Obama To Tell U.N. Mideast Talks Need World’s Support
Reuters reports: “President Barack Obama is to make a plea at the United Nations on Thursday for international support for the Middle East peace process, urging world leaders to make sure ‘this time is different’ from previous failed efforts…In excerpts of his address to the U.N. General Assembly released by the White House, Obama will specifically urge countries that have pledged support for the Palestinians to meet their obligations for both political and financial support and ‘must stop trying to tear Israel down.'”
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama will address the United Nations General Assembly at 10 a.m. ET. He will host a bilateral meeting at 11 a.m. ET with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. He will attend a luncheon at 1:15 p.m. ET, hosted by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. At 3:50 p.m. ET, the President First Lady will join former President Bill Clinton to address the 2010 Annual Meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative. He will hold a bilateral meeting at 5:10 p.m. ET with Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan. At 7:15 p.m. ET, the President and First Lady will host a reception in honor of the heads of delegations attending the United Nations General Assembly.
Biden’s Day Ahead
Vice President Biden will attend an 8:30 a.m. ET event for Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), in Chevy Chase, Maryland. At 11:30 a.m. ET, Biden and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius will host a conference call with senior citizens from across the country, to discuss the Affordable Care Act. Biden will meet at 12:30 p.m. ET with British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg. At 2:15 p.m. ET, he will meet with the recipients of the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. Afterwards, he will meet with senior advisers.
Key Parts Of Health Care Reform Kick In Today
The New York Times reports: “On Thursday, the six-month anniversary of the signing of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, a number of its most central consumer protections take effect, just in time for the midterm elections. Starting now, insurance companies will no longer be permitted to exclude children because of pre-existing health conditions, which the White House said could enable 72,000 uninsured to gain coverage. Insurers also will be prohibited from imposing lifetime limits on benefits. The law will now forbid insurers to drop sick and costly customers after discovering technical mistakes on applications.”
GOP Cites Tax Cuts and Health Care as Main Focus
The New York Times reports: “House Republicans on Thursday will issue a legislative blueprint called “A Pledge to America” that they hope will catapult them to a majority in the November elections. Its goals include a permanent extension of all the Bush-era tax cuts, repeal of the newly enacted health care law, a cap on discretionary federal spending and an end to government control of the mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.”
Democrats Fear Blowout Effect in Battlegrounds
CQ reports: “With polls showing Republicans well-positioned to win the Senate and gubernatorial contests in both Ohio and Pennsylvania, House Democratic strategists are increasingly worried about the downballot drag the top of the ticket could have in the two battleground states…’There’s no question it’s a problem. When the top of the ticket is hurting, it absolutely makes it more difficult for a Democrat in a swing district to win,’ said a Democratic strategist who has worked in both states.”
