eb3_nepa
05-15 11:37 AM
Hey Folks is the Senate poised to take the CIR today afternoon? Any news/updates on that?
wallpaper %IMG_DESC_1%
jliechty
January 21st, 2005, 08:50 AM
We need high-res samples! :)
Blog Feeds
04-08 08:40 AM
USCIS has released an instructional video for citizenship applicants here (http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=76574bbe6cb97210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCR D&vgnextchannel=d6369ddf801b3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60a RCRD). The 16-minute video provides an overview of the naturalization process including the eligibility requirements, the application process, preliminary steps, the naturalization interview, the English tests and the U.S. history and government test (civics). The video includes two simulated interviews between applicants and USCIS Officers.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2893395975825897727-2131804565149046260?l=martinvisalaw.blogspot.com
More... (http://martinvisalaw.blogspot.com/2010/04/cis-releases-naturalization-video.html)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2893395975825897727-2131804565149046260?l=martinvisalaw.blogspot.com
More... (http://martinvisalaw.blogspot.com/2010/04/cis-releases-naturalization-video.html)
2011 %IMG_DESC_2%
EndlessWait
09-08 02:15 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU8DDYz68kM
See how the bulls came back together to fight the lions. Awseome video! Pls watch till the end. its 8+ minutes.
Fight fight..together..
PS: Its an inspirational video. We are fighting the odds of bureaucracy
See how the bulls came back together to fight the lions. Awseome video! Pls watch till the end. its 8+ minutes.
Fight fight..together..
PS: Its an inspirational video. We are fighting the odds of bureaucracy
more...
qualified_trash
08-28 10:31 PM
I got my 8th year renewal, 3rd time with the same employer. The company only had to pay USD 190.
skdskd
08-30 06:37 PM
bump
more...
Blog Feeds
03-22 12:20 PM
Just released from the Press Secretary's Office: In June, I met with members of both parties, and assigned Secretary Napolitano to work with them and key constituencies around the country to craft a comprehensive approach that will finally fix our broken immigration system. I am pleased to see that Senators Schumer and Graham have produced a promising, bipartisan framework which can and should be the basis for moving forward. It thoughtfully addresses the need to shore up our borders, and demands accountability from both workers who are here illegally and employers who game the system. My Administration will be consulting...
More... (http://blogs.ilw.com/gregsiskind/2010/03/president-praises-schumergraham-framework.html)
More... (http://blogs.ilw.com/gregsiskind/2010/03/president-praises-schumergraham-framework.html)
2010 %IMG_DESC_3%
cantbelieve
07-06 02:07 PM
Hi,
Please help me out on this.
My employer provided me with substituion LC with PD: Oct 2002, EB, and filed an I140 using it last year. The RD on it is Nov 2005. The 140 had 2 RFEs both asking for submission of original LC. As per the attorney the original LC was submitted with the application, and the attorney requested the CIS to get the copy of LC from DOL, as per the regulation as she says. Now this week CIS as send a denial on this case.
My questions are:
1. The attorney says, she can no longer get the duplicate of the LC from the DOL, as it's an old substitution case. Is there any other way, or solution on this?
2. The origianal LC was filed along with the I140 petition. Is that usual? Should all the originals must have been submitted only on request?
3. Is there any way to make this case alive again? What are the chances of approval if we reopen the case.
Thanks,
CB
Please help me out on this.
My employer provided me with substituion LC with PD: Oct 2002, EB, and filed an I140 using it last year. The RD on it is Nov 2005. The 140 had 2 RFEs both asking for submission of original LC. As per the attorney the original LC was submitted with the application, and the attorney requested the CIS to get the copy of LC from DOL, as per the regulation as she says. Now this week CIS as send a denial on this case.
My questions are:
1. The attorney says, she can no longer get the duplicate of the LC from the DOL, as it's an old substitution case. Is there any other way, or solution on this?
2. The origianal LC was filed along with the I140 petition. Is that usual? Should all the originals must have been submitted only on request?
3. Is there any way to make this case alive again? What are the chances of approval if we reopen the case.
Thanks,
CB
more...
priya777
09-21 10:51 AM
i got ead(secondary person) yestesday.and also i applied H1 B which got approved 1 week back and i want to take SSN. so my question is with
what(H1B or EAD) i should apply for SSN). Do i need to apply SSN with EAD or H1 B? which one will be better ? please let me know.
what(H1B or EAD) i should apply for SSN). Do i need to apply SSN with EAD or H1 B? which one will be better ? please let me know.
hair %IMG_DESC_4%
Macaca
08-16 05:49 PM
Graham Facing More Heat on Immigration (http://www.rollcall.com/issues/53_19/politics/19734-1.html) By Matthew Murray, ROLL CALL STAFF, August 13, 2007
For the second time this month, a local South Carolina Republican Party committee is expected to decide soon whether to formally scold Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) for supporting the Senate's now-stalled immigration overhaul proposal, putting the once-popular lawmaker on the defensive and upping the ante for a potential 2008 primary challenger.
"The frustration [with Graham] is real," said one state Republican source, who added that the state's large conservative base is "just searching for someone" to challenge Graham in next year's primary.
The Spartanburg County Republican Party is expected to vote Aug. 23 on a resolution officially rebuking Graham for supporting his chamber's immigration bill. Criticism of the reform package, which was shelved last month after failing to gather the 60 votes necessary to cut off debate in the Senate, has raged throughout the country and particularly in states such as South Carolina, where AM talk-radio hosts have bloodied the Senate proposal and said it tries to reward those who have broken the law.
Rick Beltram, chairman of the Spartanburg County Republican Party, said he doubts a resolution criticizing Graham's stance on immigration would pass by a wide margin. But should the measure come up for a vote, Beltram already has developed a game plan to manage what likely will be an angry lot.
"This being as explosive as it is, we would ask for a secret ballot so 30 or 40 Rep. Ron Paul [R-Texas] people yelling in the background wouldn't have an influence on the election," Beltram said.
Last week, the Greenville County Republican Party passed a resolution censuring Graham for continuing to "adamantly support legalization of illegal immigrants." In addition to immigration, local party officials reprimanded Graham for supporting campaign finance reform and participating two years ago in the "Gang of 14," a bipartisan Senate group that negotiated a compromise on controversial federal judicial nominations.
The resolution also criticized Graham's recent statements before the National Council of La Raza, which were captured by cable news networks.
"We are not going to run people down. We are not going to scapegoat people. We are going to tell the bigots to shut up and we're going to get this right," Graham told the crowd.
Samuel Harms, the Greenville GOP chairman whose group adopted a resolution in 2001 "opposing any legalization of illegal immigration," said Graham's speech to La Raza was the "straw that broke the camel's back." He added that the resolution was "about informing people that Lindsey Graham called the good people of Greenville bigots and that we need to be told to shut up."
A successful censure vote next week in Spartanburg may signal a widening opportunity for a potential Graham challenger next year. So far, Graham faces only token primary opposition and last month he dodged a potential bullet when popular state Treasurer Thomas Ravenel (R), who was considering a run, was arrested for allegedly distributing cocaine.
Democrats have yet to find a challenger to the first-term Senator.
After recapturing some of the love lost during his Gang of 14 days, a GOP source said Graham's recent bruising for supporting the immigration bill may convince some conservative party activists that an opportunity is again at hand. Also, Graham's support of tanking presidential candidate Sen. John McCain's (R-Ariz.) campaign, the source said, is not helping his cause.
"The immigration issue reignited the ember," the source said.
Still, with Graham sitting on $4 million in the bank, potential primary challengers face a steep uphill battle contending with an incumbent who may have twice that total squirrelled away before the year's end. Lt. Gov. Andr� Bauer (R), frequently said to be mulling a run, told Roll Call last week that he has not ruled out the possibility of challenging Graham.
"I would never say never," Bauer said. "But I don't have any plans to run against him."
But Bauer does plan to appear at the Aug. 23 meeting of the Spartanburg County GOP.
Katon Dawson, chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party, said that while it's unusual for party activists to go to such extremes with federal officeholders, the immigration issue has struck a nerve with the party's base.
"You can't bluff it, you can't beat around the bush about it, it's there and it's real," he said. "Lindsey has a different philosophy on immigration and there's no question it's hurting him."
For now, Graham appears to be resting on his conservative laurels and betting that the controversy will pass. Graham currently is out of the country, his campaign said Friday, but will return to the state to campaign later this month.
"Lindsey Graham is a strong conservative voice in the U.S. Senate with a lifetime conservative rating of 91," according to a statement provided by spokesman Scott Farmer. "He will seek re-election based on his conservative voting record and willingness to tackle the hard problems facing our nation."
Whit Ayers, a Republican pollster, said immigration undoubtedly is a challenging issue, but one that plays to Graham's strengths. Even more, despite the current controversy, Ayers said voters ultimately respect lawmakers who take principled positions.
"Sen. Graham is a remarkedly adept politician who will be able to be very persuasive about the reasons why he's done the things he's done," Ayers said. "I don't think we would expect our politicians to be in lock step on every single issue that comes up."
He added: "There's no question that Lindsey Graham is right where most Republican voters in South Carolina are on God, guns, gays and taxes."
For the second time this month, a local South Carolina Republican Party committee is expected to decide soon whether to formally scold Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) for supporting the Senate's now-stalled immigration overhaul proposal, putting the once-popular lawmaker on the defensive and upping the ante for a potential 2008 primary challenger.
"The frustration [with Graham] is real," said one state Republican source, who added that the state's large conservative base is "just searching for someone" to challenge Graham in next year's primary.
The Spartanburg County Republican Party is expected to vote Aug. 23 on a resolution officially rebuking Graham for supporting his chamber's immigration bill. Criticism of the reform package, which was shelved last month after failing to gather the 60 votes necessary to cut off debate in the Senate, has raged throughout the country and particularly in states such as South Carolina, where AM talk-radio hosts have bloodied the Senate proposal and said it tries to reward those who have broken the law.
Rick Beltram, chairman of the Spartanburg County Republican Party, said he doubts a resolution criticizing Graham's stance on immigration would pass by a wide margin. But should the measure come up for a vote, Beltram already has developed a game plan to manage what likely will be an angry lot.
"This being as explosive as it is, we would ask for a secret ballot so 30 or 40 Rep. Ron Paul [R-Texas] people yelling in the background wouldn't have an influence on the election," Beltram said.
Last week, the Greenville County Republican Party passed a resolution censuring Graham for continuing to "adamantly support legalization of illegal immigrants." In addition to immigration, local party officials reprimanded Graham for supporting campaign finance reform and participating two years ago in the "Gang of 14," a bipartisan Senate group that negotiated a compromise on controversial federal judicial nominations.
The resolution also criticized Graham's recent statements before the National Council of La Raza, which were captured by cable news networks.
"We are not going to run people down. We are not going to scapegoat people. We are going to tell the bigots to shut up and we're going to get this right," Graham told the crowd.
Samuel Harms, the Greenville GOP chairman whose group adopted a resolution in 2001 "opposing any legalization of illegal immigration," said Graham's speech to La Raza was the "straw that broke the camel's back." He added that the resolution was "about informing people that Lindsey Graham called the good people of Greenville bigots and that we need to be told to shut up."
A successful censure vote next week in Spartanburg may signal a widening opportunity for a potential Graham challenger next year. So far, Graham faces only token primary opposition and last month he dodged a potential bullet when popular state Treasurer Thomas Ravenel (R), who was considering a run, was arrested for allegedly distributing cocaine.
Democrats have yet to find a challenger to the first-term Senator.
After recapturing some of the love lost during his Gang of 14 days, a GOP source said Graham's recent bruising for supporting the immigration bill may convince some conservative party activists that an opportunity is again at hand. Also, Graham's support of tanking presidential candidate Sen. John McCain's (R-Ariz.) campaign, the source said, is not helping his cause.
"The immigration issue reignited the ember," the source said.
Still, with Graham sitting on $4 million in the bank, potential primary challengers face a steep uphill battle contending with an incumbent who may have twice that total squirrelled away before the year's end. Lt. Gov. Andr� Bauer (R), frequently said to be mulling a run, told Roll Call last week that he has not ruled out the possibility of challenging Graham.
"I would never say never," Bauer said. "But I don't have any plans to run against him."
But Bauer does plan to appear at the Aug. 23 meeting of the Spartanburg County GOP.
Katon Dawson, chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party, said that while it's unusual for party activists to go to such extremes with federal officeholders, the immigration issue has struck a nerve with the party's base.
"You can't bluff it, you can't beat around the bush about it, it's there and it's real," he said. "Lindsey has a different philosophy on immigration and there's no question it's hurting him."
For now, Graham appears to be resting on his conservative laurels and betting that the controversy will pass. Graham currently is out of the country, his campaign said Friday, but will return to the state to campaign later this month.
"Lindsey Graham is a strong conservative voice in the U.S. Senate with a lifetime conservative rating of 91," according to a statement provided by spokesman Scott Farmer. "He will seek re-election based on his conservative voting record and willingness to tackle the hard problems facing our nation."
Whit Ayers, a Republican pollster, said immigration undoubtedly is a challenging issue, but one that plays to Graham's strengths. Even more, despite the current controversy, Ayers said voters ultimately respect lawmakers who take principled positions.
"Sen. Graham is a remarkedly adept politician who will be able to be very persuasive about the reasons why he's done the things he's done," Ayers said. "I don't think we would expect our politicians to be in lock step on every single issue that comes up."
He added: "There's no question that Lindsey Graham is right where most Republican voters in South Carolina are on God, guns, gays and taxes."
more...
kaisersose
09-14 02:35 PM
TX is now processing upto July 19. provides a better update as we knew this already.
hot %IMG_DESC_5%
richclarity
09-25 02:40 PM
Hi,
I am currently a dependent E-1 on my wife's visa and currently have a valid EAD which will expire mid-2010.
We are about to file I-140 and I-485 and my question is, should I also file for a new EAD at the same time even if its still 8 months from expiry? I'm not sure what the difference is between an EAD under the E-1 visa, or an EAD when filing the I-485, or if it doesn't matter at all.
Hopefully someone can help. Thanks!
I am currently a dependent E-1 on my wife's visa and currently have a valid EAD which will expire mid-2010.
We are about to file I-140 and I-485 and my question is, should I also file for a new EAD at the same time even if its still 8 months from expiry? I'm not sure what the difference is between an EAD under the E-1 visa, or an EAD when filing the I-485, or if it doesn't matter at all.
Hopefully someone can help. Thanks!
more...
house %IMG_DESC_17%
s416504
11-04 11:20 AM
I think answer is NO if you want to come back of L1A from B employer.
To be eligible for L1A, You need to be on outside USA payroll from B employer for atleast 1 year (from past 3 years).
With H1B, you will be on USA's payroll for that period.
To be eligible for L1A, You need to be on outside USA payroll from B employer for atleast 1 year (from past 3 years).
With H1B, you will be on USA's payroll for that period.
tattoo %IMG_DESC_6%
reddymjm
06-13 08:14 AM
My ead card production ordered. I efiled on April 27th.
Rediculous, the processing times say it takes 90 days minimum. Hopefully they will give the extension from my expiry date which is Aug 28th 2008.
As USCIS is saying they will issue 2 year ead starting Jun 30. certainly I will not get a 2 year EAD.
Rediculous, the processing times say it takes 90 days minimum. Hopefully they will give the extension from my expiry date which is Aug 28th 2008.
As USCIS is saying they will issue 2 year ead starting Jun 30. certainly I will not get a 2 year EAD.
more...
pictures %IMG_DESC_7%
vaayu
05-26 11:33 AM
We always e-file both AP and EAD even when we dont use them. I recenly filed mine 2 weeks ago. Its easy and fast.
dresses %IMG_DESC_12%
salvador marley
05-01 10:21 PM
dont worry - its gone :(
more...
makeup %IMG_DESC_9%
jysharma
10-18 04:29 PM
Hi,
My labour and I40 are approved and PD is 12/07 for EB2.
My H1B 6th year expires on 10/10
I am thinking of changing companies. The job will be the same.
My questions are:
1) Can I use labour or approved I140 from old company to new company since the job will be the same or does the new company have to go through the entire labour and I140 process again.
2) Since I am already at the end of my fourth year of H1B, is there enough time for the new company to apply for labour and I140 since I believe the GC process should start by beginning of 5th year for H1B extension.
3) Can I use the old company PD for the new labour and I140 or will the PD be new as well.
Thanks for your replies.
Waiting eagerly
Yogesh
My labour and I40 are approved and PD is 12/07 for EB2.
My H1B 6th year expires on 10/10
I am thinking of changing companies. The job will be the same.
My questions are:
1) Can I use labour or approved I140 from old company to new company since the job will be the same or does the new company have to go through the entire labour and I140 process again.
2) Since I am already at the end of my fourth year of H1B, is there enough time for the new company to apply for labour and I140 since I believe the GC process should start by beginning of 5th year for H1B extension.
3) Can I use the old company PD for the new labour and I140 or will the PD be new as well.
Thanks for your replies.
Waiting eagerly
Yogesh
girlfriend %IMG_DESC_14%
maverick_neo
07-20 09:08 PM
Its kinda funny..how a lives of million people are decided in one vote, which is purely on party lines. Look at Nay's and you will see what I am saying.
hairstyles %IMG_DESC_11%
lux_mani82
09-28 11:55 AM
Hi All ,
I am currently on L1B visa valid till Dec 25 2008 and current I-94 valid still July 2009.
I can't apply for I-94 extension until Jan 09.
I am travelling to india on Nov and will return on Nov 30 2008.
Is it advisable to go for Visa Stamping during Nov 08 or can i file my extension once i returned back to US on NOv 30 2008.My visa will be valid only for 25 days and want to know if that will create any issues.
Any views would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
I am currently on L1B visa valid till Dec 25 2008 and current I-94 valid still July 2009.
I can't apply for I-94 extension until Jan 09.
I am travelling to india on Nov and will return on Nov 30 2008.
Is it advisable to go for Visa Stamping during Nov 08 or can i file my extension once i returned back to US on NOv 30 2008.My visa will be valid only for 25 days and want to know if that will create any issues.
Any views would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Blog Feeds
11-08 03:30 PM
Last Tuesday, Chuck Kuck, immediate Past-Prez of AILA, and I covered the landscape of current developments in U.S. immigration law and policy on "The Immigration Hour," Chuck's weekly program on America's Web Radio. If you've grown weary of the health-care debate and are hankering for the next large public controversy, give a listen. We covered the origin and current exploits of the USCIS Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) unit, the latest meanderings of their outsourced compatriots who are paying visits to American employers from sea to shining sea, and the prodding of Sen. Grassley to find more and more...
More... (http://blogs.ilw.com/angelopaparelli/2009/11/talkin-immigration-with-chuck-kuck-fdns-cir-and-anti-immigrant-tail-spinners.html)
More... (http://blogs.ilw.com/angelopaparelli/2009/11/talkin-immigration-with-chuck-kuck-fdns-cir-and-anti-immigrant-tail-spinners.html)
Macaca
11-16 08:35 AM
Pelosi: War, Immigration Hurt Public Approval of Congress (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/15/AR2007111501631.html) Speaker Says Clinton Can 'Hold Her Own' By David S. Broder and Chris Cillizza | Washington Post Staff Writers, November 15, 2007
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi today blamed Congress' failure to bring an end to the war in Iraq and deal effectively with the reform of immigration laws as the primary causes of the institution's near-record low approval ratings.
In an interview at the U.S. Capitol, Pelosi said the Democratic takeover of Congress had raised expectations on action to end the conflict in Iraq, and that the Senate's initial willingness to tackle immigration reform followed by its failure to do so left the American public disappointed in Congress.
The House on Wednesday night passed spending legislation that sought to tie funding for the Iraq war to hard deadlines for beginning troop withdrawals, a proposal that has little hope of passage in the Senate.
"People thought it was a problem that could be solved and when it didn't happen I think it was a big disappointment," she said. "Usually those low numbers relate to expectations and there were high expectations" on both Iraq and immigration.
Pelosi made her comments in an interview for washingtonpost.com's "PostTalk" program (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2007/11/15/VI2007111501443.html?hpid=topnews), just hours before seven of her party's presidential candidates are scheduled to gather in Las Vegas for a televised debate.
Pelosi said that the heavy wave of criticism directed at Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) in recent days stemmed from her status as the frontrunner, not as the lone woman in the race. "I believe that any 'picking on' ... [of] Senator Clinton has to do with her being a frontrunner," she said. "Frontrunners always have to undergo that."
Pelosi, who had a chance to closely evaluate six of the candidates at last weekend's Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in Iowa (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/11/AR2007111101732.html), said that she saw up close that night that Clinton can "hold her own."
Discussing her own rise to the speakership, Pelosi said she did little to emphasize her gender in lining support within the caucus. "The last thing I could have said to any of my colleagues would have been: 'Vote for me because we need a woman in the leadership.'"
On Wednesday night, the House narrowly passed a measure -- 218 to 203 -- that would tie funding for the Iraq war to a specific redeployment plan for the troops in the country.
Pelosi cast the Bush administration's plan to draw down 30,000 American troops from the country as "inadequate," arguing that such a proposal would leave more soldiers in Iraq next year than were there in November 2006.
Citing a story in Thursday's Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/14/AR2007111402524.html), Pelosi said that leading U.S. generals have concluded that the stubbornness of the Shiite government in Iraq is causing more problems than al Qaeda or other insurgent groups. "The government is not taking political steps," said Pelosi.
While Pelosi said she hoped the House action would help move the debate forward, she acknowledged that Senate action on the bill was unlikely.
Pelosi sounded a conciliatory note on the current spending showdown with the White House but repeatedly referenced the President's much larger requests for Iraq funding when discussing Democratic priorities like children's health insurance and medical research.
She did, however, express confidence that a deal would be reached with the president on the remaining appropriations bills -- dismissing the possibility of a repeat of the 1995-1996 government shutdown that left House Republicans deflated and President Clinton triumphant.
While admitting that she must do a better job at ensuring the American people are aware of what the Democratic-led House has accomplished in its first 10 months, she expressed confidence that her party's brand was still strong.
She repeatedly cited polling that showed Democrats with a double-digit leads over their Republican counterparts in both specific battleground congressional districts as well as nationally.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi today blamed Congress' failure to bring an end to the war in Iraq and deal effectively with the reform of immigration laws as the primary causes of the institution's near-record low approval ratings.
In an interview at the U.S. Capitol, Pelosi said the Democratic takeover of Congress had raised expectations on action to end the conflict in Iraq, and that the Senate's initial willingness to tackle immigration reform followed by its failure to do so left the American public disappointed in Congress.
The House on Wednesday night passed spending legislation that sought to tie funding for the Iraq war to hard deadlines for beginning troop withdrawals, a proposal that has little hope of passage in the Senate.
"People thought it was a problem that could be solved and when it didn't happen I think it was a big disappointment," she said. "Usually those low numbers relate to expectations and there were high expectations" on both Iraq and immigration.
Pelosi made her comments in an interview for washingtonpost.com's "PostTalk" program (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2007/11/15/VI2007111501443.html?hpid=topnews), just hours before seven of her party's presidential candidates are scheduled to gather in Las Vegas for a televised debate.
Pelosi said that the heavy wave of criticism directed at Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) in recent days stemmed from her status as the frontrunner, not as the lone woman in the race. "I believe that any 'picking on' ... [of] Senator Clinton has to do with her being a frontrunner," she said. "Frontrunners always have to undergo that."
Pelosi, who had a chance to closely evaluate six of the candidates at last weekend's Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in Iowa (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/11/AR2007111101732.html), said that she saw up close that night that Clinton can "hold her own."
Discussing her own rise to the speakership, Pelosi said she did little to emphasize her gender in lining support within the caucus. "The last thing I could have said to any of my colleagues would have been: 'Vote for me because we need a woman in the leadership.'"
On Wednesday night, the House narrowly passed a measure -- 218 to 203 -- that would tie funding for the Iraq war to a specific redeployment plan for the troops in the country.
Pelosi cast the Bush administration's plan to draw down 30,000 American troops from the country as "inadequate," arguing that such a proposal would leave more soldiers in Iraq next year than were there in November 2006.
Citing a story in Thursday's Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/14/AR2007111402524.html), Pelosi said that leading U.S. generals have concluded that the stubbornness of the Shiite government in Iraq is causing more problems than al Qaeda or other insurgent groups. "The government is not taking political steps," said Pelosi.
While Pelosi said she hoped the House action would help move the debate forward, she acknowledged that Senate action on the bill was unlikely.
Pelosi sounded a conciliatory note on the current spending showdown with the White House but repeatedly referenced the President's much larger requests for Iraq funding when discussing Democratic priorities like children's health insurance and medical research.
She did, however, express confidence that a deal would be reached with the president on the remaining appropriations bills -- dismissing the possibility of a repeat of the 1995-1996 government shutdown that left House Republicans deflated and President Clinton triumphant.
While admitting that she must do a better job at ensuring the American people are aware of what the Democratic-led House has accomplished in its first 10 months, she expressed confidence that her party's brand was still strong.
She repeatedly cited polling that showed Democrats with a double-digit leads over their Republican counterparts in both specific battleground congressional districts as well as nationally.
