Obama Recognizes Passover And Easter
In this weekend’s YouTube address, President Obama recognized the Passover and Easter season, with a call for all people to recognize what they have in common.
“And while we worship in different ways, we also remember the shared spirit of humanity that inhabits us all – Jews and Christians, Muslims and Hindus, believers and nonbelievers alike,” said Obama. “Amid the storm of public debate, with our 24/7 media cycle, in a town like Washington that’s consumed with the day-to-day, it can sometimes be easy to lose sight of the eternal. So, on this Easter weekend, let us hold fast to those aspirations we hold in common as brothers and sisters, as members of the same family – the family of man.”
GOP Rep. Kevin McCarthy: ‘We have Run Out Of Money’
In this weekend’s Republican address, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) attacked the Democrats on the issues of taxes, spending, the new health care reform law, and Democratic proposals for financial reform.
“From TARP and permanent bailouts, to the cap-and-trade national energy tax, the government takeover of healthcare, and huge increases in the national debt – and now still more demands for more spending to change the financial regulations, we have run out of money,” said McCarthy. “And yet this Administration and Congressional Democrats want to spend even more. So on behalf of the hardworking taxpayers of my district, I have one question for Washington: who is going to pay for all your new spending?”
Ahmadinejad: Sanctions Only Work In Iran’s Favor
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad delivered a defiant speech against the United States, declaring that any additional sanctions on Iran will only increase the country’s motivation and determination. “They (Americans) said they want to impose fuel sanctions. … They don’t understand that they work in our favor,” said Ahmadinejad. “They imagine we will get upset should they refuse to sell gasoline to us. … No, we immediately tell experts to produce it.”
WaPo: With Midterms Approaching, Dems Outpace Republicans On Campaign Funds
The Washington Post reports that Congressional Republicans have not been able to convert their opposition to President Obama’s agenda into any financial advantage: “With eight months to go before congressional elections, House and Senate Democratic candidates exceed in virtually every important campaign fundraising category. Democratic House lawmakers appear likely to reverse their seven-cycle record of being outspent by House Republicans, according to recent finance reports.”
GOP Leaders Hit Recess Money Trail
Roll Call reports that House Republican leaders have been using the two-week recess to raise money for candidates. Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) raised money in California for five incumbent members. NRCC Chair Pete Sessions (R-TX) hosted fundraisers for two challenger candidates in Illinois. And NRCC Recruitment Chair Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) held fundraisers multiple challengers from across the country.
200,000 To Lose Unemployment Benefits On Monday, Due To Congressional Impasse
The Hill reports: “Starting Monday, more than 200,000 unemployed Americans won’t see jobless benefits they’re expecting because Congress failed to act. The interruption in benefits will last two weeks at a minimum, according to Judy Conti of the National Employment Law Project (NELP), since lawmakers return from spring break on April 12.”
NYT: Battle Of $50 Bill Splits Republicans
The New York Times reports that a proposal by Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) to replace Ulysses S. Grant with Ronald REagan on the $50 bill has attracted opposition from Republicans in Ohio, Grant’s home state. “The Union may not have won the Civil War had President Lincoln not had the wisdom to put Grant in charge,” said Ohio state Rep. Danny Bubp (R), whose district includes Grant’s birthplace. “He was just the kind of guy who needed to be there at that time, and we should not diminish his place in history.”
