Obama Requests $83.4 Billion For Iraq And Afghanistan
President Obama has requested $83.4 billion from Congress, for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, which would raise the total costs of the two wars to almost $1 trillion. The Associated Press notes that the request will disappoint the more anti-war Democrats, but at the same time the continued commitment to the withdrawal of combat troops means it is sure to pass without the legislative battles that occurred during the Bush Administration in 2007.
Obama Meeting With Top Economic Officials
President Obama will be meeting at 11 a.m. ET with Treasury Sec. Tim Geithner, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, FDIC Chair Sheila Bair, SEC Chair Mary Shapiro and Comptroller of the Currency John Dugan. The group will update Obama on the current efforts to stabilize and repair the financial system, and afterwards Obama will deliver brief remarks to reporters after the meeting.
No Biden Events Today
Joe Biden is spending the day in Wilmington, Delaware. He does not have any public events scheduled.
Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) Opposes War Funding Request
Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), a major House Progressive, has quickly come out in opposition to President Obama’s war funding request. “As proposed, this funding will do two things – it will prolong our occupation of Iraq through at least the end of 2011 and it will deepen and expand our military presence in Afghanistan indefinitely,” Woolsey said in a statement. “I cannot support either of these scenarios.”
Hillary’s Campaign Committee Offers Prizes For Donations
Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign committee has sent out a fundraising e-mail offering the chance to win prizes in exchange for donations to help retire her debts, with rewards including tickets to the season finale of American Idol, spending a day with Bill Clinton, and lunch with James Carville and Paul Begala. “I knew it was going to take an extraordinary effort to help pay off Hillary Clinton’s campaign debt,” wrote Carville in the e-mail. “But now, I think we can do it and have some fun at the same time.”
WaPo: Stimulus Being Doled Out, Slowly
The Washington Post reports that the stimulus package is making its way through the economy in stages, with much of it still yet to be spent. As of this past Tuesday, $11.7 billion had been spent, with another $42.3 billion being “obligated” and ready to be drawn out. The government has set up safeguards to approve spending and prevent waste, with the goal of spending 70% by the Summer of 2010.
Obama Boosting Detroit With Purchase Of Fuel-Efficient Cars
President Obama announced yesterday that the federal government is purchasing 17,600 American-made fuel-efficient cars for the federal fleet, including 2,500 hybrids, in a boost for the auto industry. “This is only a first step, but I will continue to ensure that we are working to support the American auto industry during this difficult period of restructuring,” Obama said in a statement.
Sanford Runs TV Ad: “There Is A Better Way”
Gov. Mark Sanford (R-SC) is running this new ad in his home state, making the case for his ongoing opposition to the state using certain portions of stimulus money:
“There is a better way than saddling our children with massive debts,” said Sanford. “That’s what I’ll continue to fight for.”
