New Congress Might Provoke Bush's Veto

President Has Vetoed Only 1 Bill So Far, But That Could Change

(AP)  President George W. Bush has vetoed just one bill in nearly six years in office. That soon may change.

As newly empowered Democrats forge ahead with their own agenda, some items may make it to his desk as prime candidates for veto.

One might be a recycled version of the stem-cell funding bill that drew Mr. Bush's lone veto last July. Other possibilities include measures that would raise the minimum wage without offsetting tax breaks for businesses, fully put in place the Sept. 11 commission's recommendations and curb oil-industry subsidies.

The Democratic takeover of Congress and the planned 100-hour burst of legislation sent parliamentary experts in both the administration and Congress scurrying to dust off the manual on vetoes and to brace for a possible onslaught.

In the new Congress, just days old, promises of bipartisanship still fill the air. Such pledges, however, may be put to the test in no time.

With Iraq overshadowing everything, any attempts by lawmakers to cut funds or intrude on Mr. Bush's war-making decisions could invite veto talk. Mr. Bush is set to announce a new Iraq strategy this week in a speech expected to call for more troops and aid.

Democratic leaders have not expressly threatened to use Congress' purse-string powers to alter the course of the war. But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, both Democrats, were quick to signal that the days of a free hand are over for the Republican president.

In the November elections, voters "rejected an open-ended obligation to a war without end," Pelosi said. For Reid, "no issue in this country is more important than finding an end to this intractable war."

The odds on vetoes always have favored presidents, no matter which party controls Congress. There have been 2,551 presidential vetoes since George Washington became president in 1789. Only 106 have been overridden.

Mr. Bush will seek common ground with Democrats on issues such as the minimum wage, education legislation and immigration overhaul, but "he won't hesitate to veto things he doesn't like," Republican strategist Charlie Black said.

"I don't think there will be very many things he has to veto. But if he does, he'll certainly be able to sustain them," said Black, who is close to the White House.

Even more bills might draw vetoes if not for a procedural rule in the 100-member Senate that makes it hard for contentious legislation to pass without 60 votes — instead of a simple majority of 51. Thus, Republicans should be able to keep many veto-threatened bills from even making it to the president.

[grazinggoat]

God this is beautiful.
People start moving to overthrow this mad guy in power.
2007 will be a year where people will have taken back the power in hands.

http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2007/01/01/18342876.php

[randalds]

This isn't just time for Impeachment, it's time for REVOLUTION.

Posted by fascistUSA at 04:05 PM : Jan 08, 2007

Amen brother, amen. The time is long past.

[fascistusa]

Lord Bush wants to invade IRAN next.

[fascistusa]

Lord Bush is a Fascist Dictator.

Our "News" is Propoganda.

Our "Churches" are hell bent of a Fascist Theocracy instead of a Democracy in America.

BOTH Parties are Corrupt. They ONLY serve the Elite and the Elite's Corporate Monopolies.

This isn't just time for Impeachment, it's time for REVOLUTION.

[educates]

Impeach is a very serious charge. It is time to do it. Think of the International Party of law abiding citizens that believe in fairness and in an America that is just. Nothing could be better for the world community, the Iraqi's, the American workers, the people of the world than to Impeach Bush and Cheney. I say start today by going to ImpeachBushCheney.com
ed u cates

[sandy994]

What a legacy. The only veto so far by this president was to veto the stem cell bill. A chance to help this country fight numerous diseases, even if only one were cured, think of the enormous financial savings How can you look a little child in the eye suffering from diabetes,cancer,muscular distrophy,etc. and say no to research that might lead to a cure. If the Congress passes another bill and the president vetos it, look for his ratings to go from 11% to zero.

[randalds]

Precisely, what charges would you bring against him?

ZRMZ

Gee, there%u2019s so much to choose from. Let%u2019s see. How about:

Illegal search and seizure
Kidnapping and false imprisonment
Torture
Revealing the identity of an intelligence operative
Imprisoning without charges or access to legal counsel
Lying about the reasons to invade Iraq
Failure to uphold and observe laws duly signed (via signing statements)
Dereliction of duty

There are more reasons, but let%u2019s keep it short.



Posted by ObservantX at 01:28 PM : Jan 08, 2007

To them I would add violations of international law like instigating a war of aggression, war against a non-threatening nation by a more powerful nation, war of conquest and crimes against humanity. All of which under covenants that the US is a part of, carry the death penalty.

[agnim]

1,200 Peace Activists Make Giant "Impeach" Sign on Beach
And in San Francisco, about 1,200 peace activists gathered on the beach Saturday to spell out the word Impeach in giant letters visible from the sky. The protest occurred in the district of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Advocates of impeaching President Bush have criticized Pelosi for saying that impeachment is off the table.

[observantx]

Precisely, what charges would you bring against him?

ZRMZ

Gee, there%u2019s so much to choose from. Let%u2019s see. How about:

Illegal search and seizure
Kidnapping and false imprisonment
Torture
Revealing the identity of an intelligence operative
Imprisoning without charges or access to legal counsel
Lying about the reasons to invade Iraq
Failure to uphold and observe laws duly signed (via signing statements)
Dereliction of duty

There are more reasons, but let%u2019s keep it short.

[randalds]

"Let Bush veto whatever he likes. The legislature can overturn his veto. bvckvs at 04:57 AM"

Doesn't it take 2/3 to override a veto? That's a tall order.

Posted by timberagain at 11:59 AM : Jan 08, 2007

Normally I would agree that 2/3 is a tall order, but as Bush's approval numbers continue to fall more and more republicans will be joining with democrats to get things done, for their own political survival if no other reason.

[zrmz-2009]

Obervant X:

Precisely, what charges would you bring against him?

ZRMZ

[timberagain]

"Let Bush veto whatever he likes. The legislature can overturn his veto. bvckvs at 04:57 AM"

Doesn't it take 2/3 to override a veto? That's a tall order.

[timberagain]

The shameful, dark six years of Bush's rubber stamp Congress are hopefully over. We will know shortly.

[observantx]

This whole %u201Cveto%u201D process has become a joke. The Criminal has backdoor vetoed almost every bill he has signed with his signing statements. These signing statements basically say %u201CYeah, I%u2019m signing it, but I don%u2019t have to obey the law I%u2019m signing. Screw you.%u201D

What really burns me is how the past Congress rolled over like a little puppy on these statements. This new Congress better have some guts to take on this criminal and impeach him for all the %u201Cunitary executive%u201D, aka %u201Cking%u201D behavior he has indulged in.

[grumpas]

I am all tore up he might actually veto! I hope he veto's a lot! The a...... has done what he pleased for over 6 long years now! It's time someone let him know he is there to serve the people, not his rich buddies!

[bvckvs-2009]

Let Bush veto whatever he likes. The legislature can overturn his veto.

[kesac4650]

Might, maybe, could be? Absolutely unsubstantiated conjecture, and look at the Peanut Gallery fill up these pages with hate mail.

[olebd]

All bills in these modern times should go through the citizens of this great country in American Idol fashion (whereby 800 numbers are posted for either a yea or a nay) and the majority vote would then overrule any veto.

[long_rider]

If the chimp has any sence (think not) he will have to be selective about the veto power. If he gets carried away he will cost the GOP the 2008 election.

But, if Americans are smart they will push for the removal of cheney, and the chimp.

[jn122736]

Democrats now control the house and can initiate investigations and or impeachment procedure at any time. This fact alone can and should discourage vetoes of popular legislation.

If the president continues, as most of us suspect he will, in his bullying, self-centered ways and vetoes said bills then the house should adhere to the will of the people and start serious investigations and possibly even impeachment procedures immediately.

As for the biased wording of the headline to this story, what else can we expect when all major networks and many newspapers are now owned and controlled by mega-corporations.

Unless drastic changes are made in these matters the Internet will soon be censored to prevent even the free expression we have here.

The voters who gave the Democrats their victory wre all hoping for long-overdue accountability. Lets hope they do not let us down.