UPDATE

Press Releases 07.23.15
Transcript of Pelosi Press Conference Today

Q: So it sounds like you are against the Senate bill. And this is not just the McConnell bill, it’s the McConnell‑Boxer bill.

Leader Pelosi. I didn’t say I was opposed to it. I’m just saying it’s not going to be done by the end of next week. So let’s deal with it. I am not opposed. We don’t know what it is. They’re in the process of amendment today. So we’ll see what comes out of it.

I commend Senator Boxer, she has many good things in the legislation that I’ve seen so far, but they are going through the process of amendment.

I don’t like several of the pay‑fors in the bill, starting with using Social Security to pay for roads. We cannot…

Q: Apparently they pulled that out last night.

Leader Pelosi. Well, we’ll see. We’ll see. That was the rumor, that it was going to be pulled out. I hope that that is the case.

But they will pass a bill, and we will pass a bill, and then we’ll go to conference. Perhaps we can go to conference with our – I think we would want to go to conference with something stronger than our five month bill. So this is going to take some time. And that’s why we’re just saying let’s take the time, let’s get the job done, but in the meantime don’t let the Trust Fund run out and don’t let the Ex‑Im Bank [remain expired]. . . .

http://www.democraticleader.gov/newsroom/transcript-of-pelosi-press-conf...

Elin

in Greece or Puerto Rico, but they are very stringent in the US.

That's the reason for the huge proliferation of SSDI legal advocates (here).

Elin

Just click on your name to edit your profile.

May have further comment after I've had a chance to peruse all these resources.

Hiltzik is one of my favorite writers. I should have thought to have gone to his column to see what he had to say about the proposed SSDI overhaul/restructuring. Duh!

(I just noticed--Hiltzik's column is dated October 27th--the same day that I saw the two Washington Journal interviews.)

I have to wonder if the C-Span interviews could have been a factor in the decision to pull this reform proposal. The viewer phone calls in both segments included many outraged SSDI beneficiaries.

Now, I'll need to make a correction to a couple of comments that I've made based upon the reporting of The Hill and C-Span's Washington Journal.

Elin

below, at least from Minute 00:38 through 00:54.

Sometime next week, I plan to make a video clip from a 20-minute C-Span interview about the recent (supposed) SSDI program overhaul, and the new flattened monthly stipend to be tied to the FPL.

[The interview aired during the last week of October, during the budget negotiations.]

Following that interview with a Hill reporter, a Republican lawmaker, Rep Tom Cole (House Budget and Appropriations Committees), confirmed that this reform was part of the Budget Deal.

When asked by the C-Span host, he even confirmed that this cut would apply to all SSDI recipients, not just future beneficiaries.

That's 'why' I've continued to search for more details. I'll go over to "The Hill," and maybe to C-Span, to see if there have been any retractions.

If I find anything, I'll let you know.

I'll probably poke around for a little bit longer, just to make sure that this "change" isn't simply hidden in archaic language (although I agree with you that it doesn't appear to be part of the bill).

BTW, I'm pretty much a commenter, and shy away from writing formal posts.

But, I noticed that the Instapopulist Forum appears to be less formal than your Front Page, so I may look to utilize that venue on occasion. (if that's okay)

Thank you for allowing me to join your blogging community. I expect to learn a great deal from reading and blogging here.

(I'll try not to ask too many questions!)

;-)

Elin

(Postscript: Noticed the qualifier, "could include a move toward flat benefits. . .," just now. However, when the Hill reporter was interviewed, at length, I didn't notice any qualifiers. Maybe I should relisten to it.)

since, had you not posted it, I may not have found your excellent blog.

I'm still researching the so-called 'reform' (contained in the recently signed budget deal) which would flatten SSDI beneficiaries' monthly stipends. The topic seems to have fallen into some kind of void, outside of the few articles which you've referenced.

I'm wondering if the PtB attempted to put the quietus on the topic in the MSM. Dunno. But, it won't stop me from searching for more info.

;-)

Elin

is obscene. What they should be talking about is reducing medical costs, modeled on every other industrialized nation. America is being robbed blind with overpriced drugs, equipment and "other services", yet it barely gets a mention.

Tech companies like Amazon get away with murder because they have bought and paid for government officials at every level. This is all well known, after all, GE got a seat in the white house via Obama and Hillary has a host of corporate "donors" as does Rubio and so on. If one looks at the state of Washington Senators, Cantwell is literally out of tech, as if, "hey, you lady, get out of our company and go represent us (corporations, Microsoft, Amazon, etc.) in D.C.

Same with Carly Fiorina. Writing a detailed policy difference article would be really helpful. Most coverage on the election, even on "issues" is superficial at best. Last night Fox business actually did a good job in terms of asking relevant questions, yet they have their own corporate agenda so they don't nail them on how their answers won't work, will throw people out of work and so on. Trump, by the way wants to get rid of all of the NAFTA style trade deals and renegotiate bi-lateral trade agreements. That's an issue that Bernie probably agrees with. Note, the two not taking corporate money say this.

I might write an article about "social media" and the penny payment plan they have.