Texting Ban: YES!

The law is long overdue, and I'm guilty of doing it occassionally, the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts has decided to ban texting while driving.

The law has to be signed-off by Governor Patrick, but there will be some rangling by those in the House, but rest assured that it's a welcomed law by many drivers.

More details on Boston.com at http://bit.ly/aTg6rn

Joe Wilson: I'm NOT apologizing anymore

South Carolina Representative Joe Wilson went on record on Fox News this morning and defiantly stated that he is no longer going to apologize for his outburst during President Obama's speech to Congress.

It's going to be interesting to see whether or not the Democratic-controlled House censures Representative Wilson if he doesn't apologize on the House floor.

Let's not all hold our breath, because, as we know, nothing is guaranteed when it comes to the House of Representatives.

Digital TV: Postponed

So the House of Representatives voted earlier today to postpone the transition to Digital TV until June 12, 2009.  It's not like folks didn't have enough time to get their act together, rather it's all about the Benjamins.

The new administration called for the digital transition to be postponed after the Commerce Department last month hit a $1.34 billion funding limit for coupons that subsidize converter boxes for consumers. The coupon program allows consumers to request up to two $40 vouchers per household to help pay for the boxes, which generally cost between $40 and $80 each and can be purchased without a coupon.

So FCC Chairman Michael Copps got his wish.

"The country is not prepared to undertake a nationwide transition in 12 days without unacceptably high consumer dislocation," acting FCC chairman Michael Copps said in a statement. "We've got a lot of work to do, but we now have an opportunity to do it better."

Senate vote to take place tomorrow at 9pm EST

Hill sources buzzing. A Senate bailout vote is scheduled tomorrow at 9pm Eastern.

No bill details seen yet.

How it will go down…There will be up to 6 roll call votes on the following items:

(1)Motion to concur on the House message, H.R. 2095, Rail Safety;
(2)a Dorgan amendment relating to H.R. 7081, the U.S. - India Nuclear agreement;
(3)a Bingaman amendment relating to H.R. 7081, the U.S. - India Nuclear agreement;
(4)passage of H.R. 7081, the U.S. - India Nuclear agreement;
(5)a Dodd amendment to H.R. 1424, relating to the bailout package; and
(6)passage of H.R. 1424, the bailout.

Get your fingers dialing:

202-224-3121.

Here's what the structure may look like:

The Senate will call up H.R. 1424, the text of which will be substituted with the economic rescue plan (a Dodd amendment which must have the consent of both the Majority and Minority Leaders). The only other amendment in order will be a Sanders amendment that will be handled by a voice vote.

The bill will be subject to a 60-vote threshold for passage.

UPDATE II: House Republicans are saying the Senate vote tomorrow is the work of bicameral, bipartisan negotiations.

From a House GOP Leadership aide: “The Senate moving forward tomorrow with the economic stability package gets us one step closer to the bill becoming law – and that is a good thing. The decision is a product of bipartisan-bicameral discussions and we believe that changes to the bill will help us garner more support from House Republicans and smooth the bill to passage.”

More news:

Senate leaders have scheduled a vote for Wednesday on the $700 billion Wall Street rescue plan rejected by the House.

Majority Leader Harry Reid and GOP Leader Mitch McConnell say, however, that they’re going to add a tax cut package already rejected by the House on Monday.

The bipartisan move caps a day of behind-the-scenes maneuvering on Capitol Hill over what sweeteners to add to the bill to attract votes from House Republicans.

Reid and McConnell’s move may prove popular with Republicans, but it risks a showdown with House leaders insisting that a popular measure extending certain business tax breaks be financed by tax increases elsewhere in the code.

The Senate plan would also raise federal deposit insurance limits to $250,000 from $100,000.