Now HERE Is a Committee Meeting!

Filming Of Congressional Reality Show Disrupts Committee Meeting

Nuclear Option?

Apparently Republicans (including Orrin Hatch...woo!) are trying to make people think reconciliation is the same as the nuclear option. This clip also shows some of the procedural flip-flopping we were discussing today in class (Republicans getting mad at Democrats for using reconciliation; the opposite happening historically):

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Joshua "Lemon" Lyman

This is one of my favorite clips from the West Wing, and it hits most of the points we've made while dealing with how the White House can influence Congress. For those unfamiliar with the show, Josh Lyman is the Deputy Chief of Staff (and is modeled after Rahm Emanuel), whipping votes for a gun control bill.

Family Guy

Simulation Prep: Obama on NCLB

As we prepare for the simulation, let's start thinking about how Republicans on the HELP committee can oppose the administration's goals for the overhaul of No Child Left Behind.

Despite lacking policy details, this New York Times article outlines Obama's recommendation to

require states to adopt “college- and career-ready standards” in reading and math to qualify for federal money from a $14 billion program that concentrates on impoverished students.

CMC Sim Roles

For simulation purposes, we have added some senators who do not sit on the actual committee. Note also that there are two Lamar Alexanders: both will vote in committee and on the floor. We refer to such roles as "doppelgangers."

Environment and Public Works

Issue: climate change.

James M. Inhofe (OK) -- Andrew Grimm

George V. Voinovich (OH) -Cori Williams

David Vitter (LA) -- Dan Andrew

John Barrasso (WY) -- Nick Ostreim

Mike Crapo (ID) -- Heath Hyatt

Christopher S. Bond (MO) -- Will Kahn

Lamar Alexander (TN) -- Kevin Shuai

Mitch McConnell (KY)* -- Nirant Gupta

Olympia Snowe (ME)* -- Emily Meinhardt

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

Issue: No Child Left Behind.

Michael B. Enzi (WY) -- Mark Munro
Judd Gregg (NH)-- Nelson Gil
Lamar Alexander (TN) -- Tina Nguyen
Richard Burr (NC) -- Maxwell Morris
Johnny Isakson (GA) -- Jacinth Sohi
John McCain (AZ) -- Rory Baird
Orrin G. Hatch (UT) -- Kayla Benker
Lisa Murkowski (AK) -- Michelle Kahn
Tom Coburn, M.D. (OK) -- Trevor Beltz
Pat Roberts (KS) -- Alyssa Roberts

Scott Brown is planning to vote for the Democrat Jobs Bill. Probably prudent in Massachusetts, but may take away from his position as Republican Godhead.