House To Vote On Jobs Bill
The House is set to vote today on a $15 billion jobs bill, which was passed last week in the Senate. Due to modifications made in the House, the Senate will have to vote on the measure again before President Obama can sign it.
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama and Vice President Biden will receive the presidential daily briefing at 9:30 a.m. ET, and the economic daily briefing at 10 a.m. ET. Obama will meet with senior advisers at 10:30 a.m. ET. Obama will sign the Travel Promotion Act at 11:35 a.m. ET. Obama and Biden will meet with Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner at 3 p.m. ET.
Some Dems Are Wary Of Obama’s Final Health Care Push
The Associated Press reports that rank-and-file Democrats in Congress remain wary of health care reform. “I think he has succeeded in prying open a window of opportunity, but it’s a very narrow window,” said freshman Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA). “And he and the leadership here had better clamber through that narrow window while they can.”
Hillary Clinton Fails To win Over Brazil On Iran Sanctions
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was unable to get Brazil on board with tougher sanctions against Iran. “We still have some possibility of coming to an agreement … but that may require a lot of flexibility on both sides,” said Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim. “We will not simply bow down to the evolving consensus if we do not agree.”
Corker Out On A Limb Among GOPers, On Financial Reform
Roll Call reports that Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN), who is working with Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) on financial regulatory reform, does not appear to have brought along much support from his fellow Republicans: “GOP Senators said Corker’s blessing is not enough to ensure they will support it, noting they are still looking to ranking member Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) for the OK.”
House Committee To Vote On Armenian Genocide Measure
The House Foreign Affairs Committee is set to vote today on a resolution declaring the Ottoman-era killing of Armenians to have been genocide, a resolution that could alienate Turkey. “If it passes, then the Obama administration should try to prevent it from being voted by Congress,” said Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, quoted by the country’s state-run news agency.
Congressional Pay Cut Gains Support
A group of twelve House members have co-sponsored a bill to cut Congressional pay, a move that has not happened since the Great Depression. “I think it’s encouraging to see that members of Congress really get that Americans are suffering,” said freshman Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ), the lead sponsor of the measure, who predicted that she would gain more support. “I think there’s a lot of people who share my concern about this historic debt.”
