Democrats Allow Trims To Favored Programs
The New York Times reports: “After a bruising battle with Republicans over financing the government through the rest of the fiscal year, Democrats spoke proudly of their success in staving off painful cuts to programs near and dear to them, ones that became the centerpiece of their fight against huge cuts sought by Republicans. But as some details of the plan to cut roughly $38 billion in federal spending came trickling out Monday, it was clear that many of those programs, while cut nowhere near as much as Republicans had hoped, were significantly nibbled at.”
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama will receive the presidential daily briefing at 9:30 a.m. ET, and meet at 10 a.m. ET with senior advisers. At 12 p.m. ET, the President, Vice President, First Lady and Dr. Jill Biden will deliver remarks at the launch of the First Lady and Dr. Jill Biden’s national initiative to support and honor America’s service members and their families. Obama will meet at 2:15 p.m. ET with Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry. Obama and Biden will meet at 4:30 p.m. ET with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, and meet at 5 p.m. ET with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Biden’s Day Ahead
At 10 a.m. ET, Vice President Biden and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar will host a plaque dedication ceremony at the World War II Memorial, to honor former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole (R-KS). At 12 p.m. ET, the President, Vice President, First Lady and Dr. Jill Biden will deliver remarks at the launch of the First Lady and Dr. Jill Biden’s national initiative to support and honor America’s service members and their families. Biden will meet at 2:30 p.m. ET with Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Obama and Biden will meet at 4:30 p.m. ET with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, and meet at 5 p.m. ET with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
House GOP Grapples With Its Transparency Oath On Budget Deal
The Hill reports: “The eleventh-hour budget deal struck late last week poses a challenge for the promises that House Republicans made to increase transparency…Congressional appropriators had been scrambling to finish writing the bill and post it by midnight Monday, which would have allowed Republicans to hold a Wednesday vote while adhering to their requirement that lawmakers have at least three calendar days to read legislation that comes to the floor. Because the legislation was not introduced until nearly 2 a.m. Tuesday, Republicans would have to waive the ‘three-day rule’ or find a way around it.”
RNC Looks To Revamp Ground Game
Roll Call reports: “In an extensive interview with Roll Call, RNC Political Director Rick Wiley revealed the committee’s strategy for combating what is expected to be an Obama re-election campaign that is at least as technologically advanced and operationally effective as it was three years ago. Wiley said his No. 1 priority is improving how the RNC uses technology to connect with prospective voters and developing a better system for volunteer door-to-door contacts, while also updating the committee’s voter rolls.”
Hillary Clinton To Visit Japan In Show Of Support
AFP reports: “Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will visit Japan in a show of support for the US ally as it recovers from a devastating earthquake, the State Department announced Monday. Clinton will travel to Tokyo on Sunday, after stops in South Korea and in Germany where she is attending a NATO conference, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said. Clinton’s trip aims to ‘show the United States’ support for the people of Japan and to highlight our long-standing commitment to the alliance,’ Toner said in a statement.”
