Mr Robin B Tucker www.nwyc.com Vol. 16 No. 25 Monday, November 19, 2012 REVIEW Petitions to Secede: The White House is reviewing petitions from citizens of Florida, Louisiana, and Texas requesting permission to secede from the union in the wake of President Obama’s reelection, complying with its standard practice of considering and responding to all petitions with at least 25,000 signatures. Bush-era Tax Cuts: President Obama escalated pressure on congressional Republicans to consent to legislation that would extend the Bush-era tax cuts on the first $250,000 of income, calling it the only means of averting an across-the-board tax hike (sequestration). At a recent news conference, the President vowed to let Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthiest 2 percent expire, and said addressing loopholes and deductions alone would not sufficiently close the budget deficit. Click Here to express your opinion on this issue, time is short. No Movement on Cybersecurity: Sen. Harry Reid  (D-NV) said, “Cybersecurity is essentially dead for this Congress,” when senators failed to move forward on the bill. The lack of action will make an executive order likely. (S.3414) Immigration Policy With GOP in Mind: Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) is attempting to shape immigration into an issue Republicans can embrace without being lambasted by the party base. He is doing it by introducing a draft measure that would move away from discussing whether the current undocumented population should have a path to citizenship and instead address the future flow of immigrants into the U.S. Hold on Defense Bill: Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) is holding up consideration of the fiscal 2013 defense authorization bill over an amendment he plans to offer that would require a jury trial for Americans detained in terrorism investigations. (S.3254) Combining Financial Commissions: Congress is considering combining the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission, according to  a report by the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. The report concluded a year-long investigation into the collapse of brokerage firm MF Global, which declared bankruptcy in October 2011. Leadership in Chambers: Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) will remain Speaker of the House, while, Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) will maintain his position, along with Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) remains Senate Majority Leader. Senate Majority Whip is Dick Durbin (D-IL). Democrats Try to Band Together on Entitlements Ahead of Fiscal Cliff Talk: As substantial talks on the fiscal cliff begin, Senate Democrats are seeking to stave off an apparent division in their party by keeping under wraps their ideas on entitlement spending. Republicans have stressed that they will insist on cuts to those programs as part of any agreement that would include more tax revenue.   Senators Focus Meningitis Hearing on New Options for FDA: Senators offered forceful criticism of regulators’ role in the recent fungal meningitis outbreak at a recent hearing, but both parties focused their questions on finding a solution to ensure events would not repeat themselves.  BP Agrees to $4.5 Billion Settlement of Spill Charges: Gulf Coast environmental efforts that have been the top priority of the region’s congressional delegation got a huge boost recently when BP agreed to pay $2.4 billion for restoration and conservation programs as part of a record $4.5 billion criminal settlement. PREVIEW   Senate Earmarks: The House rules committee is expected to consider an amendment that would allow earmarks that would benefit federal, state or local governments, rather that personal projects. Improving the Voting Process: The Senate is expected to consider legislation that would create a grant program to provide states with incentives to improve their voting processes after what was characterized as widespread and systemic balloting problems on Election Day.   The Week Ahead: Please go to www.nwyc.com for the latest in congressional actions.     Get the Most out of Your Membership Introducing The New Mobile App from NWYC We have some exciting news for our National Write Your Congressman Members. I am proud to introduce the new NWYC Mobile App. Now you can have the "Power of the People" in your hand wherever you go. Just follow this link www.nwycmobile.com/onthego and follow the instructions to install our exciting new NWYC Mobile App on your Smartphone or tablet.     Thank you for being a responsible American. Your voice is making a difference.