- Sun. Jul 6, 2008
|
Search Sponsor:
|
Parties Pitch Familiar Ideas To Address Gas Price Surge
Senate Democrats and Republicans today moved forward with proposals designed to combat record-high gas prices, even though both have little bipartisan appeal and have scant hope of becoming law.
White House Threatens Veto As Housing Bill Hits Floor
The White House today threatened to veto the House housing-stimulus bill that could pass this afternoon, although some suspect the threat is more bluster for negotiating purposes. The House is expected to pass the package, which would allow the Federal Housing Administration to help refinance up to $300 billion of troubled subprime loans.
Rangel: Panel Might Take Up 'Extenders' Bill Next Week
House Ways and Means Chairman Charles Rangel today said his panel could take up a one-year extension of numerous expiring tax provisions as early as next week, including renewable energy incentives that are a top Democratic priority.
Democrats Pressing Leaders Over Supplemental Provisions
A day before Democratic leaders hope to vote on their supplemental funding package providing $183.6 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, some members of their Caucus are pushing back.
President Renews Push For Colombia, Panama, Korea FTAs
President Bush today said he will make a vigorous effort to win passage of a free trade agreement with Panama, even as he continues to press for the beleaguered Colombia pact and begins accelerating a push for a deal with South Korea.
Medicare Physicians' Reimbursement Fix May Cost $18B
A Medicare legislation package that aims to avoid a cut in Medicare reimbursements to physicians is expected to cost between $15 billion and $18 billion, a Senate Finance Committee aide said today after committee members gathered to begin discussions on the bill.
Panels Cut FCS By $200M, Back Larger Military Pay Raise
The House Armed Services Air and Land Forces Subcommittee today unanimously approved by voice vote its portion of the FY09 defense authorization bill, cutting $200 million from the Army's Future Combat Systems and $166 million from the service's Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter to fund more pressing priorities.
Investigators Suspect Bloch Of Lying To Congress In July
A federal criminal investigation into Special Counsel Scott Bloch appears to be focused not only on potential obstruction of justice charges against him but on the possibility he lied to Congress last year and manipulated agency investigations, according to sources.
FTC Chief Makes Plea For Long-Term Budget Planning
The FTC has benefited from "fairly generous" White House budget requests and congressional appropriations, but it has suffered from a string of lengthy continuing resolutions that have made long-term strategic planning difficult, Chairman William Kovacic said today.
Senate Panel Opens Debate On Stronger SEC Enforcement
Two former SEC chairmen called on Congress today to significantly beef up the agency's enforcement authority and resources in the wake of the crash of credit markets and the home loan foreclosure crisis.
Dodd, Reid Agree To Flood Amendments
Banking. Senate Banking Chairman Christopher Dodd today said he and Senate Majority Leader Reid have reached an agreement that would allow amendments related to flood insurance to be debated and voted on today.
White House Skeptical Of Farm Bill's Chances
Agriculture. White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said today it is "unlikely" that Congress can send President Bush a farm bill he can sign, the Associated Press reported. She said he doesn't believe the bill to date has met his concerns, and he has called the measure "bloated."
Appeals Court To Rehear 'Business Methods' Patent Case
Judiciary. The Federal Circuit Court of Appeals' rehearing of a high-profile "business methods patent" dispute Thursday has about a 60 percent chance of reaching the Supreme Court if the panel rules against the Patent and Trademark Office, a lawyer slated to argue before the court said at a briefing today.
Scalise Formally Becomes Member Of The House
House. Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., took his oath of office this morning, reducing the number of House vacancies to just one.
McGovern, Former Clinton Backer, Endorses Obama
Politics. Former Sen. George McGovern, D-S.D., an early supporter of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and one-time Democratic presidential nominee, urged her today to drop out of the Democratic presidential race and endorsed her rival, Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, the Associated Press reported.
Ex-House Member Apparent Winner In Ind. Gubernatorial Primary
Politics. Former Rep. Jill Long Thompson, D-Ind., emerged early today as her party's apparent nominee for governor, following complete unofficial results from Tuesday's primary in the Hoosier State.
5/7/2008 PM Contents
- Parties Pitch Familiar Ideas To Address Gas Price Surge
- White House Threatens Veto As Housing Bill Hits Floor
- Rangel: Panel Might Take Up 'Extenders' Bill Next Week
- Democrats Pressing Leaders Over Supplemental Provisions
- President Renews Push For Colombia, Panama, Korea FTAs
- Medicare Physicians' Reimbursement Fix May Cost $18B
- Panels Cut FCS By $200M, Back Larger Military Pay Raise
- Investigators Suspect Bloch Of Lying To Congress In July
- FTC Chief Makes Plea For Long-Term Budget Planning
- Senate Panel Opens Debate On Stronger SEC Enforcement
- Dodd, Reid Agree To Flood Amendments
- White House Skeptical Of Farm Bill's Chances
- Appeals Court To Rehear 'Business Methods' Patent Case
- Scalise Formally Becomes Member Of The House
- McGovern, Former Clinton Backer, Endorses Obama
- Ex-House Member Apparent Winner In Ind. Gubernatorial Primary
