House Republicans Move On From Repealing Health Law To Replacing It
The Hill reports: “Having voted as promised to roll back the Democrats’ healthcare reform law, the new GOP majority is now faced with following through on the second part of its “repeal and replace” pledge. Fresh off Wednesday night’s vote in favor of repeal, the House will take up a resolution Thursday morning directing committees to develop alternatives to the reform law. And the GOP chairmen of the House panels tasked with drafting those alternatives will offer an initial look, at an afternoon press conference, at their efforts.”
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama will receive the presidential daily briefing at 9:30 a.m. ET, with senior advisers at 10 a.m. ET, and receive the economic daily briefing at 10:30 a.m. ET. He will meet at 1:45 p.m. ET with Vice President Biden, and at 2:25 p.m. ET Obama and Biden will meet with a bipartisan group of mayors to discuss jobs and the economy. At 7 p.m. ET, Obama will deliver remarks at the Kennedy Center, at an event celebrating the 50th Anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s Inauguration.
Biden’s Day Ahead
Vice President Biden will deliver remarks at 12 p.m. ET in the Capitol Rotunda, at a tribute event in honor of the 50th Anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s Inauguration. He will meet with President Obama at 1:45 p.m. ET, and Obama and Biden will meet at 2:25 p.m. ET with a bipartisan group of mayors to discuss jobs and the economy.
After Summit Pomp, China’s Hu To Face Lawmakers
Reuters reports: ” President Hu Jintao on Thursday will try to persuade often hostile U.S. lawmakers that China is a threat-free engine of growth, after a White House summit sought to narrow rifts between the world’s top two economies. Fresh from dinner banquet toasts with President Barack Obama on Wednesday night, Hu begins day three of his four-day state visit with a trip to Congress, a hotbed of criticism of Beijing’s policy of holding down the value of its yuan currency and of its human rights record.”
Subtle Signs Of Progress In U.S.-China Relations
The New York Times reports: “After a 2010 notable mostly for Chinese acrimony toward the United States and its policies, Mr. Hu came to the White House not only saying that constructive relations between the two powers were essential, but also offering some modest concessions to demonstrate it. In a joint statement issued Wednesday, the Chinese for the first time expressed public concern over North Korea’s recent disclosure of a modern uranium-enrichment plant, a small but ardently sought step in American efforts to press Kim Jong-il to roll back his nuclear weapons program.”
Members Can Pay for Security Upgrades With Allowances
Roll Call reports: “The House Administration Committee has officially given Members permission to use their representational allowance for security upgrades in their district offices. But unless Members use one preapproved company, they will need clearance from the House Sergeant-at-Arms. Committee Chairman Dan Lungren (R-Calif.) and ranking member Robert Brady (D-Pa.) advised colleagues in a letter that they can spend up to $10,000 on security upgrades from ADT Security Services without prior approval. But Members must ask for permission to use another company.”
