HELP WANTED…Speaker of the House…Position Filled (November 2015)
The House elected Paul D. Ryan (R-WI) Speaker of the House on October 29.  His election as the 124th Speaker comes amid great division within his party and the chamber.  This is evidenced by the fact that the final vote handing him the gavel was 236 – 184 with an additional 12 votes cast for three other members of the House and Colin Powell.  The 45-year old Ryan is now challenged with advancing his party’s agenda and finding a way to bridge the divisions within while navigating the turbulent congressional waters of an election year.  Only time will tell whether Speaker Ryan will be able to avoid the submerged obstacles that sank the previous Speaker.

HELP WANTED… Speaker of the House (October 2015)
Article 1, Section 2 of the Constitution provides, “The House of Representative shall choose their Speaker and other officers.”  The Speaker has been chosen 123 times since 1789.  With the announced resignation and retirement of current Speaker John Boehner, the House will again choose its leader who is certain to be challenged by both institutional and partisan job requirements.  
In the coming days the two major parties will put forth candidates to fill the position of Speaker of the House. The name of each member of the House will be called alphabetically, at which time he or she will state the name of the person for whom they are voting for Speaker. The voting member does not have to vote for a member of the House. A majority of the votes cast will select the next Speaker. The process continues until an individual is selected. The process of selecting a Speaker in 1849 took 63 ballots and three weeks.  The process took 133 ballots and two months in 1855. How many ballots will it take to select the next Speaker when the House votes later this month? Stay tuned! 

Presidential Debates…Television’s Impact on the Electorate (September 2015)
On a September evening the candidates entered the television studio to debate and share their vision for the future of the nation.  Many would argue that the debate fundamentally changed the trajectory of the elections and ultimately the outcome of the race for the White House.
This time the stage did not consist of 17 candidates or even 10 candidates.  It consisted of just two people vying to become the 35th President of the United States, Democratic nominee Senator John F. Kennedy and Republican nominee Vice-President Richard M. Nixon.  The date was September 26, 1960 and it was the first televised presidential debate.  Political scientist would agree that it became abundantly clear that preparation, stage presence and appearance would become critical factors in the new medium of televised politicking and impact the perceptions of the electorate.  As the 2016 presidential campaign picks up steam and the debates get underway, what lessons will be learned for future presidential hopefuls?

Happy Birthday…Medicare and Medicaid at 50 (August 2015)
The movement began in 1945 when President Harry S. Truman declared, “Millions of our citizens do not now have a full measure of opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health.  Millions do not now have the protection or security against the economic effects of sickness.  The time has arrived for action to help them attain that opportunity and that protection.”  While the initial goal was to provide a universal national health insurance for all Americans, opposition dictated the narrowing of the effort.  Nearly 20 years later Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law compromise legislation that provided coverage to a smaller sector of the population creating the Medicare and Medicaid Programs.
The Medicare and Medicaid programs provide a safety net for the elderly and low-income adults, children, pregnant women and people with disabilities.  Over time, the legislation has been amended to expand coverage to new populations and include new services.  Medicare has grown from 19.1 million beneficiaries in 1966 to over 55 million this year.  Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) cover over 71.6 million people.   With more than 10,000 people gaining eligibility each day to Medicare alone, continued refinements will be necessary to ensure the long-term solvency of these programs.  The stroke of a pen in 1965 fundamentally changed the health care delivery system with its impact being felt yesterday, today and tomorrow! .

The Supremes (July 2015)
Over the past few weeks the US Supreme Court has issued a number of landmark decisions that will ultimately shape the history of our Nation.  Rulings covered such diverse areas as healthcare, the environment, marriage, capital punishment and redistricting, among many others.  Through all of these rulings, it remains clear that the Court continues to be divided much as the Nation is.  
The judicial opinions of the justices can vary greatly as a result of the perspective and the judicial philosophy of each justice.  The Court’s composition is a direct reflection of the philosophies of the appointing Presidents.   To this end, 40 presidents have appointed approximately 100 individuals to serve as Associate and Chief Justices.  There have been 17 Chief Justices, the first of whom was John Jay appointed by President George Washington in 1789.  Future appointments, one or more of which may happen in the near future, are certain to continue to shape the Court, its opinions and ultimately the Nation.  .   

The Traveling President (June 2015)
According to Article IV, Section 3 of the Constitution, “New states may be admitted by the Congress into this Union….”  This provision was last employed in August 1959 when Congress approved statehood for the Territory of Hawaii.  Since Hawaii became the 50th state in the Union, 11 individuals have held the Office of President.  Of those 11, there is one accomplishment that only four share in common.

President Obama visited Watertown, South Dakota on Friday, May 8 to deliver a commencement address at the Lake Area Technical Institute.  While the purpose of the visit was to highlight his proposal for access to free community college, it also accomplished another goal.  In visiting South Dakota, he became only the fourth sitting President to visit all 50 states while in office.  President Obama is joined in this accomplishment by Presidents Richard M. Nixon, George H.W. Bush and William J. Clinton. 

Waning Days of the Civil War – Part 2 (April 2015)
With the conclusion of the Civil War in sight, President Abraham Lincoln delivered his second and final inaugural address just weeks before world history would be changed at the hands of a desperate assassin.  Assassination, however, was not the first objective.

John Wilkes Booth, a confederate sympathizer, and six conspirators planned initially to kidnap President Lincoln on March 20, 1865 to take him to Richmond, Virginia.  When the President did not show up at the location where he was expected, their plans were thrown into disarray.  Further complicating their plans to preserve the confederacy was the Palm Sunday surrender of Robert E. Lee and his forces at the Appomattox Courthouse on April 9.  Shortly thereafter, Booth took the desperate step of shooting President Lincoln at approximately 10:15 in the evening on April 14.  The President died the next morning at 7:22.  Following the assassination was one of the largest manhunts in U.S. history involving more than 10,000 federal troops, detectives and police.  John Wilkes Booth was captured and killed in Virginia on April 26.  Four additional conspirators were captured, tried and hanged.  One conspirator, Mary Surratt, was the first female to be executed by the federal government.  She allowed her boarding house to serve as a meeting place for the conspirators.  

Waning Days of the Civil War – Part 1 (March 2015)
With the Civil War in its waning days, President Abraham Lincoln delivered his second inaugural address 150 years ago on March 4, 1865.   Its tone and length shaped by years of war, was vastly different from his first inaugural address delivered just four years prior, when the Nation was on the brink of war.  Barely 700 words in length, recognizing that public declarations have been made at “every point of the contest,” and that “little that is new could be presented,” President Lincoln called for the Nation to begin to heal its wounds.  He concluded his final speech, “With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”  Within just a few weeks, history would again be written….

How Many Members of the House are There? (February 2015)
It is often said that Congress consists of 435 Representatives and 100 Senators.  This stated fact is a little misleading.  In fact, there are more members of the House than are traditionally acknowledged when discussing the size of Congress.  The House also contains Delegates from Washington, DC, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. They are elected every two years like other members of the House.  There is also a Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico who is elected every four years.  The delegates and commissioner possess the same powers as other members of the House in that they serve on committees, speak on the House floor and introduce legislation.  They may not, however, vote on final passage of a bill.  They also perform the same constituent services as a Representative.  Article I of the Constitution provides only for Representatives and Senators.  The position of Delegate and Resident Commissioner are established under federal law through Title 48 of the U.S. Code and governed by the rules of the House.

The Candy Desk (January 2015)
Every two years a new Congress convenes in Washington.  While tradition plays an important role in the activities of the House and Senate, one tradition warrants special attention due to its ability to strike a bipartisan chord and transcend partisan differences.

Senator George Murphy began in 1965 keeping a supply of candy in his desk located at the back of the Senate chamber.  Since that time, occupants of the desk have kept the tradition and maintained a supply of candy that is available to all of their colleagues, regardless of party affiliation.  The task now falls to Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania.  Senator Toomey has indicated that he will continue the tradition and stock the desk with confectionary treats made by companies located in Pennsylvania, such as Hershey’s, Mars and Wilbur Chocolate, among others.  The “Candy Desk” allows for a rare bipartisan respite from the daily grind of the chamber.

Senatorial “Residency” (December 2014)
The Senate will welcome 13 new members to its ranks in January.  Twelve of these new Senator will serve in the new majority and have the opportunity to take their turn as the temporary presiding officer during periods of routine debate.  It is thought that serving in this role provides the best opportunity for new senators to learn about the complex parliamentary procedures that govern floor debate in the chamber.  In an effort to encourage freshmen senators to serve in this role, the Senate created the “Golden Gavel” award to recognize those who preside 100 hours during any session.  Once the 100 hours is reached, all floor business is stopped and the temporary presiding officer is recognized and presented with the “Golden Gavel.”  With the complex rules that govern debate, few would argue that their “training is complete” at the attainment of 100 hours as temporary presiding officer! 

Tidal Wave Hits DC (November 2014)
With just a few election results still uncertain, it is clear that the landscape in Washington has changed following the 2014 midterm elections.  Prior to the November 4 elections, the House was controlled by the Republicans (234-201) and the Senate by the Democrats (55-45).  With the swearing-in of the 114th Congress in January, there will be larger Republican margins in the House (244-184) and the Senate (53-46) will be controlled by a new Republican majority.  The election results will be immediately evident in the composition and leadership of the committees.  As a result, there will be a change in the nature of the legislation that advances in the chambers of Congress.  There will still be policy differences between Congress and the President.  Will compromises be reached?  Will grid-lock be a thing of the past?  Keep in mind that the race for the White House in 2016 is now under way! 

200 Years Later…A City Thrives (September 2014)
The War of 1812 began with a declaration of war issued against Great Britain on June 17, 1812.  Battles were fought from Canada to New Orleans following the declaration.  While the war raged on, there were a number of battles that left their mark across the country.  Some of the most indelible marks where left right in Washington, DC.

Two-hundred years ago this past month, approximately 4,500 British forces lead by Rear Admiral Sir George Cockburn marched into the seat of the Nation’s government and set it ablaze.  The Capitol, White House and other federal buildings were torched and the city was left in ruins.  President Madison and his cabinet were forced to flee to Brookeville, MD in search of safety.  Reports indicate that the glow of the burning city could be seen from more than 50 miles away the night of August 24, 1814.  The fires were not extinguished until the following day when a severe storm and possible tornado drenched the area and caused even further damage to the already devastated city.  It was not until about three weeks later in Baltimore, MD that the tides of war began to change.

O Say Can You See…History Awaits You in Baltimore (August 2014)
Washington, DC and its surrounding areas were under attack. The Nation was under siege and its survival in doubt. The War of 1812 was raging on and the British navy was flexing its might. A new battle was about to ensue. At stake was control of a vital port city and perhaps the future of a nation.

While working to secure the freedom of a citizen who was taken prisoner for allegedly violating his Oath of Good Behavior to the British, an attorney and colonel learned of an impending attack on Baltimore, MD. After successfully negotiating the release of the prisoner, the men were not permitted to return to Baltimore because of their knowledge of the military operation that was about to come. While confined to a small ship behind the invading British forces, they could only watch the rockets’ red glare and bombs bursting in air. Amazingly, at first light the following morning, lawyer Francis Scott Key saw our flag still flying. He immediately penned what would become known as the Star-Spangled Banner.

Learn more about the attack on Baltimore and make your own history by attending the ACOI’s 2014 Annual Convention and Scientific Sessions October 15-19 at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront. You can learn more and register at www.acoi.org.

150 Years…A President, A Military Leader and a Little Known Link - Part 2
(July 2014)
The focal point of Arlington National Cemetery is Arlington House. The mansion stands out amongst the graves not because it was designed to do so, but because it and the surrounding estate was intended for a very different purpose. Arlington House was intended to be a living memorial to George Washington and was owned and constructed by his adopted grandson George Washington Parke Custis, son of John Parke Custis who was a child of Martha Washington from her first marriage. Custis and his wife were survived by one child Mary Anna Randolph Custis who received title to the estate upon her parents’ deaths. She married a graduate of West Point by the name of Robert E. Lee. Lee and Custis lived in the home until Virginia seceded from the Union. The property was confiscated by the Federal Government and purchased by a tax commissioner for “government use, for war, military, charitable and educational purposes.” Brigadier General Montgomery C. Meigs appropriated the grounds for use as a military cemetery on June 15, 1864. In an effort to make the house uninhabitable should Robert E. Lee attempt to return, he ordered the construction of a vault to serve as the final resting place for over 1,800 Bull Run casualties. Thus, Arlington national Cemetery was established.

150 Years…A President, A Military Leader and a Little Known Link - Part 1
(June 2014)
Overlooking the Potomac River across from the Washington Mall is the hallowed ground of Arlington National Cemetery. It is the final resting place of over 400,000 active duty service members, veterans and their families. There are 27 to 30 burials conducted each weekday with over 7,000 burials still taking place each year. The Cemetery covers 624 acres and is expanding. Home to the Tomb of the Unknowns, memorials representing wars fought by brave Americans and monuments memorializing national tragedies such as the Challenger disaster, Arlington National Cemetery had the most auspicious beginning. Established in June 1864 by Brigadier General Montgomery C. Meigs, Arlington National Cemetery was land intended for something vastly different.
To be continued….

50 Years…We Have Come a Long Way (May 2014)
As the cherry blossoms display their magnificence each spring in Washington, there is a renewed hope that Congress will proceed in a fashion that advances the nation. Congress did just that 50 years ago. On February 10, 1964 the House approved the Civil Rights Act of 1964 sending it to the Senate for consideration. Then-Majority Leader Mike Mansfield, in an effort to prevent the bill from dying in committee, placed it directly on the Senate calendar. The bill was brought up for consideration on March 9. A 60-day filibuster ensued before the debate was cut off on June 10 by a vote of 71 – 29 (60 votes needed to end debate). The debate was punctuated by Senator Robert Byrd’s historic 14-hour and 13-minute speech against the legislation. With a few additional votes, the legislation was sent to President Lyndon B. Johnson’s desk with bipartisan support, where it was signed into law 50 years ago.

History around the Corner… (April 2014)
One of the pleasures of living in and visiting the Washington, DC area is the fact that history can often be found in some of the most unexpected places. A small nondescript colonial home that is little noticed just may have been the “Capital for a Day.”

British forces attacked Washington, DC in April, 1814 and set fire to many structures, including the White House. When the British reached the White House, they discovered that President James Madison had fled. After spending two days in northern Virginia, President Madison and members of his cabinet traveled to Brookeville, Maryland located just north of the city. They took refuge in the home of the local postmaster. In addition to the President and his cabinet, the Senate’s papers were brought to Brookeville for safekeeping. This very small suburb of Washington served as the center of the government and provided safe refuge for a day in the history of our Nation.

At the Center of it all… (Marchl 2014)
Washington is full of hidden treasures and little known facts that are interwoven into the history of the Nation and the city. Perhaps one of the most interesting is the empty crypt that can be found on the first floor of the Capitol, the center of which is marked by a star on the floor and is tied to the design of the city.

When Washington, DC, was chosen to become the Nation’s capital Pierre Charles L’Enfant was selected as the city planner. A friend of George Washington, he envisioned a city of wide avenues and large public areas. The city was designed radiating out from the center of the Capitol. As such, the star on the floor in the crypt is the center of the city and what was intended to be George Washington’s final resting place as an honor for his role in the formation of the nation. Washington’s wishes, however, were different from those who wished to honor him. According to his will, drafted by his own hand, Washington asked to be buried at Mount Vernon saying, “And it is my express desire that my Corpse may be Interred in a private manner, without parade, or funeral Oration.” As a result, he was laid to rest at his beloved Mount Vernon leaving empty the crypt located at the center of the Capitol and the center of the city.

Doing the Work of the People in the Light of Day…. (February 2014)
If one wants to see what the Senate is doing when the deliberative body is in session, all one has to do is turn to C-SPAN. However, the work of the Senate was not always so visible to the public. In fact, it was the practice of the Senate to conduct its business behind closed doors until a sticky situation arose in Philadelphia. On February 11, 1794 while meeting at Congress Hall in Philadelphia, the Senate was confronted with the question of whether an elected senator from Pennsylvania had been a US citizen for nine years as required by the Constitution. In order to avoid the appearance of impropriety, the case was conducted in public view. On February 28, 1794 a two-vote majority denied Swiss-born Albert Gallatin his seat in the Senate. Following this action, the Senate permanently opened its proceedings to the public following the construction of a gallery. You can learn more by visiting www.senate.gov.

Put a Lid on it… (January 2014)
Perhaps one of the most recognizable structures in the world is the U.S. Capitol building adorned with a magnificent dome and the Statue of Freedom. Amazingly, it is actually the second and largest dome to top the building under which our nation’s laws are made.

On March 3, 1855 President Franklin Pierce signed into law the legislation that approved and funded the construction of a larger dome to replace the original and match the size of the expanding Capitol building. Construction of the new dome designed by Philadelphia architect Thomas U. Walter took place from 1855 to 1866 at a cost of $1,047,291. The dome consists of 8,909,200 pounds of iron work that has succumbed to time and the elements. The Architect of the Capitol has identified over 1,000 cracks and deficiencies that must be repaired. The last full restoration of the dome took place in 1959-1960. It is expected that the current work will take approximately two years. You can learn more about the dome and the restoration work by visiting www.loc.gov/dome.

150 Years and 270 Words Later… (December 2013)
November 19 marked the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address. In approximately 270 words, President Lincoln penned an address that mistakenly predicted, “The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here....” While delivering a eulogy for President Lincoln in 1865, Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner noted, “The world noticed at once what he said, and will never cease to remember it.” The only problem is that there is no way to remember exactly what was said by President Lincoln in his dedication of the Gettysburg cemetery.

There are only five known copies of the Gettysburg Address in Lincoln’s handwriting. Each copy is named after the first person to receive them and differs slightly. Only one copy is signed and dated, the “Bliss Copy,” named after Colonel Alexander Bliss. With competing copies and no recordings or transcripts, we will never know the exact words uttered by Lincoln on the edge the battlefield that witnessed over 51,000 casualties over three days in July 1863.

Capital for a Day… (October 2013)
Several US cities served as our national capital during the infancy of our nation. After the government fled from Philadelphia, PA due to advancing British forces, Lancaster, PA became the seat of power for just one day. It served as the government’s epicenter on September 27, 1777. Since most of Pennsylvania’s state government was located in Lancaster at the time, the Continental Congress felt it necessary to create a separation and crossed the Susquehanna River to set up the government in York, PA. York served as the nation’s capital until June 27, 1778 when it was moved back to Philadelphia. It was not until 1800 that Washington, DC became the permanent National Capital.

A Statue Facing East… (August 2013)
Standing atop the Capitol dome is the Statue of Freedom. The bronze statue is 19 feet 6 inches tall and weighs approximately 15,000 pounds. If you visit Washington, you will notice she is facing east with her back turned to the Mall and the Washington Monument. Why does the statue appear to be facing the wrong direction? There is actually a simple explanation. The Capitol’s East Front was planned, and still serves, as its main entrance. It is the only front that is on level ground. (The West Front faces the Mall and the Washington Monument.) As a result, the Statue of Freedom stands facing those coming to visit the hallowed halls of Congress.

A New Record is Set… (July 2013)
The attainment of a historical mark began with the swearing-in of Representative John Dingell, Jr. (D-MI) on December 14, 1955. Representative Dingell became the longest serving member of Congress in June, surpassing the record previously set by the late Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV). Since first taking office in 1955, Representative Dingell has cast more than 25,000 votes; been elected to Congress 30 times; served during the terms of 11 presidents; and spent more than 57 years and five months in Congress. The “Dean of the House” was first elected in a special election to fill a seat vacated by the death of another member of Congress—Representative John Dingell, Sr. The Michigan House seat currently held by Representative Dingell has been held by a Dingell since 1932.

Five Words…The Election of a Senator (June 2013)
The framers of the U.S. Constitution were challenged to draft a document that would be ratified by the colonies and weather the storms of time. In an effort to achieve these goals, compromises and policy decisions were made directly impacting the direction and operation of the Federal Government. One such compromise involved the wording of Article 1 Section 3 which provides for the election of senators.

For more than 120 years, senators from each state were chosen by the state legislatures. Overtime, however, this proved to be increasingly problematic in divided states. This resulted in vacancies that would go unfilled for extended periods of time. To address this, the 17th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified on April 8, 1913 changing “chosen by the legislature thereof” to “elected by the people thereof.” As the saying goes, “The rest is history.”

There is Still “Water” Damage (May 2013)
The Senate voted unanimously February 7, 1978 to approve Senate Resolution 60 as introduced by Senator Edward M. Kennedy. The resolution established the Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities—the Watergate Commission. The Commission began its work 40 years ago this month.

The Commission was granted the power to subpoena witnesses and materials. Use of these powers by the select committee proved to be especially contentious, submerging the country into a constitutional crisis over the scope and meaning of “executive privilege.” Following the conclusion of the Commission’s work and the issuance of its final report over a year later on June 27, 1974, a president resigned in disgrace; existing legislation was amended; new legislation was approved; and, the dark back rooms of Washington now have just a little more light shined on them.

 

The 112th Congress’ Numbers are In… (April 2013)
The final numbers for congressional activity during the 112th Congress (January 5, 2011 through January 2, 2013) are in. During this two year period, the House and Senate spent 327 and 323 days in session, respectively. The House was in session for 8,577 hours and the Senate was in session for 9,769 hours. During this time, 12,298 bills were introduced. Only 238 were signed into law. With only two percent of the bills introduced becoming law, nearly 77 hours were spent on those bills that made it to the President’s desk for his signature!

A Ride into History… (March 2013)
It started with the refusal of a seamstress to surrender a seat and ended with a ride into history. On December 1, 1955 Rosa Parks was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and violation of a local ordinance. She was tried and convicted a few days later. A symbol of the Civil Rights movement, Ms. Parks received the honor of having a bronze and granite statue placed in the National Statuary Hall in the United States Capitol on February 27, 2013. Her statue, nearly nine feet in height, is the first full-length statue of an African American in the Capitol. It is also the first statue commissioned by Congress since 1873. Weighing in at nearly 2,700 pounds, the tribute to Rosa Parks symbolizes both her seat on the bus in Montgomery, Alabama and her ride into the annals of American history.

Everyone was there, but… (February 2013)
Article II, Section 3 of the US Constitution requires the President, “from time to time give to the Congress information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient….” President Obama fulfilled his constitutional obligation on February 12th in a speech that consisted of 6,419 words and took just over one hour to deliver. In attendance were senators, representatives, Supreme Court justices and other invited guests. Also in attendance was most of the President’s cabinet. Missing was Secretary of Energy Steven Chu. At each State of the Union address it is tradition for a member of the President’s cabinet to be absent from the gathering in order to ensure continuity of the government in the event of a national emergency.

Different Times, Different Divisive Issues, Common Resolve…. (January 2013)
The 113th Congress has been sworn in and party lines have been drawn. The electoral votes have been tallied and President Obama will be sworn in for a second term on January 20. Awaiting Congress and the President are issues over which there are deep divisions and no easy answers. The manner in which these matters are handled will impact generations to come and shape the direction of our Nation. While at times it appears that Congress is intractably mired in its own inaction and insurmountable conflicts, perhaps there is hope. With a looming Civil War and some of the Nation’s darkest days on the horizon, President Abraham Lincoln delivered his first inauguration speech on March 4, 1861. In concluding his comments he said, “I am loath to close. We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield, and patriot grave, to every living heart and hearthstone, all over this broad land, will yet swell the course of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.” With the 2012 elections in the books, it is now time to work for the common good of the Nation and its people

The Numbers are In… (December 2012)
The 2012 race for the White House has concluded and the numbers are in. President Barack Obama won reelection by winning 332 electoral votes to Mitt Romney’s 206. There were 121,745,725 popular votes cast. Mitt Romney received 59,134,475 votes while President Obama received 62,611,250. In all, there were 7,645,986 fewer votes cast in 2012 than in 2008 when 129,391,711 votes were cast. Final numbers show that more than $2 billion dollars were spent in the 2012 presidential elections—this astounding amount does not include House, Senate and local election expenditures!

Some Races are Still Underway… (November 2012)
Many Americans went to bed late Tuesday, November 6 knowing the results for the race for the White House. In addition to the presidential election, 435 House seats were up for election as were 33 Senate seats. Some results in these races are still unknown!
There are still approximately six House seats that are simply too close to call. Voters in Arizona Districts 2 and 9, California Districts 7 and 52, Florida District 18 and North Carolina District 7 still do not know who will represent them in the next Congress. While the outcome of these elections will not change the balance of power (Republican-controlled House and Democratic-controlled Senate), they are emblematic of the American divide. It may still be weeks before all federal races are concluded!

“Number of Electors is Key” (October 2012)
The race for the White House is nearing the home stretch. Just weeks remain before millions of Americans will cast their votes for President. As the race concludes, attention will turn to the number of electors available by winning a specific state. How could that be more important than the total number of votes cast?
Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution determines how many electors each states receives by declaring, “Each state shall appoint, in such manner as the legislature thereof may direct, a number of electors equal to the whole number of senators and representatives to which the state may be entitled in the Congress…” The popular vote in the state will determine the manner in which the electors cast their vote for President. It is for this reason that you see a greater focus on states with the largest number of electors. The number of electors won determines who resides at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Make sure to get out and vote on November 6!

The Price of Olympic Glory (August 2012)
Athletes from around the world converged on London to compete in the games of the XXX Olympiad. At stake was the pride of more than 200 countries competing in over 30 sports. There are 302 medaled events where gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded to immortalize unimaginable feats of strength and skill. Nearly 600 athletes representing the United States, alone, competed for their piece of glory. Members of the House and Senate have taken note.
The U.S. Olympic Committee awards honoraria to those athletes who are awarded medals. A gold medalist receives $25,000; a silver medalist receives $15,000; and a bronze medalist receives $10,000. In addition, the medals are estimated to be valued at $675, $385 and $5, respectively. Showing their true Olympic spirit, members of the House and Senate have introduced legislation to amend section 74 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude Olympic medals and prizes from gross income (S.3471/H.R. 6267). While the bills have been referred to committees of jurisdiction, no further action has been scheduled at this time.

“The Case is Submitted.” (May 2012)
Just two years after the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” (PPACA, Pub. L. 111-148) was signed into law, the Supreme Court heard six hours of oral arguments presented by seven attorneys addressing the constitutionality of its provisions. Over 170 amicus curiae (“friend of the Court”) briefs were filed in response to the four questions presented in the three cases that the Court agreed to hear. Nine justices, appointed by five Presidents will decide the fate of one of the most controversial legislative packages signed into law in modern history. The wait began with Chief Justice John G. Roberts uttering the words, “The case is submitted” on March 28.

The 2012 Race to the White House is Just Beginning! (March 2012)
The presidential nomination process is well underway. While the Democratic candidate is settled, it is less clear who the Republican nominee will be. To date, 22 primaries and caucuses have been held. There have been multiple winners with 790 delegates awarded. That candidate that emerges as the party’s nominee will need to secure 1,144 delegates. There are a total of 2,286 Republican delegates up for grabs. With 1,496 delegates still on the table, the contest is certain to continue. What once appeared to be a sprint is becoming a marathon covering all corners of the Nation.

It Does Not Have To Be So Difficult! (January 2012)
After months of negotiations it appeared increasingly likely that the Senate and House would recess without addressing the Medicare physician fee schedule, allowing a devastating 27.4 percent reduction in Medicare physician reimbursement to take effect. In the end, however, it really did not take that long to enact legislation providing a temporary reprieve once a stop-gap compromise was agreed to by all sides. With the winter recess in their grasp, the House and Senate struck a deal to buy some time into the new year. In all, it took about 30 minutes for both chambers to act and send H.R. 3765 to the President’s desk for his signature. The Senate reconvened at 9:30 AM Eastern Time on December 23 and approved H.R. 3765 sending it to the House at 9:31 AM. The Senate was in session for less than two minutes. The House was called to order at 10:00 AM and disposed of H.R. 3765 in about eight minutes. The eight minutes included the Pledge of Allegiance, Morning Prayer and some general “housekeeping.” The bill was signed into law that afternoon. It is interesting to see how quickly Congress can act once all sides find common ground!

How Many Words Can You Say That In? (December 2011)
A great deal of attention will be paid to the legal process as the Supreme Court prepares to consider the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The Supreme Court is steeped in tradition and rule, perhaps rules and traditions are meant to be amended.
In announcing the briefing schedule for the PPACA, the Court announced a few changes of note. The word limit for the primary briefs was increased from 15,000 words to 16,500. The reply brief word limit was increased from 6,000 to 6,600. While this seems like a small departure from the norm, it is significant in the operations of the Supreme Court. The first briefs are due January 6. The Court’s consideration of the PPAACA is almost certain to lead to other departures from the status quo.

The Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (November 2011)
The Federal Government came within hours of beginning to default on some of its debt obligations on August 2. In the 23rd hour the President signed into law the “Budget Control Act of 2011” (BCA)(Pub. L. 112-25) creating the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, among other things. As a result, the battle to reign in the nation’s growing debt heated up.
In order to extend the government’s borrowing power and send the BCA to the President’s desk for signature, an agreement had to be made to create a mechanism to ensure further reductions in spending. To this end, the Joint Select Committee was created to identify and propose at least an additional $1.5 trillion in savings over 10 years. The Committee, which is comprised of a total of six democrats and six republicans, three from each chamber, must propose a package to be sent to both the House and Senate by November 23. The two chambers must approve the yet-to-be released package by December 23 without amendment. Failure to accomplish this would result in across-the-board reductions beginning on January 2, 2013. A great deal of work remains between now and the end of the year!

Debt Ceiling Increases…It Has All Been Done Before (August 2011)
There are two types of federal debt: debt held by the public and debt held by government accounts. The total federal debt is the combination of these two. The debt limit is the total amount of money that the Federal Government is authorized to borrow to meet its existing legal obligations. These obligations include Social Security and Medicare benefits, military salaries and interest on the national debt, among other things. The national debt is not a stagnant number, but fluctuates with evolving revenues and outlays.
In light of the recent activities in Washington, one would be lead to believe that raising the debt limit is rarely done. Interestingly enough, the debt limit has been raised more than 75 times since 1960—49 times under Republican presidents and 30 times under Democratic presidents. In fact, the debt limit has been raised 11 times since 2001. Congress must still address a number of issues related to the federal debt. As such, the negotiations of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction will be crucial. You have not heard the last of “federal debt limits!

The Birth of a Nation And More (July 2011)
Each year we celebrate July 4th. We enjoy barbeques, fireworks and friends and family in celebration of our great Nation. This summer tradition could have been very different, however, had the tides of history turned in the fields west of where the Nation was born.
Just 87 years after the founding of our Nation and 125 miles west of Philadelphia, PA a three-day battle waged over the fields of Gettysburg—hanging in the balance was the fate of a young nation. Over 165,000 soldiers, lead by Confederate General Robert E. Lee and Union Major General George Gordon Meade, battled over three days in and around a town of 2,400 residents. As General Lee’s troops retreated to Virginia and smoke rose over the fields on July 3, 1863 over 51,000 soldiers were killed, wounded, captured or missing. While the Civil War raged on for two more years, the Confederate Army was never able to recover from its losses and the Nation was ultimately preserved. In November, 1863 at the dedication of the Soldier’s National Cemetery at Gettysburg, President Abraham Lincoln in his famed address proclaimed, “…that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.”

Reducing a Commute? (June 2011)
The Residence Act of 1790 directed President George Washington to designate a site for the new Federal District that would serve as our Nation’s capitol. The North agreed to the “Southern” location in exchange for relieving the North of its debt from the Revolutionary War. The location was selected by President Washington in-part because of its access to sea trade and its inland location, which provided a strategic defense against attack. It may not have hurt that the location was just 16 miles north on the Potomac River from his beloved plantation, Mount Vernon!

The Effect of the Divided Congress--By the Numbers (May 2011)
The 2010 elections reshaped the political playing field in Washington and altered the balance of power in the halls of Congress. Prior to the November elections, the democrats controlled the House by a margin of 255 to 178. After the elections the republicans control the House by a margin of 241 to 192. While the Senate remains in the hands of democrats, the margins have dwindled from 57 to 41 to the current divide of 51 to 47. As a result, congressional activity has slowed to a crawl.
By the end of March 2010, 29 bills were enacted into law, 313 bills were approved and 301 votes took place. Congress spent 538 hours in session. During the same time period in 2011 Congress spent 501 hours in session. However, only seven bills were enacted into law, 167 bills were approved, and 256 total votes took place. The division of power in the House and Senate has changed the dynamics of moving legislation. The process will not pick up steam as we move closer to the 2012 elections and the race for the White House.

112th Congress Off To A Predictable Start (March 2011)
Our founding fathers thought that a divided government was of the utmost importance. As argued for in Federalist Paper No. 51, “Different interests necessarily exist in different classes of citizens. If a majority be united by a common interest, the rights of the minority will be insecure.” Article I of the U.S. Constitution reflects this belief and creates a bi-cameral legislature embodied in the House and Senate. The legislative activity during the first three months of the 112th Congress highlights the intended consequences of this design.
During the same time period in the 111th Congress, four pieces of major legislation where signed into law. At the time, Democrats controlled the House, Senate and White House. The November elections changed the balance of power in the House and reduced the margins of divide in the Senate. With the House now in the control of the Republicans and the Senate remaining in the control of the Democrats, no significant legislation has been signed into law thus far in the 112th Congress. Each chamber has chosen legislative paths that have yet to converge. The result is few bills being sent to the President’s desk for signature. The current divisions in the House and Senate appear to be accomplishing the founders’ intent to limit government.

The Peaceful Transfer of Power—A New Congress (February 2011)
The 112th Congress convened at approximately 12:00 noon Eastern Time on January 5 when both the House and Senate were called to order. Among those taking the oath office were 94 freshmen in the House and 13 freshmen in the Senate. Joining the freshman class in the House is Joe Heck, DO, an emergency room physician from Henderson, NV. Forty-three of the freshmen in the House and Senate never held an elected office before being sent to Washington. Of the 435 members of the House: 78 are women; 148 practiced law; 17 are physicians; and 92 members are veterans. Of the 100 senators; 18 are women; 50 practiced law; three are physicians; and 26 senators are veterans. The composition of the new Congress is certain to shape policies debated and advanced throughout the 112th Congress.

Mid-Term Elections Part II : A Tsunami Hits Washington (December 2010)
Voters went to the polls on November 2 to cast their votes for their representatives and one-third of senators. As the waters recede from the tsunami, one thing is certain, the political landscape will never be the same.
Prior to the November elections, the House consisted of 255 Democrats and 178 Republicans (with two vacancies). The Senate consisted of 57 Democrats, 41 Republicans, 1 Independent and 1 Independent Democrat. Following the elections, Republicans picked up an astounding 64 seats in the House and six in the Senate. There will be at least 94 new members of the House and 16 members of the Senate with a few races still pending. At least 35 of the newly elected officials have never held office of any kind. As a result of the elections the Republicans will control the House in the 112th Congress. The margin of division in the Senate will be reduced increasing the need for compromise. The 112th Congress is certain to be an interesting one!

Mid-Term Elections - Is A Wave Coming? (October 2010)
Article 1 of the U.S. Constitution provides that each representative is chosen every second year while senators are divided into three classes to serve six year terms. As a result, representatives stand for election every two years along with one-third of senators. This year’s election is slated for November 2. At stake is control of the House, the Senate and ultimately the legislative agenda for the next two years.
A review of the historical composition of the House and Senate suggests that the party in the White House often suffers some losses in the mid-term elections. If polls are to be believed, it appears to be the case again this year. In 1994 President Bill Clinton was in the White House. That November the Democrats lost 54 seats in the House, nine seats in the Senate and control of both chambers of Congress. The House today consists of 255 Democrats and 178 Republicans (there are two vacancies). The Senate consists of 57 Democrats, 41 Republicans, 1 Independent and 1 Independent Democrat. What will the composition be after this year’s mid-term elections? The results are certain to shape the legislative agenda for the foreseeable future. More to follow!

Vice Presidential Busts – A Marble History (August 2010)
A walk through the halls of the Senate with an eye to the niches in the walls will unveil a collection of art that tells more than the history of the chamber, but also the history of our nation.
A resolution was first passed on May 13, 1886, that began the commissioning of busts to honor the vice presidents of the United States. Their connection to the history of the Senate is a result of Article 1, Section 3, of the U.S. Constitution which provides, “The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided.” A careful review of the busts will unveil individuals who have been lost in the annals of history, as well as those who have served in the highest office in the land. Of the 44 vice presidents who have been immortalized in marble around the Senate chamber, 14 have served as President of the United States.

Is There a Vacancy? (July 2010)
Article 2, Section 2, Clause 3, of the US Constitution provides, “The President shall have the power to fill up all vacancies that may happen during the recess of the Senate, by granting commissions which shall expire at the end of their next session.” President Obama used this constitutionally provided power to appoint Dr. Donald Berwick as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on July 7. Is the exercise of the appointment power as rare as some might suggest?

Since 1933 there have been over 1,334 vacancies filled by recess appointments. The most appointments were made by President Ronald Reagan (243) and the fewest appointments were made by President Gerald Ford (12). To date, President Obama has made 17 appointments. President George W. Bush made 171 recess appointments. A recess appointment expires at the end of the next session of the Senate, or at which time an individual is confirmed by the Senate to the position. The constitutionally protected ability to appoint individuals to positions during a Senate recess has been widely used in the past and is certain to be used again in the future.

Let the Legal Challenges Begin! (June 2010)
Laws have many ways of being shaped. The legislative process allows for legislation to be introduced and amended prior to being approved by the House and Senate. Once a bill is signed into law it can further be shaped and refined through the regulatory process. If all else fails to amend a law—file suit.

With the enactment of the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” (PPACA)(H.R. 3590)(Pub.L. 111-148) have come the lawsuits. To date, 20 state governors and attorneys general have filed a suit in federal court challenging the constitutionality of the PPACA. At issue is whether the federal government has the authority under the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution to require individuals to carry healthcare coverage. In addition to the lawsuit filed by the states, more than a dozen other suits have been filed by individuals and organizations. Additional lawsuits are almost certain to ensue. The final form of the PPACA is far from complete.

 

It's Been Done Before (April 2010)
You may have heard a great deal about the use of the budget reconciliation process in the news as of late as a mechanism to advance healthcare reform legislation. Some have expressed outrage over the use of the process stating that it should never be used. A closer look at the history of the process and its use may shed some light on the current debate.

The process of budget reconciliation was created by the 1974 Budget Act (Pub. L. 93-344) and was intended to be used as an expedited procedure to advance deficit reduction legislation. It has been used to do this as well as advance other pieces of major legislation. For example, the budget reconciliation process was used in 1997 to create the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and was again used in 2001 and 2003 to advance tax cuts, to name just a few instances. Since 1974, the process has led to the enactment of 19 pieces of legislation. Of the 19 reconciliation bills enacted, 11 contained healthcare provisions, such as the creation of COBRA coverage as well as legislation impacting physician reimbursement under the Medicare program. The use of budget reconciliation to advance the current healthcare reform debate was not the first time, nor will it likely be the last, that the technique is used to move legislation.

Washington Grinds to a Halt (Feburary 2010)
The Washington area continues to dig out from beneath two massive winter storms that brought the Federal Government to a frozen halt earlier this month. Since 1998, the government has been closed a total of 12 days. Of those 12 days, the government was closed for two national days of mourning for the passing of former presidents Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford. In 2000 and 2003 the government was closed for two consecutive days (four days total) for weather-related reasons. From December 20, 2009 through February 11, 2010, the government was closed for five days, with the area seeing record-breaking amounts of snow. It has been more than 12 years since the government shut down for more than two consecutive days due to weather events. Is it Spring yet?

Tis The Season� (December 2009)
The tradition of lighting the Capitol Christmas tree continued on December 8. Each year, the U.S. Forest Service chooses a state from which a tree is selected to be placed at the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. In addition to the main tree, which is placed on the west lawn of the Capitol, the state also provides approximately 80 smaller trees that are placed throughout the Capitol complex. This year�s tree was harvested in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests in Arizona. The tree is an 85 foot Blue spruce, the largest tree to date. The tree is covered with nearly 5,000 ornaments hand-crafted by Arizona school children and is illuminated by over 10,000 LED lights. Since 1964, trees have been harvested in 22 different states. The smallest tree was a 24 foot tall Douglas fir from Pennsylvania. Season�s Greetings!change detailed in CMS Transmittal 1875 which is available at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Transmittals/2009Trans/list.asp.

Just Drop It� (November 2009)
As the health care debate wages on here in Washington you may have heard that �legislation has been dropped in the House.� In legislative parlance that means that a bill has been introduced. But why is it referred to as �dropping a bill?�

In order for a member to introduce legislation, he or she must physically drop a signed copy of the legislative text into a receptacle in the House chamber called �the hopper.� Once the bill is placed in the hopper, the Clerk of the House assigns a bill number and the bill is referred to the committee(s) of jurisdiction. A bill can only be dropped when the House is in session. This means that four reams of paper were dropped into the hopper to introduce the 1,990 page �Affordable Health Care for America Act� (H.R. 3962) alone!

Health Care Lobbyists Abound� (September 2009)
As Congress returns to session, one topic that is certain to be at the top of the legislative agenda is the reform of the healthcare delivery system. As of August, there were over 3,300 registered health care lobbyists representing more than 1,500 organizations. As a result, there are approximately six healthcare lobbyists per each of the 535 members of Congress. According to the US Census Bureau, there are approximately 307,200,026 Americans. That means that there is approximately one healthcare lobbyist per 93,091 citizens. At this time, there are more registered healthcare lobbyists per capita than there are representatives and senators! The healthcare debate this fall is certain to be intense and debated from many points of view.

One Small Step� (August 2009)
As Congress returns home for the August recess you will hear a great deal about healthcare reform. Many will think that as long as Congress is out of Washington they can not cause any long-term harm. Take heart, Congress does occasionally get it right as evidenced by a 40th anniversary that took place on July 20.

The year was 1958 and the space race was underway. The then-Senate Majority Leader Lyndon Johnson ushered through legislation entitled the �National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958,� creating NASA and the National Aeronautics and Space Council. As a result of the work performed by these and other agencies created by congressional action, men first walked on the moon on July 20, 1969. Over the next few months, the healthcare reform debate will seem far more complicated than what Congress put in motion in 1958 resulting in human footprints on the moon and over 100 successful space flights. As with efforts to explore unknown universes, the thousands of pages of legislative text to reform the healthcare system that have been drafted so far are just the beginning chapters of a book that will be written over the upcoming weeks, months and years.

 

July 4�A Date of Great Significance (July 2009)
When one thinks of July 4, thoughts often turn to barbeques and the birth of a nation. Interestingly enough, July 4 also marked the birth of a lifelong friendship and the death of two of our nation�s founding fathers. Through serving together in the Continental Congress and working together to draft the Declaration of Independence two delegates, one from Massachusetts and one from Virginia, became close friends. The friendship lasted for years until the gentleman from Massachusetts, while serving as the second President of the United States, made appointments to federal positions during the waning days of his administration that the next president, the gentleman from Virginia, feared would undermine his administration. Their friendship suffered for years until Dr. Benjamin Rush, a mutual friend and signer of the Declaration of Independence, took it upon himself to heal the wounds that separated these once close friends. The second and third Presidents of the United States, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, respectively, remained close friends until the day they died, July 4, 1826--within hours of one another.

 

All Aboard! (June 2009)
There has been a great deal of discussion as of late regarding the probability of Congress approving and the President signing major health care reform legislation this year. All one has to do is look to 2003 to determine the probability of such action.

 

The �Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003� (MMA)(Pub. Law 108-173), was signed into law by President George W. Bush on December 8, 2003. The legislation added a prescription drug benefit to Medicare, laid the foundation for the advancement of quality improvement programs and established health savings accounts (HSAs), among many other things. This massive legislative package overcame many hurdles to make it to the President�s desk. How was it accomplished?

The legislation contained a little something for everyone and relied on creative financing to make it affordable. Who can forget the creation of the �doughnut hole� in the Medicare prescription drug benefit? The legislation was the only vehicle leaving the station, and as such, was the only opportunity to address the concerns of various constituencies. Groups either supported the legislation or let their priorities fall to the side. You can be assured that the yet-to-be-released bill to reform the health care system will rely on the same techniques. A case study in the way Washington works can always be found in the enactment of massive legislative packages! We will see in the upcoming weeks and months what the next massive package will contain.

 

The Final Numbers are Now in the Book (April 2009)
Every two years in early January senators and representatives converge on the U.S. Capitol to convene a new Congress. Each Congress is divided into a first and second session that each spans one year. It is during this two-year cycle that legislation is introduced and acted upon. All legislation not enacted expires at the end of each Congress and must be reintroduced to be considered in the future. The �R�sum� of Congressional Activity� tracks the actions of each Congress. The 110th Congress, which concluded in early January, saw the introduction of 14,042 measures. Of the measures introduced, only 416 became law. It is back to the drawing board for more than 97 percent of all bills introduced in the 110th Congress!

 

 

The �Dean of the House� Sets a New Record (February 2009)
It started on January 22, 1956 and continues through today. Representative John D. Dingell (D-MI) became the longest serving member of the House when he entered his 19,420th day of service on February 11. Representative Dingell, who is 82 years old, replaced his father who was a 12-term congressman in a special election following his death. The significance of his service in the House is evidenced by the fact that he was presiding over the chamber on April 8, 1965 when the House approved the creation of Medicare. The Michigan House seat has been held by one of two Dingells for over 70 years!

 

 

Congress Was Ahead of the Curve? (January 2009)
Luther Leonidas Terry, MD, Surgeon General of the Public Health Service, released his seminal report titled, �Smoking and Health: Report of the Advisory Committee to the Surgeon General of the United States� on January 11, 1964. The report led to the enactment of the �Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act of 1965,� which created the well-know Surgeon General�s warning on cigarette packages. However, it was in 1871 that the House banned smoking in its galleries and chamber when in session. Amazingly, in 1896 smoking was banned by the rules of the House at all times. Then Speaker, David Henderson of Iowa in a floor statement in support of the rule said, �I believe that since I have had a seat in this body members have been killed not alone because of the polluting effects of tobacco but generally because of the impure air in this Hall. I think this provision will be a great step toward the preservation of the health of members of this body.� The ban did not extend beyond the chamber and its galleries. It was not until 2007 that smoking was banned throughout the entire Capitol.

 

 

The 2008 Elections by the Numbers (December 2008)
One of the longest election seasons in history came to a conclusion on Tuesday, November 4th. In all, more than 125,225,901 individuals cast their votes for federal, state and local officials. President-elect Barack Obama earned 54 percent of the popular vote (29 states and the District of Columbia and 365 electoral votes) to Senator John McCain�s 46 percent (22 states and 175 electoral votes). Democrats will begin the 111th Session of Congress on Jan. 6, 2009 controlling both the Senate and House by a minimum margin of 58 to 40 and 255 to 175, respectively. Two races remain undecided in the Senate with a recount underway in Minnesota and a runoff scheduled for early December in Georgia. If you already miss the 24 hour a day campaigning, fear not, the 2012 maneuvering has already begun!

 

 

The Race for 270 Electoral Votes (October 2008)
In just a few weeks, people from across the country will walk into polling booths to select the next President of the United States�or will they? While Election Day takes place on Tuesday, November 4, there are two other votes that are essential to an individual taking the oath of office on January 20, 2009.

 

After the popular votes are counted on November 4, Democrat and Republican electors will meet in their state capitols on December 15 to cast their votes based on the popular vote (electors are party activists) in their state. Article II Section 1 of the Constitution requires that the electors �meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for two persons, of whom one at least shall not be inhabitant of the same state with themselves.� The vote of the Electoral College in each state is then sent sealed to �the seat of the government of the United States,� where before the President of the Senate shall, �in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all of the certificates, and the votes shall then be counted.� A minimum of 270 electoral votes is needed to become President.

In the event of a tie, the House of Representatives would choose the next President by ballot with one vote being allocated to each state. This has happened only once when in 1800 Thomas Jefferson was selected President by the House after 36 ballots. It is essential to vote on November 4! It is your vote that will determine how the electors vote in December and ultimately who will become the 44th President of the United States.

 

 

Convention Special: The Candidates are Set (September 2008)
With the conclusion of the Democratic and Republican national conventions in Denver, Colorado and Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, respectively, the candidates are set for the final leg of the race to the White House. You might be surprised to learn that the nominating process was not always the well-orchestrated coronation that we see today.

The first national convention was not held until 1831 by the Anti-Masonic Party in Baltimore, MD. The Democratic and Republican parties followed suit in 1832. In 1860 the Democratic Party met for 10 days and was unable to select a presidential nominee. The Party was forced to meet six weeks later in another town to finalize its nomination of Andrew Jackson. In 1920 the Republican Party faced its own challenges. After nine ballots the party still had not selected its nominee. It is believed that a small group of party officials met out of the public�s eye in a smoke-filled hotel suite to cut the deal that led to the nomination of Ohio Senator Warren Harding on the 10th ballot. Thus the �smoke-filled room� was born. The conclusion of this year�s national party conventions was a continuation of a process that began over 175 years ago in Baltimore and continues to be refined each election cycle. The result this time around is the Obama-Biden ticket for the Democratic Party and the McCain-Palin ticket for the Republican Party�let the campaigning begin!

 

 

 

It is Hard to Find a Place to Hang Your Hat (August 2008)
Article III of the U.S. Constitution provides, �The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish.� While the Supreme Court was provided for as one of the three coequal branches of government, it was not until the early part of the 20th Century that the Supreme Court had a place to call its own. The Court first met in the Merchants Exchange Building in New York City. Following the government�s move to Philadelphia, the Court met in Independence Hall and then City Hall. When the government moved to Washington, DC the Court met in the Capitol having to move nearly half a dozen times. In fact, after the British set fire to the Capitol in 1812, the Court met in a private home for a short period of time. It was not until 1935, 146 years after it first convened, that the Court moved into its current location. The Supreme Court building was built for $9,740,000. Upon completion of the building, $94,000 was returned to the Treasury�the building was built and furnished under budget!

 

 

Does Age Really Matter? (July 2008)
Article I Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution provides, �No person shall be a senator who shall not have attained the age of thirty years�.� While the Constitution is clear on this point, you may be surprised to learn that it has not always been followed. In fact, the youngest U.S. Senator to be sworn in was John Henry Eaton (TN) at the ripe old age of 28 years, 5 months on November 16, 1818. Had someone decided to challenge his position as a U.S. Senator, he could have pointed to precedent established in 1816 and 1806 when Armistead Mason (VA) and Henry Clay (KY) who were 28 and 29 years of age, respectively, took office. The issue reappeared when Rush Holt (WV), after waiting six months into the session, was sworn in at the age of 30. The youngest person to take office after Senator Holt was current U.S. Senator Joseph Biden (DE) at 30 years, one month in January 1973.

 

 

the Candidates Are Set (June 2008)
There have been over 105 contests in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico. The Democratic Party started with eight mainstream candidates while the Republican Party started with 11. Of the candidates who sought their party's nomination, six are current U.S. senators. Six months later, thousands of delegates have been distributed and we are now down to two presumptive candidates. After a long and bruising primary season, it now appears that race for the White House is on!

 

 

Spring is in the Air (May 2008)
Washington, DC is a town full of spectacular views. There are some views, however, that are available just once a year and only for a few weeks. It all began in 1912 when the United States received a gift of 3,020 flowering cherry trees from the people of Japan. The gift of �friendship� attracts visitors from all around the world each year. The visitors come to see the cherry blossoms blanket the monuments in a sea of color. The gift was returned, most notably in 1981, when Japanese horticulturalists took cuttings from Yoshino cherry trees to replace trees destroyed by a flood in Japan. Today, there are over 3,700 cherry trees. It is truly a sight to behold!

 

 

The Rare Journey: Capitol Hill to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (March 2008)
As the race for the White House continues, one thing is certain, the next Commander-in-Chief will be one of only three. In the history of the presidency, fifteen senators have gone on to become President of the United States. The last former U.S. Senator to become President was Richard M. Nixon in 1969. It is even rarer, however, for a sitting senator to become President. It has happened only twice. Warren G. Harding, a first-term Republican Senator from Ohio, became President in 1921. John F. Kennedy, a second-term Democratic senator from Massachusetts, was the second to be elected president as a sitting senator in 1961. Neither President Harding nor President Kennedy served a full term. Regardless of whether John McCain, Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama are elected President, the winner of this fall�s election will be only the third sitting senator to move directly up the street to Pennsylvania Avenue.

 

 

From an Annual Message to a State of the Union (February 2008)
Article II, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution states, �He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient�.� President George Washington first fulfilled this requirement in a speech before Congress in Federal Hall in New York on January 8, 1790. From 1801 to 1913 the annual message was sent in writing and not presented in person in response to President Thomas Jefferson�s belief that the oral presentation was too �kingly.� The annual message was not spoken again for the next 112 years. It was not until President Woodrow Wilson gave his annual message in 1913 that the annual message was again spoken before a joint session of Congress. In 1935 President Franklin Roosevelt first used the term �State of the Union.� The annual spoken message has been known as such ever since.

 

 

Election 2008 Special Edition: Delegates 101 (January 2008)
The race for the White House began on January 3 in Iowa with the first delegates being awarded to Republican and Democratic hopefuls. The contenders are now barn-storming from state-to-state in an effort to win primaries and caucuses with the hope of securing the necessary number of delegates to become their party�s presidential nominee. What is the role of delegates in this process?

Over the upcoming weeks and months you will see and hear a great deal about state primaries and caucuses and the race for delegates. The Republican and Democratic national parties establish the rules by which they nominate their candidates for President. Both parties rely on the use of delegates at their national conventions. In most instances, delegates to the national conventions are awarded to a candidate proportional to the percentage of the popular vote the candidate receives in the state�s primary or caucus. The Democratic party rules differ slightly in that a candidate must receive at least 15 percent of the popular vote in order to be awarded any of the state�s delegates.

 

 

The Democratic nominee must secure a simple majority (2,225) of the party�s 4,049 possible delegates. Conversely, a Republican hopeful must secure a simple majority (1,191) of the 2,380 available delegates. These numbers can fluctuate a little between now and the time of the Democratic and Republican Conventions that will take place at the end of August and the beginning of September in Denver, Colorado and Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, respectively. To date, an estimated 300 delegates have been awarded. The race to become the 44th President of the United States is well underway!

 

Expeditious Legislating (December 2007)
The U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate operate under extensive parliamentary rules. The ability to move legislation through Congress is often contingent upon a bill sponsor�s ability to maneuver through parliamentary roadblocks that can be placed by opponents of legislation along the way to its approval. Both the House and the Senate have rules under which �non-contentious� bills can be moved by unanimous consent. In the Senate, the maneuver is called �hotlining.� The process takes its name from a dedicated telephone line that allows senators to alert one another of unanimous consent requests on bills that are almost ready for consideration. This allows senators to shield the legislation from public attention. Fortunately, it takes only one senator to stall the legislation by placing a �hold� on the bill.

 

 

Two Statues for Every State (November 2007)
One cannot walk through the U.S. Capitol without noticing the remarkable pieces of art that grace the walls and line the halls. One thing that visitors to the Capitol are certain to notice is the presence of marble and bronze statues representative of each state.. This collection, which now numbers 100, is the result of legislation signed into law on July2, 1864. The legislation, which established the National Statuary Hall in the old chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives, allows states to choose a maximum of two deceased individuals to be immortalized for their distinguished civic or military service.

 

As the number of states and statues grew, the floor of the old chamber of the House could no longer support the weight of the collection. As a result, Statuary Hall was rearranged and now contains one large statue from each state and the remaining statues are dispersed throughout the corridors of the Capitol, in the Hall of Columns (located on the Senate side of the Capitol) and in the Central Hall of the east front of the Capitol. do you know who your state chose to be represented in this collection? You can find out by visiting www.aoc.gov/cc/art/nsh/index.cfm?sort=state

The British Are Coming! (October 2007)
"When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands of which have connected them with another...," so begins the Declaration of Independence. Before quill was put to parchment in 1776, events were transpiring in the North that would lead to this document and the birth of a nation.

 

At about 10:00 pm on the evening of Tuesday, April 18, a number of soldiers were marching. Shortly thereafter, the boats were launched. Two lanterns were hung from the North Church steeple as a prearranged signal. The year was 1774 and a silversmith by the name of Paul Revere, after crossing the Charles River by rowboat, mounted a horse to ride to Lexington and into history. For the British were coming and the birth of a new nation was about to enter its most formative years.

 

The historical significance of Boston, Massachusetts, the surrounding area and its early residents cannot be overstated. Osteopathic internists and others will converge on Boston October 10-14 where new history will be made. Join us at the 67th Annual Convention and Scientific Sessions which will be held at the Boston Marriott Copley Place. You will be able to earn up to 41.25 hour os Category 1A CME Credits and enjoy the historical treasures of Boston where a nation was born!

 

A Desk With A History (August 2007)
Many of us throughout the course of the day will utilize a desk. Few, however, will ever have the opportunity to use a desk with the history of those used by U.S. Senators. Following the torching of the U.S. Capitol on August 14, 1814 by British troops, Thomas Constantine was selected to construct 48 desks and chairs for the re-built Senate Chamber. The cabinet maker from New York was paid $34 for each desk and $48 for each chair. While the chairs have been replaced, all 48 desks remain in use today. Additional desks and chairs have been added over the years to accommodate the expansion of the Senate. The newest desks were built in 1959 for the Senators from Alaska and Hawaii. To date, over 1,600 senators have sat at the senate desks!

 

Play Ball! (July 2007)
During these summer months one often flips on the evening news or opens the local paper to see how the home team played the day before. One game that you may not have seen the score for is the Annual Roll Call Congressional Baseball Game. Each year, congressional Democrats and Republicans field teams that play each other to raise funds for charity. The first game was played in 1909 with the Democrats winning 26 to 16. The most recent game was played Monday, June 25. The Republicans won 5 to 2. Since the game�s inception in 1909, seven former professional baseball players have played in the game--they were elected to Congress following their baseball careers.

 

The 10,000 Votes Club (June 2007)
Since the U.S. Senate first convened in New York City on March 4, 1789 many milestones have been reached by sitting senators. Perhaps one of the most impressive occurs when a senator casts his or her 10,000th vote. Of the 1,246 people who have served in the Senate, only 28 people ever have voted more than 10,000 times. Of these, 13 senators still serve today, including Robert C. Byrd (D-WV) who has cast well over 17,000 votes!

 

Congress by the Numbers (May 2007)
Congress first convened on March 4, 1789 under Article I, Section 1 of the US Constitution which provides that �All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives.� Since 1789, 11,792 individuals have served in either the House, the Senate or in both chambers. There have been 1,246 individuals who served as senators while 9,903 people have served as representatives. Only 634 people have served in both the House and the Senate. Alaska, which entered the Union on January 3, 1959 as the 49th state, has had the fewest representatives and senators (10). New York, which entered the Union on July 26, 1788 as the 11th state, has had the most individuals serve as representatives and senators (1,457). For more detailed information and a break down of representation by states and commonwealths, you may visit http://clerk.house.gov/.

 

Moving can be an arduous task (April 2007)
Imagine the challenge confronting the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of the U.S. House of Representatives every two years. In order to prepare the House for the new session of Congress that began on January 4, over 1,000 employees completed a move almost beyond comprehension. CAO staff moved a total of 209 member, committee and leadership offices containing 8,392 pieces of furniture. Communication demands required 4,900 telephones to be moved and 11,000 individual web addresses changed. It took 4,100 gallons of fresh paint and 10,000 yards of drapery to cover the House office walls involved in the transition. For a finishing touch, the CAO staff hung over 5,400 pictures and installed 15,000 florescent light tubes. Your next move may not seem so bad. (Data Source: RollCall)

 

Article I Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution reads... (January 2007)
�All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives.� The Constitution goes on to create a structure where Congress operates in two year segments creating a first and second session. In 1789 Congress fulfilled its Constitutional obligation and convened the first session of the First Congress in New York City where it met until 1790. Congress met in Philadelphia, PA from 1790 until 1800. It was not until the first session of the Sixth Congress in 1800 that Congress met in Washington, DC.
Prior to the adoption of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, Congress convened its first session on March 4th of each odd-numbered year. After ratification of the 20th Amendment in 1934, Congress began to officially convene in January of each odd-numbered year. This continues to the present day.

 

All Politics is Local, But... (November 2006)
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives Thomas P. �Tip� O�Neill (Speaker 1977 � 1986) said, �All politics is local.� Nowhere is this more evident than across the country in the 435 House districts. Each member of the House represents an average of 646,952 people. In addition, each state is represented by two U.S. Senators. The composition of these two legislative bodies, although elected locally and representing limited geographic areas, has far-reaching implications.
Americans across the country went to the polls on November 6 to cast their votes for school board members, mayors, county commissioners, house members, senators and more. Hanging in the balance at the Federal level was control of the House and Senate. The party in the majority controls the rules and committee structures through which legislation is advanced. All politics starts out local, but in the end it has national and international implications. Did you take the time to vote in your local elections?

 

The Washington Monument (October 2006)
Washington, DC is a unique major U.S. city in many ways including the fact that it does not possess a large distinguished skyline. However, on July 4, 1848 a cornerstone was laid for what would become one of the most recognizable structures in the world, the Washington Monument.
Completed in 1885 for a total cost of $1,187,710, the monument stands at 555 feet 5 1/8 inches. It consists of 36,491 blocks. The outside of the monument is different shades of white due to the use of white marble from three separate quarries during the various stages of the monument�s construction. This is most evident 152 feet from the bottom where construction was halted due to insufficient funds and the Civil War. The base walls of the monument are 15 feet thick, while the walls at the observation level are 18 inches thick. The monument, which is open to the public for daily tours, is topped with a 3,300 pound capstone and a 8.9 inch tall, 100 ounce tip made of the rarest of medals at the time�aluminum.

 

An Inside View (September 2006)
Earlier this year the ACOI added to its staff an individual charged with tracking and monitoring Federal legislation and regulations impacting the practice of medicine and specific issues of importance to osteopathic internists, subspecialists and medical students. The foundation for the position was laid over 230 years ago (1787) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the Constitutional Convention, well before the ACOI was established in 1941. The Constitutional Convention consisted of 74 appointed delegates. Only 55 of the delegates regularly attended the sessions. Of these, 39 delegates signed the Constitution, 14 delegates departed for home prior to signing the founding document, and three delegates refused to sign. Nineteen delegates did not participate in a single session. Despite intense disagreements between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists, in just under 100 working days a four page document containing 4,543 words and measuring 28 3/4 inches by 23 5/8 inches was crafted creating a government that has proven capable of withstanding the test of time. Since its ratification, the Constitution has been amended a mere 27 times with the last time occurring in 1992, limiting efforts to vary the compensation for U.S. Senators and Representatives.
The Constitution creates the Legislative, Executive and Judiciary branches of government in Articles I, II and III, respectively. Collectively and separately, these branches have the ability to impact the practice of medicine and the delivery of health care services. To this end, the ACOI will continue to monitor the activities of these branches of government created hundreds of years ago and will advocate on behalf of its membership.

 

Taking a Break (August 2006)
As temperatures climb to over 100 degrees here in Washington, Congress prepares for its annual August recess. This recess is grounded in both tradition and statute. For many years, Congress would try to conclude business in late spring before the oppressive heat and humidity of Washington, DC could take hold. However, increased work loads required additional time in Washington, thus making it more difficult to conclude business before the �dog-days� of summer.
During the 1800s and early 1900s numerous options were explored to improve the working environment for senators and representatives. An innovation by the Carrier Corporation in August of 1929 for the first time created �manufactured weather� in the Senate chambers�air conditioning found its way to the Hill. While this was a breakthrough, the system was still at times overwhelmed by the DC climate. The amount of time spent in Washington continued to grow. Congress approved the �Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970.� A small provision of this legislation requires that Congress recess for 30 days in August, unless it votes otherwise, during even-numbered years. The intent of this provision is to allow senators and house members a consistent opportunity to spend time with their families and constituents back home.
While the provision applied to even-numbered election years, the intent of the legislation has been honored in odd-numbered years as well. The Senate and House recessed on August 6, 1971 and returned on September 9 completing the first August recess to occur under the Act.

 

Happy Birthday, America!" (July 2006)
Each year on July 4 we celebrate the birth of a nation and the development of a document that laid the foundation for the growth of a democracy that has endured for over 230 years. While July 4 is a monumental date in history, it is one in a series of dates culminating in the creation of the Declaration of Independence.
In line with the tide of sentiment overtaking the colonies, the Virginia Convention passed a resolution on May 15, 1776 directing the Virginia delegates to the Continental Congress to propose a resolution declaring the United Colonies free and independent and absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown. Richard Henry Lee of Virginia proposed the resolution in Philadelphia on June 7, 1776. Prior to approving the Lee resolution, the Continental Congress recessed for three weeks and charged five delegates to prepare a statement to the world setting forth the case for independence. The statement was drafted by Thomas Jefferson and primarily edited by Benjamin Franklin and John Adams. The Lee resolution was adopted on July 1, 1776 and the Continental Congress immediately proceeded to consideration of the Declaration.
Twelve of the thirteen colonies approved the Declaration on July 4, 1776 with New York abstaining. Not until July 9 was the Declaration approved by New York. Once approved by all thirteen colonies the document was engrossed and signatures were completed on August 2, 1776. The Declaration consists of 56 signatures arranged according to geographic region with the New Hampshire delegates first and the Georgia delegates last. Twenty-four copies of the original document are known to exist today. Seventeen are owned by American institutions, two by a British institution, and five by private owners. More information may be found by visiting the National Archives website at www.archives.gov.

 

The House Finds A Home (June 2006)
When one thinks of the nation�s capitol thoughts turn to an area south of Maryland now known as the District of Columbia. This was not always the case. Not until the signing of the �Residence Act� in 1791 by President George Washington and the ceding of land by the State of Maryland did the nation have a distinct capitol. Prior to the Act, Congress met in Philadelphia, PA, Baltimore, MD, Lancaster, PA, York, PA, Princeton, NJ, Annapolis, MD, Trenton, NJ and New York City.
French engineer Pierre Charles L�Enfant designed the District of Columbia�s layout. When he came upon an area of land that rose 88 feet above the Potomac River called Jenkins� Hill he said it was ��a pedestal waiting for a monument.� Now known as Capitol Hill, the U.S. Capitol Building rests upon the pedestal envisioned by L�Enfant. Then Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson thought the design for the capitol building itself should be chosen through a design contest. The winner of the competition, Dr. William Thornton, a Scottish-trained physician, received $500 and a plot of land in the city for his design.
The Capitol, as it exists today, is the result of years of construction, reconstruction after a British attempt to torch it in 1814, and expansions through the 1960s. Today, the Capitol building has 540 rooms, is 751 feet long, 350 feet wide and rises 288 feet to the top of the 19 foot Statue of Freedom that rests atop the dome. A subterranean visitor�s center is under construction and when completed will be nearly three quarters the size of the Capitol itself.

 

American Osteopathic Associations� Hill Day (May 2006)
The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution provides, �Congress shall make no law�abridging the freedom of speech, or press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.� From the earliest days of the United States, individuals such as shipwrights concerned about tariffs, merchants seeking to end taxation of molasses, and military officers seeking reimbursement for personal funds expended during the Revolution would petition their government. Railroads sought the assistance of the government in the 1800�s and the practice of �lobbying� took off. Senator Francis Warren (R-WY 1890 � 1893 and 1895 -1929) acknowledged the importance of lobbying and in defending the practice said, �I want facts to build up my arguments.� In continuation of a practice begun at the earliest days of our nation, over 815 osteopathic physicians and students converged on Capitol Hill on April 27, 2006 to lobby their elected officials as part of the American Osteopathic Associations� Hill Day. Throughout the day, participants from 45 states visited 90 Senate offices and 262 House offices to promote legislation to reform the medical liability system, to reform Medicare physician reimbursement rates and to promote graduate medical education, as well as other issues of importance to the medical profession. Osteopathic internists were well represented by ACOI President Frederick A. Schaller, DO, Immediate Past-President Thomas A. Cavalieri, DO, Robert S. Juhasz, DO, Karen J. Nichols, DO, and many others. You may lobby year-round by contacting your elected officials on matters of importance to you today.

 

The Library of Congress (April 2006)
President John Adams signed legislation moving the federal government from Philadelphia, PA to Washington, DC and appropriated $5,000 to establish the Library of Congress on April 24, 1800. The library was to serve as a reference library for the legislative body and was housed within the Capitol. British troops torched the Capitol and destroyed the contents of the library in 1814. Within one month, retired President Thomas Jefferson offered his private collection of 6,487 books to replace the library. Today, the Library of Congress is the largest library in the world with more than 130 million items occupying over 530 miles of bookshelves.