usdemocrats.com political news ticker/weblog
December 18, 2009 for yesterday's ticker entries click here



Grab this swicki from eurekster.com

Friday
December 18, 2009

make sure to click CTRL F5 or click here to refresh the page to view the most current updates

click here to search ticker archives by keyword or go to the weblog archive index

This newsticker is archived daily. To search back archives dating back to 1999, search for the article using keywords by title, names, video or headline at www.usdemocrats.com/search
GOV source feeds are always available in realtime 24 hours a day 7 days a week by accessing the homepage at www.usdemocrats.com

CNN Cable TV LIVE FEED

AM 1090 PROGRESSIVE TALK RADIO LIVE FEED

C-SPAN LIVE FEED


GOV JOB VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENTS are posted at www.usdemocrats.com/ticker/jobs/
Book meeting conference hotels and travel accommodations at www.usdemocrats.com/travel

Hot Offers (6.28- 7.4)


adsense




Obama: US, Russia 'quite close' on new arms treaty
from AP Top Political News At 5:39 a.m. EST by By JENNIFER LOVEN and DESMOND BUTLER
COPENHAGEN (AP) -- U.S. President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev struck an optimistic tone even as they conceded that they were unlikely to sign a deal this year on a successor to an expired nuclear arms control treaty, as they had hoped....
Calif. space tourism firm launches S. Korea deal
from AP Top Science News At 5:42 a.m. EST by By JOHN ANTCZAK
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A California company developing a rocket plane for space tourism announced Thursday that it has an agreement with a nonprofit group in South Korea to conduct launches in that nation...
Merkel, Brown accept Copenhagen deal, wanted more
from Reuters: Environment
COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown accepted a Copenhagen climate deal on Saturday, but said they had wanted more.
Obama reaches climate deal with emerging powers
from Reuters: Top News
COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - President Barack Obama reached agreement with major developing powers on a climate deal on Friday, a U.S. official said, but he said the accord was only a first step and was insufficient to fight climate change.
MEETING-PRESIDENT-USA-OBAMA
Dmitry Medvedev met with President of the United States Barack Obama.
FAQ Why Are Banks Holding So Many Excess Reserves?
Statement of Comptroller Dugan on the FDIC’s ANPR on Securitizations
by Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Comptroller of the Currency John C. Dugan discussed an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Securitizations at a meeting of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s Board of Directors today.
OCC Reports Decline in Derivatives Credit Exposures
by Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Credit risk in bank trading activities continued to decline in the third quarter of 2009, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency reported today in the OCC's Quarterly Report on Bank Trading and Derivatives Activities.
Pelosi bucks up her members
by Patrick O'Connor
Speaker reminds rank and file how much the caucus has accomplished this year with PowerPoint
Feingold vote advances health bill
by Meredith Shiner
Fellow Dems applaud the senator for supporting the bill in cloture despite philosophical objections.
Obama proposes U.S. liaison in North Korea: Yonhap
SEOUL (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama has proposed setting up a liaison office in North Korea next year in a step to ease tensions between the two rival states, Yonhap news agency said on Friday.
Iran's Nuclear Program, Foreign and Defense Policy, and the Potential Effectiveness of Sanctions
The Iran MiPAL has been updated with a series of Washington Quarterly articles concerning Iran's nuclear program, foreign and defense policy, U.S., Russian, and Israeli perspectives on Iran's nuclear behavior, and the potential effectiveness of sanctions and continued negotiations with Iran, a Congressional hearing examining options and probable consequences of additional sanctions against Iran, an Institute for Science and International Security report featuring Farsi and English versions of a document reportedly outlining Iran's work on a neutron initiator, as well as an article by the Institute for Science and International Security analyzing the document, remarks by the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations on Iran's nuclear activities and failure to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency, and a European Union Institute for Security Studies article evaluating Iran's nuclear ambitions, policies, and postures. Please see the Recently Added Documents section for the latest on this country - the newest updates are in bold.
North Korea: Leadership Succession and an Update on the Six-Party Talks
The North Korea MiPAL has been updated with a Washington Quarterly article analyzing North Korea's options for the leadership succession, a briefing by the Special Representative for North Korea Policy on his recent visit to North Korea, as well as the Special Representative's remarks on North Korea's nuclear program with the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, a Council on Foreign Relations article assessing the potential for North Korea to return to the Six-Party Talks, an East Asia Institute report evaluating North Korea's strategic assessments in 2009, and a transcript of a Brookings Institution event examining the human rights situation in North Korea following the leadership succession. Please see the Recently Added Documents section for the latest on this country - the newest updates are in bold.
Syria's Strategic Evolution, Regional Relations, and Perspectives on the Obama Administration
The Syria MiPAL has been updated with International Crisis Group reports analyzing Syria's strategic evolution, regional relations, and perspectives on the Obama Administration. Please see the Recently Added Documents section for the latest on this country - the newest updates are in bold.
South and Central Asia: Recharting U.S. Strategy in Sri Lanka after the War
The South and Central Asia Regional Policy Overview has been updated with a Washington Quarterly article assessing the threat of Islamist militancy in South Asia, an International Crisis Group report providing recommendations for police reform in Bangladesh, a Senate Committee on Foreign Relations report evaluating U.S. strategy in Sri Lanka following the conflict, the President's address at West Point on the new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, a Center for Strategic and International Studies article analyzing the impact of climate change and national disasters on Bangladesh, reports from the Institute of South Asian Studies examining India's role in South Asia, the intersection of democracy, public religion, and minorities in Sri Lanka, and recent trends in Bangladesh-India relations, an Institute for Security and Development Policy report on China's approach to conflicts in South Asia, and a China and Eurasia Forum Quarterly article analyzing India's strategic intentions in Central Asia. Please see the Recently Added Documents section for the latest on this region - the newest updates are in bold.
Weapons of Mass Destruction: A Policy Agenda for the Elimination of Global Nuclear Threats
The Weapons of Mass Destruction MiPAL has been updated with a State Department briefing on the Obama Administration's strategy for the prevention of biological weapons proliferation and bioterrorism, an International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament report presenting a policy agenda for the elimination of global nuclear threats, the White House's National Strategy for Countering Biological Threats, a Carnegie Endowment for International Peace report featuring recommendations for the strengthening of the nonproliferation regime during the 2010 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference, and an International Panel on Fissile Materials report with an overview of nuclear weapon and fissile materials stocks and production in 2009 and analyzing the prospects for the future of nuclear disarmament efforts. Please see the Recently Added Documents section for the latest on this topic - the newest updates are in bold.
Central Asia: Official Reactions to Political Islam in Central Asia
The Central Asia MiPAL has been updated with a Senate hearing examining U.S. policy in Central Asia, an International Crisis Group report analyzing governmental reactions to political Islam in Central Asia, a statement by the Secretary of State on Kazakhstan, and a EUCAM: EU-Central Asia Monitoring report evaluating the European Union's border management assistance efforts in Central Asia. Please see the Recently Added Documents section for the latest on this region - the newest updates are in bold.
Request for Applications for Competitive Grant Awards to Conduct Economic Research on the Joint Contributions of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Unemployment Insurance to the Nation’s Social Safety Net
The Food Assistance and Nutrition Research Program (FANRP) of the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) announces the availability of funds and a request for applications to conduct research on operational issues of USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly called the Food Stamp Program, or FSP) and its support for the working poor. In particular, ERS seeks research that addresses: (a) operational issues regarding SNAP participation decisions and the dynamics of program participation among low-income households with workers, and (b) the interactions between receipt of SNAP benefits and State Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits, especially during the current recession. ERS believes the issues can best be addressed by careful analysis of linked program administrative data from the SNAP and UI programs. Total funding available for this research is approximately $500,000. The deadline for proposal submission is February 17, 2010.
Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook - Thursday, December 17, 2009
Timely livestock, dairy, and poultry information, focusing on current and forecast production, price, and trade statistics for each of the sectors.
Israel, Palestinians Must Do More, Jointly with Revitalized Quartet, to Prevent Backward Slide in Peace Efforts, Security Council Told
UN Budget Committee Approves Texts Addressing Administration of Justice, Pattern of Conferences, United Nations Common System
Allison Testimony before the Oversight and Government Reform Committee
December 17, 2009
TG-453
Obama: 'Meaningful breakthrough' reached at talks
from AP Top Political News At 5:39 a.m. EST by By MICHAEL CASEY and JENNIFER LOVEN
COPENHAGEN (AP) -- President Barack Obama said the United States, China and several other countries reached an "unprecedented breakthrough" Friday to curb greenhouse gas emissions - including a mechanism to verify compliance - after a frenzied day of diplomacy at the U.N. climate talks....
Obama: Climate Change Agreement 'Unprecedented'
from BusinessWeek.com --
President Obama concedes that the last-minute climate deal from Copenhagen isn't legally binding, but calls it a 'meaningful' step toward curbing emissions
Obama positive on climate deal but says not enough
from TheNews RSS Feeds - Latest Stories
COPENHAGEN: US President Barack Obama on Friday hailed a climate deal reached among key leaders in Copenhagen as "unprecedented" but warned it was not
Sarkozy says Germany to hold new climate meeting
from TheNews RSS Feeds - Latest Stories
COPENHAGEN: French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Friday that Germany would host a new conference on climate change in six months in Bonn to follow up
National Geographic features DARPA’s prosthetics programs. 12/09

VIDEO: Commission on Wartime Contracting Hearing on Afghanistan
Members of the Cmsn. on Wartime Contracting recently returned from Afghanistan, where they went over plans to train Afghanistan’s army and police forces in advance of the scheduled troop withdrawal in 2011. Army and government officials testified along with contractor executives on training Afghan nat'l security forces and the various challenges involved.
Length: 4 hr. 18 min.

Published: Today at 9:30am (ET)


VIDEO: Sen. Durbin Exchange on Health Care Legislation
A member of the Senate Democratic leadership said today that Republicans are fillibustering health care legislation by requiring all the time allowed pass before voting on defense spending. The health care bill will return to the floor after the spending measure.
Length: 17 min.

Published: Today at 3:34pm (ET)


IRS Reminds Car Shoppers about 2009 Tax Break
Space Station 2010 Calendar Celebrates a Decade of Research
Thu, 03 Dec 2009 23:00:00 -0600
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of people continuously living aboard the International Space Station, NASA is providing a special 2010 calendar to teachers and the public.
Press Credentials Deadlines Set for Next Space Shuttle Flight
Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:00:00 -0600
NASA has set media accreditation deadlines for the next space shuttle flight to the International Space Station.
Challenges of Living and Working Aboard the Space Station: NASA Astronaut Nicole Stott Available for TV Interviews
Sun, 13 Dec 2009 23:00:00 -0600
After three months living aboard the International Space Station, NASA astronaut Nicole Stott will be available for satellite interviews from Houston between 6 a.m. and 7:45 a.m. CST on Thursday, Dec. 17.
Hark, NASA Heralds Season's Greetings Exchange With Space Station Crew
Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:00:00 -0600
Season's greetings will be offered by International Space Station Commander Jeff Williams and Flight Engineer Max Suraev in a special video message airing this week on NASA Television and the NASA Web site.
NASA Astronauts and Managers to Discuss the First of Five Remaining Shuttle Flights
Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:00:00 -0600
Space shuttle Endeavour will deliver the final module of the U.S. portion of the International Space Station on the STS-130 mission, now targeted to launch Feb. 7.
Searching for New Vaccines and Studying Butterflies in Space; NASA Offers TV Interviews about Latest Space Station Science Research
Mon, 14 Dec 2009 23:00:00 -0600
NASA Astronaut, Food Scientist Available for Interviews about Holiday Feasts in Space
Sun, 13 Dec 2009 23:00:00 -0600
Irradiated smoked turkey, thermostabilized yams and NASA's own special stuffing recipe can mean only one thing -- holiday season aboard the International Space Station.
NASA Offers Sound Clips for Radio, Online Newscasters
Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:00:00 -0600
NASA is making sound clips available for news producers to download from the agency's Web site.
Mullen Discusses Elections, Logistics in Iraq
Fri, 18 Dec 2009 06:23:00 -0600

Friend --

You've been an incredible part of this movement this year. So some volunteers got together and helped us make a holiday video, just for you.

You can watch it here:

http://my.barackobama.com/holiday

It was a blast making it. Enjoy!

Happy holidays,

Mitch and the entire OFA community


Soyuz Rolls to the Pad
Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:00:00 -0600
The Soyuz TMA-17 spacecraft is rolled out by train to the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, Friday, Dec. 18, 2009. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 22 NASA Flight Engineer Timothy J. Creamer of the U.S., Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov of Russia and Flight Engineer Soichi Noguchi of Japan, is scheduled for Monday, Dec., 21, 2009 at 3:52a.m. Kazakhstan time. Image Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

The latest Regional and State Employment and Unemployment news release
(http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/laus.pdf)
was issued today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Highlights are below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

In November, 36 states and the District of Columbia recorded
over-the-month unemployment rate decreases, 8 states
registered increases, and 6 states had no change. Nonfarm
payroll employment increased in 19 states and decreased in
31 states and the District of Columbia.


Advisories/Bulletins/Fact Sheets for FinCEN Updates. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.

ECONOMY WEEKLY WEEK OF DECEMBER 14, 2009

“All over our country this holiday season, Americans who lost their jobs in the Great Recession are looking for work. Today the House answered with some productive ideas to respond to this great need, offering new initiatives including repairing our roads and bridges, providing relief to Americans who have lost their jobs and preventing layoffs at the state and local level…. Some may think standing by and taking no action is the right approach, but for the millions of Americans still out of work, inaction is unacceptable.”
– President Barack Obama, 12/16/2009

Economy Highlight:

• The Commerce Department reported Wednesday that the housing market rebounded in November, with new construction increasing across the country. “New construction on U.S. housing units rebounded in November … and analysts said the upward trend would continue as long as tax-breaks for first time home buyers remain in place.” [MarketWatch, 12/16/09]

Recovery Highlights:

• A report from the White House Office of Energy and Climate Change indicates that Recovery Act spending will create clean energy jobs, including: 253,000 jobs in renewable generation and advanced energy manufacturing; 17,000 jobs generated by advanced energy manufacturing facilities; thousands of jobs by December 2010 as part of renewable energy projects on federal lands; and 43,000 new jobs as a result of smart grid investments. [Office of the Vice President, 12/15/09]

• Vice President Biden announced $7.2 billion in Recovery Act funds will be used for broadband grant and loan programs in rural areas, including $2 billion that will “be made available on a rolling basis over the next 75 days to bring high-speed Internet to communities that currently have little or no access to the technology.” Vice President Biden said in a statement, “This is what the Recovery Act is all about – sparking new growth, tapping into the ingenuity of the American people and giving folks the tools they need to help build a new economy in the 21st-century.” [Recovery.gov, 12/17/09]


Dateline DEA for U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.
Air Traffic Publications for U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.
2010 BAH Rates
Fri, 18 Dec 2009 08:13:14 -0600
The Department of Defense has released its housing allowance rates for 2010.

DNI Blair Op-Ed in the Washington Post on Intelligence Reform
The following op-ed marking the five year anniversary of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 ran on page A31 of the Washington Post today.

Strengthening our nation's front line of defense

Reinventing our intelligence structure is a massive challenge – but we're making real progress.

By Dennis C. Blair
Friday, December 18, 2009 – The Washington Post – Page A31

The legislation authorizing post-Sept. 11 intelligence reform – the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 – was signed into law five years ago this week. We are often asked whether the new organizations, authorities and additional resources have made a difference. The answer is yes.

To be clear, the task of reinventing our intelligence structure and integrating the capabilities, cultures and information technologies of 16 diverse intelligence agencies is massive, and it is incomplete. Problems persist in our technologies, business practices and mind-sets. I have no illusions about how challenging they will be to overcome. But there is an ocean of difference between difficult and impossible.

While many successes must remain classified, there are things the public can and should know about changes that have been made and how we are directing our efforts and America's resources.

A prime example is the new level of cooperation among FBI, local law enforcement and U.S. intelligence agencies in the recent arrests of Najibullah Zazi and David Headley, Americans allegedly associated with foreign terrorist organizations who are charged with planning attacks in this country and overseas. In both cases, tips and leads were smoothly passed among those gathering information in this country and those gathering information overseas, including foreign intelligence services that provided information or responded to questions. These investigations connected the dots in exactly the ways the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act envisioned. However, as the case of Army Maj. Nidal Hasan, who has been charged with the Fort Hood, Tex., shootings, shows, we must go even further in our efforts to turn intelligence into the knowledge needed to protect Americans.

Innovative use of information technology across agencies is enabling analysts to make use of the enormous amounts of data we are gathering and to distill insights that will help policymakers in Washington and civil and military officers in the field. Thousands of analysts form groups spontaneously, in real time, on A-Space, post insights in Intellipedia, retrieve relevant analyses from the Library of National Intelligence and interact with the tribal database for Afghanistan. These tools, among others, ensure that each piece of analysis takes advantage of work being done and that new insights are immediately available to those who need them.

Close collaboration among collectors and analysts utilizing human, satellite and signals intelligence produced key evidence of a prospective covert uranium enrichment facility in Iran. Teamwork among different agencies in the United States and partners abroad just last week led to the interdiction of a Middle East-bound cargo of North Korean weapons.

Initiatives that will make us even more effective are moving forward. More than 6,000 intelligence officers are now "joint duty" qualified, and another 5,000 are gaining interagency experience. Cross-agency teams are making steady improvements in our administrative information systems so that we can better manage our human and financial resources; the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity is funding high-risk, high-payoff projects in quantum computing, identity recognition, computer network intelligence and other areas that will benefit many agencies down the line.

The new National Intelligence Strategy provides the blueprint for further improvement in effectiveness. All U.S. intelligence organizations collaborated this year to articulate our shared mission and objectives. The strategy puts unprecedented focus on cybersecurity, counterintelligence and the impact that problems such as pandemic disease, climate events, failed states and scarce natural resources have on global stability. It recognizes the role of intelligence in identifying common interests and defusing threats in such issues as energy, trade, drug interdiction and public health.

Like our armed forces and first responders, intelligence professionals are on the front lines in defense of this country. Their operations are already collaborative between and across agencies to an extent that was unheard of five years ago. Continued commitment and investment in this reform are vital. If we become complacent now, or pessimistic about future progress, and revert to stovepipes and turf battles, full transformation will never be achieved.

Continued reform will also not be possible without a full commitment from the inside. Every intelligence agency, director, manager and employee has a role in breaking down the remaining impediments to integration. I find that the overwhelming majority of intelligence officers recognize the importance and benefits of integration. While taking pride in their individual skills and agencies, they are eager to cooperate with others to accomplish the common mission. This is most true in the field – overseas and closer to home at fusion centers in Los Angeles and Chicago.

It has been famously argued that information is power and, therefore, should never be shared. The Sept. 11 attacks showed the fatal flaws in that logic. Our nation is becoming safer every day because we are aware that information increases in power only when it is shared. Our mission is a fully integrated intelligence community, and there is no turning back. My most urgent priorities are to permanently instill this new culture and to use every tool at my disposal – from joint duty to recruitment and communications – to build a generation of intelligence leaders for whom this culture is business as usual.

The writer is director of national intelligence.


OCC Reports Decline in Derivatives Credit Exposures
WASHINGTON — Credit risk in bank trading activities continued to decline in the third quarter of 2009, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency reported today in the OCC's Quarterly Report on Bank Trading and Derivatives Activities.
The OCC reported that net current credit exposure (NCCE), the primary metric the OCC uses to measure credit risk in derivatives activities, decreased $70 billion, or 13 percent, to $484 billion. “As financial markets have stabilized, credit spreads have narrowed considerably, and that has helped to reduce counterparty credit exposures,” said Kathryn Dick, Deputy Comptroller for Credit and Market Risk. Ms. Dick noted that, in 2008, crisis-related declines in interest rates and widening of credit spreads had caused the NCCE to reach $800 billion in the fourth quarter of 2008. “Current credit exposures are now 40 percent lower than at the peak of the crisis,” said Ms. Dick.
U.S. commercial banks reported trading revenues of $5.7 billion in the third quarter of 2009, compared to $5.2 billion in the second quarter, “The return to more normal financial market conditions has allowed banks to generate more consistent trading revenues this year,” said Ms. Dick. She noted that the business of providing risk management services to help clients manage risks remains an important part of a bank’s product set.
The report shows that the notional amount of derivatives held by insured U.S. commercial banks increased by $804 billion (or 0.4 percent) in the third quarter to $204.3 trillion. Interest rate contracts increased $700 billion to $173 trillion, while credit derivatives fell 3 percent to $13 trillion.
The report also noted that:
Banks hold collateral to cover 64 percent of their NCCE. The quality of the collateral is very high, as 82 percent is cash (U.S. dollar and non-dollar).
Derivatives contracts are concentrated in a small number of institutions. The largest five banks hold 97 percent of the total notional amount of derivatives, while the largest 25 banks hold nearly 100 percent.
Credit default swaps are the dominant product in the credit derivatives market, representing 98 percent of total credit derivatives.
The number of commercial banks holding derivatives decreased by 45 in the quarter to 1,065.
A copy of the OCC’s Quarterly Report on Bank Trading and Derivatives Activities: Third Quarter 2009 is available on the OCC’s Web site at: http://www.occ.gov/ftp/release/2009-161a.pdf.
###
World's Largest Internet Undersea Science Station Boots Up
NASA and Maryland Researcher Recognized for Data that Provides Clues to Earth's Changing Climate, Forests, and Crops
Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:00:00 -0600
FEC Weekly Digest for Federal Election Commission. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.
FEC weekly Digest
Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:32:02 -0600

MESSAGE FROM THE MAJORITY LEADER

As we have been all year, Democrats remain focused on economic recovery and job creation. When President Obama took office, the economy was in free-fall, and America was losing over 700,000 jobs a month. Today, thanks in large part to Democratic efforts like the Recovery Act, the economy is growing again and, last month, job losses slowed to a near halt. Nevertheless, it’s clear that any job losses are too many, and our work won’t be done until millions of Americans are back at work. That’s why Democrats took additional action this week to boost job creation and respond to the urgent needs of struggling Americans. The Jobs for Main Street Act will invest in infrastructure projects that will create jobs, ensure that teachers, police officers, and firefighters can stay on the job, and give small businesses the help they need to keep adding jobs. It also ensures that families hardest hit by the recession can continue to receive unemployment insurance and health care assistance, and access other emergency programs.

In the coming weeks, as Democrats continue to focus on putting Americans back to work, we will also remain focused on restoring fiscal responsibility and addressing long-term deficits. Even as we see signs that the economy is starting to improve, our job is two-fold: to build on our actions and keep creating jobs and strengthening the economy right now, while also committing to fiscal responsibility in the long-term so that there is a real path to fiscal sustainability in the future.

The House has now completed all of its scheduled legislative business, and I do not expect any more votes in the House this year. The House will return for the 2nd session of the 111th Congress on January 12, 2010. Until then, I wish you and your family a happy and healthy holiday season.


Sincerely yours,

STENY H. HOYER


Mullen Points Out Progress in Iraq
Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:24:00 -0600
New Report: Protecting Families and Putting More Money in Your Pocket: How Health Insurance Reform Will Lower Costs and Increase Choices
Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:01:00 -0600
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today released a new report, Protecting Families and Putting More Money in Your Pocket: How Health Insurance Reform Will Lower Costs and Increase Choices

Statement of Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on Release of USDA Climate Change Analysis

Washington, December 18, 2009 - Today, USDA's Chief Economist, Joe Glauber, released the results of his full economic analysis showing that agriculture will benefit from energy and climate legislation if it includes a robust carbon offsets program and other helpful provisions. The costs of such legislation will be modest while returns from offsets will increase over-time and result in positive net income for agriculture.

In addition to analyzing the impacts using our own model, USDA has also reported on the output of the FASOM model - a model developed by researchers at Texas A & M University that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has used as part of its efforts to study the impacts of climate legislation. Earlier this month, Dr. Glauber discussed results from the FASOM model in testimony he gave before the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy and Research.

I am aware that the results of the FASOM model have caused considerable concern within the farm and ranch community as a result of the models projections on afforestation over the next several decades. If landowners plant trees to the extent the model suggests, this would be disruptive to agriculture in some regions of the country.

Based on conversations with Dr. Glauber and my staff, I don't believe the results related to afforestation forecast by the FASOM model are necessarily an accurate depiction of the impacts of climate legislation. The model could be updated to better reflect current legislative proposals. The FASOM model as it is currently configured makes assumptions that reduce farmer income from offsets generated by conservation tillage, methane reductions and other offset activities. The model also makes other assumptions that could lead to an overestimate of afforestation. This is especially true given that the model attempts to forecast land use impact over long-time horizons.

As other recent analyses have shown, there are opportunities to expand greenhouse gas offsets and biomass energy production without removing significant amounts of land from production. As Dr. Glauber stated during his hearing on December 3, careful design of the offsets program will be important in order to avoid unintended consequences.

In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, I strongly believe that energy and climate legislation should be structured to help farmers profit from new income opportunities and that an outcome that damages agriculture is not anyone's intent or interest. The House of Representatives worked diligently to ensure a proper role for agriculture in its recently passed climate legislation. I am fully confident that the Senate will work to do the same.

USDA and EPA are continually assessing and updating the assumptions that go into their models. I have directed Dr. Glauber to work together with EPA to undertake a review of the assumptions in the FASOM model, to update the model, and to develop options on how best to avoid unintended consequences for agriculture that might result from climate change legislation. Continually improving our analytical tools will help ensure that climate legislation can be designed in such a way as to create new income opportunities for farmers.

For more information about the study visit the following link.

#


Casey in Afghanistan
Fri, 18 Dec 2009 10:12:25 -0600
Army Chief of Staff General George Casey visited troops in eastern Afghanistan Thursday, stopping at Bagram Air Field, Forward Operating Base Lightning and Combat Outpost Narizah.
Iraqi Forces Target Assassination Cell
Fri, 18 Dec 2009 10:40:00 -0600

TEXAS YD's FUNDRAISER IN THE VALLEY!
What: Club/Group Meeting
Start Time: Saturday, January 9 at 7:30pm
End Time: Saturday, January 9 at 10:00pm
Where: The Art Village on Main

To see more details and RSVP


Sedney Briefing
Fri, 18 Dec 2009 07:33:52 -0600
As more American troops head to Afghanistan, defense officials say the Pakistani government is also committed to helping in the fight against the Taliban and al Qaeda.
NASA Names New Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration
Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:00:00 -0600
Laurie Leshin has been named the new deputy associate administrator of the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, effective in January.
Afghan Contracts
Fri, 18 Dec 2009 10:55:53 -0600
The mission to build up the Afghan Security Forces faces unique, complex problems because of the country's difficult operating environment.
Gates Encourages Graduates to Seek Public Service
Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:19:00 -0600
ISAF Officials Investigate Civilian Casualty Claims
Fri, 18 Dec 2009 10:51:00 -0600
Afghan Town's Progress Provides Encouragement
Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:07:00 -0600
DoD General Officer Announcement
Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:32:00 -0600
TTB.gov TTB Newsletter Update

OCC Enforcement Actions
WASHINGTON — The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today released new enforcement actions taken against national banks and individuals currently and formerly affiliated with national banks.
The OCC has added a new category -- "Notices Filed" -- to the list of public enforcement actions. The "Notices Filed" category may include a "Notice of Charges," a "Notice of Civil Money Penalty Assessment," and/or a "Notice of Intent to Remove/Prohibit."
All Cease and Desist Orders, Civil Money Penalty Orders, and Removal/Prohibition Orders are issued with the consent of the parties, unless otherwise indicated as a Decision and Order issued by the Comptroller of the Currency.

Copies of the final actions are available for download by viewing the searchable database of all public enforcement actions taken since August 1989 at http://apps.occ.gov/EnforcementActions/.
You may also submit a request electronically to obtain copies through the OCC’s online FOIA site, https://appsec.occ.gov/publicaccesslink/. Fax requests should be sent to (202) 874-5274. You can also obtain copies by writing to the Comptroller of the Currency, Communications Division, Mail Stop 2-3, Washington, DC 20219. When ordering, specify the appropriate enforcement action number.


DOD Evaluates Sexual Harassment & Violence Programs At Military Service Academies
Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:02:00 -0600
Joint Statement from Secretary Gates and Secretary Clinton on Defense Appropriations
Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:13:00 -0600
Secretary Chu Announces Efforts to Strengthen U.S. Electric Transmission Networks

Washington, DC—Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today award selections for $60 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to support transmission planning for the country’s three interconnection transmission networks. The 6 awards will promote collaborative long-term analysis and planning for the Eastern, Western and Texas electricity interconnections, which will help states, utilities, grid operators, and others prepare for future growth in energy demand, renewable energy sources, and Smart Grid technologies. This represents the first-ever effort to take a collaborative, comprehensive look across each of the three transmission interconnections.

Secretary Chu also announced that he has joined with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Chairman Jon Wellinghoff to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the agencies to coordinate efforts related to interconnection-level electric transmission planning. DOE will lead electricity-related research and development activities, including research and demonstrations for hardware and software technologies that help operate the country’s transmission networks. FERC will continue to oversee electricity reliability standards nationally and will enforce regulations to ensure that all transmission planning happens in an open, transparent and non-discriminatory manner. The Memorandum of Understanding is available HERE.

“As we move the country toward a clean energy future, it is critical that we analyze the capacity of the country’s transmission infrastructure and plan for future growth in this important industry,” said Secretary Chu. “The initiatives announced today will support collaborative planning efforts among a broad range of industry, government and third party organizations. This will ensure that we are effectively planning, building and strengthening the transmission networks the U.S. needs to operate a reliable, efficient and secure electricity system.”

“This agreement will allow FERC and DOE to take the regional planning groundwork that transmission operators have laid to the important next step of developing interconnection-wide plans,” FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff said. “These plans have the potential to improve the efficient operation of the transmission system and to reliably integrate new resources such as renewable energy and smart grid technologies. We at FERC look forward to working with DOE, our state colleagues and all stakeholders in this important effort.”

The transmission infrastructure in the continental United States is separated into three distinct electrical networks, or “interconnections”– the Eastern, Western, and Texas interconnections (for a map of the interconnections, visit HERE). Portions of the Eastern and Western interconnections also extend into Canada and Mexico. Within each interconnection, the addition of new electricity supply sources and the development of transmission needed to deliver electricity to consumers requires careful coordination to maintain the grid’s reliability while limiting costs and environmental impacts.

The transmission planning supported through today’s awards will develop an open, transparent, and collaborative process that will involve participants from industry, federal, state and local government agencies, universities, and non-governmental organizations. This will include discussions among states within an interconnection on how best to meet the region’s electricity supply needs, along with collaboration among industry and government agencies from Canada and Mexico.

As a result of these planning efforts, each of the awardees will produce long-term resource and transmission planning studies in 2011, with updated documents in 2013. The knowledge and perspective gained from this work will inform policy and regulatory decisions in the years to come and provide critical information to electricity industry planners, states and others to develop a modernized, low-carbon electricity system.

The awards announced today are divided into two topic areas – funding for transmission planners and funding for state agencies. Awards under the first topic area will fund transmission planners’ work with stakeholder organizations within an interconnection to project options for alternative electricity supplies and the associated transmission requirements. The second group of awards will go to state agencies or groups of agencies to develop coordinated interconnection priorities and planning processes.

The following organizations have been selected for awards:

Eastern Interconnection
Eastern Interconnection Planning Collaborative - $16 million
Eastern Interconnection States’ Planning Council - $14 million

Western Interconnection
Western Electricity Coordinating Council - $14.5 million
Western Governors’ Association - $12 million

Texas Interconnection
Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) - $2.5 million
Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) for work with Texas government agencies - $1 million


###
Constituent Update for USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.
Gates Commencement Speech
Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:24:27 -0600
Defense Secretary Robert Gates traveled to the University of Georgia on Friday to deliver a commencement address to the Class of 2009.
DOD Health Survey
Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:26:40 -0600
The Defense Department has released its latest survey of health related behaviors among active duty personnel.
FBI’s Top Ten News Stories for the Week Ending December 18, 2009
FEMA Encourages Winter Weather Preparedness
Fri, 18 Dec 2009 09:45:20 -0600
With the winter season approaching, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reminds individuals to be prepared for winter storms and extreme cold. While the danger of severe winter weather varies across the country, everyone can benefit by taking a few easy steps now to prepare for emergencies. A first step, regardless of where you live, is to visit the Ready.gov Web site to find preparedness ideas you can use all year long.
Administrator Speeches from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) website. Information has been updated. Administrator Rogoff Delivers Remarks at Grand Rapid Groundbreaking - Grand Rapids, MI now available.
DOL Announces Regulatory Agenda That Addresses Employment of Individuals with Disabilities and Disabled Veterans
To learn more about these proposed regulatory changes, click here.
From the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: A listing of the latest
publications from the Bureau of Labor Statistics is now available at
http://www.bls.gov/opub/update.htm Please refer questions to
blsdata_staff@bls.gov .
Commitments of Traders Reports for CFTC.gov.
The current reports for the week of December 15, 2009 are now available.
See previous weeks in Historical Commitments of Traders Reports.
Commission Examines Contracting Issues
Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:52:00 -0600
Former Broward County School Board Member Indicted on Public Corruption Charges
DHS' Efforts to Enhance Driver's License Security
Fri, 18 Dec 2009 06:00:00 -0600
In order to ensure that the millions of Americans traveling this holiday season are not disrupted, DHS is extending the Dec. 31 REAL ID material compliance deadline

Another Reminder....Spring 10

The UNR Young Dems are thinking about changing our weekly meeting times from its usual Friday @ 3. However, we need you to send us your Spring 2010 school schedule/ other time commitments to UNRyoungdems@gmail.com so that we can work out a time that gets us the most people to the meetings .... Please send ASAP....
Thank you!
Mandie Drummond
Vice President, UNR Young Democrats
--------------------


Anchorage Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.

C-SPAN Weekend Alert
Programming Information for Fri. 12/18 - Mon. 12/21, 2009
**********************************************************************

C-SPAN Highlights

Friday:
* U.N. Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen (8pm)
* Cmsn. on Wartime Contracting Hearing on Afghanistan (8:50pm)

Saturday:
* Communicators: Motion Picture Assn. of America, Chair & CEO Dan Glickman (6:30pm)
* America & the Courts: Panel of Journalists on Supreme Court Oral Argument (7pm)

Sunday:
* Newsmakers: Budget Cmte. Chairman Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND) (10am)
* Q&A: Robert Merry, Author, "A Country of Vast Design" (8pm)

Monday:
* U.S. House: Not In Session
* Nat'l Press Club Address by NIH Director Francis Collins, M.D. (1pm) - LIVE
* Sec. of State Hillary Clinton Speech on the 15th Anniv. of the ICPD (3pm) - LIVE
**********************************************************************
C-SPAN 2 Highlights

Friday:
* U.S. Senate Floor Debate on Health Care Legislation (Time TBA) - LIVE

Saturday/Sunday:
* U.S. Senate Floor Debate on Defense & Health Care Legislation (Time TBA) - LIVE
* Book TV Will Air Following Coverage of the U.S. Senate - http://www.booktv.org/

Monday:
* U.S. Senate: In Session (Time TBA) - LIVE
**********************************************************************
C-SPAN 3 Highlights

Friday:
* Highlights: Copenhagen Climate Conf.; Senate on Health Care & Defense Bill (7pm)

Saturday:
* AHTV: Discussion on Thomas Jefferson, John Adams & Religion (1pm)

Sunday:
* American History TV: Interviews with Pearl Harbor Survivors (3pm)

Monday:
* Programming TBA. Check Schedule for Updates - http://www.c-spanvideo.org/schedule/?timezone=Eastern&date=Dec+21%2C+2009
**********************************************************************
C-SPAN Radio Highlights

Saturday:
* Washington Journal (7am) - LIVE

Sunday:
* Washington Journal (7am) - LIVE
* Sunday Network News Shows (12pm)

Monday:
* Washington Journal (7am) - LIVE
**********************************************************************
Politics Highlights

* C-SPAN Political Programming - Sunday on C-SPAN at 6:30pm ET
**********************************************************************
Washington Journal Highlights

Saturday:
* Discussion on U.S. Policy in Afghanistan
* Discussion on the Obama Administration's Human Rights Agenda
* Discussion on the Auto Industry
* CPA Arthur Auerbach on Year-End Tax Preparation Advice

Sunday:
* Newspaper Articles & Viewer Calls
* Discussion on the Health Care Debate
* Discussion on Iran
* Roundtable Discussion on the News of the Week

Monday:
* Newspaper Articles & Viewer Calls
* Steve Forbes, Forbes, President & CEO
* Discussion on Corporate Political Spending
* Discussion on Young Americans & Politics
**********************************************************************


Department's 'COO' Keeps Eye on Warfighters
Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:56:00 -0600
Recall Case Archive for USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. This information has recently been updated. Case 040-2009, California Firm Recalls Ready-To-Eat Pork Skin Products Produced Without Inspection, has been moved to the archive.
You may view a copy of the updated information.
DoD Contracts for December 18, 2009
Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:00:00 -0600
Today in the Department of Defense, 12/19/2009
Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:17:00 -0600
GAO-10-168, UN Office for Project Services: Management Reforms Proceeding but Effectiveness Not Assessed, and USAID's Oversight of Grants Has Weaknesses, November 19, 2009
GAO-10-125, Juvenile Justice: DOJ Is Enhancing Information on Effective Programs, but Could Better Assess the Utility of This Information, December 17, 2009
GAO-10-134, DOD Civilian Personnel: Intelligence Personnel System Incorporates Safeguards, but Opportunities Exist for Improvement, December 17, 2009
GAO-10-220, Softwood Lumber Act of 2008: Customs and Border Protection Established Required Procedures, but Agencies Report Little Benefit from New Requirements, December 18, 2009
GAO-10-288R, Overseas Contingency Operations: Funding and Cost Reporting for the Department of Defense, December 18, 2009
GAO-10-170R, Department of Veterans Affairs' Implementation of Information Security Education Assistance Program, December 18, 2009
GAO-10-171, Biosurveillance: Developing a Collaboration Strategy Is Essential to Fostering Interagency Data and Resource Sharing, December 18, 2009
FRB Consumer Advisory Council appointments for 2010
U.S. regulators encourage comments to Basel Committee
FTC, Visa, and BBB Partner to Educate Consumers About Free Trial Offers and Online Scams
The Federal Trade Commission has joined an effort to alert consumers to online deceptive marketing connected to free trial offers that require individuals to cancel or opt-out of a recurring charge for future products or services.
Holiday Message from DNI Blair
A holiday message from Director of National Intelligence Dennis C. Blair to employees of the United States Intelligence Community.
DNI Blair Op-Ed in the Washington Post on Intelligence Reform
An op-ed by the Director of National Intelligence, Dennis C. Blair, marking the five year anniversary of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, was published in the Washington Post on Friday, December 18, 2009.
New civil rights chief vows more hate-crimes enforcement
The Obama administration's new civil rights chief said Thursday that he was "shocked" to learn of the steep decline in hate-crime prosecutions during the Bush presidency and vowed to combat violence stemming from hatred and bias.
Obama: 'No time to waste' on climate pact
Delegates at the U.N. Climate Change Conference are "running short on time" to reach a deal, President Obama said.
Hawaii in early stages of energy revolution
With the highest electricity rates in the country, Hawaii is in the midst of tapping other resources for energy.
Director's Statement: Senior Leadership Changes
December 16, 2009 - Statement to Employees by Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Leon E. Panetta on Senior Leadership Changes.

VIDEO: COP 15 UN Climate Change Conference
President Barrack Obama delivers brief remarks during morning plenary session at UN Climate Change Conference
Length:

Published: Today at 4am (ET)


VIDEO: Ilyse Hogue, MoveOn.org
Ilyse Hogue, Political Advocacy & Communications Director at MoveOn.org, discusses the group's efforts to raise $1 million dollars for their campaign against Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., and their perspective on health care debate in the Senate.
Length: 23 min.

Published: Today at 7:30am (ET)


VIDEO: Pres. Obama Attends U.N. Climate Change Summit
Pres. Obama attended multi-lateral talks with hopes of moving the stalled U.N. climate change talks forward. In his address to the conference he reiterated his role by stating "I'm here to act and not talk."
Length: 11 min.

Published: Today at 6:30am (ET)


VIDEO: Asst. Atty. Gen. Thomas Perez on Justice Department Agenda
The American Constitution Society for Law and Policy hosted this event with Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Thomas Perez. We heard about his agenda for this office within the Justice Department.
Length: 55 min.

Published: Today at 12:30pm (ET)


VIDEO: Senate Democrats Press Conference on Funding for Troops
Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Mark Begich (D-AK) conducted a press conference on Capitol Hill to discuss Republican efforts to delay funding for our troops.
Length: 11 min.

Published: Today at 1:30pm (ET)


Wrap-up bill clears Senate hurdle
by By ANDREW TAYLOR
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Senate headed for a Saturday morning vote on a package that funds the Pentagon and keeps other key programs, including benefits for the unemployed and highway spending, from expiring. It's the third straight weekend on the job as the Senate struggles to wrap up its work for the year....
Lack of basics slows effort to build Afghan forces
from AP Top Political News At 5:39 a.m. EST by By RICHARD LARDNER
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A lack of basic infrastructure in Afghanistan is slowing the U.S. effort to build up the Afghan security forces, a government watchdog said Friday...
Treasury Receives First Quarterly Repayment from General Motors
from U.S. Treasury - Press Releases - All
December 18, 2009
TG-456
Treasury Announces Additional Initial Closing of Legacy Securities Public-Private Investment Fund
from U.S. Treasury - Press Releases - All
Iran expects advanced enrichment in 2011
from Iran News latest RSS headlines - Big News Network.com
Iran expects to be using a new generation of uranium centrifuges, which it has been testing for about two years, for full-scale nuclear enrichment by March 2011.
Iraq demands Iran withdraw troops from oilfield
from Iran News latest RSS headlines - Big News Network.com
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq on Friday demanded that Iran immediately withdraw its soldiers from a disputed oilfield on the two countries' border, but Tehran denied any incursion.Iraqi government spok...
Mullen in Iraq: US drawdown on schedule
by The Associated Press
The election was postponed from January, but Mullen said that will not change US plans. Mullen toured US bases in Basra and Talil, and met with an array of ...
Congressional Ethics Office Closes Inquiry Into Murtha, Dicks and Moran
from The Full Feed from HuffingtonPost.com by The Huffington Post News Editors
The Office of Congressional Ethics has closed its investigation into Reps. John Murtha (D-Pa.), Norm Dicks (D-Wash.) and Jim Moran (D-Va.) and their relationships to the lobbying firm PMA Group, and the OCE advised against a formal House ethics investigation, the lawmakers' offices said Friday.
White House: U.S., China Reach Climate Deal
from BusinessWeek.com --
China and the United States struck an agreement on climate change but U.S. officials concede the impact will be limited
US Senate Defense Spending Bill Advances
from VOA News: U.S. Politics
Senators voted 63-33 in the pre-dawn hours Friday to end debate on the $636 billion package, clearing the way for a final vote on the measure Saturday. The House passed the bill earlier in the week.
Obama: "meaningful breakthrough" on climate change
from AP Top International News At 5:48 a... by By JENNIFER LOVEN
COPENHAGEN (AP) -- President Barack Obama declared Friday a "meaningful and unprecedented breakthrough" had been reached among the U.S., China and three other countries on a global effort to curb climate change but said much work was still be needed to reach a legally binding treaty....
Executive Order -- Amending Executive Order 12425
Posted in Executive Orders

Biden Kicks Off $7.2 Billion Recovery Act Broadband Program
Statement by the President on House Passage of Jobs Bill
President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts, 12/17/09
Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate, 12/17/09
Statement by the President on the Hmong New Year
Remarks by The President on Energy Efficiency and Job Creation
Remarks by the President After Meeting with Senate Democrats
Remarks by the President at the Morning Plenary Session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference
Remarks by President Obama and Russian President Medvedev after Meeting
On the Ground in Copenhagen: CEQ Chair Sutley
Posted by Jake Levine on December 18, 2009 at 11:39 AM EST
The Time for Political Games is Over
Posted by Dan Pfeiffer on December 18, 2009 at 12:10 PM EST
Recovery in Action: Powering a Greener Economy
Posted by Cammie Croft on December 18, 2009 at 1:17 PM EST
Obama: We are running short on time for climate deal
Posted: December 18th, 2009 08:39 AM ET

Delegates at the U.N. Climate Change Conference are 'running short on time' to reach agreement on a deal, U.S. President Barack Obama said Friday.
Copenhagen, Denmark (CNN) - Delegates at the U.N. Climate Change Conference are "running short on time" to reach agreement on a deal, U.S. President Barack Obama said Friday.

Obama transcript on climate: Act boldly
Posted: December 18th, 2009 08:50 AM ET
Senate ends debate on defense spending
Posted: December 18th, 2009 09:11 AM ET

Facing year-end holidays and running out of time to discuss health care reform, the Senate voted early Friday to end debate on funding for the Department of Defense.
Washington (CNN) – Facing year-end holidays and running out of time to discuss health care reform, the Senate voted early Friday to end debate on funding for the Department of Defense.

Google unveils top political searches of 2009
Posted: December 18th, 2009 10:30 AM ET

From CNN Audience Interaction Producer Eric Kuhn


Interest in the United States over the time for the 'Public Option' on Google Search.
Washington (CNN) - With more than a billion searches being typed into Google a day, the search engine serves as a barometer for what's on the minds of Americans. And when it comes to politics in 2009, Americans were searching more for Henry Louis Gates over Sonia Sotomayor, AIG over TARP, and Mark Sanford over John Edwards.


Obama: 'Time for talk is over'
Posted: December 18th, 2009 11:24 AM ET

Congressional Democrats retain COH advantage in November
Posted: December 18th, 2009 12:35 PM ET

From CNN Political Producer Rebecca Sinderbrand

Washington (CNN) – The National Republican Senatorial Committee again edged out the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee last month, while the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee kept up its winning streak in November - and Democratic campaign committees in the House and Senate both maintained their massive cash-on-hand advantage over their GOP counterparts.


Obama: U.S., Russia 'quite close' to forging new START treaty
Posted: December 18th, 2009 01:59 PM ET

Obama: U.S., Russia 'quite close' to forging new START treaty.
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (CNN) – President Barack Obama said the United States and Russia are "quite close" to forging a new nuclear disarmament treaty in a "timely fashion."

Pelosi: Climate bill will pass
Posted: December 18th, 2009 02:10 PM ET
MoveOn calls on members to help block health care bill
Posted: December 18th, 2009 03:11 PM ET
(CNN) - MoveOn – which has spent millions this fall on campaigns pressing conservative Democrats to support health care reform – is now calling on members to fight the bill currently being considered by the Senate.

Obama near climate change accord with China, others
Posted: December 18th, 2009 04:24 PM ET

From CNN Senior White House Correspondent Ed Henry
Obama near climate change accord with China, others.
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (CNN) - President Obama is in the final stages of closing a climate change deal with China and other key nations that is expected to be sealed before the president heads home from the Copenhagen summit late Friday, according to a senior administration official.


Franken takes on Lieberman as tensions builds in Senate
Posted: December 18th, 2009 04:33 PM ET

Trafficant Gears Up
At a news conference yesterday, it sure sounded like ex-convict and former Rep. Jim Traficant (D) -- who called himself "a bitter man" -- is running for Congress again. He also says he's got a book and movie deal in the works.

The video of the event does not disappoint.


Republicans More Unhappy With Their Leaders
A new Public Policy Polling survey finds that there are still more Republicans unhappy with their party in Congress than Democrats: 35% of GOP voters expressed disapproval of their leaders in Washington while 27% of Democrats did.

Top Political Stories of the Decade
Marc Cooper of the USC Annenberg School makes his picks:

1. The unconventional election process of 2000
2. The attack on the Twin Towers, September 11, 2001
3. The invasion of Afghanistan, 2001
4. The invasion of Iraq, 2003
5. The introduction of torture techniques as official American policy
6. The unprecedented expansion of executive power
7. Hurricane Katrina
8. The election of Barack Obama
9. The global financial crisis of 2008-2009
10. The media revolution

What do you think? Nominate your own stories in the comments.


What Lieberman Has Done
Ezra Klein: "Joe Lieberman's reckless decision to blow up last week's compromise has had exactly the impact many of us predicted. Much of the left has flipped into vicious, angry opposition to the bill. Is that because the Medicare buy-in, a good but limited policy, has disappeared from the bill? Ostensibly. But not really. If you don't believe the bill has cost controls, Medicare buy-in was not an answer to your concerns. If you believe the mandate is bad policy, letting people between 55 and 64 choose public insurance did not answer your concerns."

"Lieberman has tossed the process into chaos, and maybe that was the point... But his recklessness has endangered the bill, and through it, many, many lives. He may not be ashamed. But he should be."


The Big Health Care Vote
The latest schedule for the health care vote suggests that very early Monday morning -- at around 1:00 am ET -- the Senate will vote to break the filibuster on the "managers' amendment."

Flashback of the Day
When Sen. Al Franken objected to Sen. Joe Lieberman's request for additional time, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) said that in his 20-plus years in the Senate he had never heard a senator do that before.

However, a Political Wire reader sends this excerpt from the Congressional Record from October 10, 2002:

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator's time has expired.

Mr. DAYTON. I ask for unanimous consent that I have 30 seconds more to finish my remarks.

Mr. McCAIN. I object.


Volkswagen preferred shares to list on DAX
from MarketWatch.com - MarketPulse

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Volkswagen Ag preferred shares will replace the company's ordinary shares on Germany's DAX stock index, effective Dec. 23, the company said Friday. Deutsche Bourse made the move following Qatar Holding's announcement that it raised its stake in the German car maker to 17% from 6.8%, part of a long-term strategic investment by the sovereign fund.


Dow industrials gain 26 points to 10,334.26
from MarketWatch.com - Real-time Headlines
Nasdaq Composite climbs 31.64 points to 2,211.69
from MarketWatch.com - Real-time Headlines

U.S. stocks tally modest gains for a mixed week
from MarketWatch.com - MarketPulse

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- U.S. stocks on Friday tallied modest gains to end the week mixed as investors drew some cheer from better-than-expected results from technology titan Oracle Corp. and others. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 20.63 points, or 0.2%, to 10,328.89, leaving it down 1.4% from last Friday's close. The S&P 500 Index added 6.32 points, or 0.6%, to 1,102.39, giving it a 0.4% drop for the week. The Nasdaq Composite Index climbed 31.64 points, or 1.5%, to 2,211.69, leaving it up 1% from the week-ago close.


Copenhagen climate summit ends with deal: reports
from MarketWatch.com - MarketPulse

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- The Copenhagen climate summit ended with a "meaningful agreement" to combat the release of greenhouse gases, according to media reports Friday, citing White House officials. The agreement was described as an "important first step" in combating climate change, according to The Wall Street Journal.


Climate talks end with pact that U.S. calls an 'important first step'
from MarketWatch.com - MarketWatch Breaking News Bulletins
Climate talks end with pact that U.S. calls an 'important first step'

Siemens financial services chief to leave
from MarketWatch.com - MarketPulse

LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Siemens said the head of its financial services arm, Dominik Asam, will leave in March at his own request. Roland Cholans-Browne, who was CEO of the U.S. arm of Siemens Financial Services, will take over in February.


General Mills posts higher profit, lifts forecast
from MarketWatch.com - Top Stories
Cereal maker General Mills Inc. lifts its full-year forecast Thursday after posting a higher second-quarter profit, thanks in part to lower commodity costs.

Coca-Cola Enterprises ups 2009 profit outlook
from MarketWatch.com - MarketPulse

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. raised its full-year profit outlook on Thursday to a range of $1.56 to $1.59 a share, from a prior range of $1.54 to $1.57 a range, as provided in October. For 2010, the Atlanta soft drink company said it expects high single-digit percentage growth on a per-share basis. Shares of Coca-Cola Enterprises closed Wednesday at $20.05.


FedEx has seen a 'turning point' in U.S. economy
from MarketWatch.com - MarketPulse

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- FedEx Corp. saw a jump in average daily shipping volumes during the second quarter, indicating a "turning point" in the U.S. economy, said Chairman and Chief Executive Fred Smith on a Thursday call with analysts. "We believe these quarterly trends and volume growth indicate global economic conditions are improving," Smith said. "FedEx handled a record 14.1 million shipments this past Monday, up from 12 million packages on last year's busiest day." Smith added that the process of inventory clearance, seen earlier this year as the recession took grip, appears to have bottomed out, with subsequent restocking driving growth.


Economic Report: Leading indicators advance 0.9% in November
from MarketWatch.com - Top Stories
The index of leading economic indicators rise for the eighth straight month, pointing to an improved economy in 2010, the private Conference Board says.
Two cancer codes cracked
from CBC | Technology & Science News
Scientists hail the unlocking of the complete genetic code of two common cancers as "a fundamental moment in cancer research."
Benchmark 30-year mortgage rate remains below 5% level
from MarketWatch.com - MarketWatch Breaking News Bulletins
Benchmark 30-year mortgage rate remains below 5% level
Natural gas futures up 7% at $5.84/million Btus
from MarketWatch.com - Real-time Headlines
Philly Fed: Factories show continued strength
from MarketWatch.com - Top Stories
The factory sector in the Philadelphia region is showing continued signs of growth in December, data reported by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia show.

Treasury: We don't expect to invest more into AIG
from MarketWatch.com - MarketPulse

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) - The U.S. government doesn't expect to make further investments into embattled American International Group Inc., a mega-insurance company that was propped up with $190 billion in taxpayer bailout dollars, according to Treasury Assistant Secretary Herbert Allison on Thursday. "We don't anticipate making any further investments into AIG," Allison told lawmakers in an oversight subcommittee. He estimates that, based on Treasury's current evaluation, the government could have a loss of $60 billion on its investments in AIG and auto companies General Motors and Chrysler.


The Fed: Senate panel approves Bernanke on 16-7 vote
from MarketWatch.com - Top Stories
The Senate Banking Committee approves the nomination of Federal Reserve Board chairman Ben Bernanke to a second four-year term by an unusually close margin of 16-7.
Obama moves to boost U.S. broadband access
from canada.com World News
The Obama administration on Thursday began the award of $2 billion in grants and loans over the next 75 days as part of a plan to dramatically expand Americans' broadband Internet access and create jobs.
U.S. privacy watchdog files complaint against Facebook
from CTV BritishColumbiaHome
A Washington-based privacy advocacy group has filed a complaint against Facebook over the social network's latest privacy changes.
Oracle tops Wall Street views with results
from MarketWatch.com - Top Stories
Shares rise after hours following report of fiscal second-quarter profit and sales that top analysts’ estimates, thanks in part to favorable exchange rates.
Freddie, Fannie suspend evictions until January
from MarketWatch.com - Top Stories
Move will allow families facing foreclosures to remain in homes over the holidays.
Gene maps to transform scientists' work on cancer
from canada.com World News
Scientists have identified all the changes in cells of two deadly cancers to produce the first entire cancer gene maps and say the findings mark a "transforming moment" in their understanding of the disease.
Outside the Box: Canada wood and paper firms face more cuts
from MarketWatch.com - Top Stories
The past few years haven't been kind to Canada's forest-products and paper companies. Still, what lies just ahead could be more difficult, says Michael Pollock.
CANADA newsbrief ticker has been updated

European shares move higher in early trading
from MarketWatch.com - MarketPulse

LONDON (MarketWatch) -- European shares rose in early trading on Friday, with the technology sector leading the advance as SAP shares rose 1.4% and Infineon Technologies shares rose 2.5%. Thursday saw strong results from U.S technology companies Research in Motion and Oracle. Meanwhile Ryanair shares rose 0.8% after it said that it's ended aircraft order talks with Boeing. Overall, the U.K. FTSE 100 index rose 0.2% to 5,226.98, the German DAX index rose 0.3% to 5,863.94 and the French CAC-40 index rose 0.1% to 3,836.11.


Economic Report: German, French business surveys nearly steady
from MarketWatch.com - Top Stories
Two key business confidence surveys in Germany and France show little movement during December as businesses look toward 2010.
Obama seeks to seal deal in Copenhagen
from MarketWatch.com - Top Stories
Dow industrials gain 43.61 points to 10,351.87
from MarketWatch.com - Real-time Headlines
S&P 500 Index rises 4.6 points to 1,100.68
from MarketWatch.com - Real-time Headlines
Nasdaq Composite Index adds 15.99 points to 2,196
from MarketWatch.com - Real-time Headlines

U.S. stocks begin higher as tech results lift mood
from MarketWatch.com - MarketPulse

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- U.S. stocks opened higher on Friday with sentiment lifted by better-than-expected earnings results from the technology sector. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 32.57 points to 10,340.83. The S&P 500 Index rose 4.44 points to 1,100.51. The Nasdaq Composite Index added 15.79 points to 2,195.84.


Natural gas shares hold on to gains
from MarketWatch.com - Top Stories
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) - Cold winter weather in the Eastern U.S. and bullish natural gas inventory data helped natural gas shares hold on to gains at midday on Friday, while buyers shied away from other parts of the energy sector.
Financials gain along with broader market
from MarketWatch.com - Top Stories
U.S. financial stocks trade mixed, but generally track the broader market higher after a trio of solid earnings reports from the tech and consumer sectors suggested profit growth next year.
Dollar index hits new 3-month high
from MarketWatch.com - Real-time Headlines
Market Snapshot: Tech stocks bolster broader market
from MarketWatch.com - Top Stories
The Nasdaq Composite posts the strongest performance of the major indexes, boosted by an 11% rise in Research In Motion and a 5.9% gain in Oracle.
NewsWatch: U.S. stock market finds some cheer in tech
from MarketWatch.com - Top Stories
The technology sector is again illustrating why it's the best performing sector of 2009, as results from software giant Oracle Corp. help propel the Nasdaq Composite Index to weekly gains even as the broad market loses ground.

U.S. stocks return to gains; tech still in lead
from MarketWatch.com - MarketPulse

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- The S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average reversed higher Friday, during a session made particularly bumpy because of the day's options expirations and the quarterly rebalancing of the Standard & Poor's indexes. The S&P 500 was recently up 3 points at 1,099, with the tech sector up 1.2%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 8 points to 10,316. The Nasdaq Composite gained 22 points to 2,201.


Upscale jewelry shows surprising signs of life
from MarketWatch.com - Top Stories
GM sees paying off government loans by June
from MarketWatch.com - Real-time Headlines
GM says it paid $1 bln to U.S., $192 mln to Canada
from MarketWatch.com - Real-time Headlines

GM to pay back U.S., Canada loans in full by June
from MarketWatch.com - MarketPulse

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- General Motors Co. expects to pay back emergency loans in full to the U.S. and Canadian governments by June 2010, Chief Executive Ed Whitacre said in a statement Friday. Whitacre added that the outlook is based upon "no downturn in the economy or business." The outlook accompanies GM's announcement it made a $1 billion payment to the U.S. Treasury and a $192 million payment to Export Development Canada.


ONETRAVEL.COM

a new ticker page has started for Friday December 18.

Yesterday's ticker items are archived here


ticker timeline 15:33 Eastern Time December 18, 2009

click to support adsense




new ticker page started 00:01 Eastern Time December 18, 2009

today's ticker page 1

for previous yesterday's ticker page click here


CompUSA
view previous page:::::page one
CNN Cable TV LIVE FEED
 www.usdemocrats.com
TO SEARCH PREVIOUS TICKER PAGES BY KEYWORD SEARCH CLICK HERE
Conference hotels and accommodations booking engine
CNN.com LIVE VIDEO FEED
AUSTRALIA TICKER
AL JAZEERA TICKER
ALSUMARIA IRAQ TICKER
ASSOCIATED PRESS TICKER
ASSOCIATED PRESS POLITICAL TICKER
ASSOCIATED PRESS U.S. TICKER
BBC UK TICKER
CANADA GENERAL TICKER
CANADA POLITICAL TICKER
CBC GLOBAL TICKER
CBO LATEST DOCUMENTS
CHINA TICKER
CNN POLITICAL TICKER
C-SPAN RECENT VIDEOS
FMS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES CURRENT ANNOUNCEMENTS
FRANCE TICKER
GAO REPORTS TICKER
GERMANY TICKER
JAPAN TICKER
JERUSALEM POST TICKER
KREMLIN RUSSIA ANNOUNCEMENTS
LOS ANGELES TIMES MIDDLE EAST TICKER
NY FEDERAL RESERVE LATEST RELEASES
POLITICO POLITICS TICKER
RECENT CBO COST ESTIMATES
REUTERS MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS
REUTERS POLITICAL TICKER
REUTERS PRIVATE EQUITY TICKER
REUTERS TOP NEWS
RADIO FREE EUROPE TICKER
RIA NOVOSTI
SAUDI ARABIA TICKER
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION TICKER
THE JAPAN TIMES TICKER
UNITED NATIONS TICKER
UNITED STATES WHITE HOUSE
USDA ECONOMIC RESEARCH TICKER
VENEZUELA TICKER
WASHINGTON POST POLITICAL TICKER
politicalwire.com
CNN Political Ticker
weblog index video and web media resource Library public officials gallery twitter.com/usdemocrats live chat home page rss xml
Click to subscribe by donation and please support adsense sponsors copyright (c) 2009 usdemocrats.com