Deficit panel may postpone decision: Schakowsky

[ProSense]

Source: Reuters

(Reuters) - A presidential commission that is expected to vote later this week on a plan to balance the U.S. budget and cut the deficit may postpone its decision, commission member Representative Jan Schakowsky said on Tuesday.

"There's a possibility always of postponing the decision. I've been asked what my availability is for Friday. I don't know if that means one more day or more days," Schakowsky, a Democrat, told Reuters in an interview.

Asked if the commission has the 14 votes needed among the 18 members to support its fiscal austerity plan, a threshold that would trigger a congressional vote on it, Schakowsky said: "I don't see that, no, at least not right now."

She said the co-chairmen of the panel, set up in February by President Barack Obama, were still working on Tuesday to nail down support for a revised version of a sweeping deficit-reduction plan they unveiled on November 10.



Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6AT4V120101130

[joeybee12]

1. Good...nt

[tomm2thumbs]

2. they need more input from Wall Street and big business... /nt

[DJ13]

3. Bowles was just on TV talking about the vote tommorrow

From his resigned tone I think they considered a delay in the hope they could twist some arms, but he and Simpson have finally given up and will hold the vote as scheduled.

[ProSense]

5. Good. n/t

[Lasher]

4. This is bullshit, their deadline is tomorrow.

They don't have 14 votes. Game over unless they cheat and get by with it. These assholes are trying to perpetuate this commission forever. That's the way it is with political commissions, they love the microphones and TV cameras and will cling to the limelight as long as they can.

[eridani]

7. Not over. It will resume in the Repuke congress n/t

[Lasher]

8. Yes but after the end of this year they won't have taxpayer-provided resources.

At least not any provided by the Executive branch unless Obama amends his executive order. These things can drag on forever, like the 12 year, $91 million taxpayer-funded witch hunts against the Clinton administration.

[eridani]

9. They'll have all the resouces that Citizens United can give them n/t

[Lasher]

10. Oh yes, I have no doubt about that.

[annabanana]

6. hmm , ,It seems the congressional switchboard is pretty damn busy

today.. Can't imagine why.

[suffragette]

11. This is a direct violation of their bylaws and charter

http://www.fiscalcommission.gov/bylaws
The Commission shall vote on the approval of a final report containing a set of recommendations to achieve the objectives set forth in the Charter no later than December 1, 2010. The issuance of a final report of the Commission shall require the approval of not less than 14 of the 18 members of the Commission.

http://www.fiscalcommission.gov/charter
10. Duration. Executive Order 13531 authorizes the Commission to operate until 30 days after it submits its final report. A vote on the approval of a final report is required not later than December 1, 2010.


As Schakowsky notes, they probably don't have the votes to pass their proposal (and thank you Rep. Schakowsky for being the one voice on that commission who has consistently spoken for the people). Now it looks like they are extending the time in direct violation of their own rules in order to try to twist arms to get the votes they need.

They should not be allowed to delay this vote.
They need to be called out on this more and pressed to adhere to their bylaws and charter.