Something to chew on today. Congressional Quarterly provides daily updates on major activity in Congress. This gives us some context for class discussion. You can sign up for these as well if you go to their site.
Today in Washington
The House considers minor bills and resolutions under suspension of the rules.
The Senate begins debate on a package extending various tax breaks and unemployment benefits, along with other expired programs.
The President meets with advisers; visits a Wheaton, Md., senior citizens’ center to tout improved Medicare drug benefits in a tele-town hall session with groups around the country; meets with Sen. Byron L. Dorgan, D-N.D.; hosts congressional picnic dinner at the White House.
In Washington, the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis holds its conference and awards dinner, with appearances by Annie Lennox; Ashley Judd, Board of Directors, PSI; Michel Sidibe, Executive Director, UNAIDS. Keynote address by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. 7 p.m., Renaissance Washington Hotel, 999 9th St. NW.
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Top Stories
White House Orders Agencies To Pinpoint Least Important Programs The White House on Tuesday instructed federal agencies to compile a list of their least important programs that add up to at least five percent of their budgets as the administration begins preparing next year's budget. [Read More]
House Chairman Defends Unwanted Jet Engine as Job Creator The chairman of the House Armed Services Committee upped the ante Tuesday in the debate over an alternate engine for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter by tying the program to the need to create more jobs. [Read More]
Feinstein Calls for Inquiry Into Israeli Raid on Aid Flotilla In a significant departure from most colleagues, Sen. Dianne Feinstein called Tuesday for an "impartial inquiry" into the Israeli commando raid on a humanitarian flotilla carrying aid to the Gaza Strip that left nine activists dead, including one American. [Read More]
Health Science Experts Urge Stronger Food Safety Regulation The Food and Drug Administration needs more resources and a more focused, risk-based approach to safeguarding the nation's food supply, according to a report released Tuesday. [Read More]
Senate Democrats Seek To Restore Medicaid Funds, Hit Oil Industry Harder Senate Democrats unveiled their proposed changes to a tax and benefits bill on Tuesday and urged quick passage of the measure, which now carries a price tag of about $140.2 billion and would add about $77.5 billion to the federal deficit. [Read More]
