Macaca
06-02 08:13 PM
Dems have tough time enacting changes (http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/D/DEMOCRATS_WHATS_DIFFERENT?SITE=VAROA&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT) By CHARLES BABINGTON Associated Press Writer Jun 2
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Under a portrait of George Washington and a sign proclaiming "A New Direction," Democratic lawmakers boasted of their accomplishments their first five months running Congress.
Their press release covered two pages.
Yet most people might be excused for hardly noticing, except maybe those who are paid the minimum wage or who live in hurricane-ravaged areas.
Upon taking control in January, Democrats led efforts to increase the minimum wage for the first time in a decade and to force modest spending increases in hurricane and drought relief, children's health care and a few other areas.
Beyond that, the majority party has found it difficult or impossible to redirect federal policies, thwarted by a veto-wielding Republican president whose congressional allies hold nearly half the Senate seats and a significant portion of the House.
To the frustration of their liberal base, Democrats have been unable to mandate a timetable for withdrawing troops from Iraq. Nor have they found a way to boost federal support for embryonic stem cell research, rewrite tax and spending priorities or force the removal of an embattled attorney general.
Their promises to reduce student loan rates, overhaul lobbying practices and put in place recommendations of the Sept. 11 commission are works in progress, at best.
They have largely abandoned their push to allow the government to negotiate prescription drug prices for the Medicare program in the face of Bush's opposition.
Democratic voters might be disappointed, but they should not be surprised, say congressional scholars and political strategists. While Democrats can set the legislative agenda and investigate the Bush administration, they "don't have the power" to determine the results, said Ronald Walters, a political scientist at the University of Maryland.
Lacking the two-thirds majorities needed in both chambers to override a veto, Democrats must make the most of their abilities to pressure the White House, hold oversight hearings and drive the toughest bargains they can, Walters said.
"Democrats are in a negotiating framework consistently," Walters said. "That's where they will be as long as the president has a veto pen."
Even the Democrats' most clear-cut legislative victory - raising the minimum wage to $7.25 from the current $5.15 over three years - has questionable impact.
Only a small fraction of workers earns the minimum wage, and Democrats had to buy Republican support with $4.84 billion in new tax cuts for small businesses.
Still, raising the minimum wage has value as a fairness issue, some Democrats say. They urge the party's constituents to welcome such symbolic and incremental victories in a divided government.
Having Democrats control the House and Senate "makes a huge difference, given the set of challenges the country faces and given that so little was done in the last Congress," said former Democratic Rep. Tim Roemer of Indiana, a member of the Sept. 11 commission.
Democrats have shifted the debate in important ways that may lead to policy changes in this Congress or the next, he said.
On Iraq, Roemer said "it's no longer a question of if" the United States will adopt a withdrawal timeline, only a question of when.
Citing global warming, he said Congress is no longer seriously debating whether the problem exists - as it did last year under Republican control- but considering how to address it.
Veteran Democrats say party supporters must understand that legislative victories often will come at the margins of major issues.
Consider children's health care, a Democratic campaign priority. Congress in May added an immediate $650 million to the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Budget bills for 2008 call for an extra $50 billion, but the effort must survive the appropriations process, and Bush has pledged to veto measures he considers too costly.
Democratic leaders hailed the increases for the children's program, even as they acknowledged the proposed new spending would hardly fill the health insurance gaps.
The change in control of Congress is important, "but what it doesn't mean is the Democrats can impose their will," said Florida Democrat Bob Graham, a former senator, governor and presidential candidate. "It does mean the Democrats can set the agenda and force issues" to the forefront, such as a minimum wage raise that Republicans had blocked for years.
Perhaps the most dramatic change in Congress involves the rising number and intensity of hearings into alleged misdoings by the administration.
Subjects of investigations include contracting practices in Iraq; the use of prewar intelligence; the firings of federal prosecutors; the use of warrantless wiretaps; the friendly fire death in Afghanistan of Army Cpl. Pat Tillman; and the use of political e-mail accounts by White House officials.
The "amazing lack of oversight of White House programs and initiatives" that existed under GOP-controlled congresses has ended, Walters said.
Some Democratic activists say it is important to remind voters that Bush and congressional Republicans play a central role in legislative impasses.
"It's hard to see a lot getting done," said lobbyist Steve Elmendorf, a former top House Democratic aide. "I don't know if Bush has the juice to deliver the Republican votes he needs" even on issues the president strongly backs, such as a proposed overhaul of immigration laws, he said.
At the end of this Congress, Elmendorf predicted, Democrats will have "a record of fiscal responsibility" and voters will understand that they could not overcome Bush's resistance on matters such as embryonic stem cell research.
As for the Iraq war, he said, even if Democrats can't force a withdrawal deadline, "the message that Americans are getting is: Democrats want change, Republicans don't."
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Under a portrait of George Washington and a sign proclaiming "A New Direction," Democratic lawmakers boasted of their accomplishments their first five months running Congress.
Their press release covered two pages.
Yet most people might be excused for hardly noticing, except maybe those who are paid the minimum wage or who live in hurricane-ravaged areas.
Upon taking control in January, Democrats led efforts to increase the minimum wage for the first time in a decade and to force modest spending increases in hurricane and drought relief, children's health care and a few other areas.
Beyond that, the majority party has found it difficult or impossible to redirect federal policies, thwarted by a veto-wielding Republican president whose congressional allies hold nearly half the Senate seats and a significant portion of the House.
To the frustration of their liberal base, Democrats have been unable to mandate a timetable for withdrawing troops from Iraq. Nor have they found a way to boost federal support for embryonic stem cell research, rewrite tax and spending priorities or force the removal of an embattled attorney general.
Their promises to reduce student loan rates, overhaul lobbying practices and put in place recommendations of the Sept. 11 commission are works in progress, at best.
They have largely abandoned their push to allow the government to negotiate prescription drug prices for the Medicare program in the face of Bush's opposition.
Democratic voters might be disappointed, but they should not be surprised, say congressional scholars and political strategists. While Democrats can set the legislative agenda and investigate the Bush administration, they "don't have the power" to determine the results, said Ronald Walters, a political scientist at the University of Maryland.
Lacking the two-thirds majorities needed in both chambers to override a veto, Democrats must make the most of their abilities to pressure the White House, hold oversight hearings and drive the toughest bargains they can, Walters said.
"Democrats are in a negotiating framework consistently," Walters said. "That's where they will be as long as the president has a veto pen."
Even the Democrats' most clear-cut legislative victory - raising the minimum wage to $7.25 from the current $5.15 over three years - has questionable impact.
Only a small fraction of workers earns the minimum wage, and Democrats had to buy Republican support with $4.84 billion in new tax cuts for small businesses.
Still, raising the minimum wage has value as a fairness issue, some Democrats say. They urge the party's constituents to welcome such symbolic and incremental victories in a divided government.
Having Democrats control the House and Senate "makes a huge difference, given the set of challenges the country faces and given that so little was done in the last Congress," said former Democratic Rep. Tim Roemer of Indiana, a member of the Sept. 11 commission.
Democrats have shifted the debate in important ways that may lead to policy changes in this Congress or the next, he said.
On Iraq, Roemer said "it's no longer a question of if" the United States will adopt a withdrawal timeline, only a question of when.
Citing global warming, he said Congress is no longer seriously debating whether the problem exists - as it did last year under Republican control- but considering how to address it.
Veteran Democrats say party supporters must understand that legislative victories often will come at the margins of major issues.
Consider children's health care, a Democratic campaign priority. Congress in May added an immediate $650 million to the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Budget bills for 2008 call for an extra $50 billion, but the effort must survive the appropriations process, and Bush has pledged to veto measures he considers too costly.
Democratic leaders hailed the increases for the children's program, even as they acknowledged the proposed new spending would hardly fill the health insurance gaps.
The change in control of Congress is important, "but what it doesn't mean is the Democrats can impose their will," said Florida Democrat Bob Graham, a former senator, governor and presidential candidate. "It does mean the Democrats can set the agenda and force issues" to the forefront, such as a minimum wage raise that Republicans had blocked for years.
Perhaps the most dramatic change in Congress involves the rising number and intensity of hearings into alleged misdoings by the administration.
Subjects of investigations include contracting practices in Iraq; the use of prewar intelligence; the firings of federal prosecutors; the use of warrantless wiretaps; the friendly fire death in Afghanistan of Army Cpl. Pat Tillman; and the use of political e-mail accounts by White House officials.
The "amazing lack of oversight of White House programs and initiatives" that existed under GOP-controlled congresses has ended, Walters said.
Some Democratic activists say it is important to remind voters that Bush and congressional Republicans play a central role in legislative impasses.
"It's hard to see a lot getting done," said lobbyist Steve Elmendorf, a former top House Democratic aide. "I don't know if Bush has the juice to deliver the Republican votes he needs" even on issues the president strongly backs, such as a proposed overhaul of immigration laws, he said.
At the end of this Congress, Elmendorf predicted, Democrats will have "a record of fiscal responsibility" and voters will understand that they could not overcome Bush's resistance on matters such as embryonic stem cell research.
As for the Iraq war, he said, even if Democrats can't force a withdrawal deadline, "the message that Americans are getting is: Democrats want change, Republicans don't."
wallpaper The bathroom
rinkurinku
03-28 01:01 AM
Hello,
I have already filed I-751 under removal from country results in extreme hardship,I am going through divorce process,I want to change cateogory in I-751 [marrige entered into good faith but terminated by divorce] ,so please anybody can tell me that when I will get me my divorce decree I have to refile new I-751 for cateogory change into------marriage entered into good faith but terminated by divorce.so plz help me i need to refile or just only amendment letter to uscis.if any body has gone through this process plz help me.
thank you.
I have already filed I-751 under removal from country results in extreme hardship,I am going through divorce process,I want to change cateogory in I-751 [marrige entered into good faith but terminated by divorce] ,so please anybody can tell me that when I will get me my divorce decree I have to refile new I-751 for cateogory change into------marriage entered into good faith but terminated by divorce.so plz help me i need to refile or just only amendment letter to uscis.if any body has gone through this process plz help me.
thank you.
curiosity_76
08-15 11:23 AM
If not, I have to refile.
help, guys!
help, guys!
2011 the Bathroom Sink 5x5 oil on
reddog
01-29 10:57 AM
Well, if you leave your co. now and also want your GC then:
Your H1 period will be over after 6 years irrespective of the I-140 from the old co.
GC: You do have to start from scratch.
However, you can still maintain your PD if your prev. co does not revoke the I-140. The documentation of your Old PD is to be attached with the New I-140.
Your H1 period will be over after 6 years irrespective of the I-140 from the old co.
GC: You do have to start from scratch.
However, you can still maintain your PD if your prev. co does not revoke the I-140. The documentation of your Old PD is to be attached with the New I-140.
more...
Blog Feeds
05-24 08:20 AM
A year ago, Rahm Emmanuel tried to convince President Obama not to pursue health care legislation. It would be too divisive. Now he's making the same case on immigration and it is upsetting many pro-immigration Democrats. The problem is that President Obama was elected as an agent for change, not simply to be a status quo President who would mind the store until someone bolder comes along. I've been impressed that President Obama has indicated he would be content to be a one term President if that meant he could leave with major accomplishments under his belt. Let's hope his...
More... (http://blogs.ilw.com/gregsiskind/2010/05/immigration-advocates-wary-of-rahm-emmanuel.html)
More... (http://blogs.ilw.com/gregsiskind/2010/05/immigration-advocates-wary-of-rahm-emmanuel.html)
Macaca
03-06 08:44 PM
Some paras from Testing Time for Democrats (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/05/AR2007030501185.html)
The story of the new Congress is actually two stories. Democratic leaders and their grass-roots supporters will decide in the coming days which narrative will prevail.
In January, Democrats dominated the news, the public agenda and the Republicans. In the last weeks of February, the Republicans came back -- not by offering grand proposals but by using the limited tools they have to prove that Democrats don't have enough power, yet, to end the war in Iraq.
When they took control, Democrats looked crisp and disciplined, attributes not normally associated with their party. Speaker Nancy Pelosi's House quickly passed the Democrats' popular campaign promises, including measures on the minimum wage, stem cell research, renewable energy and reforms of the student loan and Medicare prescription drug programs.
This agenda had its skeptics, but it provided focus for a party long out of power and drew significant Republican defections, feeding a raft of "Republicans in Disarray" stories. Pelosi noted at a January news conference that so many Republicans voted for the Democratic proposals that one of her colleagues joked: "Maybe you made these bills too easy."
The Senate Democrats quickly pushed through a different version of the minimum-wage increase, and the party's leading foreign policy voices framed a critique of President Bush's Iraq policy that squared with the public's increasingly skeptical view of the war.
But recent weeks have held nothing but trouble for Democrats -- and it is odd, as one Democrat noted, that they should be on the defensive when the scandal over the treatment of wounded veterans at Walter Reed Army Medical Center has focused attention on yet another failed aspect of the administration's execution of the war and its aftermath.
Instead, one news story after another has highlighted differences among congressional Democrats over how to end the war. There is also the divide between the Washington party and activists at the grass roots and in the blogosphere. All of these problems are rooted in two unalterable facts: Democrats, on the basis of their thin majorities in Congress, lack the numbers to force an unwilling president to alter his course. And they are short of votes to cut off funds for the war altogether.
My Comments
Dems are not united on most issues.
Although this article is on Iraq, a similar situation will occur on Immigration. The big difference is that Dems are very interested in Iraq (they won elections on Iraq) whereas I haven't seen much much Democratic interest on Immigration.
The story of the new Congress is actually two stories. Democratic leaders and their grass-roots supporters will decide in the coming days which narrative will prevail.
In January, Democrats dominated the news, the public agenda and the Republicans. In the last weeks of February, the Republicans came back -- not by offering grand proposals but by using the limited tools they have to prove that Democrats don't have enough power, yet, to end the war in Iraq.
When they took control, Democrats looked crisp and disciplined, attributes not normally associated with their party. Speaker Nancy Pelosi's House quickly passed the Democrats' popular campaign promises, including measures on the minimum wage, stem cell research, renewable energy and reforms of the student loan and Medicare prescription drug programs.
This agenda had its skeptics, but it provided focus for a party long out of power and drew significant Republican defections, feeding a raft of "Republicans in Disarray" stories. Pelosi noted at a January news conference that so many Republicans voted for the Democratic proposals that one of her colleagues joked: "Maybe you made these bills too easy."
The Senate Democrats quickly pushed through a different version of the minimum-wage increase, and the party's leading foreign policy voices framed a critique of President Bush's Iraq policy that squared with the public's increasingly skeptical view of the war.
But recent weeks have held nothing but trouble for Democrats -- and it is odd, as one Democrat noted, that they should be on the defensive when the scandal over the treatment of wounded veterans at Walter Reed Army Medical Center has focused attention on yet another failed aspect of the administration's execution of the war and its aftermath.
Instead, one news story after another has highlighted differences among congressional Democrats over how to end the war. There is also the divide between the Washington party and activists at the grass roots and in the blogosphere. All of these problems are rooted in two unalterable facts: Democrats, on the basis of their thin majorities in Congress, lack the numbers to force an unwilling president to alter his course. And they are short of votes to cut off funds for the war altogether.
My Comments
Dems are not united on most issues.
Although this article is on Iraq, a similar situation will occur on Immigration. The big difference is that Dems are very interested in Iraq (they won elections on Iraq) whereas I haven't seen much much Democratic interest on Immigration.
more...
raysaikat
07-20 11:03 AM
I finally got my BC from India, now my lawyer tells me that it should have Mothers maiden name, Is that right? I cannot find any info which says that.
Birth certificates formats are entirely local. In India each state; maybe even each district has its own format. Your lawyer may have seen some that has this information, or s/he simply does not believe you that what you got is the genuine one. In any case, USCIS does not (and cannot) require any specific format.
Birth certificates formats are entirely local. In India each state; maybe even each district has its own format. Your lawyer may have seen some that has this information, or s/he simply does not believe you that what you got is the genuine one. In any case, USCIS does not (and cannot) require any specific format.
2010 She Goes to the Bathroom?
Blog Feeds
01-21 09:50 AM
The Government Accountability Office has released a new report studying the accuracy of the E-Verify database. According to the report, the number of tentative non-confirmations has decreased by 5% over the last two years, an indicator that the system has more complete records than in the past. The report also praised USCIS for instituting new measures to protect the privacy of employees and improve oversight of employers proper use of the system. But the report has also raised concerns as well. The report concluded that false tentative non-confirmations are more likely to relate to foreign-born employees which could lead to...
More... (http://blogs.ilw.com/gregsiskind/2011/01/gao-report-discusses-state-of-e-verify.html)
More... (http://blogs.ilw.com/gregsiskind/2011/01/gao-report-discusses-state-of-e-verify.html)
more...
Blog Feeds
05-05 01:30 PM
Today�s New York Times brims with immigration dysfunctions galore. The paper's immigration reports tellingly underscore the front-burner role this white-hot policy issue plays in the nation and the world. In the first section alone, we see: � An open-mike faux pas by British PM Gordon Brown, referring to an immigration opponent as a �bigoted woman,� prompted his abject apology and now risks a Labor Party loss in the UK election next week; � A controversial opinion piece and articles on the political, legal and economic fallout of the Arizona Peace-Officers� Suspect-and-Arrest-or-Refrain-and-Be-Sued Act; � A report on four Dream Act marchers�...
More... (http://blogs.ilw.com/angelopaparelli/2010/04/all-the-immigration-news-thats-fit-to-print-1.html)
More... (http://blogs.ilw.com/angelopaparelli/2010/04/all-the-immigration-news-thats-fit-to-print-1.html)
hair $9.99 middot; Wood Dollhouse
jthomas
03-13 07:11 PM
I got my first H1B transfer through a lawyer. The lawyer charged $3500/- out of which approx $2500 has to be paid by the employer as per law the lawyers charges would be around 1000 dollars for some paper work.
My second H1B transfer costed be 1200 dollars as lawyers fee and all other charges has to be paid by the employer as per law.
Its best to get an immigration lawyer involved since you can have a peace of mind. There is no need of premium processing. Once you get the receipt you can join the other firm. You don't have to wait till the process gets completed.
My second H1B transfer costed be 1200 dollars as lawyers fee and all other charges has to be paid by the employer as per law.
Its best to get an immigration lawyer involved since you can have a peace of mind. There is no need of premium processing. Once you get the receipt you can join the other firm. You don't have to wait till the process gets completed.
more...
I_need_GC
06-19 12:05 PM
:confused:
My PERM was approved in 3 days filed on June 15, 07 approved on June 18. .
I was lucky to be able to apply I-140, I-485 together during the July madness.
Last Month I received an RFE on the I-140 for degrees and reference letters after sending I-140 approved in 2 weeks. Now I have received an RFE on my I-485
They have asked for work authorization for the volunteering and internship I did while on F1. My atty by mistake put these on the G325A form. The internship was a cpt recorded on the I-20 so no worries there. Volunteering was where the problem is. It was working at a physicians office (my dad's office) helping in computer stuff.
What do the Gurus recommend I do. I am worried that at this stage What can we do.
My PERM was approved in 3 days filed on June 15, 07 approved on June 18. .
I was lucky to be able to apply I-140, I-485 together during the July madness.
Last Month I received an RFE on the I-140 for degrees and reference letters after sending I-140 approved in 2 weeks. Now I have received an RFE on my I-485
They have asked for work authorization for the volunteering and internship I did while on F1. My atty by mistake put these on the G325A form. The internship was a cpt recorded on the I-20 so no worries there. Volunteering was where the problem is. It was working at a physicians office (my dad's office) helping in computer stuff.
What do the Gurus recommend I do. I am worried that at this stage What can we do.
hot The Bathroom
conchshell
12-31 07:28 PM
Dear fellow members,
Wish you all a happy and cheerful new year 2009. Wish that both EB2 and EB3 become current in this new year, and bring much sought peace of mind to everyone. May legal immigration becomes one of the top priority for Obama administration. :)
Wish you all a happy and cheerful new year 2009. Wish that both EB2 and EB3 become current in this new year, and bring much sought peace of mind to everyone. May legal immigration becomes one of the top priority for Obama administration. :)
more...
house the bathroom has a window.
cortel
09-27 11:04 AM
We are getting ready to file for another H1B extension, and based on work location, will have to file with the Vermont Service Center. The employer is NOT cap-exempt, but I have had an H1B for many years (so do not need to file for new visa). I am not sure which is the correct address for filing, though. (See p. 20, I-129 instructions.) I think we need to use:
All other I-129 Cases:
USCIS
Vermont Service Center
ATTN: I-129
75 Lower Welden Street
St. Albans, VT 05479-0001.
(Other option:
H-1B Cap Cases:
USCIS
Vermont Service center
ATTN: H-1B Cap
1A Lemnah Drive
St. Albans, VT 05479-0001.)
Can you confirm the first address (for all other cases) is correct?
Thanks!
C.
All other I-129 Cases:
USCIS
Vermont Service Center
ATTN: I-129
75 Lower Welden Street
St. Albans, VT 05479-0001.
(Other option:
H-1B Cap Cases:
USCIS
Vermont Service center
ATTN: H-1B Cap
1A Lemnah Drive
St. Albans, VT 05479-0001.)
Can you confirm the first address (for all other cases) is correct?
Thanks!
C.
tattoo The Bathroom
jsk1982
08-24 01:51 AM
I have an I-485 that will be current soon, but I am not employed. If they approve it, will that be considered a mistake and make it invalid? Should I withdraw it? Will a letter explaining the situation be sufficient? I have another application as a dependent, just takes longer.
more...
pictures Aesthetics of the bathroom and
vkrs
02-13 06:35 PM
Hi,
I have applied for H1-B in India from Comany B in 2007 and got H1-B approved peititon.
Later on I got L1-A visa from my company A in Feb 2008 and came to USA on L1-A visa in Feb2008 and working for comany A till date on L1 visa.
Now I want to change my status from L1A to H1-B to join company C .
My H1 petition is valid till 2010 October. My questions are
1. Can I change my status from L1A to H1B any time before October 2010(H1b expiry date).
if not, How many months before I need to change from L1 to H1b before my H1b petition expires.
2. My current project is still ongoing till October,2010 and I am with L1 status. so Can I wait till October and then apply for change of status to join new company C on H1-B visa.
Need your help.
Thanks
I have applied for H1-B in India from Comany B in 2007 and got H1-B approved peititon.
Later on I got L1-A visa from my company A in Feb 2008 and came to USA on L1-A visa in Feb2008 and working for comany A till date on L1 visa.
Now I want to change my status from L1A to H1-B to join company C .
My H1 petition is valid till 2010 October. My questions are
1. Can I change my status from L1A to H1B any time before October 2010(H1b expiry date).
if not, How many months before I need to change from L1 to H1b before my H1b petition expires.
2. My current project is still ongoing till October,2010 and I am with L1 status. so Can I wait till October and then apply for change of status to join new company C on H1-B visa.
Need your help.
Thanks
dresses From Review: The Rookery - a
sksatkc
01-11 02:58 PM
Sorry to spam this forum, I have a problem that my motherinlaw is going alone to india from MSP(Minneapolis) to bombay(BOM) on northwest, and we are looking for travel companion for her, around end of january/february and we are willing to change her travel dates for this, please , if anyone is going from MSP to bom in end jan/feb , please send email to sksatkc@yahoo.com or send private message.
thanks in advance.
thanks in advance.
more...
makeup GQ in the bathroom
djmaddy
03-24 10:04 AM
very nice art!
girlfriend Among the various accessories
gchopes
04-19 12:28 PM
My lawyer said it was ok and we have applied for h4 extension for spouse. Its under regular processing at VSC so I won't know the outcome for a few months.
hairstyles and-colors-in-the-athroom
lazycis
09-27 08:29 AM
http://www.immigrationportal.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=16658&d=1184176069
http://www.immigrationportal.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=16800&d=1186592058
http://www.immigrationportal.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=16916&d=1188467645
http://boards.immigrationportal.com/showpost.php?p=1783293&postcount=13212
http://www.immigrationportal.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=16800&d=1186592058
http://www.immigrationportal.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=16916&d=1188467645
http://boards.immigrationportal.com/showpost.php?p=1783293&postcount=13212
frost_oni
04-16 01:59 PM
it's a manga.....the guy you see peering through the blue glass pilots a giant robot that can fire stuff. et cetera. :P
zymorian
05-12 01:14 AM
err, any advice from anyone?? :rolleyes:
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