Daily Archives: 06/14/2010

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Will Repblicans vote against the People


June 9, 2010

Will Republicans Stand Up For Families And Seniors…In Their Own States?

The tax extenders bill currently being debated on the Senate floor creates jobs, cuts taxes for small businesses and families and provides much needed assistance to workers affected by the recession. A critical part of the bill also helps cash-strapped states as they seek to balance their budgets and assist individuals enrolled in Medicaid. Republicans need to decide if they will help Democrats pass this bill or continue to stand with Washington special interests over families and seniors in their own states.

STATES SEE ALARMING RISE IN MEDICAID ROLLS

Medicaid Enrollment Rose by Over 3 Million People Between June 2008 and June 2009. “Medicaid enrollment rose by 3.3 million people, or 7.5%, from June 2008 and June 2009, new data from the non-partisan Kaiser Family Foundation shows. Enrollments rose in every state for the first time since the early 1990s. On average, Medicaid makes up 21% of state budgets, equal to education. Medicaid serves the nation’s poorest children, some parents, pregnant women, people with disabilities and seniors in nursing homes. States must provide basic benefits for people who earn up to the federal poverty level of $22,050 for a family of four. They aren’t threatened by the cuts. States have added people at higher incomes and optional benefits, which are now at risk.” [USA Today, 2/19/10]

Ø  Medicaid Has Seen a 21 Percent Increase in Enrollment Over the Last Three Years. “Medicaid, which covers more than 60 million people nationwide, is one of the costliest services states provide. It ate up about 21% of state spending in fiscal 2009, according to a recent report by the National Governors Association and National Association of State Budget Officers. The Great Recession sent even more Americans onto the Medicaid rolls, growing by an estimated 21% over three years. At the same time, state tax revenues plummeted, forcing governors and legislators to make deep budget cuts. To help states cope with this double-disaster, the Obama administration increased the federal share of Medicaid payments by $87 billion as part of last year’s massive stimulus program. States are prevented from tightening eligibility requirements in order to cut costs.” [CNN Money, 6/8/10]

Opposition to Increased Medicaid Funding Could Cause States to Raise Taxes or Cut Budgets. “The aid, worth a total of $25 billion, amounts to nearly one-quarter of the collective budget deficits states face for the fiscal year that begins on July 1 in most states. To balance their budgets, states would have to raise taxes or cut their budgets by that much.” [McClatchy, 5/11/10]

MAJORITY OF STATES HAVE ENORMOUS BUDGET SHORTFALLS

States All Across the Country Are Seeing Millions If Not Billions in Budget Shortfalls. According to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, many states, including those represented by Republican leaders in the Senate, saw enormous budget gaps in 2010. For instance, Kentucky and Arizona saw a $1.2 billion and $1.9 billion mid-year budget gap. [Center for Budget and Policy Priorities]

Ø  Large Public Sector Job Cuts Are Hindering the Nation’s Recovery. New federal data shows “states, localities, and school districts have cut 231,000 jobs since 2008, including 22,000 jobs in May alone. Such cuts slowed the pace of economic growth in the first quarter of 2010 by one-half of one percentage point.” [Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, 6/8/10]

Stabenow, Reed Discuss Democratic Efforts To Cut Taxes For Small Businesses And Create Jobs

Washington, DC— Senate Finance Committee member Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) held a press conference this morning to discuss Democratic efforts to pass legislation that would close loopholes that reward companies for outsourcing American jobs, and give over $18 billion in tax cuts to families and small businesses to strengthen our economy and create jobs. Democrats are urging Republicans to support this bill and stand with the middle class, not special interests.

“American businesses need immediate assistance to make new investments here at home and create jobs,” said Senator Stabenow.  “The jobs bill we have before us will provide billions in tax cuts and support for small businesses across the country to hire new employees while closing loopholes that reward big corporations for outsourcing American jobs. This legislation will also provide additional tax cuts for middle-class families and a long-overdue extension of unemployment insurance for struggling households. I call on my Republican colleagues to stop protecting corporate interests and support this jobs bill so we can put Americans back to work.”

“This bill will provide tax cuts to help businesses create jobs while providing additional relief to families hit hardest by the recession,” said Senator Reed.  “We have made significant progress in reversing the huge number of jobs losses under the Bush Administration, which was hemorrhaging 750,000 jobs a month.  That is positive, but we have to keep the pedal to the metal, and this bill does that.”

The bill includes several key tax cuts for families and businesses, including:

  • Property Tax Deduction – This bill extends the additional standard deduction for state and local property taxes to save families money on their federal tax returns.  This deduction, created by Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) in 2008, allows taxpayers who do not itemize their tax deductions to receive property tax relief as a standard deduction of $500 for single filers and $1,000 for joint filers.
  • Tax Cut for College Tuition – This bill extends a tax deduction for qualified education expenses including college tuition and fees, so Americans can get the world-class education they deserve without going bankrupt in the process.
  • Research and Development Tax Credit – The bill extends a tax cut for research and development to help American businesses spur innovation and grow.
  • Tax Credit for Equipment Investments – The legislation allows companies to receive tax refunds on a portion of their Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) credits if they invest in capital equipment for use in the United States.
  • Tax Benefits for Capital Investments – The legislation extends a tax cut to allow restaurant owners to depreciate new construction and improvements and retail store owners to depreciate improvements over 15 years rather than 39.5 years, supporting construction jobs, encouraging economic development and saving these businesses money they can use to reinvest in their companies and hire new workers.
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

A message from our President –add your name to his –support clean energy NOW … i did


The BP oil spill in the Gulf Coast is the worst environmental disaster of its kind in our nation’s history. I am returning to the region today to review our efforts and meet with families and business owners affected by the catastrophe.

We are working to hold BP accountable for the damage to the lands and the livelihoods of the Gulf Coast, and we are taking strong precautions to make certain a spill like this never happens again.

But our work will not end with this crisis. That’s one of the reasons why last week I invited lawmakers from both parties to join me at the White House to discuss what it will take to move forward on legislation to promote a new economy powered by green jobs, combat climate change, and end our dependence on foreign oil.

Today, we consume more than 20 percent of the world’s oil, but have less than two percent of the world’s oil reserves. Beyond the risks inherent in drilling four miles beneath the surface of the Earth, our dependence on oil means that we will continue to send billions of dollars of our hard-earned wealth to other countries every month — including many in dangerous and unstable regions.

In other words, our continued dependence on fossil fuels will jeopardize our national security. It will smother our planet. And it will continue to put our economy and our environment at risk. We cannot delay any longer, and that is why I am asking for your help.

Please stand with me today in backing clean energy. Adding your name will help Organizing for America create a powerful, public display of support for making this change happen.

The time has come, once and for all, for this nation to fully embrace a new future. That means continuing our unprecedented effort to make everything — from our homes and businesses to our cars and trucks — more energy-efficient. It means rolling back billions of dollars of tax breaks to oil companies so we can prioritize investments in clean energy research and development.

Many businesses support this agenda because shifting to clean energy creates opportunities for entrepreneurship. This is how we will reinvent our economy — and create new companies and new jobs all across the country.

There will be transition costs and a time of adjustment. But if we refuse to heed the warnings from the disaster in the Gulf — we will have missed our best chance to seize the clean-energy future we know America needs to thrive in the years and decades to come.

The House of Representatives has already passed a comprehensive energy and climate bill, and there is currently a plan in the Senate — a plan that was developed with ideas from Democrats and Republicans — that would achieve the same goal. But this is an issue that Washington has long ignored in favor of protecting the status quo.

So I’m asking for your help today to show that the American people are ready for a clean-energy future.

Please add your name to mine:

http://my.barackobama.com/CleanEnergy

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

UNDER THE RADAR


UNDER THE RADAR

ENERGY — CHEVRON SPILLS MORE THAN 400 BARRELS OF OIL IN UTAH DAYS AFTER GOVERNOR CALLED FOR MORE DOMESTIC PRODUCTION: In its “fight to continue drilling” in the Gulf of Mexico, Chevron told the Wall Street Journal today that “not all oil firms should be tarred with the brush of BP PLC’s Deepwater Horizon disaster.” However, on Saturday, Chevron discovered its own leaking pipeline was spewing 50 gallons of crude oil per minute into Red Butte Creek in Salt Lake City, UT. By the time crews capped the leak, more than 21,000 gallons of oil had spilled out, “coating ducks and geese” and closing the city’s largest park. Chevron “pledged to clean up the 6-mile mess” but “could not quantify the damage.” While emergency workers “believe they stopped” the oil leak on Saturday from hitting the Great Salt Lake, Chevron “could not say when it began, how much oil spilled into city waterways and why — despite pipeline monitors — it apparently took hours to learn of the accident.” By the time Chevron shut down the pipe, oil had reached Liberty Park’s pond, leaving 150 birds, including “goslings and chicks as young as a week old” in need of immediate rescue. Officials are now counting “300 birds” and “an endangered fish” among the threatened animals Utah Gov. Gary Herbert (R) called the spill “a devastating situation.” But this disaster comes just four days after the governor put out his energy plan which calls for domestic “on-shore” oil production “in areas with minimal environmental risk such as Utah.” Last month, both Herbert and Sen. Bob Bennett (R-UT) tried to block the Interior Department’s reforms for onshore oil and gas leasing. Herbert “said that if Interior doesn’t reconsider its drilling reforms, Utah might sue the federal government.”

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Monday minutes &hours in Congress …


The Senate Convenes: 2:00pmET

June 14, 2010

Following any Leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business until 3:00pm with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each, with the time equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees.

Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of the House Message to accompany H.R.4213, Tax Extenders. There will be no roll call votes during Monday’s session of the Senate. However, the bill Manager will be here to continue working through amendments on the Extenders bill.

The following amendments are pending to the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment with an amendment to the ouse Message with respect to HR4213:

– Baucus #4301 (Substitute)
– Frankin #4311 (Homeowner Advocate)
– Vitter #4312 (Oil Spill Fund)
– Sanders #4318 (To close oil and gas tax loopholes)
– Reid #4344 (Homebuyer Tax Credit)
– Thune #4333 (Republican Alternative)

On Monday, Senator Reid filed cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to HR4213 with an amendment (The amendment is the Baucus perfecting substitute amendment #4301).
Unanimous Consent:
Passed Cal. #352, S.1660 is the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act, with a Klobuchar substitute amendment.

Adopted S.Res.547, a resolution supporting National Men’s Health week.

Adopted S.Res.551, a resolution marking the one year anniversary of the June 12, 2009 presidential election in Iran, and condemning ongoing human rights abuses in Iran.

Tuesday/preview- Reid filed Cloture/HR4213=Tax Extenders& roll call votes on amendments/ confirmation of District Court  nominees/after 18months…will republicans continue to block his right to Govern?

——————————————————————————————–

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 12:30pmET June 14, 2010

the Credit Card Accountability/Responsibility&Disclosure Act 2009 passed   357 yeas  0 nays

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JUNE 14, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

7:38 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

7:36 P.M. –

Mr. Poe of TX requested the following general leaves to address the House on June 21: Mr. Jones for 5 min.

Mr. Poe of TX requested the following general leaves to address the House on June 18: himself for 5 min, and Mr. Jones for 5 min.

Mr. Poe of TX requested that Ms. Ros-Lehtinen be allowed to address the House for 5 minutes on June 17.

Mr. Poe of TX requested that Ms. Ros-Lehtinen be allowed to address the House for 5 minutes on June 15.

7:34 P.M. –

The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a notification to the Congress that the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13466, with respect to North Korea, is to continue in effect beyond June 26, 2010. – referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 111-121).

7:28 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

7:27 P.M. –

Ms. Pingree (ME) filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 1436.

H.R. 5502:

to amend the effective date of the gift card provisions of the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009

7:26 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 357 – 0 (Roll no. 357).

7:20 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 1409:

expressing support for designation of June 20, 2010, as “American Eagle Day”, and celebrating the recovery and restoration of the bald eagle, the national symbol of the United States

7:16 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 360 – 0 (Roll no. 356).

7:09 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

7:08 P.M. –

ADJUSTMENT OF WHOLE NUMBER OF HOUSE – Under clause 5(d) of rule 20, the Chair announced to the House that, in light of the administration of the oath to the gentleman from Georgia, the whole number of the House is 433.

7:00 P.M. –

OATH OF OFFICE – Representative-Elect Tom Graves, Ninth District, State of Georgia, presented himself in the well of the House for the purpose of taking the Oath of Office which was administered by the Speaker of the House.

6:59 P.M. –

The House received a message from the Clerk. The Clerk transmitted to the House a scanned copy of a letter received from Mr. Wesley B. Tailor, Director of Elections, Office of the Secretary of State, State of Georgia, indicating that, according to the unofficial returns of the Special Election held June 8, 2010, the Honorable Tom Graves was elected Representative to Congress of the Ninth Congressional District, State of Georgia.

H. Res. 1368:

supporting the goals of National Dairy Month

6:58 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 359 – 0 (Roll no. 355).

6:32 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

6:31 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

6:30 P.M. –

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of June 14.

2:36 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.

H.R. 5502:

to amend the effective date of the gift card provisions of the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009

2:35 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

2:29 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5502.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Hinojosa moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H. Res. 1409:

expressing support for designation of June 20, 2010, as “American Eagle Day”, and celebrating the recovery and restoration of the bald eagle, the national symbol of the United States

2:28 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

2:22 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1409.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Hinojosa moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 1383:

honoring Dr. Larry Case on his retirement as National FFA Advisor

2:19 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

2:15 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1383.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Bright moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 1368:

supporting the goals of National Dairy Month

2:14 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

2:08 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1368.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Bright moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. today.

2:04 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.

2:03 P.M. –

The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Senate on June 11, 2010 at 10:19 a.m. stating that that body had passed H.R. 3360 with an amendment. The message further listed appointments to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom.

2:02 P.M. –

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Bright to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

2:00 P.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of June 14.

12:31 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

12:30 P.M. –

MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 2:00 p.m. for the start of the legislative day.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Ruben Hinojosa to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

~ my 2cents ..., ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

manic Monday …& some News


Today, President Obama will be on the Gulf Coast to see the progress damage and to take BP to task for what are apparently incompetent efforts to stop this gusher from covering most if not all of the Gulf of Mexico. I have to say the talk about going off oil cold turkey is just not that easy and for progressives/libs to say this that and the other is just silly; we all know that anything like solar wind and biofuels in quantities needed to make a difference will take years; we import major parts as it is now just for Wind Turbines …so, even as we try to move toward self-sufficient behavior we need to find products that can be made here in America like Solar parts Wind Turbine Parts not just the panels and or blades or tower for the turbine; we are behind and that needs to be corrected ASAP.  It doesn’t make sense to say ok we go green when we all know that the parts needed are made in other countries…they are ahead of us…we need to find companies here and finally support them but we will obviously need to wean ourselves off oil not stop cold turkey… that is reality.

This is a call to action… anyone listening to the Bill Press show or who is more in tune with the beck knows that Glenn Beck is holding a rally on the same day MLK Jr gave his “I have a dream” speech.  It would be nice if a peaceful counter rally was held on that same day to honor and recognize MLK Jr’s I have a dream speech.  This is just wrong and offensive and it just seems like it is a moment beck has decided to exploit the day, the fact that it is a Black man and the spot as sacred as it is does not deserve to be used by him, Sarah palin or that guy marcus luttrell who seems to be against immigrants in general and to top this totally offensive thing off Jo dee messina will be there; a performing some of us use to respect and I guess totally were not completely informed.  If you go to his site the event is slated as a non-political non-partisan event to restoring honor -we all have the right to freedom of speech and rally it just seems like a sham, an exploitation and a platform for the extreme right disguised as a charity event for our service people -he says to honor our heroes, our heritage and our future… by making a tax deductible donations? Anyone want to find out how much will really go to the charity? how much will sarah palin, jo dee messina, marcus luttrell get out of this not to mention the glennbeck profits and will this rally be civil or will it practice exclusion code talk. Will bill cosby cross the line and go to this rally?

This is going to be a week that was big in all things Media because Congress; specifically the Senate is back and is being asked, hopefully pressured to pass legislation for a lot of things that need to be reformed so the ruined system that we now call the US financial crisis, internet neutrality,  the BP oil disaster, the donut-hole, tax-extenders the threat to repeal things that will help everyone not just the middle class or the poor; but have people in the upper class seen how the things that the house of Bush did but failed to pay for got us into this awful financial situation,  energy/climate change, HR4213 … This is a time where we can all see the crisis for what it is and a time to call our Senators to support HR4213 and any or all legislation that will regulate all things that have exploited de-regulation for all this years; no one in their right mind can honestly say de-regulation is a job killer or a profit killer when it plays profits against the very people we all know is us… We the People.

In other news that I found disturbing but confirms my earlier comments in my blog…  proves for me that the Private Sector is holding back; is not hiring people and this article by Tory from womenforhire.com talks about what people are finding complaining about and needs to be address at the Local,  State, Federal levels… there are new employment questions that seem inappropriate and it’s probably because the Private Sector gets tax credits aside from practicing exclusion …below is her article… it’s sad

Is it OK for Recruiters to Say “Must be Currently Employed to Apply?”
Talk about disturbing job ads. Last week The Huffington Post got a ton of outraged reaction to a piece about how some companies are saying that job applicants “must be currently employed” to be considered. Seemed like an incredible tactic for any company to take, since it wrongly implies that if you’re out of work you’re lazy or worthless. And it’s particularly stunning during one of the biggest economic downturns in history when millions of people have lost their jobs through no fault of their own and would love to work anywhere.
I did my own checking and sure enough, found dozens of postings for a wide variety of job sites—from medical sales jobs to business development to restaurant workers—which have that requirement spelled out in their postings. Predictably, when confronted, many of the companies backtracked, saying that the requirement was a mistake. Which makes me think it’s probably happening a lot. Could the unwritten rule at some companies be to ignore applicants who don’t have jobs?

What do you think? Does this bother you or are companies justified? Click to tell us your opinion.  http://blog.womenforhire.com/2010/06/is-it-ok-for-recruiters-to-say-1.html

Other News and what’s on C-SPAN …this week

DAILY GRILL

Flip Flop… John Boehner -source TP

“I’ve said from the beginning, BP needs to pay for the entire cost of this [Gulf oil spill].”
— House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH), 6/13/10

VERSUS

“I think the people responsible in the oil spill — BP and the federal government — should take full responsibility for what’s happening there.”
— Boehner, 6/10/10


**The White House is expected to issue new rules today “that strongly discourage employers from cutting health insurance benefits or increasing the costs of coverage to employees.” “The rules limit the changes that employers can make if they want to be exempt from certain provisions of the health care law passed by Congress in March.” TP

**The Treasury Department reported on Friday that for the first time, the amount of TARP funds “repaid by banks and other recipients has surpassed the outstanding balance.” Treasury officials said repayments had reached $194 billion, topping the $190 billion still outstanding. The program has “continued to exceed expectations, substantially reducing the projected cost of this program to taxpayers,” a Treasury official said.TP


**Tuesday at 9:30am (ET) on C-SPAN3
House Energy and Commerce Subcmte. Hearing with Executives From ExxonMobil, Chevron Corp., ConocoPhillips, BP America Inc. and Shell Oil Co.

watch Pres. Obama’s Weekly Address watch Republican Weekly Address

**Thursday at 10am (ET) on C-SPAN3
House Energy and Commerce Subcmte. with Tony Hayward, CEO, BP PLC

C-SPAN …

Financial regulation Conferees to begin debate tomorrow

Tomorrow, the 43-member House-Senate Conference Committee on financial regulation plans to start debate on the Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010, which contains 12 major sections and spans almost 2000 pages.  Last week during opening statements, Chairman Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) announced that the committee will consider and possibly vote on amendments to change four titles in the bill: the Derivatives Markets Transparency and Accountability Act, the Consumer Financial Protection Agency Act, the Capital Markets, and the Non-admitted and Reinsurance Reform Act.   The committee hopes to have a bill approved by both chambers of Congress and signed into law by President Obama by July 4th.

Senate Continues Consideration of Tax Extenders

The Senate is expected to continue consideration of tax extenders legislation (HR 4213), a $140 billion package of tax extensions and social safety-net benefits. The Senate will likely spend the majority of this week on the legislation, but it is unclear whether Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has the 60 votes necessary to cut off debate on the bill. He needs at least one Republican to support a cloture vote and the underlying bill.

President Obama visits the Gulf Coast

Pres. Obama will make his fourth trip to the Gulf Coast today to assess the ongoing efforts to counter the BP oil spill. During the course of the trip, the President plans to visit Gulfport, Mississippi, Theodore, Alabama, and Pensacola, Florida, to survey the response efforts, visit with gulf residents impacted by the spill, and meet with area officials. Read More »

Upon his return to Washington tomorrow night, Pres. Obama will address the nation on the next steps in responding to the oil spill. On Wednesday, the President will meet with BP Chairman of the Board Carl-Henric Svanberg at the White House.   Also, the Coast Guard has sent a letter to BP executives stating that they need to come up with a better plan to collect more of the oil spilling into the Gulf and that they need to present this plan to the government soon.