Obama: Big Banks Must Help Small Businesses
In this weekend’s YouTube address, President Obama talked about his administration’s commitment to small businesses — and called on large banks that have been helped by the bailout to do their part:
“But while credit may be more available for large businesses, too many small business owners are still struggling to get the credit they need,” said Obama. “These are the very taxpayers who stood by America’s banks in a crisis – and now it’s time for our banks to stand by creditworthy small businesses, and make the loans they need to open their doors, grow their operations, and create new jobs. It’s time for those banks to fulfill their responsibility to help ensure a wider recovery, a more secure system, and more broadly shared prosperity. And we’re going to take every appropriate step to encourage them to meet those responsibilities.”
Johanns Denounces ‘Shameful’ Health Care Deals
In this weekend’s Republican address, Sen. Mike Johanns (R-NE) went after the Democrats on health care:
“We’re about to significantly alter one-sixth of our economy — now is not the time to shut Americans out,” said Johanns. “Reports of this deal-making are shameful. Why do Michigan, Rhode Island, Oregon and Nevada get special deals on Medicaid costs? Why do New Yorkers with Cadillac plans get a pass on paying the tax? It is shameful. So now, as a select few deliberate over legislation that will mean higher premiums across the board; higher taxes for hard-working families; and cuts to Medicare for senior citizens; I ask: will this improve your life?”
Obama Declares Swine Flu A National Emergency
President Obama has declared a national emergency over the H1N1 flu virus. The declaration will allow the Health and Human Services Department to bypass federal rules and requirements, so that health officials can respond more quickly to the crisis.
Obama And Other Dems To Campaign For Corzine, Giuliani For Christie
The home stretch of the New Jersey gubernatorial race will feature campaign appearances by big stars in both parties. President Obama will appear with Corzine next Sunday, two days before the election, and there will also be appearances by cabinet secretaries and members of the Congressional Black Caucus. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani will campaign with Christie, hoping to boost the GOP nominee in this Democratic-leaning state.
Bernanke Urges Congress To Act On Financial Overhaul
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has called upon Congress to pass new regulations on the banking sector, in order to avoid a repeat of the financial crisis from which the economy is just now in the course of recovering. “With the financial turmoil abating, now is the time for policymakers to take action to reduce the probability and severity of any future crises,” said Bernanke.
EPA: Senate Climate Bill Would Cost Households $100 Per Year
The Environmental Protection Agency has announced that the proposed Senate climate-change would cost a typical household about $100 per year, and declared that it is so similar to the bill that has already passed the House that they did not prepare specific numbers for the Senate version. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK), a fierce opponent of the bill and of mainstream climate change science, called the EPA analysis “unacceptable” and said that Republicans may force a delay in the Environment and Public Works committee.
GOP Rep. Price: GOP Can Gain 40 Seats, Win The House
Rep. Tom Price (R-GA) predicted to reporters that the GOP will be able to gain the 40 seats that they’ll need to retake the House. Price said that this will happen because moderate Democrats in swing seats “continue to be pushed off the cliff on vote after vote after vote where they are representing their leadership and not representing their constituents.”
