Freshman Rep. Zack Space should give Kucinich some much needed job training
Submitted by 2010 Buckeye on Sun, 08/19/2007 - 8:50pm.
because Space seems to get what it means to be a representative. Since the 110th Congress convened in January, both men have introduced 11 bills, resolutions, and amendments. Leaving aside the fact that after six terms Kucinich doesn't have the legislative drive of a freshman, it is incredibly interesting to look at the kind of legislation each congressman is proposing.
Space tends to introduce legislation that will directly affect his rural constituents. Space has introduced legislation to increase rural broadband access, improve diabetes treatment and care, and to cede more control of resource conservation to localities. Space and Sherrod Brown have even teamed up, introducing identical legislation into the House and Senate to extend GI Bill benefits to veterans pursuing degrees in sciences, math, technology, or engineering.
So that's pretty good stuff right? It's the kind of legislation that would help a farming district that has a lot of veterans and low-income residents. You'd think that Kucinich would be on the same track since he serves an area that struggles economically. You'd also think that being in his 6th term, he'd be kicking a freshman like Space's legislative ass all over the House floor, right? Well, you'd be wrong.
Kucinich has spent the last 8 months doing exactly what he said he wouldn't do in 2006....run for president. In the meantime, he has introduced such hard hitting bills as Joint Resolution 39: posthumously declaring Casimir Pulaski a US citizen. Admittedly, Pulaski did a great job with the American cavalry in the Revolutionary War, but this resolution demonstrates the depth of Kucinich's legislative portfolio. The rest of his bills are either legislative soft balls like Pulaski or are wildly unrealistic proposals that he introduces so he can hold a press conference (i.e. the Cheney impeachment)
And this is why--finally--he is facing a real challenge for his seat. There is too much to be done, especially in NE Ohio, for the 10th to be represented by a man who cares more about what is going on in New Hampshire and Iowa than Ohio. Hopefully, Dennis won't be spinning through the Capitol come January 2009.
This information is all available through the Library of Congress.
because dennis isn't even trying
Submitted by 2010 Buckeye on Mon, 08/20/2007 - 1:49pm.
to do anything for his district. He's a six termer and in the majority, and he's still not even trying. That is the definition of congressional dead weight
Strickland's legislative accomplishments...
Submitted by modernesquire on Mon, 08/20/2007 - 6:08pm.
Just off the top of my head, no research, I could say that Congressman Strickland did the following:
- Worked with Senator DeWine to pass a federal grant program for the establishment and maintenance of mental health courts.
- Worked with Senator Voinovich to pass a new federal entitlement program to compensate injured civilian nuclear workers during the Cold War.
- Obtained federal funding to improve the interstate infrastructure through his districts to build several key bypasses identified by ODOT and regional economic development officials as necessary to facilitate economic development in the region.
- Passed legislation signed by President Clinton to providing funding to maintain the uranium enrichment plant on cold standby, which has made it possible for the site to receive the DoE's uranium enrichment centrifuge project that will create thousands of new jobs and enrich uranium using less energy and generating less toxic waste.
Those are just the things I can remember off the top of my head. Of course, with the exception of the first term in Congress ('92-'94), those are all things he did while in the minority caucus.
Or was that just a rhetorical question?
I don't know Space's district that well
Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 08/20/2007 - 10:34pm.
But it sounds like he's doing the things he needs to do to keep his constituents happy. I do know Ohio 10 a bit better because I talk to residents of that ditrict every day, including half my office, and they are FED up. Also, as far as achievements of Democratic congressmen in previous Congresses, keep in mind that the GOP leadership barely let Democrats READ bills, let along have input. Now with a majority, it's time for Democrats to get things done. And Dennis is running from president after promising not to. Great move.
major legislation irrelevant to advancement