GOP Lawmakers Optimistic About ‘No’ Votes
The Washington Post reports that Congressional Republicans have become more comfortable with the “Party of No” label: “Republicans say polls suggest that they can oppose all of these initiatives by casting them into a broader critique of Democrats increasing the size of government and the budget deficit, even if their bills are individually popular with the public. ‘We’re very comfortable where we’re at; we have very few members who feel endangered,” said Rep. Tom Cole (Okla.), a veteran Republican and a deputy whip in the House. “We feel like we are reflecting a broader mood of dissatisfaction. Right now, the American people want us saying no.'”
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama will receive the presidential daily briefing at 1:15 p.m. ET, will meet at 1:45 p.m. ET with senior advisers, and will receive the economic daily briefing at 2:45 p.m. ET. He will meet at 4 p.m. ET with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He will meet at 4:50 p.m. ET with House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Rep. Jim Lagenvin (D-RI), and Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI). He will deliver remarks at 6 p.m. ET, at an event to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Biden’s Day Ahead
Vice President Biden will visit Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, to promote Recovery Act projects that are preserving the park. He will deliver remarks at 1:45 p.m. ET, to workers at the park.
Warren’s Candidacy Raises a Partisan Debate
The New York Times reports on the campaign by progressives to have Elizabeth Warren nominated for the new consumer financial protection position: “Ms. Warren’s supporters regard her as the best person to represent consumers during that process. But they also crave the symbolic value of her appointment, which almost certainly would cause a partisan confirmation battle, as an affirmation that the White House is committed to imposing significant new restrictions on the financial industry. ‘A lot of us are terrified about what happens in rule-making,’ said Stephen Lerner of the Service Employees International Union, which is pressing the administration to nominate Ms. Warren. ‘Symbolically, it does seem incredibly important to pick somebody who not only invented the idea, but someone who doesn’t claim to be a neutral.'”
Van Hollen To Face His Future Soon
Roll Call reports: “Rep. Chris Van Hollen is headed toward a crossroads. For the ambitious two-term chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, there’s no easy path forward. The Marylander doesn’t want a third stint at the DCCC next cycle, and there aren’t any open slots in the party’s elected leadership. Even if there were, the midterm elections that appear sure to result in deep Democratic losses could dim his rising star, and he has no shortage of rivals among the generation of party leaders younger than 70.”
Scaled-Back Version Of The Oil Spill Package May Still Hit Rough Waters
The Hill reports: “A Senate Democratic oil spill response and energy plan – scaled back to help ensure passage – may still hit rough waters on the floor this week. The evolving package of new offshore rig safety rules and other updates to shore up federal oversight and corporate responsibility in preventing and responding to major oil spills may include provisions Republicans and pro-drilling Democrats argue could hurt small- and mid-sized independent companies that drill offshore.”
