Manchin To Name Byrd Senate Seat Appointee
Gov. Joe Manchin (D-WV) plans to announce today the appointment of an interim Senator to replace the late Democratic Sen. Robert Byrd. Manchin’s potential choices reportedly include former state Democratic Party chairman Nick Casey, former Gov. Gaston Caperton and former general counsel Carte Goodwin. The new Senator is expected to serve only until a special election this November, in which Manchin is likely to run.
Obama’s Day Ahead
The First Family will depart the White House at 9:45 a.m. ET, and depart at 10 a.m. ET from Andrews Air Force Base en route to Bar Harbor, Maine, arriving in Bar Harbor at 11:45 a.m. ET.
Biden’s Day Ahead
Vice President Biden will meet in the morning with senior advisers at the White House. In the afternoon, he will travel to Nashville, Tennessee, where he will visit the Grand Ole Opry to survey flood recovery and restoration efforts. At 7 p.m. ET, he will deliver keynote remarks at the Tennessee Democratic Party’s annual Jackson Day dinner in Nashville. Afterwards, he will travel to Wilmington, Delaware.
Senate Close To Restoring Unemployment Benefits — After Byrd Successor Sworn In
The Associated Press reports: “More than 2 million workers who have been laid off for long stretches could get their unemployment benefits restored as early as next week. The Senate plans to take up a measure Tuesday to restore the extended benefits, right after a new Democratic senator from West Virginia is sworn in, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Thursday. With the death of Sen. Robert Byrd, Senate Democrats had been a vote short of the 60 needed to overcome a GOP filibuster.”
Gates Agrees To Work On War Message In Meeting With GOP Senators
The Hill reports: “President Obama has a problem with mixed messages about when American troops will leave Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Robert Gates told Senate Republicans. At a meeting on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, Republicans complained about inconsistency among political, policy and military leaders in the administration, telling Gates this cast doubt on U.S. military resolve. Gates agreed and pledged to do what he could to fix the problem.”
Clinton To Seek Signs Of Progress In Afghanistan
Reuters reports: “Secretary of State Hillary Clinton heads to Afghanistan next week for a crucial conference that U.S. officials hope will clarify the long-term goals of an expensive, unpopular and increasingly uncertain war. Clinton will join dozens of other foreign ministers in Kabul on July 19-20 when Afghan President Hamid Karzai will detail plans to boost governance, security and economic opportunity in the face of relentless attacks by Taliban insurgents.”
Senate Democrats Propose $14 Billion Budget Cut
The Associated Press reports: “President Barack Obama’s allies in the Senate stepped forward with a plan Thursday to cut $14 billion from his budget for the upcoming fiscal year. That’s double the $7 billion cut sought by House Democrats. But Republicans on the Appropriations Committee said the cuts didn’t go far enough and opposed the idea – along with three appropriations bills for the budget year that begins in October. The panel approved the Democratic proposal on a party-line vote.”
