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URGENT AGENDA IS 15 YEARS OLD TODAY

I thank our loyal readers and my tolerant wife for bringing us to
this milestone

JANUARY 8,  2023

THE JOB AHEAD:  Now that we have a speaker of the House, Congress can move forward, or backward, however you see it.

But out in the real country, the actual story of America is being written.  The condition of the nation is precarious.  People are hurting.   And help is not guaranteed to be on the way.  And our citizens feel it.

Crime is a major, and growing, issue.  We are seeing a frightening breakdown in the concept of a nation of laws.  As a prime example, look at New York, America's supposedly premiere city.  We thought New York had brought violent crime under control during the Giuliani and Bloomberg mayoralties.  The improving statistics, year by year, gave us hope.  But the beast is back, as are Democratic mayors.  You think there's a connection?  From Daily Mail: 

The New York City Police Department has released its annual round-up of crime over the past year - and it has revealed that crime is up in virtually every category, despite recent assertions from the city's mayor.    

The statistics paint a bleak picture of the city's efforts to address crime that's rocketed since the pandemic - a campaign that has been touted as successful several times over the past year by Mayor Eric Adams.

However, statistics show the politician - who ran on promises of addressing violence on the city's streets and is now entering his second year as mayor - was mistaken.

The data, released by the department Wednesday, comes exactly two weeks after Adams assured citizens that officials had taken strides in the unrest, while touting supposed gains in public safety.

Adams, who himself is a former NYPD police captain, unveiled his 'Blueprint to End Gun Violence' early last year, along with a 'Subway Safety Plan' - both of which have so far proved largely ineffective, according to the new statistics.

The data shows that rapes, robberies, and assaults are all up from last year, since hitting highs not seen in decades in both 2020 and 2021.

Rape - which rocketed in 2020 when streets were empty and unemployment rife due to unrest caused by the coronavirus - rose by 7 percent, with more than 120 occurring this year than last.

Robberies, meanwhile, rose a shocking 20 percent, despite recent measures taken by Adams, 62, to increase police presence throughout the city.

Assaults and theft throughout the city, meanwhile, show a similarly pronounced rise, with felony assaults up 12 percent - 26,039 incidents this year compared to 22,835 seen last year - and burglaries up an alarming 25 percent.

All other crime categories - including grand larceny and motor vehicle theft - showed similar rises except for murders, despite the outset of the pandemic coming now nearly three years ago.

The statistics directly contradict repeated statements from Adams that New York - which saw incidents of violence and shootings swell to historic highs in 2020 when its streets were hollowed out by lockdowns - was well on the path to recovery, the most recent of which came just last month.

'Anyone who studies crimes, they know what it’s about,' the mayor began, speaking at a presser in Midtown. 'How do we continue to trend in the right direction?' 

He added that he and his team, upon taking office nine months into the pandemic, had known it 'wouldn’t happen overnight.'

'But we pushed ahead in spite of that,' he continued, before citing statistics that showed recent headway cops have made in quelling murders and shootings. 

'New York remains — and people sometimes forget this, but I really want to highlight this,' Adams said, 'the safest big city in America.'

He went on to add: 'And in 2023, we want to push this city to be safer.”

COMMENT:  It may well be that New York remains "the safest big city in America," but people ask, "Compared to what?"  Thousands of crime victims care little for numbers.  And residents feel crime.  They feel it around them.  It affects their everyday decisions.  It guides things like allowing children outside to play.  It destroys communities and forces us to live in fear.  Mayor Adams may be well-meaning, but he doesn't get it. 

January 8, 2023       Permalink

JANUARY 6-7,  2023

McCARTHY AS SPEAKER:  Now that he has the job, he has something to say. 

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy officially opened the 118th Congress early Saturday morning, holding the speaker’s gavel and conducting a chamber-wide swearing-in ceremony for new members.

His speakership followed a dramatic week of him slowly winning over 20 Republicans who initially did not support his speakership and defected their votes to other members.

After his victory in the 15th and final vote, McCarthy lauded: "I hope one thing is clear after this week: I will never give up. I will never give up for you, the American people. And I will never give up on keeping our Commitment to America."

"Our nation is worth fighting for," he added in his opening remarks.

Upon accepting the gavel as Speaker of the House, McCarthy thanked his colleagues for their support and shared his vision for uniting the legislative body.

"You know – my father always told me: It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. And now we need to finish strong for the American people," he said.

"As Speaker of the House, my ultimate responsibility is not to my party, my conference, or even our Congress. My responsibility – our responsibility – is to our country," the Californian continued. "Two months ago, you voted for a new direction for our country.

You embraced our Commitment to America. And now, we are going to keep our commitment to you."

His remarks also included a warning for Hakeem Jeffries, D-NY, who was selected by the chamber’s Democrats to be House Minority Leader.

"If the son of a fireman and grandchild of immigrants can rise to the highest position in the most important legislative body in the world and if my colleague Hakeem Jeffries with his life story can rise to lead his party then opportunity and democracy still thrive in America," McCarthy said.

He added: "To Leader Jeffries – there will be times we will agree and many times we will differ. I promise that our debates will be passionate, but never personal. And now the hard work begins. What we do here today, next week, next month, and next year will set the tone for everything that follows."

"Hakeem – I need to warn you: I also won 100 percent of my conference vote on this floor two years ago. So, good luck!" McCarthy jokingly said.

McCarthy also revealed some of his priorities for this session of Congress, which included: investigating China, securing the country’s border, and attempting to eliminate some of the federal debt, which is over $31 trillion.

"We will also address America’s long-term challenges: the debt and the Chinese Communist Party. Congress must speak with one voice on both of these issues," the House speaker said.

He vowed to build a "nation that is safe" and help form a "future that is built on freedom." McCarthy also wanted to construct a "government that is accountable where Americans get the answers they want, need, and deserve."

"Our system is built on checks and balances. It’s time for us to be the check and provide some balance to the President’s policies," McCarthy added. "There is nothing more important than making it possible for American families to live and enjoy the lives they deserve."

He also committed to "stop wasteful Washington spending to lower the price of groceries, gas, cars, and housing and stop the rising national debt."

"We pledge to cut the regulatory burden, lower energy costs for families, and create good-paying jobs for workers by unleashing reliable, abundant American-made energy," McCarthy added. "Our first bill will repeal funding for 87,000 new IRS agents. Because the government should be here to help you, not go after you."

The Republican also said he would reopen the U.S. Capitol Building, which remained behind additional security measures and was mostly inaccessible to the public following the riots on Jan. 6, 2021.

"My friends – this chamber is now fully open for all Americans," he said.

COMMENT:  Perfectly fine and gracious opening remarks.   The firing squads don't start operating until Monday.  Remember that there is still a segment in McCarthy's own party that opposes him.  He might well need help from moderate Democrats to pass some elements of the GOP program. 

As we've noted, we're already into the 2024 campaigns.  Expect major political combat. 

UPDATE AT 12:31 A.M. ET, JANUARY 6TH:  Kevin McCarthy has just been elected speaker of the House of Representatives.   

UPDATE AT 3:52 P.M. ET:  On the 13th ballot, McCarthy picked up one more vote.  He stands at 214.  He needs about 216 or 217 to win, depending on how many members vote.  He doesn't have them yet.  The House voted to adjourn until 10 p.m. tonight.  Obviously, the heat is on the holdouts.

UPDATE AT 1:58 P.M. ET:  The decision has been made to go immediately to a 13th ballot, in an effort to make Kevin McCarthy the speaker today.  There had been consideration given to adjourning until Monday, but McCarthy has real momentum and needs only four more votes.  They're going with the momentum.

The twelfth ballot for speaker is underway.  There have been some dramatic vote switches toward Kevin McCarthy.  Stand by.

The 12th ballot is complete.  McCarthy, who stood at 200 votes yesterday, now has 213.  The number for victory today (it varies because of absences) is 217. 

We don't know yet if they're going immediately to another roll call.  Stand by.

January 6-7, 2023       Permalink

JANUARY 5,  2023

BREAK OUT THE TEDDY BEARS:  The House has adjourned until noon tomorrow.  The body has had eleven roll call votes for speaker, and no speaker has emerged.  Many "closed door" meetings have been held, and are being held tonight.  The McCarthy people hope for an agreement this evening that the holdouts will accept, and that they will then vote for McCarthy on the 12th ballot tomorrow.  Why do I think this may drag into next week? 

The embarrassment for Republicans is great.  Although serious splits in the party are nothing new, not being able to choose a speaker, when you've just won a majority in the House, is no great ornament.  The 2024 presidential and congressional sweeps have essentially begun.  The Republican Party must present a solid, reasonably united front if it is to avoid last year's below-expected performance and help produce a Republican presidency.

Please note the contrast between the kiddie show in Washington and the smooth, triumphant inauguration, a few days ago, of Ron DeSantis for his second term as governor of Florida.  The DeSantis mood was one of victory and optimism.  His speech was presidential.  He had the style of a major leader.  There was a touch of the Reagan sunshine.  Morning in America again.  We have talent, a major talent, for 2024.

A word about Donald Trump.  He endorsed Kevin McCarthy for speaker, but his endorsement fell flat.  An ally put his name in nomination for the speaker post – the speaker doesn't have to be a member of the House – and he got one vote.  Polls show Mr. Trump weakening, and he is facing legal problems.  I try not to make predictions at Urgent Agenda, but I think it's clear that the former president is running into headwinds, and that other Republicans are no longer afraid to challenge him.  The nation is looking to the future.  I don't think Donald Trump wants to leave public life having failed to win his party's nomination for a new term.     

UPDATE AT 6:45 P.M. ET:  Well, I assume you've been following at least the results in the House speaker sweepstakes.  Just to fill you in, the boys have now gone through ten roll calls, with almost no change.  Kevin McCarthy is stuck at 200 votes, needing 218 to become speaker.  No one is budging.  We're told that talks are underway, with the hope of reaching some agreement that will bring the matter to a close tonight, with a McCarthy victory.  Of course, we've been told that before.  And the word "agreement" essentially means more concessions by McCarthy, to the point where he, as speaker, will be little more than a figurehead.   Under the rules, the roll calls must go on until adjournment, and adjournment itself may be difficult to achieve.  Your tax dollars at work.  

ANOTHER UPDATE:  The eighth vote for House speaker is complete, with no change.  McCarthy has not gained at all.  Everything is in limbo.  There is speculation all over the place as to where this goes, but still no news.  Republicans lack a true national leader who can break the necessary heads and bring the party together.  Trump has tried, but is being ignored.  The governors who may want to run for president won't touch this.  We need Jimmy Stewart.

UPDATE AT 2:35 P.M. ET:  A seventh vote has been held, with virtually no change from the results of the sixth.  The House is now on the eighth vote, and it's apparent that the GOP dissenters are digging in.  No one really has any solutions, but I can't see how Kevin McCarthy can go on without making any numerical progress.  But if he withdraws, then what?  Will the rebels accept someone else, or keep stonewalling?  There is now even talk of a deal with the Democrats.  It's gotten that far.

It's 11:50 here in the East, and we're awaiting the start of a new day in the House of Representatives, which is trying to elect a speaker.  There have been six ballots so far, with no decision.  The leading Republican candidate, Kevin McCarthy of California, is about 20 votes short of victory, but resistance to him among his GOP colleagues is strong, and may even be growing.  Universally loved he is not.

Congress can do nothing until a speaker is selected.  Thems are the rules.

It is being reported that McCarthy has been in negotiations overnight, and has made significant concessions to the holdouts.  The general feeling seems to be that if these concessions produce additional votes for him on the seventh ballot, he'd have the momentum to stay in.  If they don't, expect a growing number of Republicans, according to reports, to urge him to step aside.

Stand by.

January 5, 2023       Permalink