Senate Starts Kagan Debate With Confirmation On Track
The Senate will begin debate today on the nomination of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court. A successful confirmation is expected later this week, as nearly all Democrats plus some Republicans have indicated that they will vote for her.
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama will receive the presidential daily briefing at 9:30 a.m. ET, and the economic daily briefing at 10 a.m. ET. He will sign the Fair Sentencing Act at 11 a.m. ET. He will host a town hall with Young African Leaders at 2 p.m. ET. He will meet at 4:30 p.m. ET with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.
CNN Poll: 54 Percent Say Confirm Kagan
A new CNN poll finds that 54% of Americans favor the confirmation of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court, with 34% opposed. “That gives Kagan virtually the same amount of support that the public gave the two most recent Supreme Court nominees – Sonia Sotomayor and Samuel Alito – just days before they were confirmed by the Senate,” said CNN Polling Director Keating Holland.
Geithner Pledges Quick Action On New Financial Law
In a speech to Wall Street executives on Monday, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner promised a quick process in implementing the new financial regulations. “We will move as quickly as possible to bring clarity to the new rules of finance,” said Geithner. “The rule writing process traditionally has moved at a frustrating, glacial pace. We must change that.”
Durbin-Schumer Race Appears To Quiet Down
Roll Call reports that the shadow race for the Senate Democratic leadership between Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has quieted down, due to improvements in the re-election chances of current Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). “At one point, it appeared that Harry would not keep his seat,” one Democratic Senator said. “At that point, there was much more activity [from Schumer and Durbin] that was subtle but still pretty obvious. I think you see much less of that now.”
Blue Dogs At Risk Get Help, $200M In Earmarks
The Hill reports: “House Democratic leaders have directed tens of millions of dollars in federal funds to the districts of vulnerable incumbents, including many conservative Blue Dogs who typically stress fiscal restraint. Nearly $200 million worth of earmarks has gone to members of the Blue Dog Coalition — including $150 million in the military construction appropriations bill and over $44 million in the transportation bill. The biggest winner so far is Rep. Bobby Bright (Ala.), who comes from a district with a heavy Republican advantage in voter registration. He won eight earmarks in the two spending bills worth more than $76 million.”
