Obama Proposes New Savings On Health Care, To Pay For Reform
In his weekly Presidential YouTube Address, President Obama argued that health care reform must be done quickly. And to help in this effort, he announced that he will save $313 billion in various areas, to go for paying the short-term costs of reform:
“These savings will come from commonsense changes,” said Obama. “For example – if more Americans are insured, we can cut payments that help hospitals treat patients without health insurance. If the drug makers pay their fair share, we can cut government spending on prescription drugs. And if doctors have incentives to provide the best care instead of more care, we can help Americans avoid the unnecessary hospital stays, treatments, and tests that drive up costs.”
Pence: Dem Energy Plan A “Declaration Of War” On Families
In this weekend’s Republican address, Rep Mike Pence (R-IN) lambasted the Democratic proposals for a cap-and-trade program:
“This national energy tax amounts to an economic declaration of war on America’s families, small businesses and family farms. The American people know we can do better,” Pence said.
No Obama Or Biden Events This Weekend
President Obama does not have any public events scheduled for this weekend. Likewise, Vice President Biden is spending the weekend in Wilmington, Delaware, and does not have any scheduled public events, either.
NYT: U.S. To Continue To Engage Iran
The New York Times reports that the Obama Administration plans to continue with attempts to reach out to Iran, in the wake of the disputed re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. “Ahmadinejad could feel that because of public pressure, he wants to reduce Iran’s isolation,” said an anonymous official. “That might also cause engagement to proceed more swiftly.” Meanwhile, Israeli Vice Prime Minister Silvan Shalom told an audience in Tel Aviv that the results “blow up in the faces of those who thought Iran was built for a genuine dialogue with the free world on stopping its nuclear program.”
North Korea Declares They Won’t Abandon Nuke Program
The North Korean government is stepping up its opposition to the international community in the wake of new sanctions from the United Nations. The country has now declared that it intends to weaponize plutonium; that to abandon its nuclear program is “an absolutely impossible option”; that the nuclear program is a “self defensive measure”; and finally: “An attempted blockade of any kind by the U.S. and its followers will be regarded as an act of war and met with a decisive military response.”
Obama Pledges Aid To Zimbabwe
President Obama announced yesterday that the U.S. government will provide $73 million in aid to Zimbabwe, after he met with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai at the White House. “I obviously have extraordinary admiration for the courage and tenacity that the prime minister has shown in navigating through some very difficult political times in Zimbabwe,” said Obama.
WaPo: Key Lawmakers Reveal Investments In Health Industry
The Washington Post reports that nearly 30 key lawmakers helping to draft health-care legislation have financial holdings in the industry, totaling nearly $11 million. This includes Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), with at least $50,000; Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH), with between $254,000 and $560,000; and Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA), with at least $3.2 million.
AP: Sotomayor Impresses Senators In Interviews
The Associated Press reports that Senators have been impressed with Judge Sonia Sotomayor after their meetings with her, an often important step in the confirmation process. “Sotomayor noticed a bicycle figurine on a shelf in the office of Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and chatted about her love of cycling,” the AP says. “She spoke in Spanish to Cuban-born Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla. She talked about losing her father at an early age with Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., whose dad also died when he was young. She gossiped with Democratic senators who support her about how to handle potential critics and the trickier personalities on Capitol Hill.”
