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With regard to Wednesday’s markup of Bobby Scott’s bill to finally end the crack-powder sentencing disparity, we may want to remember this cryptic exchange. Below is Sheila Jackson Lee’s statement in the midsts of wacky allusions to offer 9 amendments to a bill...

Dr. Donna Christensen, the delegate from the Virgin Islands and the only CBCer who is a medical doctor, had both her amendments inserted into HR 3200, the Health Reform Bill, last night during the House Energy and Commerce Committee markup. The first inserts language calling on...

If it’s true that 53 members of Congress have signed a letter voicing strong opposition to the Blue Dog/Waxman deal this health care bill is in big trouble. At a 230 p.m press conference/rally featuring members of the Congressional Hispanic, Black and Asian Caucuses, Rep....

There are six members of the Crew of 42 on the House Judiciary Committee. They are John Conyers, Mel Watt, Sheila Jackson Lee, Maxine Waters, Bobby Scott and Hank Johnson. Yesterday the committee held a lengthy markup that included the passage of HR 3245 to equalize the...

A Cecil B. deMille flik had less behind the scenes drama than this House Judiciary markup featuring HR 3245 to end the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine. HR 3245 is a simplified version of HR 1459 and co-sponsors included members who had offered like-minded...

So it looks like superbold-Aries-girl Speaker Nancy Pelosi will have to wait to ram HR 3200 through the House and mount her next big trophy: a health care bill vote. After talking with many members of the Crew I find them predictably annoyed at the lack of a public option in the...

Neither Clyburn or Pelosi will confirm they have 218! … CBC hopes to vote on health care before August appear to be fading … Waxman meets with Blue Dogs again this morning in Rayburn at 9am … Pelosi admits that no health care vote will happen before Friday but...

If there is another episode of Energy and Commerce keep an eye on GK and Donna Christensen regarding an amendment offering — all of which is contingent on whatever deal the Blue Dog 7 is placated with. Mr. Rush has been quiet but with the number of hospitals in his district...

In the room (H-210 of the Capitol): Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Charlie Rangel, Danny Davis, G.K. Butterfield, Sheila Jackson Lee, Elijah Cummings, Chaka Fattah, Bobby Scott, Donna Edwards, Laura Richardson, Gwen Moore, Donna Christensen, EBJ, Bobby Rush, and Barbara Lee.The issues...

Below are two health care bills offered earlier this year by Jim Clyburn and Bobby Scott the language of which is in the BIG health care bill (a.k.a HR 3200, America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009/Dingell). H.R.1296 (CLYBURN) To achieve access to comprehensive...

Today, amazing journalist Joyce Jones polled 24 members of the Crew on whether they thought the health care bill would be completed by next week. The results: G.K. Butterfield:“Not optimistic but will pass something before end of year.”Andre Carson: “Stay...

No House Energy and Commerce markup on the schedule today. Interestingly, Chair Henry Waxman has a booksigning at Politics & Prose tonight at 7PM. Then there is this…Rangel (AP): “No one wants to tell the speaker (Nancy Pelosi) that she’s moving too fast and...

HR 1064, preventative crime legislation sponsored by Bobby Scott, continues to lead the Crew — as well as be one of the leaders in all of Congress in cosponsors — at 227. Coming in at #2 is HR 503 with 147 cosponsors by John Conyers, prohibiting, “certain conduct relating...

In polling members of the Crew regarding their amendments to the health care bill I’ve learned that the latest is that Energy + Commerce is not accepting any more amendments. So obviously something happened at that White House meeting…