Democratic Governors Voice Grave Concerns on Immigration
The New York Times reports: “In a private meeting with White House officials this weekend, Democratic governors voiced deep anxiety about the Obama administration’s suit against Arizona’s new immigration law, worrying that it could cost a vulnerable Democratic Party in the fall elections. While the weak economy dominated the official agenda at the summer meeting here of the National Governors Association, concern over immigration policy pervaded the closed-door session between Democratic governors and White House officials and simmered throughout the three-day event.”
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama and Vice President Biden will receive the presidential daily briefing at 11 a.m. ET, and the economic daily briefing at 11:30 a.m. ET, and Obama will meet at 12 p.m. ET with senior advisers. Obama will hold a bilateral meeting at 2:10 p.m. ET with President Fernandez of the Dominican Republic, and the two will hold a joint press availability at 2:40 p.m. ET.
Biden’s Day Ahead
Vice President Biden will attend President Obama’s morning briefings at 11 a.m. ET and 11:30 a.m. ET. He will host a lunch at 12 p.m. ET, with President of the Council on Foreign Relations Dr. Richard Haass. He will meet at 1:30 p.m. ET with former Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE). He will meet at 4 p.m. ET with Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa.
GOP Takeover Could Make Committee Staff Member Democrats’ ‘Worst Nightmare’
The Washington Post reports: “If there’s one congressional aide White House officials might wind up fearing most, it’s Larry Brady. He’s all but unknown, but Brady is the secret weapon for Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.). As minority staff director of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Brady stands ready to wield almighty subpoena power if Republicans seize control of the chamber in November and make Issa chairman of the panel.”
Debt Commission Leaders Paint Gloomy Picture
The Associated Press reports: “The heads of President Barack Obama’s national debt commission painted a gloomy picture Sunday as the United States struggles to get its spending under control. Republican Alan Simpson and Democrat Erskine Bowles told a meeting of the National Governors Association that everything needs to be considered – including curtailing popular tax breaks, such as the home mortgage deduction, and instituting a financial trigger mechanism for gaining Medicare coverage.”
Democrats Avoiding Spending Fights
Roll Call reports: “House Democrats, staring down challenging midterm elections and a GOP opposition eager for opportunities to decry wasteful Washington spending, have yet to lay out a plan for moving the annual spending bills through the chamber. Although it’s likely that at least one spending bill will come to the floor during the three-week work period that begins Tuesday, Democrats have multiple incentives to avoid appropriations fights before November.”
Dems Plan Attack Over GOP Meeting With Business Leaders
The Hill reports: “Congressional Democrats believe the House GOP plan to meet with business and trade lobbyists in the Capitol this week has provided them with yet another opening to attack Republicans for cozying up to big business…After reports of the business and trade group meeting surfaced, Democrats predictably went on the attack — in a release, the DNC chided Republicans for holding a ‘Lobbyists Speaking Out’ forum.”
