- Sun. Jul 20, 2008
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Friday, Jul 18, 2008
Democrats Float $50 Billion Total For Second Stimulus Plan
Democrats, who have been calling for a second stimulus plan for weeks, are now floating a sum of $50 billion as a figure. Presumptive presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., underscored his support for such a plan, as well as an expansion of low-interest loans to struggling U.S. automakers, in a letter to the United Auto Workers released today.
Navy's Fighter Jet Shortage May Be Worse Than Expected
The Navy has uncovered problems with plans to extend the life of its F/A-18 Hornets that could exacerbate efforts to mitigate a shortage of strike fighter aircraft that is expected to vex the service until 2025.
Offsets Last Major Roadblock For Mental Health Parity Bill
With the Medicare physician payment legislation wrapped up after a long battle with the administration, lawmakers are turning their attention to digging up a $3.4 billion offset to move a long-sought mental health parity measure.
ATV Safety Under New Scrutiny After CPSC Issues Recall
The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued late Thursday a recall of all-terrain vehicles targeted at children as the House-Senate conference committee charged with reauthorizing the organization deliberated over whether to make ATV safety standards mandatory.
U.S. Advocates Hope For Doha Breakthrough But Still Wary
Key American trade lobbyists this week expressed hope for a breakthrough on the Doha round at a meeting of 30 trade ministers in Geneva, but they also listed many concerns about the direction of those talks and reasons why they are unlikely to produce big advances. The talks were launched in 2001.
IRS Chief Says Agency To Focus Efforts On Enforcement
IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman today warned that his agency will continue to ratchet up enforcement efforts now that it has cleaned up its customer services programs under the landmark 1998 law requiring the restructuring of IRS operations.
Murtha Helping Schmidt Opponent With Two Fundraisers
Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., is training his eye on Ohio Republican Rep. Jean Schmidt by helping her Democratic challenger raise money.
HILL BRIEFS
Housing Bill To Contain Congressional Consultation Provision
Finance. The housing-recovery package expected on the House floor Wednesday will include congressional consultation and reporting requirements if Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac access the federal capital made available by the bill, according to Senior Democratic sources.
FCC's Tate Seen As Critical Vote On XM-Sirius Merger
Telecommunications. Despite signals from FCC regulator Jonathan Adelstein, a Democrat, that he might back the merger of the XM and Sirius satellite services under certain conditions, GOP regulator Deborah Taylor Tate remains the most likely swing vote, sources said today.
McConnell Optimistic About Broader Energy Bill
Energy. Senate Minority Leader McConnell said today he is optimistic that Republicans can find enough Democrats to support a broader approach to the energy crisis than simply passing the bill that Majority Leader Reid has proposed to crack down on speculation in the energy markets.
House Leaders Going To Help Kilpatrick Re-Election Bid
House Races. Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, D-Mich., is getting some high-powered help before her Aug. 5 primary, where she faces a heated challenge while her son, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, fights for his political life after a text-messaging scandal.
Miller Says He May Sell Transportation Bonds
People. Rep. Gary Miller, R-Calif., said this week he would sell his investment in a tollway if the Transportation Corridor Agency is successful in building the southern extension to the road, the Orange County Register reported.
WTO Rules Against China In Auto Components Case
Trade. The World Trade Organization ruled China violates global trade rules by requiring automakers operating there to buy components from local suppliers or face penalties, Bloomberg News reported.
THE FRIDAY BUZZ
Bad Blood
She had plenty of company, but some GOP senators were none too pleased when Republican Policy Committee Chairwoman Kay Bailey Hutchison voted for the Medicare physician payment bill last week, according to several GOP aides.
No Fool For A Client
When House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Henry Waxman set a vote earlier this week to cite Attorney General Mukasey for contempt of Congress, Mukasey sought legal aid from a trusted adviser: himself.
The Politics Of Playlists
President Bush is fond of Austin, Texas-based singer/songwriter/bandleader Alejandro Escovedo's work, but the feeling is not mutual.
THE FINAL WORD
The Final Word
"I don't consider it a poke in the eye. If everybody that had a conversation around here was a poke in the eye, I wouldn't be able to see all of you."
7/18/2008 PM Contents
- Democrats Float $50 Billion Total For Second Stimulus Plan
- Navy's Fighter Jet Shortage May Be Worse Than Expected
- Offsets Last Major Roadblock For Mental Health Parity Bill
- ATV Safety Under New Scrutiny After CPSC Issues Recall
- U.S. Advocates Hope For Doha Breakthrough But Still Wary
- IRS Chief Says Agency To Focus Efforts On Enforcement
- Murtha Helping Schmidt Opponent With Two Fundraisers
HILL BRIEFS
- Housing Bill To Contain Congressional Consultation Provision
- FCC's Tate Seen As Critical Vote On XM-Sirius Merger
- McConnell Optimistic About Broader Energy Bill
- House Leaders Going To Help Kilpatrick Re-Election Bid
- Miller Says He May Sell Transportation Bonds
- WTO Rules Against China In Auto Components Case
