Day: August 30, 2015

Carper makes 30 senators behind Iran deal


carpertom02112015getty “America and our five negotiating partners — Great Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China — have reached an historic agreement with Iran to end their pursuit of nuclear weapons for years and, maybe, forever,” Carper wrote in an op-ed in Delaware’s News Journal. “The deal provides Iran an opportunity to rebuild its economy and shed the pariah status it’s borne for decades, a status that belies the culture and history of that nation.”

http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/252162-carper-makes-30-senators-behind-iran-deal

Anger builds at EPA over radioactive landfill


nuclearplant_getty The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been working for 25 years on the West Lake Landfill in Bridgeton, Mo., which has housed barium sulfate waste from the Manhattan Project since the 1970s.

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/252231-anger-builds-at-epa-over-radioactive-landfill

Dems say party chair blocked Iran resolution at DNC meeting


Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz prevented consideration of a resolution at the party’s summer meeting here that praised President Obama and offered backing for the nuclear agreement with Iran, according to knowledgeable Democrats.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/08/29/dems-say-party-chair-blocked-iran-resolution-at-dnc-meeting/

Wasserman Schultz blocked Iran resolution at DNC meeting: report


wasserman-schultz-debbie_031814aw_0 Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz blocked consideration of a resolution at the party’s summer meeting that would have praised President Obama and backed the his nuclear deal with Iran, The Washington Post reported Saturday, citing unnamed sources.

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/252255-report-dnc-chairwoman-blocked-iran-resolution-at-party-meeting

Bill Clinton: ‘Celebrate tonight, New Orleans’


clintonbill_082915getty Former President Bill Clinton on Saturday said he admires New Orleans for rebuilding its community following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina a decade earlier.

“New Orleans is a place that has made a reputation for its interesting differences,” Clinton told listeners at the Smoothie King Center during a 10th anniversary commemoration ceremony.

USDA spending another $211 million to protect sage grouse


sage_grouse_revised Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Thursday unveiled the government’s plan to spend $211 million over the next four years to protect the sage grouse and its habitat.

Under what officials are calling the Sage Grouse Initiative 2.0, ranchers will receive additional financial assistance to improve conservation efforts on their land to benefit the bird and their agricultural operations, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

In a statement, Vilsack said these “efforts are also good for cattle, good for ranching operations, and good for America’s rural economy.”

http://thehill.com/policy/finance/252108-usda-announces-funding-new-strategy-to-protect-sage-grouse

Iowa Poll: Clinton leads, but Sanders draws near


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Liberal revolutionary Bernie Sanders, riding an updraft of insurgent passion in Iowa, has closed to within 7 points of Hillary Clinton in the Democratic presidential race.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/iowa-poll/2015/08/29/iowa-poll-democrats-august/71387664/?hootPostID=f566866239310c78a602dd7712a622da

Deep in minority, Dems look to redistricting for hope


pelosinancy_082415getty_0 Facing long odds at retaking the House, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and House Democrats are pushing hard for redistricting reform as a potential route back into control of the lower chamber.

The legislation is not new –– many Democrats, including Pelosi, have been advocating for independent redistricting panels for at least a decade –– nor is it going anywhere in a Congress led by Republicans who are benefitting handsomely under the current process.

http://thehill.com/homenews/house/252226-deep-in-minority-dems-look-to-redistricting-for-hope