Congressional Dish

In this episode, learn about our global war strategy for the 114th Congress through highlights of two Senate Armed Services Committee hearings. Witnesses include former Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger, Madeline Albright, and George Shultz and retired military leaders General James Mattis, General Jack Keane, and Admiral William Fallon. Please support Congressional Dish: to contribute with PayPal or Bitcoin; click the PayPal "Make it Monthly" checkbox to create a monthly subscription to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Mail Contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North #4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Senate Committee on Armed Services, January 27, 2015 General James N. Mattis, USMC (Ret.) Former Commander, United States Central Command 2010-2013 On the , a blood diagnostics company General John "Jack" M. Keane, USA (Ret.) Former Vice Chief of Staff of the Army 1999 - 2003 On the () as of July 2012 Is a , a private equity firm with investments in IT, medical devices & pharmaceuticals, and surveillance, and defense. On the , which . On the On the , a commercial real estate service in Washington D.C. Admiral William J. Fallon, USN (Ret.) Former Commander, United States Central Command Executive Vice President of Strategy of , which help companies score defense procurement contracts as of April 201, which is The Executive Chairman of the Board is Eric Prince of Blackwater , a cybersecurity company. On the at , which is a cybersecurity company. On the at the Owns his own consulting and advisory business, William J. Fallon & Associates, Inc. Senate Committee on Armed Services, January 29, 2015 Henry Kissinger Government Positions Secretary of State and National Security Advisor to Presidents Ford and Nixon Coordinated the CIA coup that overthrew Allende and installed Pinochet in Chile () Private Positions , a blood diagnostics company Member of the 1994 CSIS American-Ukrainian Advisory Committee (with Brzezinski) , Madeleine Albright Government Positions President Clinton's Secretary of State Private Positions member , and Chair of Albright Capital Management, an affiliated investment advisory firm focused on emerging markets. in , a telecommunications company in Africa. Albright Capital Management is , an international retail company with over 120 stores, that sells things in airport, seaports, and borders, including duty free stores and jewelry stores. Albright Capital Management is also , which supplies government utilities in developing nations with power equipment. Dr. George P. Shultz Government positions President Nixon's Labor and Treasury Secretary President Reagan's Secretary of State Advisor to President George W. Bush: The Wall Street Journal called him Private positions President and Director of the Bechtel Group from 1974-1982, until he became Reagan's Secretary of State 1976: Educated at the On the Board of Directors of , which has something to do with DARPA training and education. , a blood diagnostics company as of March 2014 Information Presented in This Episode Ukraine U.S. Planned Coup Listen to the leaked phone call between Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland and US Ambassador to Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt. that the United States was behind the installation of the new Ukrainian government. IMF loan Ukraine was awarded , in February 2015. Economic Reforms adopted Increase military spending from 184,000 to 250,000 Stricter punishments for deserters (approximately 10,000 people have deserted the army.) 3-7 years in jail for failure to execute an order that caused grave consequences Privatize Energy , from 20 to 70 percent. by 2.2 times by 3.3 times Deregulation Ukraine is world's Three types of business activities related to agriculture Trade in pesticides and argo-chemicals Cattle breeding activities Fumigation Cut Social Welfare Programs Pension reforms will Weapons to the New Government   Iraq Oil Pipeline . Budget Functions Function 150 Function 150 appears to be Function 150 Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: by (found on by mevio) Blood is Thicker than Oil by (found on by mevio)

On February 27, 2015 the Department of Homeland Security came within hours of shutting down. In this episode, get the full story, from start to finish, of this unnecessary funding crisis. Please support Congressional Dish: to contribute with PayPal or Bitcoin; click the PayPal "Make it Monthly" checkbox to create a monthly subscription to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Mail Contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North #4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Information Discussed in this Episode : The DHS funding bill that was signed into law : The Dingleberry Version Theoretically and Memorandum regarding immigration going back to 2011. an executive order that . a DHS memorandum that , with criminals being kicked out first. an executive order that allows the to stay in the United States. The "Crazy" Ones List And here are the 52 Republicans who voted against the DHS bill. — Matt Fuller (@MEPFuller) Speaker Boehner Clarifies the Rules on February 26, 2015, the day before the DHS funding would have run out. Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: by (found on by mevio) We've Got to Find a Solution by (found on by mevio) There's No Place Like America by (found on by mevio)

In this special episode, catch up on all the drama that surrounded the near shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security. First, sit on the couch with Jen and Matt as they watch the first plan to avert a shutdown go down in flames, then sit in on a conversation between Jen and her step-brother Mike, a member of the Coast Guard who may have to work for free if the DHS is shut down next week. Please support Congressional Dish: to contribute with PayPal or Bitcoin; click the PayPal "Make it Monthly" checkbox to create a monthly subscription to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Mail Contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North #4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Information Discussed in This Episode The 47 page , which caused the Republican revolt. Check out Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: by (found on by mevio) by (found on by mevio)

A summary of January, the first month of the 114th Congress. In this episode, a favor for Wall Street is signed into law, the Senate did almost nothing, and the House passed bills that benefit Wall Street, fossil fuel companies, and companies that don't want to give you health insurance. There were a few good bills mixed in there too. Please Support Congressional Dish: to contribute with PayPal or Bitcoin; click the PayPal "Make it Monthly" checkbox to create a monthly subscription to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Mail Contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North #4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Thank you for supporting truly independent media! January Laws : Terrorism Risk Insurance Program ReAuthorization Act of 2015 The bill and changes the terms of the program that provides Federal insurance to businesses damaged in a terrorist attack. The program was after expiring on December 31, 2014. from 85% to 80% over the course of the next five years. There's a $100 billion cap on Federal losses. The program trigger, which is the point at which insurance companies get Federal money, from $100 million now to $200 million. ; the Secretary of State will no longer be involved. . The attachment prevents the SEC from telling swaps traders how much cash they need to put up front to make a swaps trade. The attachment is the text of the , which was written by . He tried to get it passed in the 112th and 113th Congresses, before he resigned on the first day of the 114th Congress . The Securities and Investment industry was his #2 contributor, . Rep. Jeb Hensarling, who fought to keep this provision in the bill, has taken . January Bills and : Hire More Heroes Act Veterans with government health care which triggers a company's obligation to give employees health insurance. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Rodney Davis in the House, who has taken . The bill is sponsored by Senator Roy Blunt of Missouri, who has taken . National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act Reauthorization of 2015 Reauthorizes and updates the The program designed to improve weather modeling, coordinate post-storm investigations, improve understanding of wind's impact on buildings and vital infrastructure, and promote adoption of storm preparation measures. for the next three years Written by Rep. Randy Neugebauer of Texas Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research Act of 2015 for the Pacific and Arctic Oceans and for the Atlantic Ocean into a single warning system, which will . Appropriates through 2017 to get this done. Passed unanimously. Written by Rep. Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act Requires of Veteran's Administration mental health programs Requires the Veteran's Administration to that needs to be updated at least every 90 days. Creates a to repay psychiatrists' loans () if they work for at least two years at the Veteran's Health Administration. to get this done. Written by Democrat Rep. Timothy Walz of Minnesota : LNG Permitting Certainty and Transparency Act Forces the Department of Energy to decide on applications to construct, expand, or operate liquified natural gas export facilities . Requires the applicant the specific destination of the liquified natural gas exports. Written by Rep. Bill Johnson of Ohio, whose are #1 Leadership PACs, who have given him over $387,000, #2 Mining, who has given him over $250,000, and #3 Oil and Gas, who has given him over $244,000. and Keystone XL Pipeline Act the Keystone XL pipeline. Forces any lawsuits against the pipeline Written by Rep. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, whose , who have given him over $322,000. Save American Workers Act of 2015 Makes people work for . The effects of this on the budget Written by Rep. Todd Young of Indiana Passed Regulatory Accountability Act of 2015 Adds Makes it Written by Bob Goodlatte of Virginia, who has accepted from various industries Passed the House 250-175 Promoting Job Creation and Reducing Small Business Burdens Act A package of 11 Wall Street deregulation bills from the 113th Congress (the GOP House leadership on the second day of the 114th Congress). , which is the bill that has already been signed into law as an attachment to the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program reauthorization. Would (the Federal Reserve already delayed it until 2017), which prohibits commercial banks from trading collateralized loan obligations. Would allow companies to from their financial reports at their discretion. Companies with under $250 million in revenue (this would include roughly 60% of publicly traded stocks). , which will . The bill was sponsored by Rep. Michael Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, who is retiring from Congress at the end of this term. His #1 contributing industry is leadership PACs but his #4 is the finance industry. : GOP Financial Services video about HR 37, starring Michael Fitzpatrick : Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act This bill was discussed during the 113th Congress in If the agency does not decide within 90 days of the completed environmental review, the permit will be on the 120th day Written by Rep. Mike Pompeo of Kansas () who has taken almost $300,000 from Koch Industries alone. In total, he has taken . : No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2015 Would prohibit Federal funding for (Currently, federal funds cannot be used for abortion services, except in cases involving rape, incest, or life endangermen). Written by Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2015 Already dead. Human Trafficking Prioritization Act Sense of Congress that the State Department can combat trafficking just and . Written by Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey : International Megan’s Law to Prevent Demand for Child Sex Trafficking Creates a new in the Department of Homeland Security which will about sex-offenders and notify other countries of the sex-offender's travel plans. Written by Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey : Human Trafficking Prevention Act for Federal employees dealing with human trafficking. Written by Rep. Sean Maloney of New York : Enhancing Services for Runaway and Homeless Victims of Youth Trafficking Act of 2015 to the list of things that grant money for runaway and homeless kids can be used for Written by Rep. Joe Heck of Nevada : Human Trafficking Prevention, Intervention, and Recovery Act of 2015 Orders a few reports Written by Kristi Noem of South Dakota : Stop Exploitation Through Trafficking Act of 2015 Prioritizes how grants to local police forces are given treatment of victims of sex trafficking Makes sex trafficking even if they aren't low income Written by Rep. Erik Paulsen of Minnesota : SAVE Act of 2015 Makes of prostitutes who are under 18 or are forced into prostitution punishable . Written by by Rep. Ann Wagner of Missouri : Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 based on the State's laws' treatment of victims of sex trafficking Adds the to the definition of "child abuse' Eliminates the prosecutorial requirement that that the government prove that the defendant recklessly disregarded the victims age Written by Rep. Ted Poe of Texas : Human Trafficking Detection Act of 2015 Trains TSA, Customs, and Border Patrol agents on how to detect and disrupt human trafficking within one year Written by Rep. Bradley Walker of North Carolina and : Trafficking Awareness Training for Health Care Act of 2015 Gives for recognizing and treating human trafficking victims Written by Rep. Renee Ellmers of North Carolina in the House and Rep. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana in the Senate. : Strengthening Child Welfare Response to Trafficking Act of 2015 based on the State's laws' treatment of victims of sex trafficking Written by Rep. Karen Bass of California : To improve the response to victims of child sex trafficking. to the list of things that should be reported on the Written by Rep. Joyce Beatty of Ohio Additional Information Article: by Stephanie Strom. New York Times. April 2013. Article: by Brian Stelter. CNN Money. January 2015. Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: by (found on by mevio) by (found on by mevio) by Be Heard Have something to say? Leave a message on the Congressional Dish voicemail line and it might be featured on the show! Call (339) 707-0307 Help Congressional Dish Rate Congressional Dish with and leave a rave review. Download and share the FREE Congressional Dish app for and . Submit your favorite episodes to . Musicians: Share your music with Congressional Dish (and the world) - email the mp3 to Jen at Congressioanldish dot com. Share your favorite episodes with other podcasters, share with your Facebook friends, share with your Tweeps, share, share, share!

In this episode, we look at the riders added to the must-sign 2015 budget, including favors for Wall Street, unions, agribusiness, the oil and gas industry, electric utilities, the vending machine industry, telecoms, the trucking industry, the insurance industry, and the politicians themselves. Please Support Congressional Dish: to contribute with PayPal or Bitcoin; click the PayPal "Make it Monthly" checkbox to create a monthly subscription to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Mail Contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North #4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Article: by David Dayen. The Fiscal Times. December 2014. Article: by Russ Choma, OpenSecrets Blog, December 2014. Agriculture & FDA : Defunds an that evaluates the effectiveness of food safety inspection processes. : Prohibits funding from being used to inspect livestock slaughterhouses from animals who will be eaten and . : States can exempt schools from the requirement to provide whole grains to students in school lunches. : No money can be used to implement a law that would require a sodium reduction in school lunches. Commerce, Justice, & Science : The Department of Justice can't pay for an abortion unless the mother's life is in danger or unless she was raped. The bill acknowledges that this might be unconstitutional and if so, this provision will be "null and void". : Money can't be used for propaganda that is not authorized by Congress. : No money can be used to seek the removal of another country's tobacco marketing restrictions, "except for restrictions which are not applied equally to all tobacco or tobacco products of the same type". Article: , Krista Hughes, Reuters, October 21, 2014. : "None of the funds made available in this Act shall be used in any whatsoever to support or justify the use of torture by any official or contract employee of the United States Government." : Fully automatic weapons if they are to be used by the US Federal Government or the government of Canada. : Prohibits new trade agreements from including language that , language that , and language that . : No money can be used to transfer Khalid Sheikh Mohammaed or any other detainee from Guantanamo Bay prison to another location in the United States. : The government should purchase Energy Star light bulbs to the extent practicable. : Prohibits government employees from denying or ignoring a permit to import shotguns. : Prevents the Department of Justice from using it's money to prevent States from implementing their medical marijuana laws. TITLE VI- Travel Promotion Enhancement and Modernization Act Passed the House in July 2014 and was discussed on . Changes the board of directors of – a non-profit organization that advertises U.S. tourism – from being made up of to one , with five seats reserved for people with ties to multinational corporations. It eliminates the seat for the specialist in intercity passenger rail. for the government to spend $100 million per year on Brand USA through 2020. – a $10 fee charged to people who get a visa to travel into the United States – until 2020. Defense Coming Soon Energy & Water : Federal funding can't be used to enforce the mitigation regulations known as the "Modified Charleston Method." The Modified Charleston Method was implemented in May 2011 and is a formula for calculating how much wetlands need to be protected for each acre of private development. This method protects more wetlands than are protected when it is not used, generally requiring 3 acres of wetland conservation for every acre destroyed. InfoPacket: One of the is a Kinder Morgan natural gas pipeline. . Article: , and St. Tammany Officials Get Worried by Christine Harvey. The Times-Picayune. March 2012. Amendment added by Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana Press Release: , December 2014. The vast majority of Rep. Steve Scalise's campaign funds come from PACs - 71% - but his #1 listed contributing industry is Oil and Gas; he's taken : Prohibits changes to the regulatory definition of "fill material" or "discharge of fill material". In 2002, the Bush administration changed the definition of "fill material" which can be dumped into waterways with a permit, . This was . He has taken and $137,000 from mining. : Prohibits the government from requiring a permit into waterways. : Deletes that limits the farming and ranching "fill material" that can be dumped without a permit. : The Department of Energy is not allowed to construct centrifuges for enriched uranium in 2015 and needs to do a cost-benefit analysis of options for suppling enriched uranium for war purposes and an "estimate to build a ". : Prohibits enforcement of . According to the Department of Energy, these standards will save $17.7 billion in energy costs over the next 30 years, as well as avoid 106 million metric tons of co2 emissions. , whose #5 contributing industry is Electric Utilities - -, although he get 69% of his money from PACs. He has added it to must-sign legislation every year since 2010. Financial Services : The Treasury Department may not redesign the $1 bill. Article: by Sarah Mimms. National Journal. January 2015. Article: . Associated Press. December 2006. Article: by Tina Kelley. New York Times. May 2008. : Prevents the Federal Communications Commission from implementing that would to allow payment for broadband lines per household instead of per line, which would effectively reduce the subsidy for the companies. FAQ: . : The text of , which was the bill that will allow banks to gamble with credit default swaps on the stock market with customers deposits in FDIC insured banks. Article: by Mayra Rodriguez Valldares. New York Times. May 2014. Article: by Michael Moore. Bloomberg. May 2014. , who took over from Securities and Investment bankers for the last election alone. Over the course of his four year career, he's taken almost from bankers... that we know of. : Prohibits funding for requirements that would make companies submitting offers for Federal contracts to disclose their political contributions. : Prohibits Washington DC from using its money to from legalize or reduce the penalties for a schedule I substance, which includes marijuana, for recreational use. Land Management & Environment The Department of the Interior : For the United States Geological Survey to surveys and research topography, geology, hydrology, biology, and the mineral and water resources of the United States... approx $1 billion, available until 9/30/2016. : $125 million minus fees collected, estimated real appropriation of $66 million for enforcing regulations for leases for oil and gas, other minerals, and energy on the Outer Continental Shelf over half of which needs to go towards expediting drilling permits on the Outer Continental Shelf. Collection and disbursement of royalties, fees, and other mineral revenue will get . Wildland fire management: . Hazardous fuels management and resilient landscapes activities can be privatized. This money can be used by the Secretary of State outside the United States. This money incurred for fires in previous years. This money to deal with earthquakes, floods, volcanoes, storms, oil spills, and to control cricket outbreaks. : Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from protecting the Sage-Grouse under the Endangered Species Act. by Sandra Fish, AlJazeera America, December 2013. Environmental Protection Agency Over for fire suppression. averaged $1.46 billion a year since 2000, a time period that since records began in 1880. : Allows Alaska red and yellow cedar to be exported to foreign countries. Press Release: by the Center for Biological Diversity, June 2014. Article: by Maria La Ganga, Los Angeles Times, November 2014. Article: by Katie Mortiz, Juneau Empire, October 2014. Article: by Michael Wines, New York Times, September 2014. Article: by Krista Langlois, High Country News, January 2015. Article: by : No money can be used to regulate carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, water vapor or methane emitted from livestock production. : No money can be used to require mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from manure management systems. Amendments identical to Sections 419 and 420 by Rep. Ken Calvert of Southern California. He has taken . : No money can be used to regulate the lead content of ammunition or fishing tackle. Labor, Health, & Education Health and Human Services : Prohibits funding of gun control promotions. : The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) can privatize research into drugs for 10 years. Op-Ed: of by former Rep. Mike Rogers, The Hill, October 2014. Department of Education : No money can be used for transporting children to other school districts to "carry out a plan of racial desegregation of any school or school system." : No money can be used to prevent voluntary prayer in public schools. Department of Labor : The National Labor Relations Board can't use their money to provide employees with electronic voting for electing representatives for their collective bargaining. All Departments : The Departments of Health & Humans Services, Labor, and Education can't use their money to pay for health benefits coverage that includes abortion coverage. : Abortions can be paid for with Federal funds if the pregnancy was a result of rape or incest or if the mother's life is in danger. States will be allowed to cover abortion and abortion coverage can be offered separately. : No money can be used for research that harms a human embryo. : No money can be used for programs that distribute sterile needles to drug addicts. : No money can go towards ACORN, "or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, allied organizations, or successors." Article: , by David Weigel, Bloomberg, December 2014. Ebola money is available for use until September 30, 2019. for the Centers for Disease Control to "respond to Ebola domestically and internationally." $10 million for hospital worker and emergency first responder training. $597 million for global health security The money can be used to purchase and insure vehicles in foreign countries. : The CDC can use this money to "acquire, lease, construct, alter, renovate, equip, furnish, or manage facilities outside the United States." in "emergency" funding will go towards the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases" to "respond to Ebola domestically and internationally." for the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund to "respond to Ebola domestically and internationally" to develop and purchase vaccines, "necessary medical supplies, and administrative activities." Money can be used for the "renovation and alteration of privately owned facilities at the State and local level" Congress : No money can be used to deliver a printed copy of a bill to a Representative unless that Representative asked for it. : No more than 50 copies total of the US Code can be printed for the entire House of Representatives. : The Government Printing Office is renamed to the Government Publishing Office. Military Construction : Construction contracts with guaranteed profits will be allowed in Alaska and/or if the Defense Secretary says there's a reason for one in writing. : Military construction money can't be used to pay property taxes in foreign countries. : The military can't use this money for any new installations without notifying the House and Senate Appropriations Committees first. : Architect or engineer contracts over $500,000 in Japan, NATO countries, or countries bordering the Arabian Gulf must be awarded to US firms or be partnerships with US firms. : Money for military construction can be held & used up to four years after it is appropriated. : $125 million extra is appropriated until September 2018 for projects anywhere excepts in Europe. : No money can be used to prepare any United States facilities to house detainees from Guantanamo Bay prison. Veterans Veterans benefits will cost and medical expenses will cost , which is $153 billion total. The Veterans Integrated Service Networks are not allowed to change their system for contracting for diabetes monitoring supplies and equipment. Press Release: , PR Newswire, November 2013. "Sysmex America now holds Veterans Administration hematology contracts and standardization agreements with 16 of the 21 VISNs." "The VA Schedules are type contracts awarded to pre-approved vendors." OpenSecrets: Hal Rogers, chairman of the Appropriations Committee , which in 2012 which allows Roche to distribute Sysmex hemotology products . State Department & Foreign Operations for Worldwide Security protection for the State Department, which has . Article: by Spencer Ackerman, Wired, October 2010. Approximately will go towards the United Nations, including U.N. "peacekeeping missions". Over plus in "global health programs" funds will go to USAID. will go towards combatting AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. will go towards "development assistance", which : Agribusiness Setting up financial institutions "Policy and regulatory programs" that "improve the environment" for financial institutions. Marketing Energy and storage facilities Infrastructure Schools spreading "ideas and practices of the United States, including new education material and curricula "To expedite the location, exploration, and development of potential sources of energy in developing countries" for the "Economic Support Fund", which : Promoting "economic or political stability" Legal education training Academic training for law enforcement (the military is prohibited from participating) Prison programs "Legal reform" and "revision and modernization of legal codes and procedures" Can be used for and this money won't count towards laws limiting assistance to countries. This money can be used to create for Egypt or Tunisia, which are . This money "shall be available for economic programs and may not be used for military or paramilitary purposes." for the War on Drugs authorization for the "use of herbicides for aerial eradication". Tells the State Department to report on the cost of "establishing an aviation platform in Africa" which . for "Peacekeeping Operations" to "enhance the capacity of foreign civilian security forces" including military forces in charge of policing civilians (). for "International Military Education and Training." for the "Foreign Military Financing Program The money can be used "to procure defense articles and services to enhance the capacity of foreign security forces" Over $3 billion must be grants to Israel can be put in an interest bearing account at the NY Federal Reserve for Egypt, and the money can be used for weapons as long as Egypt meets a list of demands (including giving detainees access to due process of law). Article: by Julian Pecquet. Al Monitor. December 10, 2014. will be for Jordan. This money can be . This money can be used for : The State Department can construction "diplomatic facilities" that include office space or "other accommodations" for the US Marine Corps. The Congressional report on where these facilities are and their costs . Congress doesn't need to be notified of new diplomatic facilities if there is a . : Money can't be used to directly assist any government whose elected government is removed by the military. However, we can give that country money again as long as the next government is elected. : Prohibits money being used for "tear gas, small arms, light weapons, ammunition, or other items for crowd control purposes for foreign security forces that use excessive force to repress peaceful expression." : We will give $150 million to Egypt as long as Egypt is taking steps to . : The State Department can use its money to create a new government and "promote economic development" in Syria. : State Department funds are going towards training and equipping Ethiopian military and police. : State Department funds will also towards training militaries in Angola, Cameroon, Chad, Cote d"Ivoire, Guinea, and Zimbabwe. : State Department money will go towards managing natural resources and supporting security forces in South Sudan. : State Department money will be used for naval forces, coast guards and nongovernmental organizations "directly engaged in maritime security issues" in Asia. : State Department money will go towards the Philippine army. : State Department money will be given to the military of Vietnam and for health/disability activities in areas sprayed with Agent Orange and/or contaminated with dioxin. : The State Department can construct and renovated US government facilities to accommodate Federal employees or contractors or expand aviation facilities in Afghanistan if it would "protect such facilities or the security, health, and welfare of United States personnel." Money for Afghanistan can go towards "programs in Central and South Asia relating to a transition in Afghanistan, including expanding Afghanistan linkages within the region." : Money can go towards military training in Sri Lanka. : State Department funds can be used to "support a unified campaign against narcotics trafficking" in Columbia. 10% of the funds will go towards "aerial drug eradication programs". : State Department funds can be given to the Guatemalan army. : State Department funds can be given to the Honduran army and police. : State Department funds can be given to the Mexican army and police. : $100 million for the , which is under the control of the Defense Department, to buy weapons and defense services for foreign countries. : The United States will contribute over $3.8 billion to the , a branch of the World Bank that provides loans and grants to "boost economic growth" in poor countries. It's our 17th contribution. Over will be for State Department security. Over for the War on Terror. for Ebola "assistance for countries affected by, or at risk of being affected by, the Ebola virus disease outbreak." Transportation for national transportation infrastructure, including highway, bridge, rail, port, and public transportations projects. : For the Federal Aviation Administration. $8.6 billion is from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund so the taxpayer subsidy for air travel is $1.1 billion. for the highway trust fund. : Prohibits enforcement of until September 30, 2015. The regulations delayed say: Commercial drivers must not work for 34 consecutive hours between weeks and that 34 hours must include two periods from 1am to 5am. Commercial drivers must not drive more than 60 hours in 7 consecutive days or 70 hours in 8 consecutive days. Truckers will be able to drive for . Article: by Lydia DePillis. Washington Post. December 2014. Article: . Trucking Info. October 2014. OpenSecrets: Senator Susan Collins of Maine inserted the rider on behalf of the trucking industry. for the 2014 election. The trucking industry also gave , the new Majority Leader in the Senate. for Amtrak operations. for Amtrak investments and improvements. Housing Forbids funding for a program that reduces mortgage rates for first time home buyers who go through "It is the sense of Congress that the Congress should not pass any legislation that authorizes spending cuts that would increase poverty in the United States." Homeland Security Funding for the Department of Homeland Security remains at the same levels as 2014. Funding runs out on February 27, 2015. Article: by Kelly Phillips, Forbes, December 2014. Expatriate Health Coverage This section includes the altered text of , which was discussed on Congressional Dish episode . expatriate health plans issued or renewed from the minimum standards set by the Affordable Care Act. includes people from foreign countries working in the United States as part of a job transfer. The effects of this on the PAYGO budget . The original version of this bill was written by Rep. John Carney of Delaware, who has taken . Campaign Contributions In May, as discussed on Congressional Dish episode , the President signed into law the , which . : Creates for political parties, the amount of money an individual can contribute to each of these new funds, and on how the parties can spend the money. We don't know exactly how much individuals will be able to contribute to political parties now that this provision is law. has a different number than the , which has a different number than . Congressional Dish calculations indicate that the changes will allow an individual to contribute at least $257,400 per year and that amount based on the Consumer Price Index. Pensions Under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), pensions for retiree's who have already started to collect benefits unless a company goes into bankruptcy. This section changes the law to allow benefit cuts to multi-employer pension plans under other scenarios. : Allows a multi-employer pension plan to be labeled in five years before it's projected to actually meet critical status criteria, if the plan sponsor chooses to label it that way. : After certifying that a plan is in critical status, a "funding improvement plan" must be crafted, and benefits cannot be cut nor new people excluded during this time. : Allows the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) to merge two or more multi-employer pension plans and allows the PBGC to give cash to the plans. : Multi-employer plans can be broken up if they've cut all the benefits allowed and need to do so to remain solvent. : Increases the premium rate for multi-employer plans from $12 to $26 in 2015 and then after that. : Allows , which means the plan is in critical status and projected to become insolvent within the . For plans with over 10,000 participants, - will advocate on behalf of all the retired participants. need to be met in order to suspend benefits: The plan needs to certify that it will avoid insolvency. The plan needs to certify that it will become insolvent if it doesn't cut benefits. Monthly benefits of what would be guaranteed by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, which is for participants in multi-employer plans. People from the benefit cuts. . will determine how much each participant's benefits would be cut. for employees that worked for companies that withdrew from the plan and failed to pay. Benefits the plan sponsor submits can application to the Secretary of the Treasury and notifies plan participants, employers, and employee organizations. The notice can be in electronic form. : The plan sponsor must to the Secretary of the Treasury for approval to suspend benefits. Within 30 days of receiving the application, the Secretary of the Treasury will from employers, employee organizations, and participants on the website of the Secretary of the Treasury. If the Secretary of the Treasury does not approve or deny the application within 225 days, the application will be . Within 30 days of the application's approval, on whether or not to cut benefits. Majority rules. If the participants vote not to cut benefits, the Secretary of Treasury can label the plan a and . Access to the courts is limited: A court reviewing a lawsuit challenging a benefit cut can the plaintiffs will probably win. A participant in a pension plan . OpenSecrets: has taken over $14 million in campaign contributions from all kinds of industries. OpenSecrets: Former took over $2.4 million from unions, that we know of. Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: by (found on by mevio) by (found on by mevio) by Be Heard Have something to say? Leave a message on the Congressional Dish voicemail line and it might be featured on the show! Call (339) 707-0307 Help Congressional Dish Rate Congressional Dish with and leave a rave review. Download and share the FREE Congressional Dish app for and . Submit your favorite episodes to . Musicians: Share your music with Congressional Dish (and the world) - email the mp3 to Jen at Congressioanldish dot com. Share your favorite episodes with other podcasters, share with your Facebook friends, share with your Tweeps, share, share, share! Thank you for supporting Congressional Dish

In this bonus episode, a quick overview of Congressional basics. We also examine the priorities of the 114th Congress by reviewing the bills that were passed during its first week. Please Support Congressional Dish: to contribute with PayPal or Bitcoin; click the PayPal "Make it Monthly" checkbox to create a monthly subscription to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Mail Contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North #4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Thank you for supporting truly independent media! The 114th Congress passed the new rules, which amended . The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) will have to estimate the budgetary effects of major bills on businesses by that would result if the bill became law. Allows the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to continue the and the . a that aims to stop the Obama Administration from paying for subsidies to health insurance companies to offset the cost of low-income health insurance plans. that would shift funds out of the Social Security trust fund. Continues the investigation. Bills Passed in the First Week House of Representatives The bill and changes the terms of the program that provides Federal insurance to businesses damaged in a terrorist attack. . The bill passed both chambers of Congress and is expected to be signed into law by President Obama. The Affordable Care Act requires employees with over 50 workers to provide their workers with health insurance benefits. If this bill becomes laws, . The bill passed the House . The Affordable Care Act requires that an employee that works over 30 hours per week is considered full time and, if the employer is required to provide health insurance to full time staff, is eligible for employer-paid health insurance benefits. . Allows TransCanada to the Keystone XL pipeline. can hear civil cases against the pipeline. The bill passed with . Sponsored by Rep. Kevin Cramer, North Dakota's only Representative. His top contributing industry is Oil & Gas; . Defeated... For Now A package of 11 bills from the 113th Congress that . Was defeated as an uncontroversial suspension bill, which required 2/3 of the House for passage. Expect to see this bill come up for a vote under regular order in the near future. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Michael Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, who is retiring from Congress at the end of this term. His #1 contributing industry is leadership PACs but his . Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: by (found on by mevio) Be Heard Have something to say? Leave a message on the Congressional Dish voicemail line and it might be featured on the show! Call (339) 707-0307 Help Congressional Dish Rate Congressional Dish with and leave a rave review. Download and share the FREE Congressional Dish app for and . Submit your favorite episodes to . Musicians: Share your music with Congressional Dish (and the world) - email the mp3 to Jen at Congressioanldish dot com. Share your favorite episodes with other podcasters, share with your Facebook friends, share with your Tweeps, share, share, share! Thank you for supporting Congressional Dish

In this episode, an interview with , a member of the Congressional Dish family who ran for the House of Representatives in Kansas' 2nd district. In this episode, we discuss the experience of running for Federal office, the election results, and begin to brainstorm how to win without corporate cash in 2016. Please Support Congressional Dish: to contribute with PayPal or Bitcoin; click the PayPal "Make it Monthly" checkbox to create a monthly subscription to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Mail Contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North #4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Information Presented in This Episode Chris Clemmons is running for Congress : Follow Chris Campaign Chris ran against and was defeated by Rep. Lynn Jenkins: Lynn Jenkins took in campaign contributions. . Chris will be running against Rep. Kevin Yoder in 2016. the bill , which allows banks to gamble with our deposits on risk using "swaps", into the 2015 "CRomnibus" budget, which was signed into law. Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: by (found on by mevio) by rotflmao (found on by mevio) by (found on by mevio) Be Heard Have something to say? Leave a message on the Congressional Dish voicemail line and it might be featured on the show! Call (339) 707-0307 Help Congressional Dish Rate Congressional Dish with and leave a rave review. Download and share the FREE Congressional Dish app for and . Submit your favorite episodes to . Musicians: Share your music with Congressional Dish (and the world) - email the mp3 to Jen at Congressioanldish dot com. Share your favorite episodes with other podcasters, share with your Facebook friends, share with your Tweeps, share, share, share! Thank you for supporting Congressional Dish

In this special episode, Matt Acalin joins Jen to watch the only hearing that will ever take place regarding the 1,603 page "CRomnibus", which funds most of the government for 2015. Please support Congressional Dish: to contribute with PayPal or Bitcoin; click the PayPal "Make it Monthly" checkbox to create a monthly subscription to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Mail Contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North #4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Thank you for supporting truly independent media! The "CRomnibus" Hearing Text of the "CRomnibus" Information Presented in this Episode , Democracy Now, October 17, 2012. : Trivia, Quizzes, and Brain Games is a color in the Crayola box , December 9, 2014. Music Presented in This Episode Intro: by (found on by mevio) by (found on by mevio)

After the election, the House of Representatives passed five bills that would help the fossil fuel industry. Included in this episode are a bill to approve the Keystone XL pipeline, a bill to sell off oil-rich public land to a private corporation, and three bills that make life harder at the EPA. Finally, we end with a sound clip straight out of 1984. to contribute with PayPal or Bitcoin; click the PayPal "Make it Monthly" checkbox to create a monthly subscription to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Mail Contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North #4576 Crestview, FL 32536 CD085: November Bills : Approves the Keystone XL Pipeline the construction and operation of the Keystone XL pipeline, specifically approving any route through the State of Nebraska. Forces anyone who want to challenge the Keystone XL pipeline in court to do it. Written by Rep. Bill Cassidy of Louisana, who has taken over for the 2014 election alone. In total, he has taken from the oil and gas industry over the course of his career. : Sell Property in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska to a Corporation of Federal land in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska to the . Allows the to before the sale is complete. The land sale from the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Written by , who has taken over $1.2 million from the Oil and Gas Industry. Related Articles Michael Scherer, Mother Jones, January/February 2005. "Promoting New Manufacturing Act" The EPA would have to issue implementation regulations they publish or revise air quality rules. Written by . "Secret Science Reform Act" The EPA before they can propose, distribute, or finalize assessments or regulations. Written by . EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act Changes the make-up of the Scientific Advisory Board to . Makes all information used by the board . The EPA and the board will have to to all public comments. The board will be from making policy recommendations. Written by , who has taken over $111,000 in the last four years from Oil & Gas - his top contributing industry. Clips : HR 1422 would add an extra comment period during which the government would have to give commenters written responses. : HR 1422 would loosen rules on recusing oneself when there are financial conflicts of interest. : I thought we'd be debating war in Iraq during the lame duck session. : Rep. Pete Sessions wears a fighter jet lapel pin because it fits one of his favorite sayings: "Peace through Superior Fire Power" Additional Information by David Dayen. Salon. November 2014. Music in this Episode Intro: by (found on by mevio) by (found on ) by (found on ) Exit: by

In this episode, the Republicans won control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. A press conference by soon-to-be Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell gives us an idea of what they intend to do with their new power.   Please support Congressional Dish: to contribute with PayPal or Bitcoin; click the PayPal "Make it Monthly" checkbox to create a monthly subscription to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Mail Contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North #4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Information Presented in this Episode Mitch McConnell's press conference on November 5, 2014, the day after the midterm election. United States Election Project estimate of voter turnout in the 2014 midterm election. Jim Crow Returns: Millions of Minority Voters Threatened by Electoral Purge, Al Jazeera, October 2014. Where Are the Millennials? Midterm Voters Skew Old, NBC News, November 2014. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="520"] 88% of young people didn't vote in 2014.[/caption] Information Presented in This Episode Intro and Exit Music: by (found on by mevio)