Chances Up For Federal Shutdown
The Hill reports: “The chances of a government shutdown are on the rise. With less than three weeks to strike a deal before government funding for the year is scheduled to expire, Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill are moving in opposite directions. Lawmakers from both parties stress they want to avoid a rerun of the stalemate that led to a shutdown in late 1995 and early 1996. But the rhetoric on spending has escalated, and Democratic and GOP officials are already prepping for the blame game.”
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama and Vice President Biden will receive the presidential daily briefing at 9:15 a.m. ET. The President will hold a news conference at 11 a.m. ET. Obama and Biden will meet for lunch at 12:15 p.m. ET. Then at 1:30 p.m. ET, the President and First Lady will honor recipients of the 2010 Medal of Freedom. Obama and Biden will meet at 4:30 p.m. ET with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.
Biden’s Day Ahead
Vice President Biden hosted a breakfast meeting at 7:45 a.m. ET with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. At 9:15 a.m. ET, he will attend President Obama’s daily briefing. Obama and Biden will meet for lunch at 12:15 p.m. ET. Obama and Biden will meet at 4:30 p.m. ET with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. At 6:30 p.m. ET, the Vice President and his wife Dr. Jill Biden will host a reception at the Naval Observatory in celebration of Black History Month.
Gates Sees ‘Crisis’ In Further Military Spending Cuts
The New York Times reports: “Even as the Obama administration on Monday rolled out its budget for 2012, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates was dueling with Congress over military spending for this year, saying the Pentagon cannot do its job with cuts of more than $9 billion.”
Pentagon Budget Down Due To Iraq Pullout
AFP reports: “The Pentagon on Monday proposed a reduced defense budget for the first time since the September 11 attacks, finding savings in the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq. The total budget of $671 billion is down from last year’s request of $708 billion but the “base” defense budget — excluding the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan — represents a new record at $553 billion, according to figures released by the Pentagon.”
Tough-Talking Chris Christie Plans D.C. Rollout
Politico reports: “New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is bringing his blunt talk about fiscal responsibility to Washington this week in a speech sure to stoke speculation about his national prospects – which have intensified in recent weeks as some Republicans openly fret about the strength of their 2012 field.”
Freshman Lawmakers Turn First Year Into Performance Art
The Washington Post reports: “The new Republicans who shook up Washington last week – forcing their party to take a staggering whack at the budget – are also trying to shape a new idea of what a congressman is. In some cases, that means approaching their terms as one-man shows. Some have rejected their health insurance to dramatize their objections to government-run care. One will print his own letterhead to demonstrate his frugality. Another is giving back 15 percent of his pay. And several are living in their own offices, in a gesture of contempt for the city outside.”
