House Approves Debt Ceiling Bill, Free Federal Birth Control, and More in Chad’s Steaming Pile

Here are just a few things in Chad’s Pile that you will hear on Lubbock’s First News this morning. Give Chad your feedback on the steaming topics.

1. Debt bill passes (link)

Well it looks as though the debt crisis is over in the United States. At least for now. The House on Monday passed a bill that cut spending, though probably not enough, while not raising taxes... for now. According to the AP:

The measure would cut federal spending by at least $2.1 trillion over a decade - and possibly considerably more - and would not require tax increases. The U.S. debt limit would rise by at least $2.1 trillion, tiding the Treasury over through the 2012 elections.

Without legislation in place by the end of Tuesday, the Treasury would run out of cash needed to pay all its bills. Administration officials say a default would ensue that would severely damage the economy.

Congressman Randy Neugebauer was one Republican who voted against the measure. The Congressman sent this out in a press release:

“We have come a long way in these negotiations to get our fiscal house in order, but

ultimately this bill’s failure to include a Balanced Budget Amendment, combined with severe spending cuts for our nation’s military while our nation is at war, resulted in my opposition to this bill. It is critical that a Balanced Budget Amendment be embraced by our government and our States. American families have had to tighten their belts and do more with less. Washington must do the same.

“We have a big spending problem in this country, and it needs a big solution. Simply put, this bill doesn’t go far enough in addressing our crushing debt. The government cannot continue to borrow 42 cents for every dollar we spend."

What do you think about the bill? Who were the winners and who were the losers?

2. Free birth control? (link)

Under President Obama's health care law, insurance companies must provide free birth control with no copays. This looks like it will be a pretty big debate issue going forward. Here are some details:

The requirement is part of a broad expansion of coverage for women's preventive care under President Barack Obama's health care law. Also to be covered without copays are breast pumps for nursing mothers, an annual "well-woman" physical, screening for the virus that causes cervical cancer and for diabetes during pregnancy, counseling on domestic violence, and other services.

"These historic guidelines are based on science and existing (medical) literature and will help ensure women get the preventive health benefits they need," said Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

What are your thoughts?

3. Gaming kills someone (link)

Here is another crazy study out there. According to a study, people who use Internet Explorer as their web browser have a lower IQ than someone who uses Firefox or Google Chrome. Below are the details:

PC World reports that a "psychometric consulting" firm called AptiQuant gave free online IQ tests to 100,000 people, and then plotted the scores against the browser on which the tests were taken.

It found that InternetExplorer users scored lower than average, while Chrome, Firefox and Safari users were very slightly above average. Camino, Opera and Internet Explorer with Chrome Frame were scored "exceptionally" high.

"The study showed a substantial relationship between an individual's cognitive ability and their choice of web browser," AptiQuant concluded. "From the test results, it is a clear indication that individuals on the lower side of the IQ scale tend to resist a change/upgrade of their browsers."

These and many more topics coming up on Tuesday’s edition of Lubbock’s First News with Chad Hasty. Tune in mornings 6-9am on News/Talk 790 KFYO, streaming online at kfyo.com, and now on your iPhone and Android device with the radioPup App.