Today: The Illinois Primary
Today is the Illinois primary, with key party primaries on both sides for President Obama’s former Senate seat, as well as for the governorship. The polls will close at 8 p.m. ET.
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama will receive the presidential daily briefing at 9:30 a.m. ET, will receive the economic daily briefing at 10 a.m. ET, and will meet at 10:30 a.m. ET with senior advisers. He will depart the White House at 11:10 a.m. ET, arriving at 12:45 p.m. ET at the airport in Manchester, New Hampshire. He will tour a local business at 1:20 p.m. ET, and hold a town hall meeting at 2:15 p.m. ET. He will depart from Manchester at 4:10 p.m. ET, arriving back at the White House at 5:40 p.m. ET.
Biden’s Day Ahead
Vice President will deliver remarks at 10 a.m. ET, at the funeral of former Sen. Charles “Mac” Mathias (R-MD), at the National Cathedral. He will meet in the afternoon with senior advisers. He will meet at 4 p.m. ET with Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI), at the White House.
Officials To Review Ban On Gays In The Military
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates is set to announce today the commissioning of a year-long study, co-chaired up by civilian and senior military officer, on whether to allow gays to serve in the military. Gates will make the announcement today at a meeting of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Democrats Advance Labor Nominee, Using Waning Supermajority
The Senate voted 60-32 yesterday to advance the nomination of Patricia Smith to become solicitor for the Labor Department. Democrats overcame a Republican filibuster by using their 60-vote supermajority — which is soon to expire, when Sen.-elect Scott Brown (R-MA) is sworn in on February 11.
Durbin, Schumer Prepare For Fight With Donations To Colleagues
The Hill reports that Senate Democratic Conference Vice Chairman Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) have apparently been preparing for a possible leadership fight, if Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) loses re-election, by contributing plenty of money to Senate candidates and incumbents from their own coffers. Schumer has donated $210,000 to, while Durbin has given $110,000, including donations to safe Senators such as Patrick Leahy (D-VT).
Ex-Members To Face Buyer’s Market On K Street
Roll Call reports that Washington law firms and lobbying shops are already preparing to receive résumés from members of former members of Congress after this November. “It’s a deep pool of talent, considering those who have already announced and those who are vulnerable and may not be in office a year from now,” said a K Street source. “There are some pretty good names on both sides of the aisle who are trying to move up from the House to the Senate and may not succeed. Or Senators who are vulnerable — in this election cycle, who knows what’s going on.”
