Defense Approps FINALLY

We are going to dispense with this baby in record time!

Here’s the Play by Play….

We started out with a UC (unanimous consent) agreement, which means that we don't have to vote on the RULE - that shaves off an hour.

Starting with 22 amendments, 10 minutes each (5 on each side) – that’s a chunk of time.

3 amendments were not made in order - shaves off 30 minutes.

ROGERS was pulled - 10 more minutes gone.

SESSIONS - we had to debate the A-76 circular, which protects contracting-out - add 10 minutes.

FLAKE has to do his ditty... add 6 amendments x 10 minutes = 1 hour of listening to Jeff Flake create really nifty names for pens and microphones, and giving me a headache. (I appreciate his beef. But does he have to have his beef at 10:57 at night? And to make it worse he can't just LOOSE, he has to call a recorded vote and then LOOSE.) AHHHHH!!!

ISSA amendment - accepted - BEFORE he even stated what his amendt was - got to love Mr. Murtha.

It's like a race....I can see the light at the end of the tunnel....come on....

FRANKS - oh the missile defense. If Franks wasn't so wacky, I may actually listen to what he has to say about the airborne laser. Murtha gives a 'we'll look at it in conference' pledge... Franks doesn't budge - he wants his amendment darn it. Franks continues... UG. North Korea...long-range missile... (if only the program worked!) Oh, he's picking a fight with Murtha - he's going to go down in flames! Franks requests a recorded vote - add 5 minutes

INSLEE/Van HOLLEREN - accepted by Murtha - shave off 10 minutes of debate, and another 5 minutes because now we don't have to vote for it! YIPPIE

CASTLE - Point of order?! Why would you offer you amendment if it's going to have a point of order against it? Never mind I know the answer to that. At least we don't have to spend 5 minutes voting on it. Oh well. I guess it will be addressed in Conference. Withdrawn - NEXT.

WALBERG – Amendment eliminating preferences… what do you have against women, minorities and Native Americans and every other minority contracting set-aside??? Murtha objects, Walberg quotes Justice Thomas… blah, blah, blah… Walberg is from Michigan. Can anyone say Michigan Law School? Walberg request a recorded vote – add 5 freakin’ minutes.

CAMPBELL – “I have some questions about an earmark about paint?” Oh brother. Apparently Sherman-Williams is creating a paint shield or something? Apparently we are giving 2 million dollars to create a paint shield – I guess that is kind of fishy? Campbell is picking a fight with Murtha…eek. You know he’s bringing up some good points… too bad, he’s still going to loose… on a recorded vote…DAMIT – 5 minutes.

CAMPBELL – more paint, no, better – swimmer detection sonar equipment. Sounds groovy, let’s fund it! You see, the Defense bill is kind of a mess. I’m glad that that Obey said there will be a 50% cut in earmarks. But, just for the record it was the Republican majority in 1994 who started making the earmark process so very popular. Swimmers – no recorded vote – hooray!

FLAKE – AGAIN. I respect what he has to say. I just wish he didn’t have to say it at 11:27 at night when I’ve been at work for 14 hours. No recorded vote… I think he’s getting wise.

FLAKE – MORE FLAKE….GRRRRRRR……

FLAKE – Seriously?

AHHHHH. Ok. Deep cleansing breaths… Going home soon.

5-4-9er.