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Thursday news …

03/25/2010 Nativegrl77

Today, President Obama will be in Iowa to talk about Health care Reform and what it means to Americans. This is a week that we can all be so proud of even if Republicans have decided to not only act with malice but are adding to the drama of getting through the Peoples business. It’s obvious that after Senator McCain announced that Republicans would no longer work with Democrats… like a little kid; they decided to invoke a little used rule that allows them to shut-down the Senate Chamber completely; which shuts down any and all business of the People. The Senate usually convenes at noon; this rule if not agreed to by unanimous consent stops all Senate business at 2pm.

Late into the evening, Republicans managed to find 2 minor language violations that would send the health bill back to the House. In what can be considered a long day and night of deflecting attempts to kill the bill, language and provisions regarding 16 lines about Pell Grants to low income students were deemed a glitch by Democrats. And while Democrats first thought they could just delete the measure; GOP found and were obviously looking for something to kill this bill, managed to find a couple of elements that violate the “Congress budget rules,” The two provisions are expected to be formally removed from the bill on Thursday. Manley said “he expected the Senate to approve the measure without them and send it to the House. He said Senate leaders, after conversations with top House Democrats, expect the House to approve the revised measure.” After a long night of listening to one silly amendment after another and two minor issues; the Senate scheduled passage of the health bill for Thursday afternoon and they plan to finish this fix-it part before the Easter recess; they only need 215 to pass it this time; reports of a 2pmET Senate final vote and The US House will vote Thursday evening. stay tuned.

In other News …

The Senate will pass the measure around 6pmET; they need only 215 votes as a Republican has retired… updates will be coming if needed

Senator Rangel will be the last to speak at the final vote

DADT …huffington post reports The new guidelines, which go into effect immediately, are considered a stopgap measure until Congress decides whether to go along with President Barak Obama’s call for a repeal of the law.

Senator Wyden states that the HCR lawsuits on mandates are moot as the States can opt out

A 6.1 Earthquake rocked the Philipines/Capitol today no word on injuries yet

Officials have asked women to stop using baby slings at this time as there have been incidents

Toyota will face federal hearing and maybe a class action lawsuit

Obama seeks 2.8billion for Haiti

Senate Passes bill to send billions to local governments for local construction and infrastructure projects and welfare programs.

Senate passes bill to set nutritional standards for food in schools

reports that a lone Republican reached out to Dems regarding Bank Reform has been abandoned by R.Party leaders.

Russia and the US agree to began reducing the number of Nukes from 2200 to 1500, though 67votes are needed to pass this.

and what’s on CSPAN.or live-stream …

Health bill returns to House, GOP cite two minor provisions. Last night, Senate Republicans found two minor provisions related to Pell grants that violate Senate procedure. The provisions must be removed from bill, and then returned to the House for passage. The Senate is expected to hold a final vote today on the bill.Senate Passes Reconciliation bill House to vote later. The Senate has passed the Reconciliation bill by a vote of 56 to 43. The legislation now goes back to the House for a final vote because two provisions in the bill were taken out of the legislation by the Senate. The House is expected to vote on the bill this evening.

Senate Floor: NOW on C-SPAN2

Dem reaction: From Earlier

C-SPAN’s Health Care Hub

AP: Senate to Return Health Bill to House

Committee grades Tarp’s mortgage modification program. TARP Inspector Gen. Neil Barofsky testified before a House Oversight & Govt. Reform Cmte. about his latest report on the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP). The report audits the Treasury Department’s foreclosure prevention efforts and lawmakers are questioning the strength of the program.

House Hearing: From Earlier

Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP)

HousingWire: Barofsky Harps on HAMP

Fed’s Emergency Programs Focus of HearingThe House Financial Services Committee will hold a hearing titled “Unwinding Emergency Federal Reserve Liquidity Programs and Implications for Economic Recovery.” Fed. Chair Ben Bernanke will testify to the Committee on unwinding the Fed’s emergency programs. Testimony by economic academics and experts will follow the Chairman’s appearance.

Hearing on Fed Liquidity REUTERS: Fed exit fraught with dangers Hearing Witnesses List
Chair. Bernanke’s Prepared Testimony

Senate Cmte. Examines Fiscal Year 2010 War SupplementalDoD Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified before the Senate Appropriations Cmte. on additional funds needed for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The war supplemental is an estimated $33 billion for fiscal year 2010 to support various missions, including the deployment of 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan last year.

Senate Appropriations Cmte.: From Earlier

Cmte on Appropriations

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

Tuesday news …&CSPAN.org live-stream

03/23/2010 Nativegrl77

Today, we will all be a part of history. It will be history that we all can honestly be proud of… if you believe in moving into the 21st Century, believe in health care for all, if you believe it’s a right not a privilege that the overhaul is long overdue, will help most if not all of us and is not as people are portraying this, it’s a bill for the poor. I don’t believe that parents with kids in college would say they are poor and now days most families have 2 or more in college at the same time. The first year of kids being away from home can be full of illnesses; why? because they don’t sleep eat or drink enough water. It can be four years of illness or not. I say that because i remember what it was like myself. We all know college is not cheap so those who say HCR is only for the poor are just wrong. This Bill will benefit everyone … and more… get informed

As a woman, you don’t have to be poor to benefit … can i just say that again, women will NOT be discriminated against anymore. I repeat this because when i had my child, being pregnant was considered a “condition,” so, any woman who has experienced this in the past should feel a little envy but proud that women from now on will no longer have issues; bart stupak and the pro-lifers don’t understand that every part of a woman’s health is subject to being penalized and that includes abortion, which, is not a choice but a situation that is always possible and is apart of healthcare. It’s bad enough that among other rediculous laws that need to be voted on The Hyde law must be voted on every year; here’s hoping people who truly want smaller government will also stop trying to control women

. Please be near a tv, computer … cspan.org live-stream to see President Obama sign this historic Bill at 11:15AM ET today. Today, is a day to celebrate but we need to move swiftly forward to deal with education, energy, more jobs, immigration and more.

Other News …

Of all the gushy things that fans of Julianna Smoot have to say about the Obamas’ new social secretary,who started work on Monday, the most telling may be that she could make even “the ask” seem fun.

The President will travel to Iowa on Thursday to give speech on healthcare reform

ACORN disbands due to lack of funds

Ben Afflack launches Aid Group for Eastern Congo

UN states more people die from unsafe water supplies than from all forms of violence

Judge orders Gitmo detainee mentioned in the 9/11 commission report released

Senate Dems pass a bill that will speed up the modernization to advance improvements to Air Traffic Control Systems

Dems will advance financial reform through a re-write without Republicans

AG Mckenna will join the lawsuit of others stating HCR is unconstitutional, stating he does not need our gov okay …

and What’s on CSPAN.org …

Pres. Obama Bill Signing

House Finance: From Earlier

The Hill: Reid’s Goal to Wrap Up By Sat.

C-SPAN’s HEALTH CARE HUB

WP: White House to Open Debate on Reform

Pres. Obama Remarks on Health Care

Reuters: House backs revamp to student loans

President signs health bill, Senate debates Reconciliation

This morning, Pres. Obama will sign the health care bill and speak about the legislation. Later today, the Senate will begin debate on the reconciliation bill. Included in the final revisions on health care is an overhaul of federal student loan programs.

House Cmte examines the Future of Housing Finance

The House Financial Services Cmte. holds a hearing focusing on entities that support the mortgage market, which include the Federal Housing Administration, Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Federal Home Loan Banks and other private lenders. Chairman Barney Frank (D-MA) welcomes Treasury Sec. Timothy Geithner, as well community advocates, academia and industry representatives to present their ideas.

Student Q&A With Education Secretary Arne Duncan

This morning, Education Sec. Arne Duncan participates in a discussion on U.S. education policy with students from the CloseUp Foundation. During this special segment of the Washington Journal, Sec. Duncan will also answer questions on the Obama Administration’s priorities for K-12 & higher education and the future of the No Child Left Behind Act.

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Weekend in the US House …

03/21/2010 Nativegrl77

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MARCH 21, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

Eastern Standard Time .. final vote is set for 10pmET

10:32 P.M. –: On motion to agree to the Senate amendments Roll Call 165 – Recorded vote pending.
10:31 P.M. –: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. Mr. Spratt moved that the House agree to the Senate amendments.


8:08 P.M. –: WORDS TAKEN DOWN – During the course of debate, exception was taken to certain words used and a demand was made to have words taken down. Mr. Pascrell asked unanimous consent to withdraw the words. Without objection the words were withdrawn. The House resumed debate on H.R. 3590 and H.R. 4872.

6:43 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1203, the House is proceeding with 2 hours of debate allotted for the consideration of the Senate amendments to H.R. 3590 and H.R. 4872. With respect to the Senate amendments to H.R. 3590, the rule makes in order a motion offered by the Majority Leader or a designee that the House concur in the Senate amendments. If the motion to concur in the Senate amendments is adopted, the rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4872 under a closed rule. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of H.R. 4872 except those arising under clause 10 of rule XXI. It provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in part A of the Rules Committee report, modified by the amendment printed in part B of the report, shall be considered as read. The rule provides one motion to recommit H.R. 4872 with or without instructions.

H. Res. 925:: expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the meritorious service performed by aviators in the United States Armed Forces who were shot down over, or otherwise forced to land in, hostile territory yet evaded enemy capture or were captured but subsequently escaped

6:41 P.M. –

The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 426 – 0 (Roll no. 164).

6:30 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 1203:: providing for consideration of the Senate amendments to the bill ( H.R. 3590) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the first-time homebuyers credit in the case of members of the Armed Forces and certain other Federal employees, and for other purposes, and providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 4872) to provide for reconciliation pursuant to section 202 of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2010

6:29 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 224 – 206 (Roll no. 163).

6:13 P.M. –

On ordering the previous question Agreed to by recorded vote: 228 – 202 (Roll no. 162).

6:03 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 900:: supporting the goals and ideals of a Cold War Veterans Recognition Day to honor the sacrifices and contributions made by members of the Armed Forces during the Cold War and encouraging the people of the United States to participate in local and national activities honoring the sacrifices and contributions of those individuals

The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 429 – 0 (Roll no. 161).

5:39 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

5:38 P.M. –: UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of motions to suspend the rules and on ordering the previous question and on adoption of H. Res. 1203, all of which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

H. Res. 1203:

providing for consideration of the Senate amendments to the bill ( H.R. 3590) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the first-time homebuyers credit in the case of members of the Armed Forces and certain other Federal employees, and for other purposes, and providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 4872) to provide for reconciliation pursuant to section 202 of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2010

4:07 P.M. –: DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1203 Considered as privileged matter.
4:05 P.M. –: Motion to reconsider laid on the table. Agreed to without objection.

H. Res. 1203:

providing for consideration of the Senate amendments to the bill ( H.R. 3590) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the first-time homebuyers credit in the case of members of the Armed Forces and certain other Federal employees, and for other purposes, and providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 4872) to provide for reconciliation pursuant to section 202 of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2010

Will the House now consider the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 230 – 200 (Roll no. 160).
3:04 P.M. –: POINT OF ORDER – Mr. Issa raised a point of order against the provisions of H.Res. 1203 on the grounds that it violates clause 9(b) of rule 21. The Chair announced that the disposition of the point of order would be resolved by the question of consideration of H.Res. 1203. The House proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the point of order at the end of which the Chair will put the question on consideration.
3:03 P.M. –: Motion to reconsider laid on the table. Agreed to without objection.

H. Res. 1203:

providing for consideration of the Senate amendments to the bill ( H.R. 3590) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the first-time homebuyers credit in the case of members of the Armed Forces and certain other Federal employees, and for other purposes, and providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 4872) to provide for reconciliation pursuant to section 202 of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2010

Will the House now consider the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 228 – 195 (Roll no. 159).

2:16 P.M. –

POINT OF ORDER – Mr. Ryan (WI) raised a point of order against the provisions of H.Res. 1203 on the grounds that it violated the Congressional Budget Act. The Chair announced that the disposition of the point of order would be resolved by the question of consideration of H.Res. 1203. The House proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the point of order at the end of which the Chair will put the question on consideration.

2:11 P.M. –

By direction of the Committee on Rules, Ms. Slaughter called up H.Res. 1203 and asked for its immediate consideration.

H. Res. 1075:: commending the members of the Agri-business Development Teams of the National Guard for their efforts, together with personnel of the Department of Agriculture and the United States Agency for International Development, to modernize agriculture practices and increase food production in war-torn countries

2:09 P.M. –

The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection. On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 418 – 3 (Roll no. 158). Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

2:03 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on a motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.Res. 1075, which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

2:02 P.M. –

On approving the Journal Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 229 – 189 (Roll no. 157).

1:56 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal.

H. Res. 1174:: supporting the goals and ideals of National Women’s History Month

1:55 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): 420 – 0 (Roll no. 156).

1:48 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 4840:: to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1979 Cleveland Avenue in Columbus, Ohio, as the “Clarence D. Lumpkin Post Office”

1:47 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): 420 – 0 (Roll no. 155).

1:22 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on a motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 4840 and on a motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.Res. 1174. which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

1:06 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches, which by direction of the Chair would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle.

1:05 P.M. –

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

1:04 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – The Chair announced that she had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Blumenauer demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Chair announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Blumenauer demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair announced that further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal would be postponed until later in the legislative day.

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TGIF news … &CSPAN.org live-stream – Huskies and PAC10… now 12

03/19/2010 Nativegrl77

It’s Friday and the news is good, if you are a Washington State Husky and in the PAC-10… talk about a nail biting game.. the play started out close, then got a little out of hand but ended up close 80-78 with Washington beating out 6th seeded Marquette. It was a game to write home about not giving up and having faith and given the many upsets, it was great to know our kids are going to the next round. The news about Democrats acting like a Political Party is also becoming exciting… gotta say We the People need to help all Democrats get back into office if voting yes ends up being their Waterloo. In just one example of strange behavior, last night Republican Senator Coburn held a press conference throwing a threat to hold seats to those who might lose seats looking for a Federal job. If you listen to the Media and or people on the right, the stakes seem to be high given the HCR process has taken so long, possibly costing some Democratic seats, which, has been a part of the Republican talking points. Senator Steny Hoyer completely debunked any truth in the efforts of Republicans to skew the CBO score as well as anyone Democratic Senator losing their seat because they are standing up for Americans not the select few who happen to be the upper 2%

Other News …

**The Rhode Island teacher involved in the effigy of President Obama was fired previously and this was the teachers response to being fired

**Dial Rep. McDermott’s office at (202) 225-3106 right away. Folks across the country will be calling, so if you get a busy signal, please try again. Let those in Congress know we will support them because they not only are standing up for Americans but with President Obama
http://my.barackobama.com/FinalMarchCalls

**British Airways crew will go out on strike if labor talks fail

**HEMET, Calif. — Police in this picturesque city in rural Riverside County have been on edge in recent weeks. Someone is trying to kill them. complete article at AP

**Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND) has agreed with House Democratic leaders to eliminate a provision in the reconciliation bill that would’ve given his home state bank, the Bank of North Dakota, an exemption from new federal student loan rules. The provision would’ve allowed the bank to continue lending to students even though the legislation was designed to eliminate lending middlemen.TP

**Speaker Pelosi stated with truth that the other side will stop at absolutely nothing

*”Republican lawyers” are already gearing up for a legal challenge against health care reform,” conducting research and drafting arguments for lawsuits that could be filed within days or weeks, particularly if House leaders decide to go forward with a ‘deem & pass’ rule.”TP

**The Media myth of Obama’s falling poll numbers … complete article is at Media Matters…The release of an Associated Press poll last week that showed President Obama enjoying a healthy job approval rating of 53 percent didn’t generate much news beyond the wire service and produced even less commentary among the media’s chattering class. Then again, neither did another piece of polling news from January, which showed Obama basking in the glow of a 56 percent job approval rating. The cold shoulder was expected, though. Why? It’s simple: the results didn’t fit the script. Feeding off right-wing talking points, political journalists love to push the idea that Obama’s polling numbers are in the tank and that he’s fading fast. It’s all part of the preferred, CW narrative that his entire presidency is slipping away. (It must now be “save[d],” according to Newsweek.)

WHAT’s on CSPAN.org live-stream

President rallies for health care legislation

President Obama holds a health care rally at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Press Sec. Robert Gibbs said yesterday the President postponed his trip to Indonesia and Australia in order to be present for a possible Sunday vote on health care in the House of Representatives.

Live on C-SPAN3 at 11:30am ET Press Sec. Gibbs Announces Pres. Trip Delayed

NYT: Obama to Attend Yet Another Health Rally

Health Care: House vote probably on Sunday

Yesterday, the CBO released its cost estimate for the House health care bill. They estimated a 10 year cost of $940 billion and deficit reduction of $138 billion. With the release of the substitute bill, House Rules will meet to discuss rules for the floor debate, which will likely be followed by a Sunday vote in the House.

CBO cost estimate

Text of Health care legislation

Dem Leaders: From Thurs.

GOP Briefing: From Thurs.

Think Tank Discusses Public Policy & Bipartisanship

The Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress (CSPC), a nonpartisan, nonprofit policy & education organization, holds a discussion examining the partisan divide in Washington politics. Panelists will look at ways to strengthen America’s strategic position in the areas of national security, education, energy and infrastructure.

CSPC Discussion: NOW on C-SPAN3

CSPC

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Thursday March-madness countdown to the Big Dance …&news -Cspan.org

03/18/2010 Nativegrl77

March Madness is now in full effect and will play itself out to it’s final push toward the big dance in April. Apparently, a lot of upsets on the first day of NCAA play… UW is playing today, Go Huskies. This week has been crazy and the talk from some has driven many mad as the final push toward one of our most historic life changing efforts to reform health care and insurance company practices. The great debate or debates about who will vote no and why; can or do Democrats want to support the President’s agenda or save themselves has gotten way too much media play for my taste, it has changed my thoughts on how honest certain reporters and the cable stations they work for are and just what side of the aisle they represent on any given day or hour in the day; because they shouldn’t be representing a side. Recently, the President subjected himself to a foxnews interview and was unable to respond to much of what was asked by a reporter who clearly was hostile toward the President. The behavior by the host should be quite an embarrassment to foxnews management; actually, for anyone who works for the Media and calls themselves a reporter and or journalist who intentionally acts with such bad manners. It’s tough waiting for this CBO score and is it just me or has this been a score that seems to be taking much more time than all the others? are they helping the media hype and anticipation or struggling to get it right because they have a history of having to correct the numbers. Reports of the President leaving DC before the historic health care reform vote or right after the vote is slightly surprising. Unfortunately, the need for the President to be here until the HCR bitter end is necessary; though it does slow down the opportunity for getting other work done in Australia, though this vote is not the last meaningful or historic one, it should be followed through to the end by the President

Other News …

**Should we Eliminate Saturday Mail Delivery?

**The CBO is a neutral body … both Political Parties use the CBO to get the numbers before votes are taken on financial measures

**Democrats that were against the HCR bill will be holding press conference through out the day, letting the public know what they have decided to do … support the bill or not

**The CBO score has come out and the news is good …CBO cost estimate of the HCR Bill is $940Billion over 10years and trims the deficit by 130Billion in the first 10years and 1.2Trillion in the second 10years … and look forward to Sunday being the day the final vote

what’s on Cspan.org live-stream today

President Obama signed the HIRE Act, a bill aimed at spurring job growth by encouraging businesses to hire new workers and invest in their companies and communities. He was flanked in the Rose Garden by members of Congress, his Cabinet and economic team, as well as small business owners.

Pres. Obama HIRE Act Bill Signing

White House Briefing with Press Secretary Robert Gibbs

Press Secretary Robert Gibbs announced that President Obama has delayed his trip to Indonesia and Australia in order to be around for final votes on health care legislation in the House and Senate. The President had been scheduled to leave on Sunday, the same day the House is expected to take up the measure.

White House Press Briefing

Dems Wait on CBO estimate for health care bill, possible weekend vote

While House leadership waits for the CBO to release its cost estimate for the revised health legislation, they indicated that a draft of the bill will be available for review 72 hours prior to any floor vote. Lawmakers are anticipating possible weekend votes. Yesterday, Rep. Kucinich (D-OH) stated that he would vote for the health care bill. The CBO has released a cost estimate for health care legislation indicating that the bill is expected to cost $940 billion and reduce the deficit by $138 billion over 10 years. Also, the White House announced that Pres. Obama will reschedule his foreign travel until June.

CBO cost estimate

Text of Health care legislation

Dem Leaders: From Earlier

GOP Brief: From Earlier

C-SPAN Health Care Hub

GOP Meeting: Begins Shortly on c-span.org

Rep. Kucinich on H.C. Vote: (3/17)

C-SPAN Health Care Hub

The Hill: Dems try to build on momentum

Secret Service Focus of House Hearing

U.S. Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan will testify about the President’s FY 2011 budget request for the Secret Service. House Appropriations Cmte. members are expected to question Dir. Sullivan on the White House State Dinner security breaches. Rep. David Price (D-NC) chairs the Appropriations Subcmte. on Homeland Security.

House Approps.: From Earlier

Politico: Secret Service defends funding

Obama Social Secretary Ran Into Sharp Elbows

Postmaster Suggests no Saturday delivery, new rates

Postmaster Gen. John Potter recently said that the postal service needs to eliminate Saturday mail delivery and close some post office branches in order to remain financially viable. Today, he appears before the Senate Appropriations Cmte. to make additional cost savings measures and discuss his FY2011 budget.

USPS Hearing: From Earlier

USPS Conference (3/2)