Conyers to announce 'something' next week????

[babylonsister]

See the last sentence in his latest blog entry...any speculation out there?

www.conyersblog.us

The End of the Legislative Year
Something's Coming...

Sorry posts have been a bit more infrequent than usual lately. The end of the year wrap up in Congress is exceptionally busy this year, and exceptionally full of matters concerning the House Judiciary Committee and, therefore, consuming a lot of my time. Among other things, the Patriot Act passed the House, but a measure I offered to substitute the Conference Report with the bill that passed the Senate unanimously, narrowly failed. I hear the Senate will have a vote on cloture (ending debate on the bill) Friday and Senator Feingold may have rounded up enough votes to block the termination of debate. If so, it would be a tremedous accomplishment and he -- and the bipartisan coalition opposing the Conference Report -- deserve our thanks. I should note that both Senator Reid and House Democratic Leader Pelosi have been courageous in their opposition to this Conference Report.

In the House, we are considering something the Republican leadership calls a "Border Security Bill." Never mind that they have passed border security measures before and then failed to fund them. never mind that they are now using the issue of border security to bootstrap and anti-immigrant agenda. Among other things, the bill and amendments I expect to be offered to it would deny citizenship to people born in the United States, if the person's parents were non-citizens; require the forfeiture of church property if clergy assisted an illegal immigrant in obtaining food or shelter; and impose jail time for the clergy involved in such aid.

It may well be that the House Republican leadership has bitten off more than they can chew. The far right in their caucus is insisting on votes on many of these bizarre proposals. If they do not get those votes, they may bring down the whole bill, even though it is already filled with some of their extreme proposals. Watch the House tomorrow. It could be a bumpy ride for this bill.

If all goes well next week, I also expect to make an announcement that will interest many of you....

[sabra]

1. Conyers 2008?

:-)

Hopefully something to do with DSM, Impeachment, etc...

[LiberalAndProud]

2. Hope ... Hope ... Hope /nt

[pocket]

5. fuck yeah

:D

[bonito]

8. I'm all for that, a return to sanity.n/t

[electropop]

9. Conyers/Boxer 2008!

Pelosi 2007!

[femrap]

15. That would be a dream come true..!

I sent 3 Happy Holiday Cards to my favorite people...Conyers, Boxer, and Fitzie. They were wild cards....colorful and I added stickers of ornaments, stockings, trees, and Santa hats. I hope they got a kick out of them.

I wonder if Conyers is gonna run for Prez....that would be too damn cool! Wow! A person I could actually feel good about working for. I just love him. And he would make Election Fraud THE ISSUE! Oh....let me dream......aaaaah.

[Tuesday_Morning]

3. Gotta love John Conyers n/t

[CrazyOrangeCat]

4. He's such a thoughtful old guy . . .

. . .swear to God I don't know how he can stand being around so many sycophants and asshats.

[lonestarnot]

6. Donno, but waiting and watching, you can bet I'm interested!

[Greybnk48]

7. This is the first time I've even felt remotely excited

about 2008. Whatever this man does he has my full, undying support.

[ms liberty]

10. This is the only Dem I could work for other than Al Gore...

I respect him so much. I'm looking forward to hearing what he has to say. Thanks for posting!

[dalloway]

11. when the ranking Dem on the Judiciary Committee puts out

such a teaser, I'm all tied up in anticipation. What could the Honorable Conyers be so BUSY WITH on the Judiciary Committee?

Oh, Santa Conyers, I only want want thing for Christmas and it begins with an "I" and it begins in your committee.

Whose present will be bigger, Fitz's or Conyers?

Can't wait till next week.

[LiberalAndProud]

12. I can hope for that too.

Is it too much to hope for?

[in_cog_ni_to]

13. Now that's not nice! He's teasing us on a FRIDAY???

and making us wait until next week? :cry: I want to know NOW! :cry: What on earth could it be? Grrrrrrrrrrr.

[RazzleDazzle]

14. Is it just me, or does that one provision strike you as a clear

violation of the separation of Church and State --

Among other things, the bill and amendments I expect to be offered to it would deny citizenship to people born in the United States, if the person's parents were non-citizens; require the forfeiture of church property if clergy assisted an illegal immigrant in obtaining food or shelter; and impose jail time for the clergy involved in such aid.

How can they single out church and clergy for special (negative) treatment? I'm not even Christian or particularly religious and I find that whole thing remarkably offensive from a First Amendment POV (tho, I could be all wet on the Constitutionality of it).

[No Exit]

18. You're right. It is a seminal belief of many religions that you must

help a fellow human being who is in need of basics such as food and shelter.

Jailing religious people for following this very important tenet of their religions (numerous religions) would be jailing them for practicing their religious beliefs. Not allowed unless the religious belief in question is on balance too disruptive, or contrary to settled law, to be allowed. (For example, polygamy, though an alleged "religious belief", is still not allowed to be practiced legally.) And there is nothing disruptive or contrary to settled law about FEEDING or SHELTERING a person in need.

Unconstitutional.

[AlecBGreen]

20. it struck me too Razzle

struck me right in the face. Here is the so-called "upright, Christian, moral majority" and they are talking about imprisoning pastors and siezing property for helping someone with a meal and a warm bed.

:argh: Lets boot these GOP fuckers NOW!
-Alec

[Gold Metal Flake]

16. John Conyers is a member of DU.

Yup. He lists as his hobby Jazz. Anyone know what he's in to? Is he in to vintage stuff? Is he missing anything in his collection? Any old 78s? Something that might make a nice gift?

[CrazyOrangeCat]

17. That's some cool info . . . n/t

[Nictuku]

19. John's got my vote

I can't think of any Democrat I admire more than John Conyers.