Racing Toward Recess

The Democratic Party had its retreat over the weekend, and will return tomorrow to address the legislation they'd like to pass before recess: housing and foreclosure issues, an energy bill, discussion of a second economic stimulus package and all of the bills "Dr. No" (Senator Coburn) has had an objection to since the session began in January.

The pressure is rising to consider off-shore drilling, something the east coast states are strongly against. Appropriations from different committees are also being allowed to move forward at a pace decided by Majority Speaker Reid. He's been very deliberate about the agenda, bringing PEPFAR (AIDS relief for Africa) on the floor for debate before energy, to the frustration of the Republicans.

Staff expects votes to be scheduled over the weekend, so people are planning accordingly in order to be in the office.

Last week the Medicare bill passed the Senate, something groups had lobbied heavily for. If only people lobbied as hard to reduce childhood poverty.

I drafted two speeches for the Senator to review - one on the food recall re tomatoes/peppers and needing more support for the FDA and public health, the other about the cost: benefit of prevention. No forward progress yet on them, but hope springs eternal.

The Trust for America's Health held a press conference last Thursday at the National Press Club (so convenient, around the corner from the White House, and just minutes by bike for me from the apt.), releasing this report - http://healthyamericans.org/reports/prevention08/.

Basically, if we invested $10/person in effective community-based programs to help people reduce obesity, quit smoking and eat nutritiously, we could save more than 6 times that amount in 5 years. Sounds like a worthy investment to me!

Last Thursday was the annual Congressional baseball game in the new Nationals Stadium. Mostly Congressmen play - one woman, and two senators. The Republicans continued their eight-year winning streak, and the biggest excitement came when a Senator accidentally let go of his bat during a practice swing, where it flew into the stands and hit a spectator. Oops. I'm sure there's a metaphor here somewhere.

I've been having some very enlightening conversations with staff at Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, CDC, Trust for America's Health, the Institute for Medicine and others about my two legislative ideas. The researchers, funders and evaluators have been exceedingly generous with their time, sharing their experience and recommendations. How refreshing to know that my phone calls get returned!

The office staff organized a special tour of the Archives last Friday, where we saw original documents from the private vault. We saw the Congressional record of the very first meeting of Congress - no quorum so they had to adjourn (slow going on those dirt roads, I guess). The first order of business once they had a quorum as to count the electoral votes for the first president.

We also saw George Washington's first message to Congress, the first budget (mostly for the same things - military, roads - no public health yet). Even then they had a $6000 budget debt. We saw the contract for the Louisiana Purchase, the original signatures and handwriting of the early presidents, and the statement forming the first Congressional committees. Okay, I'm starting to sound like a geek.

Of note, the two most valuable documents in the vault were George Washington's inaugural address, and, get this, the very first cover of MAD magazine. Go figure.

I was quite moved seeing these aged original documents, imagining the faith the founding leaders had in the future. I can't help but think they'd be disappointed in our priorities and actions now, although amazed that the democracy still stands and functions.

We had a little excitement today, in my office building with an open atrium, where a foreign visitor was threatening to jump from the 7th floor. This standoff went on for several hours (I don't know if it's even resolved yet). We learned this when members from the opposing softball team were delayed, possibly locked down for a short time and late to the game. I'm definitely "not in Kansas" anymore.

On a lighter note, I was 3 for 3 at the game, which we won. We played on the mall, on the opposite side of the screen set up for the Monday evening movies on the mall (tonight was "The Candidate"). It was nice to play with background music for a few hours, too.

My nosiest two neighbors moved, and my cable service was repaired, two improvements in quality of life.