Get ready for another lame duck session

Posted: Thursday, November 20, 2008 1:57 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Congress, Economy

From NBC's Ken Strickland and Mike Viqueira
According to sources, Congress will return sometime next month to revisit an auto bailout plan, making it "highly unlikely" there will be a vote on a bailout plan this week. That would mean another lame duck session.

Members were unhappy with what they heard this week from auto industry execs during hearings and want them to come up with a concrete plan soon.

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Comments

They have no plan. Fire them. Bring in new people at the top.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 2:00 PM)

quack

rubber ducky (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 2:03 PM)

I find it incredulous that congress would consider taking any time off, lame duck or not. This country is in a crisis and they get time off? They just got back!!!. We need to change the rules, kick "W" out, before he has a few more days to create havoc, and inaugerate Barack immediately so can take over and get started making the changes we so desperately need!!

They need to stay and take whatever steps are necessary to move this country forward,

stephanie, ft. pierce, fl. (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 2:04 PM)

Palin would save Congress!

Michael Furlong, Long Island, NY (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 2:04 PM)

There's nothing worse than seeing a real lame duck.

We have Canadian geese everywhere here and when one is lame it's heartbreaking.

Fortunately, lame liberals are far more common that lame ducks .... and I don't feel real bad about it.
In fact, I've come to expect it.

Full Moon (easy from now on) (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 2:07 PM)

Wow, Miami is the poster child for Housing gone bad The guy has been married 4x to boot. I don't think Obama would want to hang around a low life like this guy
------------------------------------------------------
Ha-ha, that's priceless! You mean, a lowlife like William Ayers, Rev Wright and Tony Rezko? You're right, he DOES have very high standards for the people in his life.

Michelle (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 2:07 PM)

Hillary will decide the bailout plan. Bill and Hillary running the show now with Democrat majority.
Which is good news for the Unions.

Elmer, Seattle (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 2:09 PM)

Obama and Ayers. Birds of a feather f-o-- --g--he-(Fill in the missing letters)

Little Nardi (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 2:09 PM)

There will not be any bailout,why?The repuks are to busy taking care of there wall street supporters.Giving money to banks and wall street investors who are now smiling all the way to the bank.Did all the banks that have gotten bailout money submit there plans to congress?How about AIG?Paulson is going to take care of his own friends,and that pie has already been sliced.I'm having a hard time feeling sorry for the big three exec.Seeing there planes lined up like a new car lot didn't help there cause.

jesse St.Paul Minnesota (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 2:17 PM)

Yea, So was I.

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 2:19 PM)

Should we be using the phrase "lame duck" when referring to congress or should we be dropping the word duck and just refer to them as "lame"?

Can you guys at First Read tell us exactly how much time in total congressional members get for vacation, congressional breaks and other times they take a break from conducting this country's business.

I'll bet the total time they are off the job far exceeds any free time (vacation, etc.) that anyone posting here gets from their jobs. Perhaops rather than an annual salary we need to pay these representatives by the hour, and when they are not in session then they don't get paid. Think that might decrease the amount of time they take off from conducting the country's business?

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 2:25 PM)

>>>Members were unhappy with what they heard this week from auto industry execs during hearings and want them to come up with a concrete plan soon.
==========
Memo to execs: LOSE THE CORPORATE JETS!

61 Days Until Inauguration Day!
http://jawille.blog.com

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 2:28 PM)

No need to keep having lame duck sessions if nothing is going to be accomplished. Put the auto bailout to a vote - even if it doesn't pass. At least we'll have a rough idea of where everybody stands on the record.

Rest up President Elect Obama, you are going to have your hands full trying to get people to put our Country's interests ahead of their own . . . but if anyone can do it, I believe you can.

P.S. Is this dump on Clara from KC day or something? Listen up folks - Clara has EARNED the right to say what she wants the way she wants to say it.

Just because you can't defend your incoherent and inaccurate arguments, that doesn't change the facts.

Don't try to distract from the fact that YOU and the short-sighted candidates you have supported all these years have put the very existence of the United States in jeopardy.

Distractions didn't work for John McCain and they won't work for you. Clara isn't the problem. And frankly, all your snide comments about "The One" and the "Messiah" are just further proof your problem is not Senator Obama's policies, it is his POPULARITY.

For the record, the official term for Senator Obama is President Elect That One. And the official term for Clara in KC is "Wise Blogger Who Doesn't Suffer Fools Gladly". And why should she.

Nashville_fan (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 2:30 PM)

No bailouts...this is simply a taxpayer bailout of gold plated pay, benefit and retiree packages...most of us will never have deals like this and shouldn't be forced to support them through our tax dollars...let them fail together

Rick, NC (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 2:32 PM)

MODERATORS PLEASE

CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO "The News Hole"

?????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Why is there no explanation for what has taken place at a popular website and blog???

Do you not know, or are you forbidden to say????????

THANKS. Jackookoo@msn.com

PAUL (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 2:36 PM)

Yea, so am I

As long as lame duck session won't look for ways to stop the loses as CEOS look for ways to enrich themselves nothing gets settled.
This downward spiral is going to hit rock bottom.
Then we will get bankruptcy then depression sets in.

It makes sense to give money now to the auto which would be far less than allowing a depression to set in.

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 2:42 PM)

Let the big three claim bankruptcy, and whatever surfaces after that, will be leaner, meaner, more efficient, and a real competitor in the global auto market!

Don't bail them out...let economic Darwinism, I mean, capitalism, take its natural course!

Pat Huntington NY (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 2:46 PM)

I'm against a bail out for the auto industry unless they do a few things: (a) fire all the top management; (b)put in writing the money would be used to re-tool; (c) set a deadling for when the first new alternative car would be ready to purchase. Enough of this screwing around with these guys. Let them go bankrupt, like the airlines; that will force them to re-think their old ways. What a slap in the face to show up in their own private jets, asking for a hand-out! The gall!

Diane from Illinois (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 2:47 PM)

Bush is already on his extended vacation, so Bush has no interest in helping the economy recover. He just wants to leave the same legacy that his father left. He had to do better than his father so we not only get a recession, but we get the additional failed economic system.

TEC-spring-TX (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 2:50 PM)

Yea, me too.

As long as lame duck session won't look for ways to stop the loses as CEOS look for ways to enrich themselves nothing gets settled.
This downward spiral is going to hit rock bottom.
Then we will get bankruptcy then depression.

It would not bbe if lane duck Congress could see how much less money would be -- if 355,000 US workers are directly employed by the auto industry, and an additional 4.5 million work in related industries. Take for just one example other segments of the economy and workers will be curtailed. That means other industries will have unemployment, or depressed wages, no mortgage payments, no healhcare payments, and no pensions. 4.5 million workers in related industries all will be spiraled down, consequently the signs and symbols of a depression WILL LOOM

==========================================================
62 white female for Obama (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 10:01 AM)
After the election of Obama, I was feeling really good about the wisdom of the American people.

Of course, then reality hit when I read that Morning Joe is now rated 2nd in it's time slot and gaining viewership ... surely that's a mistake!!!
62 white female for Obama
I think every since Morning Joke got put on his seven second delay people only watch him for hilarity. The reality is both Morning Joke and spineless Mika; who seemingly did not inherit any of her father’s brain cells, should be on eternal delay. But, they’re not; and that's of course a huge mistake.

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 2:55 PM)

The fact that the automaker execs came to DC in their corporate jet asking for a handout pretty much disgusted the rest of us, too.

Indie Woman in Denver (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 2:56 PM)

We are in a mess, for sure. Moaning Joe, So you know you are very disrespectful of President Elect Obama, Although he was chosen by the majority of the American
voting public, it is rude to continue to call him the chosen one, thats like the messiah. You are nasty, rude, and really just sickening. I for one call him PE Obama, and will soon enough call him President Obama. As much as I hate, let me repeat, HATE President Bush, I still call him President Bush, except in my head, those names will go unprinted. I hope one day you will lose your job on MSNBC. I really hate to look at your face. You are really a
bigot, people cant help but see it, so again ,hope you lose your job.
marty, old white lady in S.C.

marty,columbia,s.c. (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 2:57 PM)

The powers that be had no choice except to send the big 3 auto makers back home to do their homework before gaining the public trust with hard earned $$. The public at large is fed up with those CEO's who raid the coffers and then beg for a handout.

D, CA (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 3:03 PM)

"Congress will return sometime next month to revisit an auto bailout plan"

Plenty of time to put those corporate jets up on eBay, you betcha.

$arah from Alaska (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 3:04 PM)

Another frustrating session of Congress where not much will happen. This will be one for the "old" heavy sleepers in Congress to catch up on their naps. We will have another session of very rich CEO incompetents come to Washington begging for money. I wonder if these auto industry CEO's will all fly on one plane this time?? Time to move forward America!

Rock.Janesville,Wisconsin (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 3:09 PM)

I wonder when the Republicans will grow up and realize that the lack of national health insurance is destroying the economy. Health insurance is a necessity and should be treated as a human and civil right. People are dying in this nation because they don't have health insurance and cannot afford to see a doctor.

Those who don't want national health insurance are guilty of negligent homicide and reckless endangerment of lives. This criminally negligent behavior.

D. A. Reuter, Bremerton, WA (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 3:11 PM)

Won't that be a lame dork session? No more bailouts. The automotive companies need to cut 50% or more of their workforce and stop paying 700,000 people healthcare costs that don't even make cars...sheesh man

Rick, NC (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 3:13 PM)

I'm glad to hear the auto execs are being asked for an actual business plan (what a concept!) before congress will seriously consider handing over any money. I think it's important to save the auto industry (mostly for the workers, I couldn't care less whether these execs keep their jobs). Given the severity of their situation, some intervention will likely be needed before Jan 20, but in this climate there can be no free ride.

Indie Woman in Denver (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 3:14 PM)

Presumably, Republicans don't want to pass a loan for the Big three so that the manoey can be taken from another appropriation

Congress passed money to allow Detroit to re-tool for better gas mileage

Is THAT what the Republicans really want to kill?
Better gas mileage?

How do you compare a $25B loan to a $700B hand out to the financial industry?

We can afford $700B, but not $25B?

George Bush, as dumb as the day is long....

(and the WORST President in History)

MSierra, SF (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 3:16 PM)

I agree with the Dems in requiring the Big Three to come back with some plans for viability and how the cash will be used. The automakers did not come with any alternatives other than a bailout. They want us to pay for them to use the same people who got them in the mess in the first place. All the companies need new leadership with fresh eyes and ideas. It is amazing to me America is the country who invented the automobile and we have not produced a car that will be get 50 or 60 miles to the gallon. The automakers have had years on top of years to get their innovation together for the future. I'll bet they come back with something on Dec. 2nd, it will be good for the big wigs to sweat a little bit. They all ought to be fired and leave with nothing. All they would get should be given to the people who are really affected-the people who make the bottom line really-the workers. The Big Three should have to show how giving them the money in loans is going to benefit America and help us move closer to energy independence.

Kathy, Winston-Salem, NC (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 3:23 PM)

Palin should go to Congress and get things done, because she, and McCain are mavericks, who'll get things done maverick style! I so wish she would be Alaska Senator, or, Obama shoudl appoint her in his cabinet, or else, he's sexist if do not.

Michael Furlong, Long Island, NY (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 3:26 PM)

How about they start by giving up their private jets, the spoiled dumb bastards!

Steve in Portland (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 3:34 PM)

Clara Kansas City, MO: '...I also think Pelosi should turn her gavel in, as well. That would be some serious change. I think they are both fine Dems; but they don't represent the toughness and pragmatics I think are needed right now...'

Say WHAT ?
NO, NO NEVER !
Wait til you see Nancy in action, WITHOUT a President as 'dumb as nails'
Nancy has to represent ALL the Democrats
Give her a year, under an Obama Adminsitration

As for Hillary, she's NOT ORGANIZED (see campaign)

With her I'd expect the same 'dirty dealing' as under her husband's Admin

Where to you think that $109 Million income came from?
The special interests don't give away money for nothing

Hillary is tied to the special interests
Just take a look at her earmarks and compare them to her campaign contributions

Sorry, there was a reason Hillary lost the nomination.....

I'm sticking to Reid and Pelosi !!

MSierra, SF (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 3:35 PM)

No one tell Cheney that there are lame ducks on Capitol Hill. He might show show up to Capitol Hill in his Elmer Fudd outfit, with his wrusty wifle. Now that will get of walkers, and canes moving very quickly for the exits. Time to move forward America!

Rock,Janesville,Wisconsin (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 3:40 PM)

Like, how are you FINALLY going to make a car that isn't a gas-guzzling piece of crap that can't compete with other countries' cars?

Class Warrior, D.C. (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 3:40 PM)

anytime guys

paul (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 3:50 PM)

The UAW members who are receiving healthcare benefits worked their tails off for YEARS to get those benefits, and to arbitrarily stop them now is just criminal. Of course, if the automakers go out of business due mostly to poor management, the benefits will stop anyway. What a mess!

Indie Woman in Denver (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 4:03 PM)

Actually, congress is behaving resonsibly this time around. The current lame duck session is 1 week ending tomorrow.

Requiring the Big 3 CEOs to come back with plans, flying commerical if they are smarter than they look, by 12/2 allows for something to happen before they tank completely.

Clearly the devil is in the details, but making them have a plan is a step in the right direction. Yesterday the GM CEO wanted to know if the $25Billion would be allocated based on market share so he could calc his piece of the pie. Sad but true.

One requirement should be NEW MANAGEMENT, but one can only hope, lol These guys are so out of touch it is ludicrus to assume they can steer a clear path out of the mess THEY made.

BTW, Amercians who insist on driving SUVs and F150s are partially to blame for this as well!

Ed, FW, TX (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 4:17 PM)

Hey America! Did you hear about the lobbyists who are sponsoring/paying for the upcoming Capitol Hill Christmas Party? That's right America! It is going to be paid for by Gerber, Huggies, Polydent, and Tums Corporations. There are going to be plenty of fun games at the big Christmas Party too. These games will be as follows. "Guess MY Age?" "In Search Of My Hearing Aides!" What did he say?? "Diving For Dentures!" Don't miss the big event in the main Capitol hallway. "The Race Of The Wheeelchairs!" Time to move forward America!

Rock,Jansville,Wisconsin (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 4:19 PM)

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