Federal Judicial Vacancies Reaching Crisis Point
The Washington Post reports: “Since Obama took office, federal judicial vacancies have risen steadily as dozens of judges have left without being replaced by the president’s nominees. Experts blame Republican delaying tactics, slow White House nominations and a dysfunctional Senate confirmation system. Six judges have retired in the past six weeks alone.”
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama will receive his daily briefing at 10:30 a.m. ET. He will meet at 2:30 p.m. ET with the National Policy Alliance. At 4:30 p.m. ET, he and Vice President Biden will meet with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.
Biden’s Day Ahead
Vice President Biden and Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood will travel to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At 10:45 a.m. Et, they will deliver remarks at the 30th Street Station on the administration’s plans for infrastructure. Later, Biden and President Obama and will meet at 4:30 p.m. ET in the Oval Office with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.
That’s The Ticket: GOP Loves Look Of VP Field
Politico reports: “It’s almost as if there is more excitement over the deep pool of vice presidential prospects than over the emerging roster of presidential candidates, which is largely composed of white, male, former and soon-to-be-former governors, none of them from the biggest battleground states. On the vice presidential level, Republicans are already gushing over the sheer diversity of the candidates–unprecedented in terms of race, gender, geography and political experience–who could fill out the 2012 ticket.”
Lawmakers’ End of Earmarks Affects Local Programs Large And Small
The New York Times reports: “Across the country, local governments, nonprofit groups and scores of farmers, to name but a few, are waking up to the fact that when Congress stamped out earmarks last week, it was talking about their projects, too. Tensions are particularly acute in districts where new conservative lawmakers, many of whom criticized throughout their campaigns the practice of quietly inserting earmarks into spending bills, are coming face to face with local governments and interest groups who were counting on federal dollars to help shore up their own collapsing budgets.”
Blue Dogs Mull Budget Defection
The Hill reports: “Blue Dog Democrats might support a plan from House Republicans to cut $32 billion in discretionary spending this year, a spokesman for the fiscally conservative bloc said Monday. Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.) said the Blue Dogs are waiting to see the details of the proposed GOP cuts before taking a position. The draft legislation from the House Appropriations Committee is due on Thursday.”
