Senate Bill 2 2731, introduced by Sentor Obama recently passed the Senate. Obama & John McCain did not vote on this bill. This bill passed by a majority of 80- 16 margin. Obama drafted the bill, in hopes of sending billions overseas. But it seems he must now share the wealth!
I commend Senator John Thune(R) from the state of South Dakota & Senator Jon Kyl (R) from the state of AZ. If not for them every dime of the billions would be going overseas. However, due to these two mens efferts, and the efferts of many Sentors, the bill has passed with at least part of the billions going to Native Americans.
This bill will cost the tax payers of 800 billion dollars! Before the bill was admended, with a appriation of funds for Native Americans, I opposed this bill. However, it is my feeling that the very least they can do is share some of the wealth with those you need it most.
“It’s an embarrassment that we in the Congress are not able to meet these requirements for our own Native American population and yet we’re willing to spend $50 billion on this foreign aid program,” added Kyl, the second-ranking Republican in the Senate.
Thune said his amendment addresses a wide range of law enforcement and justice issues. Half of the $1 billion will go to the Department of Justice for construction, rehabilitation and placement of detention facilities.
Another 40 percent would go to the Bureau of Indian Affairs to fund law enforcement personnel and tribal courts. The remaining 10 percent of the $1 billion is dedicated to investigations and prosecutions by the FBI and U.S. Attorneys and for other justice efforts.
“Tribal, state, and federal leaders face a host of challenges in Indian Country, and many of them have roots in inadequate funding and infrastructure for law enforcement,” Thune said yesterday.
One “conservative” Republican senator, John Thune of South Dakota, talked about how he managed to obtain $2 billion in the bill for “tribal needs” such as water projects and “public safety” on Indian reservations.
Granted 2 billion is not alot in comparison to the 50 billion, however at least some of the funds will go to Native American Needs. This seems like a small victory in comparison to billions going overseas. But I do commend the Senators efforts, regarding Native American Issues. I am totally opposed to sending any funds overseas, when so many of our own people suffer, so greatly.
I believe this money would be best spent in the United States. However, wthout the efforts of these two men, all the funds would be spent outside our shores. It is a disgrace that Senator Obama, would introduce such a bill. Then not even bother to show up for the vote.
This only furthers my belief, that Obama has no concern for Native Americans. His only concern was to draft the bill, intended for overseas spending. Then, once the bill was amended to alot funds to Americans, he did not show up.
This is a clear indication, where his loyalties lay. Unfortunately it is not with Native Americans or Americans in general
I agree with you completely, I am glad that at least some of the funds were
earmarked to remain in the USA, but I don’t understand why, in these difficult economic times we are sending money overseas>
Great blog. I applaud how issue driven it is, and not not politician driven. You hold all candidates accountable.
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I don’t either, when the Obama introducted this bill, he had to know that Americans need it also. It does make me think he just does not care about America or any of the issues that face The Native Americans.
I am totally with you on this! If ANYBODY deserves our attention it is the Native Americans. We took our entire country from them and they only bring us peace. But alas, Mr. Obama is far more interested in Africa than America. I do not believe he cares about Native Americas one iota. I am not even sure he is focused on America as a whole at all. The Middle east and Africa seem more conducive to his leadership ambitions.
Native Americas deserved attention long before ANYBODY. 2 Billion is trivia for the people who have brought us nothing but honor even after we gave them nothing. This is where the true injustice is in America.
I will ALWAYS be on the side of Native Americans first.
Thanks so much for your support Uppity! I to think it was a small amount, but at least its something. Sad that we have to think that way. Native Americans and all Americans deserve much more than this. The think about it, I think most of us have come to expect it. The reason I say that is, my husband is from Canada. He cannot believe all that is done for other nations, and none for any of us. Its not like that in Canada, and he is more upset than me about all this! He expects each country to do for thier own first. We as a nation, have been conditioned to expect less…..
I am still confused. Obama wrote a bill which, once amended, you supported, but Obama didn’t show up to vote for it and neither did McCain and this is supposed to show why McCain should be supported, and not Obama?
I, like every single person who has ever studied the issue closely, disagrees with how we spend our tiny, miserly foreign aid budget. Our foreign aid budget is far smaller, as a percent of GDP, than most any industrialized nation.
So, you think the richest country should be even more stingy just at the time when our reputation is lowest around the world?
Do you like terrorism? I’m not saying paying off poor people is a way to stop terrorism, I’m saying that there will be terrorists, never very many in number, and culture of “Who cares what happens to the Americans?” which allows them to operate.
Not to mention that everything in that video is wrong, and, if anything, it proves Native Americans should vote for Obama before they vote for McCain.
I did not say that you or anyone should vote for McCain. He did not show up, as well as Obama. If everything is wrong, then please tell when and where Obama showed up to cast a vote. If you look a this record, he did not show up, he was not voting. John McCain is not perfect and I am not saying that. He is on the Indain Affairs Commitee, and has shown up many times over the years to vote on different issues. That is my point, the one you are missing. Obama has done nothing except speak. McCain, even though I or you may not agree on all the things he has done, has at least shown up. Obama wrote the bill to give funds to other nations for Poverty/hiv/aids. That was what the bill was for. Two Senators, wanted to add to it, and give some of the money to Native Americans. Obama’s main objective was to give our tax dollars to the other nations. This bill had nothing to do with terrorism. It was about poverty, and hiv/aids. I would suggest you do some resarch about Poverty in American, and on Reservations. Then you may see my point. I think we there is so much needed here at home, we chould take care of our own first. Granted John McCain did not show up, but he has many times over the years.
Good news and good work.
Thank you so much for bringing attention to the importance of not supporting Obama. Obama’s lack of concern for Native Americans seems to a pattern with American’s. It seems clear that our first loyaties and respect (and before billions of dollars going overseas) should be to Native Americans. It’s not too late for Hillary Clinton. I made a video to hopefully inspire more people to speak up and be heard before it’s to late.
Great video! Thanks so much for your support….
You really should read Obamas voting record. The last time he showed up to vote on a Native American Issue was 2005. Look it up, He did find time to draft the Global Poverty act.. To give millionos overseas… Look it up also. Look any of these bills up and see the last time he showed up to votte was 2005.
Indigenous Peoples
(Back to top)
Date Bill Title Vote Outcome
02/26/2008 Health Care for Indigenous Peoples
S 1200 NV Bill Passed – Senate
(83 – 10)
02/26/2008 Prohibiting the Funds in S 1200 from Being Used for Abortions
S Amdt 3896 NV Amendment Adopted – Senate
(52 – 42)
02/25/2008 Prohibiting Funds in the Bill S 1200 from Being Used to Decrease Gun Ownership
S Amdt 4070 NV Amendment Adopted – Senate
(78 – 11)
here is the link
http://www.votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=9490&type=category&category=74&go.x=6&go.y=16
Senator Barack H. Obama Jr. (IL)
Current Office: U.S. Senate
Current District: Junior Seat
Office Seeking: President
First Elected: 11/02/2004
Last Elected: 11/02/2004
Next Election: 2010
Party: Democratic
Biographical
Voting Record
Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)
Interest Group Ratings
Speeches and Public Statements
Endorsements
Additional Biographical Information
Campaign Finances
Currently, the newly designed and written 104th – 109th (1995-present) Congressional sessions are available. However, the historical portion of the Key Votes program is still under construction.
In the meantime, for information concerning Key Votes from 1991-1994, please call our Voter’s Research Hotline at 1-888-VOTE-SMART (1-888-868-3762) and one of our researchers can look up any vote you need.
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Abortion Issues
(Back to top)
Date Bill Title Vote Outcome
02/26/2008 Prohibiting the Funds in S 1200 from Being Used for Abortions
S Amdt 3896 NV Amendment Adopted – Senate
(52 – 42)
10/18/2007 Prohibiting Funds for Groups that Perform Abortions
S Amdt 3330 NV Amendment Rejected – Senate
(41 – 52)
09/06/2007 Prohibiting U.S. Assistance for Groups that Support Coercive Abortion
S Amdt 2707 NV Amendment Adopted – Senate
(48 – 45)
03/17/2005 Unintended Pregnancy Amendment
S Con Res 18 Y Amendment Rejected – Senate
(47 – 53)
Agriculture Issues
(Back to top)
Date Bill Title Vote Outcome
06/18/2008 Second Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill)
HR 6124 NV Veto Override Passed – Senate
(80 – 14)
05/22/2008 Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill)
HR 2419 NV Veto Override Passed – Senate
(82 – 13)
05/15/2008 Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill)
HR 2419 NV Conference Report Adopted – Senate
(81 – 15)
12/14/2007 Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (Farm Bill)
HR 2419 NV Bill Passed – Senate
(79 – 14)
12/13/2007 Limit on Farm Subsidies
S Amdt 3695 Y Amendment Rejected – Senate
(56 – 43)
12/13/2007 Income Limit for Subsidies to Farmers
S Amdt 3810 NV Amendment Rejected – Senate
(48 – 47)
12/11/2007 Government Sponsored Farm Insurance Policies
S Amdt 3711 NV Amendment Rejected – Senate
(37 – 58)
Appropriations
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Date Bill Title Vote Outcome
03/29/2007 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill of 2007
HR 1591 Y Bill Passed – Senate
(51 – 47)
07/12/2006 Transit Security Amendment
HR 5441 Y Amendment Rejected – Senate
(50 – 50)
06/22/2006 Defense Department FY 2007 Authorization bill
S 2766 Y Bill Passed – Senate
(96 – 0)
06/15/2006 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2006
HR 4939 Y Conference Report Adopted – Senate
(98 – 1)
05/04/2006 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2006
HR 4939 Y Bill Passed – Senate
(78 – 20)
05/03/2006 Influenza Vaccine Injury Compensation Amendment
HR 4939 Y Amendment Adopted – Senate
(53 – 46)
05/02/2006 Sugarcane Growers Funding Amendment
HR 4939 N Amendment Rejected – Senate
(40 – 59)
12/21/2005 Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations bill
HR 2863 N Cloture Not Invoked – Senate
(56 – 44)
12/21/2005 Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations bill
HR 2863 Y Conference Report Adopted – Senate
(93 – 0)
11/16/2005 Commerce, Justice, Science, Appropriations Bill FY 2006
HR 2862 Y Conference Report Adopted – Senate
(94 – 5)
11/15/2005 Defense Department FY2006 Authorization bill
S 1042 Y Bill Passed – Senate
(98 – 0)
11/10/2005 Foreign Operations FY2006 Appropriations Bill
HR 3057 Y Conference Report Adopted – Senate
(91 – 0)
11/03/2005 Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA Appropriations Act
HR 2744 Y Conference Report Adopted – Senate
(81 – 18)
10/27/2005 After School Funding Amendment
HR 3010 Y Motion Failed – Senate
(41 – 56)
10/27/2005 Labor, HHS, Education, FY 2006 Appropriations bill
HR 3010 Y Bill Passed – Senate
(94 – 3)
10/26/2005 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Funding Amendment
HR 3010 N Motion Failed – Senate
(46 – 53)
10/20/2005 Transportation, Treasury, HUD, Judiciary, Appropriation
HR 3058 Y Bill Passed – Senate
(93 – 6)
10/07/2005 Defense Department FY2006 Appropriations bill
HR 2863 Y Bill Passed – Senate
(97 – 0)
10/05/2005 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Amendment
HR 2863 Y Motion Failed – Senate
(50 – 49)
09/22/2005 Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA Appropriations Act
HR 2744 Y Bill Passed – Senate
(97 – 2)
07/29/2005 Interior Department FY 2006 Appropriations Bill
HR 2361
Native Hawaiians better hope McCain doesn’t show up for a vote on S 310 (@ 1:48 video)or become president as this video promotes
“Of importance in Hawaii, Obama supports Sen. Daniel Akaka’s bill for Hawaiian sovereignty, while McCain has said he is “unequivocally opposed.” Bush also opposes it and a McCain presidency would extend a likely presidential veto for another four or eight years.”
http://starbulletin.com/2008/06/05/editorial/editorial01.html
If you notice the last entry was 7/2005 that is the last time he voted for a native american issue…. The interior dept…..
I’m not suggesting Obama is not a policician or he’s the second coming, but compared to JMcCain in all issues including American Indian, he’ll run rings around JM; literally. If you want four more years of Bush and his policies, then vote McCain.
This is link to something you may want to see.
http://216.109.157.86/press_release/John%20McCain%20on%20Native%20American%20Policy%20031908.pdf
What has Obama done? The answer is clear, nothing. John McCain in on the committee of Indian Affairs and has been for some years. He has helped in many way. Granted he is not perfect, however at least he did soemthing, that is the point of the video, soemthing is better than nothing!!!!!