Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Nouri and temporary measures

In Iraq, where the political crisis continues, Nouri al-Maliki is rejecting calls to appear before the Parliament.  Kitabat reports today that the Speaker of Parliament's office released a statement noting that the Constitution outlines this process and that Parliament is an equal partner in government.  In addition, the statement notes that the Parliament is the legitimate representatives of the people and that must be recognized.  Unlike the post of prime minister or the Cabinet of Ministers, the people vote in Parliament elections.  (It's a bit more complicated than that in practice but we don't have time this morning.  Suffice is to say, most of the MPs were not voted on as individuals.)  Alsumaria notes that the statement goes ont point out that the Parliament's successfully passed "hundreds" of bills in the legislative session and that they are doing the work of the people.  The statement notes that the Constitution must be respected.

Nouri's political slate State of Law came in second in the 2010 elections.  That may explain the perpetual chip they have on their shoulder.  Alsumaria notes they are saying Speaker of Parliament Osama al-Nujaifi made a "fatal error" by signing onto an agreement in Erbil.  They're not clear on which agreement.  It's a 2012 one and may mean the April 28th deal or something later.  It's so very hard to tell what the half-wits of State of Law mean to say.  They're also attacking Moqtada al-Sadr and stating now that his decision not to take part in questioning of Nouri (should Nouri appear before Parliament) indicates he's on their side.  No, it indicates that Moqtada's acting consistent with what's he's stated for months now.

Moqtada al-Sadr, Osama al-Nujaifi, Ayad Allawi (Iraqiya head) and KRG President Massoud Barzani angered State of Law by attempting a no-confidence vote that President Jalal Talabani refused to allow to go forward.  He 'created' powers for himself that he just doesn't have -- not even at an all you can eat buffet.  As a result of his stunt and betrayal (we'll go into this more in the snapshot today -- he's been called out and no one's really noticed it in the press), he fled to Germany for an 'emergency procedure' (knee surgery).  Now they're attempting to question Nouri before Parliament and hoping that the reaction to his answers will lead to a vote of no-confidence, stripping him of his post.


Al Rafidayn reports Ibrahim al-Jaafari has declared the Nationl Alliance will create a reform body.  Talk about meaningless gesutres. A toothless body of Nouri supporters will 'oversee' Nouri?  Already Alsumaria reports Iraqiya (who came in first in the 2010 elections) is calling the measure a non-starter that will not resolve the crisis.

Cedric and Wally's joint-post went up this morning:



In the US, Senator Patty Murray is the Chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and her office notes:


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Murray Press Office
Wednesday, June 27, 2012 (202) 224-2834
TODAY: Spouse of Severely Wounded Veteran to Testify on VA’s Fertility Services
At a hearing on pending health and benefits legislation, Senator Murray will discuss her Mental Health ACCESS bill and Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Wednesday, June 27, 2012, U.S. Senator Patty Murray, Chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, will chair a hearing to examine health and benefits legislation pending before the Committee. At the hearing, Tracy Keil, the spouse of a severely wounded OIF veteran will discuss her family’s experience with VA’s fertility services. Veterans who have severe reproductive and urinary tract injuries and spinal cord injuries (SCI) often need highly specialized treatments and procedures like IVF to conceive. However, under current law, IVF is expressly excluded from fertility services that are provided by the VA to veterans or their spouses. This is a significant barrier for veterans with SCI and genital and urinary tract injuries and as a result they have to seek care outside of the VA. Senator Murray’s Women Veterans and Other Health Care Improvements Act of 2012 , which she introduced last week, would expand fertility treatment and care for seriously wounded veterans, their spouses, and surrogates.
In addition, Senator Murray will discuss her new servicemembers and veterans mental health legislation, the Mental Health ACCESS Act of 2012, S. 3340. Vets First will testify on the Mental Health ACCESS Act of 2012, which Senator Murray introduced yesterday. Six other Senators are expected to appear in support of their legislation, including Senators Ayotte, Boxer, Franken, Heller, Wyden, and Portman. VA and stakeholder groups will provide their views on the legislation as well. View the full agenda for tomorrow’s hearing below.
WHO: U.S. Senator Patty Murray
WHAT: Hearing focusing on pending legislation on health and benefits issues
WHEN: TODAY: Wednesday, June 27, 2012
10:00 AM ET/7:00 AM PST
WHERE: Dirksen 124
Full Agenda
S. 3340 (Murray) Mental Health Access to Continued Care and Enhancement of Support Services (Mental Health ACCESS) Act of 2012
S. 3336 (Inouye) A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a major medical facility project lease for a Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic at Ewa Plain, Oahu, Hawaii, and for other purposes
S. 3324 (Scott Brown) A bill to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to award grants to nonprofit organizations for the construction of facilities for temporary lodging in connection with the examination, treatment, or care of a veteran under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes
S. 3316 (Toomey) A bill to require the Secretary of Labor to carry out a pilot program on providing veterans with access at One-Stop Centers to Internet websites to facilitate online job searches, and for other purposes
S. 3313 (Murray) Women Veterans Health and Other Care Improvement Act of 2012
S. 3309 (Murray) Homeless Veterans Assistance Improvement Act of 2012
S. 3308 (Heller) A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the furnishing of benefits for homeless veterans who are women or who have dependents, and for other purposes
S. 3282 (Tester) A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to reauthorize the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education, and for other purposes
S. 3270 (Wyden / Burr) A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to consider the resources of individuals applying for pension that were recently disposed of by the individuals for less than fair market value when determining the eligibility of such individuals for such pension, and for other purposes
S. 3238 (Sherrod Brown) A bill to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs community based outpatient clinic in Mansfield, Ohio, as the David F. Winder Department of Veterans Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic, and for other purposes
S. 3206 (Boozman) A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to extend the authorization of appropriations for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay a monthly assistance allowance to disabled veterans training or competing for the Paralympic Team and the authorization of appropriations for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide assistance to United States Paralympics, Inc., and for other purposes
S. 3202 (Murray) Dignified Burial of Veterans Act of 2012
S. 3084 (Burr) VISN Reorganization Act of 2012
S. 3052 (Sherrod Brown) A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide veterans, when such veterans electronically file claims for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary, with notice that relevant services may be available to the veterans from veterans service organizations, and for other purposes
S. 3049 (Begich) A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand the definition of homeless veteran for purposes of benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
S. 2320 (Ayotte) Remembering America’s Forgotten Veterans Cemetery Act of 2012
S. 2259 (Tester) Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2012
S. 2244 (Portman) Veterans Missing in America Act of 2012
S. 2045 (Burr) A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to require judges of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims to reside within fifty miles of the District of Columbia, and for other purposes
S. 1849 (Franken) Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act
S. 1838 (Baucus) A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program on service dog training therapy, and for other purposes
S. 1806 (Boxer) A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow taxpayers to designate overpayments of tax as contributions to the homeless veterans assistance fund
S. 1799 (Tester) Access to Appropriate Immunizations for Veterans Act of 2011
S. 1755 (Tester) A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for coverage under the beneficiary travel program of the Department of Veterans Affairs of certain disabled veterans for travel for certain special disabilities rehabilitation, and for other purposes
S. 1707 (Burr) Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act
S. 1705 (Murray) A bill to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Spokane, Washington, as the "Mann-Grandstaff Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center”


S.1631 (Tester) A bill to authorize the establishment in the Department of Veterans Affairs of a center for technical assistance for non-Department health care providers who furnish care to veterans in rural areas, and for other purposes
S. 1391 (Tester) A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the disability compensation evaluation procedure of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder or mental health conditions related to military sexual trauma, and for other purposes
S. 1264 (Feinstein) Veteran Voting Support Act of 2011
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Kathryn Robertson
Specialty Media Coordinator
Office of U.S. Senator Patty Murray
448 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington D.C. 20510
202-224-2834


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