on Radio Call In Shows and the Editorial Page…
"Democrats won the majority in 2006, why haven’t they done more to change things?"
A way to answer:
Democrats didn’t take over with the slim majority now held, until January of 2007. They have held the majority for one year, three and one half months. Since that time they have forced Mr. Bush into veto eight of the nine times he has felt the need to do so during his almost eight years in office.
One veto in seventy two months…
Eight vetoes in fifteen since the Dems won the slimmest of majorities.
One over-ride and several that were very close.
Keep in mind that to over-ride a veto, 2/3s majority is required. The Dems have a hair over 1/2 of the seats, so someone must be having just a bit more effect than mere numbers should dictate.
Paradigm shift is taking place, perhaps not as quickly as some would like, but much more quickly than most anyone reasonable thought would be possible.
We need to keep working hard, to pick up more seats in Congress, and to win the White House.
What were those vetoes?
1.
July 19,
2006: Vetoed
H.R. 810,
Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005, a bill to ease restrictions on federal funding for
embryonic stem cell research. Override attempt failed in House, 235-193 (286 needed).
2.
May 1,
2007: Vetoed
H.R. 1591,
U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007. Override attempt failed in House, 222-203 (284 needed). A later version of the bill that excluded certain aspects of the initial legislation that the President disapproved of,
H.R. 2206, was enacted as
Pub.L. 110-28 with the President's approval.
3.
June 20,
2007: Vetoed
S. 5,
Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007.
4.
October 3,
2007: Vetoed
H.R. 976,
Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 ("SCHIP"). Override attempt failed in House, 273-156 (286 votes needed).
5.
November 2,
2007: Vetoed
H.R. 1495,
Water Resources Development Act of 2007. Overridden by House, 361-54 (277 votes needed). Overridden by Senate, 79-14 (62 needed), and enacted as
Pub.L. 110-114 over President's veto.
6.
November 13,
2007: Vetoed
H.R. 3043,
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2008. Override attempt failed in House, 277-141 (279 votes needed).
7.
December 12,
2007: Vetoed
H.R. 3963,
Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007[18]. Override attempt failed in House, 260-152 (275 votes needed).
8.
December 28,
2007: Pocket Vetoed
H.R. 1585,
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008[19]9.
March 8,
2008: Vetoed
H.R. 2082,
Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008.
[20] [21]. Override attempt failed in House, 225-188.
