring and the desire that Congress solve their urgent problems.
Congress' failure to make problem-solving its dominant activity accounts for its low public esteem. Polls on public approval of Congress average 22 percent, compared with 33 percent for Bush. An NBC/Wall Street Journal poll showed that only 14 percent have confidence that Congress will do the right thing.
But Congress has done some things right this year and notice should be taken of them.
A statistical rundown by Brookings Institution scholars published in The New York Times on Aug. 26 showed that the current House is running well ahead of recent Congresses in terms of days in session, bills passed and hearings held. The Senate has a mixed record.
One signal, unappreciated accomplishment was overwhelming passage of a $43 billion program designed to bolster America's competitiveness by doubling its scientific research budget and training more scientists and linguists.
Sponsored by Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and Reps. Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.) and Vernon Ehlers (R-Mich.), the final bill passed the House 367-57 and by voice vote without dissent in the Senate.
Other bills passed and sent to the president this year include an increase in the minimum wage, lobbying and ethics reform and homeland security enhancements fulfilling the recommendations of the presidential 9/11 commission.
Also on the list, but the subject of ongoing partisan division, was last-minute legislation authorizing the government to conduct no-warrant intercepts of electronic communication between two overseas parties when the messages pass through a server in the United States.
Civil liberties groups, many Democrats and some editorial writers contend that the measure authorized "domestic spying on U.S. citizens," but the objections seem to reflect distrust of the Bush administration more than any leeway in the law to tap persons in the United States.
Congress will revisit the issue and to the extent that controversy continues, it will reinforce public dismay that its leaders would rather fight than protect them from terrorism.
Meanwhile, some of the claimed accomplishments of the Democratic Congress are less than stellar. Energy bills passed by both chambers fall far short of setting the nation on a path to independence. Neither contains a gasoline tax, encouragement for nuclear power or provisions to expand America's electricity grid.
Farm legislation that passed the House limits subsidies to the richest American farmers but basically leaves intact a subsidy system for corporate farmers that artificially inflates land values, inhibits rural development, hurts farmers in poor countries and puts the U.S. in danger of world trade sanctions.
Bush has signaled his intention to veto both the House farm bill and the Senate energy bill - and also both the House and Senate measures expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program. The Senate SCHIP bill has funding flaws but basically is a responsible, bipartisan bill that deserves to survive a veto.
With Congress back, the prospect is for more combat with Bush, largely over spending and Iraq. The country will be lucky to avoid government shutdowns as the two sides trade charges that the other is fiscally irresponsible.
And a flurry of progress reports on Iraq is only stimulating new rancor, despite widespread underlying agreement that troop withdrawals need to be gradual and responsible.
Congress and the Bush administration ought to resolve to improve their public esteem not at each other's expense, but by seeking agreement in the public interest. Admittedly, the chances are slim.
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ragz4u
02-05 04:47 PM
We are pleased to announce that renowned author and economist Dr. Richard Florida has endorsed the efforts of the folks at www.immigrationvoice.org
You can read the bio of Dr. Richard here http://www.creativeclass.org/_flight_author.shtml
The text of the endorsement can be seen here http://www.immigrationvoice.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=49&Itemid=43
You can read the bio of Dr. Richard here http://www.creativeclass.org/_flight_author.shtml
The text of the endorsement can be seen here http://www.immigrationvoice.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=49&Itemid=43
sanju_dba
03-10 02:39 PM
isnt that all GC process related expenses should be paid by the employer's / attorney's account?
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ncmahesh
05-02 03:23 PM
My friends h1b got rejected 2years back , he once again applied for new one in this fin year from diffrent company , does old petion will effect the new one, as he not shown th eold one while filing the new one
more...
pani_6
02-07 04:22 PM
We hear about Jeff sessions..what happened to John Cronyn??..and the SKIL BILL was it intorduced again.? when is the schedule to be taken up by the senate??..
Tina73
01-23 02:11 AM
Hi,
I am GC holder & right now I am living out side USA with my husbad whom I am married for more than 8 yrs. I have 2 kids, they are US citizen. I visit my parents (US Citizen) every year to US for couple of months & come back. In past my husband tried for US visitor visa few times but he was denied. Is there any way I can apply for my husnad a non immigrant VISA from US for a visit? As we would not like to migrate to US but just to visit there. Is there any way or I have to apply for him immigrant visa only & wait for 5-7 yrs.?
Please guide.
Thanks.
I am GC holder & right now I am living out side USA with my husbad whom I am married for more than 8 yrs. I have 2 kids, they are US citizen. I visit my parents (US Citizen) every year to US for couple of months & come back. In past my husband tried for US visitor visa few times but he was denied. Is there any way I can apply for my husnad a non immigrant VISA from US for a visit? As we would not like to migrate to US but just to visit there. Is there any way or I have to apply for him immigrant visa only & wait for 5-7 yrs.?
Please guide.
Thanks.
more...
raama123
01-31 03:39 PM
where can I get my H1b latest status,my emploer is saying my H1b cancelled,I have checked in uscis.org site ,it is saying it approved and sent to employer/attorney.please help on this.
thanks in advance to all.
thanks,
raam
thanks in advance to all.
thanks,
raam
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ark_ari
06-25 05:39 PM
G-325 form 11 th line must be filled or not in mother languages write name and address plss help
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gc_73
07-10 02:05 AM
Hi,
I have applied for COS from L1-B to L1-A and received an RFE which we have responded to.
The application is still pending with USCIS, while my I-94 is expiring on 07/31
What will happen if I do not receive decision before expiry of my I-94? Will I be out of status after the I-94 expiry date.
I have my I-485 pending as well (I-140 approved) and have EAD but not used.
Thanks
I have applied for COS from L1-B to L1-A and received an RFE which we have responded to.
The application is still pending with USCIS, while my I-94 is expiring on 07/31
What will happen if I do not receive decision before expiry of my I-94? Will I be out of status after the I-94 expiry date.
I have my I-485 pending as well (I-140 approved) and have EAD but not used.
Thanks
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Comiccmadd
07-19 04:46 PM
really clever and funny design!! u should definitely print it :):)
more...
snathan
03-02 06:13 PM
Hi, i have filed I-140 3 months back and it is still in process. Am I able to file I-485 in parallel to the I-140 now.
Whats your country of chargeability and category...
EB1 - Yes, you can
EB2- ROW - Yes
EB2 I/C - wait time is 3-5 years
EB3 I/C - wait time is 10-12 years
EB3 - ROW - wait time is 5-6 years.
Whats your country of chargeability and category...
EB1 - Yes, you can
EB2- ROW - Yes
EB2 I/C - wait time is 3-5 years
EB3 I/C - wait time is 10-12 years
EB3 - ROW - wait time is 5-6 years.
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eb3_nepa
04-20 12:44 PM
IV has been doing that Quite regularly.
Check out the "IV in the News" Tab on the left side.
http://immigrationvoice.org/index.php?option=com_weblinks&catid=19&Itemid=27
Check out the "IV in the News" Tab on the left side.
http://immigrationvoice.org/index.php?option=com_weblinks&catid=19&Itemid=27
more...
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amsh
06-13 12:16 AM
Hi All ,
I remember last time when PD became current USCIS did not follow the correct order /sequence of PD while allocating visa numbers .
Many of the people who had PD of 2006 got Visa number allocation before people who were in queue ahead of them with 2004/2005 PD.
This time we should have some campaign may be by sending the letter or some way to USCIS/DOS and make them aware to allocate visa based on PD in a fair and transparent way.Any suggestions ????
This opportunity has come after many many years for many of us, we should make our best effort that visa number allocation are done in a fair and transparent way for coming month and month's to come.
Best regards,
amsh
I remember last time when PD became current USCIS did not follow the correct order /sequence of PD while allocating visa numbers .
Many of the people who had PD of 2006 got Visa number allocation before people who were in queue ahead of them with 2004/2005 PD.
This time we should have some campaign may be by sending the letter or some way to USCIS/DOS and make them aware to allocate visa based on PD in a fair and transparent way.Any suggestions ????
This opportunity has come after many many years for many of us, we should make our best effort that visa number allocation are done in a fair and transparent way for coming month and month's to come.
Best regards,
amsh
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vayumahesh
11-08 04:39 PM
My I-140 got approved and priority date from EB3 got ported to EB2. I read in one of the forum threads that USCIS system would automatically identify that application is current and appropriate action will be taken. Also, I read about initiating interfile process of existing EB2 I-140 (current) with Pending I-485 application (under EB3). I am not sure whether I should wait few weeks before initiating interfile process.
I have given my biometrics in 2007 while filing I-485. Will USCIS send appointment for Biometrics again ?
I have given my biometrics in 2007 while filing I-485. Will USCIS send appointment for Biometrics again ?
more...
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Neocrack
11-02 09:14 AM
I have a pending I 485 under EB3 I. My wife could become a US citizen early next year. We would like to file another I 485 based on the spouse US citizen catagory.
Do I have to withdraw the I 485 filed under the EB ?
I am currently using the EAD & AP derived from the current pending I 485 what happens to them. Do I file for 2 different sets of EAD?
Please advice..
Thanks
Neo
Do I have to withdraw the I 485 filed under the EB ?
I am currently using the EAD & AP derived from the current pending I 485 what happens to them. Do I file for 2 different sets of EAD?
Please advice..
Thanks
Neo
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kanchiru
11-09 06:43 PM
Hi All,
I have applied I-485,I-765 and I-131(AP) for my wife as derivative when my priority date(March 26th 2006) became current on September 1st.
We recieved the Reciept notices for I-485,I-765 and I-131(AP) for my wife on September 30th.
My I-485 got approved on 11/05 .We didnot recieve FingerPrint notice still.
I would like to know how much time it generally takes for derivative I-485 approval .
-kanchiru
I have applied I-485,I-765 and I-131(AP) for my wife as derivative when my priority date(March 26th 2006) became current on September 1st.
We recieved the Reciept notices for I-485,I-765 and I-131(AP) for my wife on September 30th.
My I-485 got approved on 11/05 .We didnot recieve FingerPrint notice still.
I would like to know how much time it generally takes for derivative I-485 approval .
-kanchiru
more...
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Green_Always
03-16 09:48 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 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
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blog30
08-03 04:39 PM
Hello,
My I-140 has been received by USCIS in December 2008. I have just got my approval notice.
Does anybody know if I can fill an I-485 for my son, who turned 21 in May 2008?
Thanks
My I-140 has been received by USCIS in December 2008. I have just got my approval notice.
Does anybody know if I can fill an I-485 for my son, who turned 21 in May 2008?
Thanks
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cool_guy_onnet1
06-24 03:24 PM
Hi, I have approved H1b through company "NewCompany" but my GC sponsoring company "GCcompany" is planning to cancel my APPROVED 140. Again, I know USCIS will do inted to deny and Yes, I have filed for 485 + it's been 180+ days but I guess the most important question of all is:-
"Will this affect my H1B status?' Since the approval for new 3 year (extension) was based on my 140 and now this thing is under jeopardy. If I use EAD, my wife will no longer be H4 and thats a different problem- Gosh when is thind going to end?"
"Will this affect my H1B status?' Since the approval for new 3 year (extension) was based on my 140 and now this thing is under jeopardy. If I use EAD, my wife will no longer be H4 and thats a different problem- Gosh when is thind going to end?"
smartimss
10-23 02:09 PM
Dependent application got approved and received card in couple of months back but primary application is still pending? Is any one in same boat? Please advice?
arnab221
06-26 12:11 PM
Folks,
If your petition has been physically "Mailed" to the Atlanta Service center . Do they give you a tracking number . Can such cases be viewed online on the website http://www.plc.doleta.gov ? How much time does the Atlanta service center take to acknowledge the reciept of such application ?
If your petition has been physically "Mailed" to the Atlanta Service center . Do they give you a tracking number . Can such cases be viewed online on the website http://www.plc.doleta.gov ? How much time does the Atlanta service center take to acknowledge the reciept of such application ?
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