January 2010
Oil price 1/15: 78.00 (NYSE)
Scott Brown (R) wins Sen. Edward Kennedy’s (D-Mass.) old seat; health care reform on the ropes.
Supreme Court issues major decision on campaign finance reform; Democrats vow to pursue legislative fix.
President Obama delivers State of the Union address; Justice Samuel Alito shakes head as Obama scolds high-court ruling on campaign finance.
Obama goes toe to toe with Republicans at House GOP retreat in Baltimore.
Unemployment drops to 9.7 percent.
February 2010
Congress holds hearings on defects in Toyota vehicles.
Senate passes jobs bill.
March 2010
Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) steps aside as Ways and Means Committee chairman.
House Democrats and Republicans separately vow crackdown on earmarks.
Massa (D-N.Y.) resigns amid scandal.
Republican yells, “Baby killers” during speech on floor by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) during
Health care debate; lawmaker later identified as Rep. Randy Neugebauer (Texas).
Healthcare reform passes without a single Republican vote.
Controversy over Arizona’s immigration law intensifies.
April 2010
Massive oil spill occurs off the Gulf Coast.
Wall Street reform bill advances.
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed a bill aimed at identifying, prosecuting and deporting illegal Immigrants.
May 2010
Failed bomb attempt in New York City.
Sen. Bob Bennett (R-Utah) falls short in effort to represent party in
general election. (TEA Party!)
Obama nominates Elena Kagan to Supreme Court.
Wall Street reform clears Senate.
June 2010
Gasoline average price $2.70
US District judge overturns Obama administration ban on deep water oil drilling in the Gulf
Tax-extender package stalls amid concerns about the deficit.
Obama fires Gen. Stanley McChrystal after his critical remarks are published in Rolling Stone magazine.
July 2010
Federal government sues Arizona over immigration law
Obama administration re-issues moratorium on deep water oil drilling
Wall Street reform passes.
Oil spill in Gulf Coast is capped; massive cleanup ensues.
Ethics panel charges Rangel.
August 2010
Kagan easily confirmed by Senate.
Ethics panel charges Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.).
Congress returns from recess to pass border-security bill.
White House press secretary blasts the “professional left”; two House
Democrats call for his resignation.
Reid breaks with Obama on planned mosque near 9/11 site in New York City.
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) convicted on one of 24 charges.
Boehner calls for resignation of Obama administration officials Timothy
Geithner and Larry Summers.
Glenn Beck hold Restoring Honor rally in DC-drives the left crazy
September 2010
Many Illinois cities hold 9/12 rallies
Many pundits predicting GOP will win House.
Small-business bill passes.
Congressional Democrats punt tax bill until after election.
House GOP unveils its “Pledge to America.”
Comedy Central’s Stephen Colbert testifies, in character, to a House subcommittee.
October 2010
Obama administration lifts oil drilling moratorium in the Gulf if companies comply with new rules
A de facto moratorium has been in place on shallow-water drilling, with only four permits for such work approved by the federal government since the explosion
Economy loses 95,000 jobs in last report before election; unemployment stands at 9.6 percent.
Ethics trials of Rangel and Waters postponed until after the election.
Most pundits say GOP will win House but probably not take the Senate.
Chicago TEA Party produces a great GOTV ad
Illinois TEA Party buys radio time and Illinois TEA Party billboards go up around the state
November 2010
IL GOP continues to fight to keep the Constitution Party off the ballot
Some Illinois County Clerks fail so send military ballots in time for the vote
ELECTION NIGHT: Republicans win back the House, pick up a net 63 seats. TEA Party credited
Democrats hold on to the Senate, but majority is significantly weakened;
Reid triumphs over Tea Party favorite Sharron Angle.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announces she will run for minority leader; later she easily beats
Rep. Heath Shuler (D-N.C.) for post.
Ethics panel recommends Rangel censure; House subsequently censures New York Democrat.
TEA Party Patriots hold a summit in DC and welcome the newly elected members of the House
December 2010
Average national gasoline price $2.98
Palatine TEA Party uncovers disturbing information about Palatine city government
Obama administration issues 7 year moratorium on drilling in the Gulf, Pacific, and Atlantic
Obama strikes deal with Republicans on tax deal; liberals in Congress seethe.
Congress’s job approval ratings lowest ever on record.
Congress passes tax bill as House Democrats bend to Senate-passed measure.
Omnibus spending bill dies, along with its more than 6,000 earmarks.
Congress passes repeal of Pentagon’s “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. Kirk votes YES
Senate passes food safety bill
Senate ratifies U.S.-Russia arms treaty.
Congress passes 9/11 health fund bill.
Dream Act (amnesty) dies in the Senate
Federal judge in Virginia declares ObamaCare unconstitutional
