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ICE has worked to develop and implement some critical improvements to the system, though additional reforms remain needed. One overarching obstacle overshadowing much of this: the bed "mandate." As Congress returns from the brink of the fiscal cliff, and as a new candidate prepares for confirmation to lead the Department of Homeland Security, now is a key moment to consider responsible ways to shrink the federal budget.
(CBS) – Suburban Congressman Bill Foster (D-Ill.) says the budget impasse on Capitol Hill could be resolved easily at this point, and with a debt crisis coming, it should be.
While food and airline safety inspectors stay home, national parks remain closed and basic scientific research grinds to a halt, a private gym reserved exclusively for members of the House of Representatives remains open.
A gym for Senators is also still open.
Though congress members pay small monthly fees, the gyms are run largely on taxpayer dollars.
House Democrats have a new strategy to force their fellow members of Congress to feel the pain of the shutdown — stripping them of their gym privileges.
Such a move would not just block members from burning carbs, though. It would also prevent the members who sleep in their offices from availing themselves of the showers that keep them from offending.
WASHINGTON — Two House Democrats are going after the congressional dumbbells.
Reps. Patrick Murphy of Florida and Bill Foster of Illinois demanded Wednesday the shutdown of the House gym, which has stayed open even while much of the federal government has closed.
They said it's outrageous that lawmakers enjoy access to their "exclusive gym and spa" while other Americans are making sacrifices because of the government shutdown.
The federal government may be closed, but the gyms for members of Congress are still open. That doesn't sit well with U.S. Reps. Bill Foster (D-IL, 11) and Patrick Murphy (D-FL, 18).
Two House Democrats want the congressional gym closed until the shutdown impasse is over.
Reps. Bill Foster (D-Ill.) and Patrick Murphy (D-Fla.) are circulating a letter that asks House Speaker John Boehner to deem the House spa non-essential for the duration of the shutdown.
The government shutdown hasn't closed the private House and Senate gyms, which have been kept open along with their showers by the Architect of the Capitol, the agency responsible for the maintenance of the Capitol Complex.
WASHINGTON — A group of about 90 elderly veterans flew here from Chicago's Midway Airport on Wednesday and visited the National World War II Memorial — shutdown be darned.
On Tuesday, the memorial on the National Mall became the symbol of the shutdown as vets who arrived on what are called "Honor Flights" ignored the barricades set up to try to shutter the outdoor tribute to the 16 million who served in World War II.