I read the HR-1 bill and as a Government Contractor I do not see how 50% of this money can be spent by FY11. Yes, the money will be allocated, but expenditure rates will never top 58% of this total by CY10. None-the-less, the faster the disaster the quicker the we can get it undone. Programs, contracts and unobligated funds can still be withdrawn (I think) after the 2010 midterm elections with a 94 or 08 type uprising. Anyway, better start getting my proposals ready for the competitive contracts except FFP contracts blow. FFP + performance incentive is better.

I thought everyone was saying yesterday that only a simple majority of the Senate vote was needed to pass this thing once it came out of conference. I thought the 60 vote was for cloture on the Senate version of the bill, and was necessary to overcome a potential filibuster. What’s going on with this? (Forgive me, I’m a Canuck and am still learning about the American method of legislative sausage making.)

from the Senate bill already passed. I believe that means another chance to filibuster, meaning Democrats must get 60 votes again.

Gregg’s presence or absence is irrelevant. The number of “NO” votes doesn’t matter in a cloture vote: there must be 60 votes to shut off debate and schedule the final vote. Without Kennedy, the defecting Republicans are key. They must be enticed to vote FOR the package - if they even abstain it is as good as a “NO” vote.

As a Christian, I believe in redemption. Snowe, Collins, and Specter have the chance; it is up to them to take it.

America is slowly beginning to sober up and wonder, “We elected WHO, again?”

Giving it another 48-72 to fester out in the open before the final vote is probably the best case scenario for us. It could be that they allow it to the floor and then all vote against it, so that there isn’t a single GOP vote in either chamber.

Sen. Specter - you have had health conditions that required medical treatment or you would not be here with us today (unless there was a miracle - which I believe in) and in this porkulus bill there is a portion of this bill that requires a federal “overseer” to watch and approve medical treatment ordered by a person’s doctor - what if this unethical (in my opinion as a Registered Nurse) were in place when you needed treatment? Would you have gotten the treatment you needed? And as I remember you had to have more required medical treatment again after that episode? Would the federal “overseer” approve that treatment? If any of that would have stopped your treatment Senator would you be with us today? I am not trying to be mean but bring you back down to earth with the rest of us - back to reality - please Sen. Specter think of this before you vote.

To all three of you Senators in the Gang of 3 - do you think ACORN will get out the vote for you when reelection comes up? I don’t know possibly if you vote like a democrat maybe they would but I doubt it. Why is ACORN being funded? Remember those pesky little federal investigations into VOTER FRAUD by this sham of a group!!!

Last but not least Senators please consider this - what you worked on to get taken out is now rumored to have been put back in. In a sane world I would ask you to read the bill and consider your vote being you were USED by Obama/Pelosi/Reid but there is a big problem - not many people are going to be able to look at the bill before they vote - I hear about 4% of all of Congress will have that opportunity - so take chance, be a fool, send your Country down a path of hardship so that you can have $$$ sent to your two states and help with your personal political power but please remember this too - this will backfire on you and already have as far as the democrats and you will be challenged when reelection comes up if you choose the selfish route and not the route that is best for the Country. I hope someone gets our comments to you. I hope you consider this and remember why you wanted to go to D.C. in the first place and why you chose to be a Republican - obviously you have forgotten why you went and forgotten that you are Republicans even if in name only. I pray you stop this and let people see what Pelosi and Reid have added to this mess.

Does the GOP have the ability to force a reading of this bill by the Clerk? It seems like that should be discussed as a legitimate option at this point. 1400 pages of reading would give people time to examine the bill, if nothing else.