Here is what appears to be a fairly extensive and well researched article on the subject:
http://www.brook.edu/comm/policybriefs/pb91.htmFrom what I understand, this doesn't give the President full authority. It merely allows him Congress-free negotiation. When the President strikes a deal, it still must be approved by Congress. Congress, however, cannot ammend the President's recommendations. It's either yes or no.
This in itself is something I can somewhat agree with, mainly because it will be less likely that we get bills chock-full-o-pork. And if they are full of pork, we know to whom we should address our complaints.
And of course I have to take this opportunity to rib those Congressmen on the left.
From foxnews.com:
QUOTE
The bill also gives tax credits for laid-off workers to pay for 65 percent of health insurance costs. Suppliers to import-hit companies would become eligible for the Trade Adjustment Assistance program as would farmers and ranchers hurt by imports. Some workers whose factories are moved overseas could receive benefits, and a program to compensate older workers forced to take lower-paying jobs would be created.
The additions would nearly double those eligible to about 200,000 and triple spending on the program to about $12 billion over 10 years.
Way to redistribute that wealth! That's about $42 from every single American over ten years. That's $60,000 dollars for each of the 200,000 people you "help". I'm glad my donation to the Nation's coffers can go to good use. Your guys seems to think I don't need the money. Then again, you also thought $300 wouldn't help me either.
Mike