House Panel To Examine Muslim Radicalization
Reuters reports: “The House of Representatives will investigate radicalization in the American-Muslim community, sparking outrage that the probe is a witch hunt akin to the 1950s anti-Communist campaign. With al Qaeda and its affiliates openly trying to recruit Americans and Muslims inside the United States for attacks, House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Peter King called congressional hearings on the subject ‘absolutely essential.'”
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will meet at 10 a.m. ET with students and parents from the Conference on Bullying Prevention, and they will deliver remarks at 10:35 a.m. ET. The President will hold a meeting on the Elementary and Secondary Education Act at 2:05 p.m. ET. He will meet at 3:05 p.m. ET with Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner.
Biden Backs Russia WTO Bid, Praises Medvedev
Reuters reports: “U.S. Vice President Joe Biden praised Dmitry Medvedev’s ‘personal leadership’ on Wednesday and backed Russia’s bid to join the World Trade Organization, but stopped short of suggesting a timeline. Medvedev, hosting Biden for a visit designed to bolster economic ties after two years of improving relations under President Barack Obama’s ‘reset’ with Moscow, said Russia wants membership this year.”
Attorney General Warns Against Alienating Muslims
Reuters reports: “Attorney General Eric Holder on Wednesday warned against alienating the U.S. Muslim community, in a veiled criticism of a congressional probe into the radicalization of Muslims at home…’Tips that we have received, information that has been shared has been critical to our efforts to disrupting plots that otherwise might have occurred,’ Holder told reporters during a news conference on another issue.”
Senate Votes Put 2012 Politics In Spotlight
Roll Call reports: “A fix for the nation’s spending woes may not have been decided Wednesday afternoon, but in what may be the most consequential clash so far this Congress, vulnerable Senators finally had to start taking sides. Their votes on Republican and Democratic proposals for spending cuts were being closely watched by both parties’ campaign committees, a host of powerful interest groups and potential challengers.”
Culture Wars Come To Budget Battle
Politico reports: “The battle over budget numbers could quickly turn into a war over social policy. Despite a plea by national Republican leaders for a truce on politically volatile social issues, conservative lawmakers and activists want to use the budget process to force action on their policy goals. Social conservatives are clamoring for a showdown with the president on their plans to choke off money for Planned Parenthood, de-fund what they call ‘Obamacare’ and overturn environmental regulations.”
