Good evening, Daily Kos readers. This is your afternoon open thread to discuss all things Hill-related. Use this thread to praise or bash Congresscritters, share a juicy tip, ask questions, offer critiques and suggestions, or post manifestos.
We have weird schedules this week, both of us.
This is an open source project, so feel free to add your own insights. Here's the news I found lurking around the Internets...
Go watch the Big F'n Deal that is the Senate Vote A Rama. IF things get sticky, the Vice President is prepared to make an appearance.
I'd ask what committee did about contracting in Afghanistan, but there was objection to meeting after 2:00PM. Senate Rules.
How many Senators can you recognize by voice alone besides your own two? The microphones in the Senate pick up conversation during votes sometimes. It is an interesting talent to have. Be honest. Everybody can pick out Sen. Franken D-MN. It seems that his colleagues feel a need to make him laugh.
How many can you recognize when you see them on CSPAN2 not sitting at a hearing? I will be honest that while I can pick Kauffman out, I have trouble with the class of Bennet/Udall/Merkeley/Udall/Begich. Give me a hint to remember all you West of the Mississippi folks? Or maybe I can just use this very cool improved SEARCH that CSPAN has.
Now the House has more that 4 times as many members and you only get one of these. Bummer. My state only has three. Do you know your district number? Are you aware of what committees your representative sit on at this time?
There are up to 35-50 members on a large committee. The angle of the CSPAN camera makes the name plate in front of them sometimes confusing and there for useless. Members come and go during a long oversight hearing depending on whether there is a witness testimony they are interested in over others. Even during a markup, a few members step out in between votes on amendments to a bill.
Sort of another kind of roll call, right?