Where’s the Outrage?

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Congress sent its first shot across President Bush’s bow Wednesday, as the House Appropriations Committee voted 62-2 to block a controversial deal that would allow Dubai Ports World to operate some terminals at U.S. ports.

The amendment was inserted into an emergency supplemental funding bill for military actions in Iraq and Afghanistan. The bill also includes about $19 billion in disaster assistance for the Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The full House could vote on the measure as early as next week. The committee’s approval was bipartisan. Democrat Rep. Jim Moran of Virginia and Republican Jim Kolbe of Arizona cast the only “no” votes.

The move comes after a series of congressional threats to challenge Bush. Members in both legislative houses announced this week they had introduced or were planning legislation to stop the United Arab Emirates-controlled firm from taking over operations at some U.S. ports. (Watch Republicans rocking the boat over the ports deal — 1:36)

Rep. Jerry Lewis of California, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, worked with other GOP leaders to amend the $68 billion Iraq war spending bill to include language that addresses security concerns raised by the deal.

The White House said it was concerned about the Lewis amendment because it could slow the passage of important legislation.

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interesting development.

Tags: Domestic Issues, Legal, Mess O'Potamia (Iraq/Iran/Israel/Palestine) by ecthompson
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Peace at last
Owners approve labor deal; CBA extended six years
Posted: Wednesday March 8, 2006 11:48AM; Updated: Wednesday March 8, 2006 9:23PM

Paul Tagliabue can now turn his attention to other league matters after recent marathon negotiation sessions.
AP

GRAPEVINE, Texas (AP) — Labor peace was restored to the NFL when the owners agreed to the players’ union proposal Wednesday, extending the collective bargaining agreement for six years.

There were no further details on the accord, including whether it includes expanded revenue sharing.

The vote was 30-2, with Buffalo and Cincinnati, two low-revenue teams, voting against it.

Free agency, put off twice by the protracted negotiations between the owners and players, now will start at 12:01 a.m. Friday.

“It was a good compromise,” said Jim Irsay, owner of low-revenue Indianapolis. “We’re happy with it — 30-2 is a good vote.”

The agreement comes after a week of on-again, off-again negotiations, culminating in a two-day owners meeting.

No work stoppage was imminent — at least for the next two years — but no agreement would have sent teams scrambling to get under a lower salary cap, at $94.5 million. That would have put a number of veterans on the street and limited the amount of money available for other free agents.
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I hate when millionaires argue with millionaries over money. Don’t you?

Tags: Sports by ecthompson
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