No Govt Shutdown This Week? Okie Dokie But Check Back in Two Weeks

CSM has an update on a temporary measure to avoid the government shutdown this week:  

The Republican-controlled House on Tuesday passed a temporary spending bill that cuts $4 billion out of US appropriations while keeping the government running for another two weeks.

This “continuing resolution” legislation is almost certain to pass the Senate: Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid says he expects his chamber to vote on it within 48 hours. President Obama is likely to sign it, too, even though the White House really would prefer that the kicking-the-can-down-the-road period be lengthened from two weeks to a month.

Below are the details from the House Committee on Appropriations on the “Continuing Resolution” that would keep the US Government running until March 18:

The House Appropriations Committee today unveiled a short term Continuing Resolution (CR) to provide funds to keep the government operating over the next two weeks until a compromise can be reached on a year-long funding bill. The CR, which includes $4 billion in spending reductions, will prevent a government-wide shut down that would occur on March 4th – if no agreement between the House, Senate and White House is reached on a longer-term funding bill.

The CR contains funding to allow all government agencies and programs to continue operating at the current level of spending for the next two weeks, until March 18, 2011, except for several programs that will be terminated or cut.

A statement from Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers follows:

“A government shutdown would halt critical and necessary services and programs that Americans across the country rely on, and it is not reflective of the kind of leadership that the American people expect or deserve of their representatives in Congress. While I would have greatly preferred that the Senate act on the hard-fought and thoughtfully crafted funding legislation that the House passed last week – which saves the taxpayers $100 billion compared to the President’s request – it is clear that more time is needed. This short term, two week CR will provide more time, while cutting $4 billion in spending as a symbol of our continued commitment to getting our nation’s fiscal house in order.

You can read the summary of the $4 billion in cuts included in the two week, short term CR here.


Saleh’s secret note to self: if all else fails, blame the Americans

Sana'a, Yemen, January 2009Image via Wikipedia

Yemen’s leader of 32 years is running out of patience. Look — he already said he will step down when his nth term ends in 2013. He already promised he will not secretly transfer power to Junior in the middle of the night.  Doesn’t seem to satisfy these protesters who are pouring out into the streets. What more do they want?  But not to worry, it appears that he knows exactly what to do if all else fails.  The following report from NPR:

“I am going to reveal a secret,” Saleh said at Sanaa University. “There is an operations room in Tel Aviv with the aim of destabilizing the Arab world. The operations room is in Tel Aviv and run by the White House.”

He said opposition figures meet regularly with the U.S. ambassador in Sanaa to coordinate efforts.

“Regrettably those [opposition figures] are sitting day and night with the American ambassador where they hand him reports and he gives them instructions,” Saleh said. “The Americans also talk with the government officials about this [the protests], but they tell them, “Allow these people to demonstrate in the streets.’

“We say that this is a Zionist agenda,” he said.

In another sign of defiance, Saleh fired five of Yemen’s 22 provincial governors Tuesday, a government official said. Three of the governors were dismissed for criticizing Saleh’s crackdown on protesters, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the reasons for the decison.


WaPo writes that “the allegation, presented without evidence, appeared to reflect growing desperation on the part of a leader who has long enjoyed U.S. support, and it drew a swift rebuttal from the Obama administration.”

President Saleh whose country received $300 million in aid last year has obviously forgotten Dictator 101? Rule #1: Do not let them see you sweat.  Oops! Too late now.  


Blog Index | February 2011

Love Letters to Congress and Who Gets Magic Dragoned Between FSI and First Post…

Any future SECDEF who advises POTUS to again send a big American land Army to XYZ should “have his head examined”… …

Global Witness: Son of Equatorial Guinea’s dictatotor plans superyacht…

Where could #Gaddafi go if he were exiled? Somewhere where he can get a facelift?…

Foreign Service “Cushy” Lives: 10 Ways to Help Debunk the Myth…

Ambassador Hunstman stumbles into Beijing’s “Jasmine Revolution…

Philippine People Power: A Cautionary Tale and Lessons for the Ages…

State Dept Suspends US Embassy Operations in #Libya…

“Operation Fourth Star” — winning the hearts and minds of Senator McCain and  …

US Embassy #Libya: Ferry Left Tripoli with 300 Evacuees…

US Embassy Libya: Evacuees Stuck at Tripoli Port Departure…..


Protests here, there and everywhere and the US Govt Shutdown Looms Large…

Since you enjoy your jobs so much, Congress wants you to take a pay cut …


President Obama on #Libya: The suffering and blood is outrageous…


Patricia Kushlis on State’s IIP: A Bureau Playing with Fire, Or Maybe Not …


US Embassy Libya Evacuation to Malta Via Ferry – Tomorrow…


US Disaster Assistance Team Deploys to NZ Earthquake…


State Dept unable to move dependents and staff out of #Libya … why?…


US Embassy #Libya Now on Ordered Departure


the slow move east: hannah draper, yer famous


#Libya violence and economic relations, Europe under hot pressure to act…


FY2012 Budget Request for Civilian Power: State 197 Positions | USAID 165…


How much is that pony in the K Street window? How Mideast Autocrats Win Friends…


US Embassy #Libya Goes on Authorized Departure


Deadly crackdown of protesters in #Libya … paging EU’s Catherine Ashton, where are you?…


US Embassy #Libya Issues Warden Msg for Protests and Violence in Six Cities…


#Bahrain’s National Dialogue Starts with the Bloody Kind…


War of Choice in Iraq: Curveball Lied But Who Sent.the Troops to Die?..


Protests spreads to some unexpected places …. is Bahrain in a Pickle?…


US Mission Mexico: ICE Special Agents Killed/Wound…


Quickie: The Threat of Civil Unrest in Pakistan and the Davis Case…


The Next Country to Topple Its Leader? Check out the Bookmakers’ Odds…


Secretary Clinton on #NetFreedom … excuse me for.not clapping..


President Obama on the Raymond Davis Case


Senator Kerry in Pakistan apologizes over Raymond Davis…


First Ever Byte vs. Brain Jeopardy! Competition


US Mission India: Ride of a Lifetime with US Flyboys…


Insider Quote: first to be exposed and last to be rescued…


People Power in Egypt: Who’s Next Among the World’s ‘Forever’ Rulers?…


The Luxembourg Affair: Rebuttal received, responded to and more headline bait…


President Obama on a Historic Day in Egypt


Oh heck, he was not President Obama’s Paul Laxalt,…


Officially In: Scott Gration to Nairobi


US Embassy Cairo Local Employee Confirmed Dead with Three Bullet Holes…


USAF Issues WikiLeaks Contamination Warning for Civ-Mil Members, Spouses and Young Uns…


First Person: RFE/RL’s Correspondent Robert Tait on his Detention in Cairo…


And you’re wondering why the State Dept does a reeally poor job overseeing contracts?…


Ex-Ambassador to Luxembourg Cynthia Stroum, Mum Until After  ….


US Embassy Kabul: Anticipated Steady Staffing of 1,830 from 2011 to 2016, a Low Guesstimate…


US Official in Lahore: Court Extends Detention to 8Days, Get Consular Access and FYI, Prison Guards Are Now Unarmed …


US Embassy Egypt: Evacuation Flight On for Feb 5, …


Oh, alright! Go ahead and read the US Embassy Luxembourg report here…


US Embassy Egypt: 18 Flights and 2,300+ Evacuees So Far …


State/OIG Issues Mgt ‘Horror of the Year’ Report for US Embassy Luxembourg…


Appointment Letter from President Obama Gave Ambassador to Read Any Email Messages from Embassy?..Nooooooo!.


US Embassy Egypt: 1,900+ Evacuees Departed Cairo …


U.S. Foreign Service: on the front lines in Egypt (and Everywhere) …


US Embassy Egypt: 460 Evacuees to Istanbul, Athens and Larnaca, Day 2…


US Embassy Iraq: From a staff of 8,000 to 17,000?


US Mission India: Oh dear, did she really call those ICE anklets ‘hip and happening’?…


Obama’s Reagan Moment – In Egypt, Ambassador Frank Wisner as Paul Laxalt?..


State Dept Issues New Travel Warning: Avoid Egypt…


US Embassy Egypt: Leaving Not Optional, Now on Ordered Departure…