Dem Reps on Medicare, on C-Span now (10.35 pm EST)

[Lindsay]

Better late than never...after the Repugs spent hours patting themselves on the back for Iraq.

[IkeWarnedUs]

1. Does anyone know what is happening?

I've been watching for about 1 1/2 hours. It seems that Frank Pallone (NJ) is in charge/called this session. The main topic has been the Medicare bill, but they're going way beyond it. There only seem to be a handfull of people in the chamber at any time, but there has been a steady stream of Congressional Democrats to take the mike.

They have been talking about the pattern of deception by the Bush administration to get their agenda passed. Lies about how much the Medicare bill would cost, the Bush administration official who knew the true cost and was told not to share it with Congress or loose his job, the three hour delay on the vote, the attempted bribe of one Congressman (with a $100K donation to his son's campaign) and the strong arm tactics used to get the votes to pass the bill. Lies that got us into Iraq (quite an extensive list). Outing Joe Wilson's wife. And more.

Gotta get the transcript of this.

Does this happen often?

[IkeWarnedUs]

2. Jay Inslee (Washington) talking about Bush ties with Saudi Arabia

Asking about Saudi / 911 connections, including flying the binLaden family out 2 days after 9/11.

Meeks (Florida) gave a moving statement about how other Bush deceptions cost Americans money, but lying us into Iraq cost us American lives.

I couln't believe this was the US House. Pinch me, I'm dreaming.

[Lindsay]

3. It happens pretty much weekly,

usually on Tuesday evenings, but it seems more recently that they've met on Wednesdays. The House Dems have what they call "Iraq Watch," but they've expanded it to cover other issues like Medicare and the economy.

Different members take part, but Pallone is often there. Also Sherrod Brown, Neil Abercrombie, Rahm Emmanuel...buncha good people.

Usually somebody will post here when there's a session on...look for an "Iraq Watch" thread.

Edit...Bill Delahunt has transcripts posted on his web site.

http://www.house.gov/delahunt/iraq_watch.htm

I'm glad you asked about that...I'd been wondering, and finally thought to Google it.