Next Week, Congress Will Ruin The Country In The Following Ways

Next Friday, barring last-minute action from Congress, the series of crippling automatic budget cuts known affectionately as “sequestration” will go into effect, immediately slicing 8.2 percent off non-defense spending for 2013. It’s the continuation of the so-called “fiscal cliff,” which was supposed to hit January 1st, but Congress moved this component to March because two potentially disastrous political showdowns are more fun than one.

If you haven’t heard about the sequestration, here’s a good primer, and you’re officially working too hard.

If sequestration is implemented next week, the likely negative impacts range from knocking expected GDP growth down 10 percent or so in 2013 GDP, to setting back medical science for a generation.

The legal field will be especially hard hit…

First of all, I’d like to have a round of applause for the Republican Party messaging operation that has gone into overdrive this week, reminding Americans that President Obama signed the sequestration into law (after it passed through Congress) and therefore requesting that we place all blame for this policy squarely on Obama. They’ve started to call it “Obamastration.” That’s some top-notch Newspeak for an idea that hard-core conservatives spent years touting. It would be like the NRA saying they were against background checks after advocating them in the 90s — I mean, really crazy stuff.

Anyway, the Department of Justice is not immune to the looming 8.2 percent cuts. So what’s likely to go down at DOJ? According to ABA President Laurel Bellows:

Sequestration would gut the Department of Justice

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Tennessee State Senator, Insurance Agent Tracy to Run for Congress

January 4, 2013Email ThisPrintNewslettersTweetArticleComments

State Sen. Jim Tracy officially announced Wednesday that he will run for the congressional seat held by fellow Republican U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, saying the embattled lawmaker has deceived his constituents and needs to be replaced with a more trustworthy representative.

Tracy, an insurance agent for Nationwide Insurance and former college basketball referee, was joined by other Republican lawmakers and local officials at a pharmacy in Murfreesboro. His speech was interrupted by applause at least twice as he touted his conservative values and alluded to the scandal surrounding DesJarlais.

“I promise that I will never embarrass you with my personal conduct or compromise on my conservative principles,” Tracy said. “I’m a conservative in word and deed. I’m 100 percent pro-life.”

DesJarlais, a Jasper physician, won a second term in Congress in November despite revelations he had sexual relationships with patients and urged one to seek an abortion. DesJarlais has rejected calls for his resignation.

When asked about Tracy’s challenge, DesJarlais spokesman Robert Jameson said in a statement that the congressman is focused on other matters.

“Right now Congressman DesJarlais is completely focused on the job he was elected to do by residents of the Fourth District: Ending the deficit spending, repealing ObamaCare and returning our government to its proper constitutional role.”

 

 

Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Email ThisPrintNewslettersTweetCategories: Southeast NewsTopics: insurance agent in politics, Jim Tracy, Rep. Scott DesJarlais, Tennessee insurance agent state senator, Tennessee politics, Tennessee RepublicansHave a hot lead? Email us at newsdesk

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Health-Care Case Puts Congress On Trial

Syrian rebels target security officials, killing 3; bomb rocks Damascus US new-home sales off 7 percent in March, largest decline in a year; home prices also fall If Supreme Court rejects Obama

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Flood Insurance Program Set To Expire September 30

Flood Insurance Program Set To Expire September 30


As the Atlantic hurricane season peaks, the National Flood Insurance Program is scheduled to expire again on Sept. 30 -- unless Congress reauthorizes the program.

The program has operated under a series of short-term extensions and has lapsed four times this year alone. During program lapses, new policies cannot be written, which delays thousands of real estate transactions daily.

Standard home insurance does not cover flooding. Homebuyers in flood-prone areas must purchase flood insurance from the national program for mortgage deals to be closed.

"Lawmakers need to make flood insurance a top priority when Congress returns next week," said David Sampson, president and CEO of the property Casualty Insurers Association of America, in a press release.

Insurance trade groups are calling on Congress to reform the program, now $18 billion in the red, and grant a long-term extension. The House of Representatives passed the Flood Insurance Reform and Priorities Act of 2010, which extends the program for five years, but the bill's future is uncertain in the Senate.

Please Remember To Purchase Your FLOOD INSURANCE Prior to the Sept 30th Deadline.


Please Call Jason Shroot @ 714-988-3325 For More Information & A Free Quote