Axelrod: Obama To Lay Out Health Care Specifics
The Washington Post reports that President Obama will use next week’s speech to Congress on health care to deliver a detailed policy on health care. “I don’t think that there will be any ambiguity about where he thinks we have to go from here,” said White House senior adviser David Axelrod.
Biden’s Day Ahead
Vice President is spending the day in Washington, receiving the Presidential Daily Briefing and meeting with senior staff. At 12 p.m. Et, he will deliver remarks via satellite to an event in Fremont, California, hosted by Sec. of Energy Steven Chu, where the two of them will make a major funding announcement regarding the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Health Care Lobbyists Target Returning Congress
The Associate Press reports that interest groups will be stepping up their already-intense efforts as Congress returns from recess. “The next few weeks are critical,” said David Certner, legislative policy director for the AARP, which has been running an ad campaign warning against scare tactics by opponents of health insurance reform.
Gates: Afghanistan Fatigue “Not Surprising”
Sec. of Defense Robert Gates said that he disagrees with people who say it’s time to leave Afghanistan — but he understands why this feeling is out there. “I don’t believe that the war is slipping through the administration’s fingers,” said Gates. “The nation has been at war for eight years. The fact that Americans would be tired of having their sons and daughters at risk and in battle is not surprising.”
Kennedy’s Death, Committee Shifts Could Impact Wall Street Reform
The Associated Press reports that Ted Kennedy’s death could have an indirect, but very material, impact on Wall Street reform. If Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) were to take the chairmanship of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, then the next in line for Dodd’s current chairmanship of the Banking Committee will be Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD), whose home state is a major hub for credit card companies.
Massachusetts GOP Sees Opportunity In Special Election
CQ reports that Massachusetts Republicans think they could have a real shot in the special election for Ted Kennedy’s Senate seat. The key will be to identify the 36% of the 2008 electorate that voted for John McCain, and to mobilize those supporters to the polls in what could be a low-turnout special election.
Kerry, Issa, Harman Top List Of Richest In Congress
The Hill reports that Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) tops the list of the richest member of Congress, with a net worth of at least $167.8 million. Rounding out the top three are Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Jane Harman (D-CA). However, of the top 50 richest list in Congress, 26 are Democrats and 24 Republicans — meaning that the GOP percentage if ahead of its overall proportion in Congress.
