Roll Call: Budget Fight Looms, Dems Must Decide On Reconciliation
Roll Call reports that Democrats will have to decide whether to use budget reconciliation again for big policy initiatives. On the one hand, it may be the only way to claim another major legislative victory in the face of Republican opposition. But on the other hand, the health care bill involved weeks of careful preparation and vetting of provisions with House Democrats and the Senate Parliamentarian, in order to write an acceptable bill that would not violate reconciliation rules.
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama will receive the presidential daily briefing at 9:30 a.m. ET, and the economic daily briefing at 10 a.m. ET. The First Family will attend the Easter Egg Roll at 10:45 a.m. ET, with the President and First Lady delivering remarks. Obama will throw out the first pitch on opening day at Nationals Park, at 12:55 p.m. ET. Obama will meet with senior advisers at 5:15 p.m. ET.
Biden’s Day Ahead
Vice President Biden will travel to Miami, Florida. At 2 p.m. ET, Biden will meet with leaders of the Haitian-American community at the Little Haiti Cultural Center in Little Haiti, Miami, to discuss progress in the recovery and reconstruction efforts in Haiti. Afterwards, Biden will return to Washington.
Pelosi Presses Caucus To Pay Dues
CQ reports that Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and the Democrats leadership are pressuring rank and file members to pay their party fundraising dues, after the House GOP outdid the Democrats in this category for January and February. “That spooked some folks,” one senior Democratic aide said. “And she’s using it to motivate people. We can’t take our foot off the gas and allow them to catch up.”
GOP Mulls Options For Financial Reform Debate
Roll Call reports that Senate Republicans are still reviewing their options on financial reform: “Given the favorable political climate for Republicans at this point in the election cycle and voter unease with Washington, some GOP operatives argue that a fight over financial regulatory reform could benefit the minority. But many Republicans remain wary of appearing to back Wall Street at time when unemployment remains high. Indeed, Republicans are likely to frame their goals for financial reform in terms of job creation and protecting the taxpayer, regardless of the legislative outcome.”
Obama Focuses On Three Candidates To Succeed Justice Stevens
Bloomberg reports that the Obama administration is focusing on three individuals for a potential Supreme Court vacancy, with the possible retirement of Justice John Paul Stevens within the next several weeks. The three possible candidates are Solicitor General Elana Kagan, and federal appeals judges Diane Wood and Merrick Garland.
Specter Viewed As Model Democrat A Year After Switch
The Hill reports that Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) has become a model Democratic Senator in the nearly a year since he switched from the Republican Party. “My colleagues on the Democratic side have been very receptive,” Specter said in an interview with the paper, also adding: “They were glad to see me buck the Republican obstructionism and provide key support on the stimulus and the 60th vote on healthcare reform.”
