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@barackobama
@PressSec
@democratsdotorg
@dccc
@dscc
@HouseDemocrats
@SenateDemocrats
@SenateFloor
@whitehouse_rss
@UN_News_Centre
@cqpolitics
MarketWatch.com - MarketPulse
Senate Floor Today
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A new newsbrief journal has been started
at 00:01 Wednesday March 10 2010
Facebook and Twitter feeds from yesterday's
newsbrief journal can be found at the archive here
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SoDak
Young Democrats First Annual Convention
Saturday, April 17th, 9:00am at Shamrock Convention Center, Brookings
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Young
Democrats Service Day at the Houston Food Bank
Saturday, March 13th, 8:45am at The Houston Food Bank - END HUNGER
Building on I-45
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2010
Jefferson-Jackson-Bailey Dinner
Monday, April 12th, 6:00pm at Connecticut Convention Center
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Spring
Campaign Open House
Saturday, March 20th, 4:00pm at 4814 Jefferson St, Lanham, Maryland
20706
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Election
Day GOTV for Craig Lowe
Tuesday, March 16th, 8:00am at Dauer 215
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MySpace
outlines makeover after exec shake up
from Malaysia News latest RSS headlines
- Big News Network.com
LOS ANGELES: Long-ago lapped by Facebook in popularity and with
fast-growing Twitter on its tail, social networking site MySpace
is planning a series of updates over the next months that will
link its...
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British
Foreign Minister to visit China, discuss Iran
from China Economic Review - Daily Briefs
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Blair
says Palestinians to touch economic progress in months
from Palestinian News latest RSS headlines
- Big News Network.com
Middle East Quartet envoy Tony Blair on Tuesday said Palestinians
would touch tangible progress in their national economy within
the coming months.During a meeting with Palestinian Minister
of Economy...
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AIG
'Money in the Door' Deals Reap $3.2 Billion for Bondholders
by BusinessWeek
After the transactions, AIG will have “more than sufficient”
assets to repay senior debt, according to analysts at CreditSights
Inc. “That's money in the ...
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Agricultural
Outlook Statistical Indicators
from USDA Economic Research Service - What's
New
Statistical Indicators previously published in Agricultural Outlook
addressing a broad spectrum of agriculture-related issues. Includes
commodity and food prices, general economic indicators, government
program expenditures, farm income estimates, and trade and export
statistics.
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Johanns
Announces Renewable Energy And Energy Efficiency Funding, Funds
to Increase Renewable Energy Production, Promote Energy Saving
from USDA - Research and Science
Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced the selection
of 12 projects in Iowa, Kansas and Oregon to receive over $9
million in loan guarantees and grants to fund renewable energy
and energy efficiency projects. Eight Iowa recipients will receive
more than $6 million.
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Assistant
Secretary Barr Written Testimony before the House Financial Services
Committee on CDFIs
from U.S. Treasury - Press Releases - All
March 9, 2010
TG-579
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LeaderHoyer:
It's worth remembering that Republicans recently controlled Congress
for 10 years without enacting reform, while costs soared. #YouHad10Yrs
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LeaderHoyer:
Talked with reporters at wkly briefing about commitment to creating
jobs and David Cutler's op-ed on #hcr in WSJ http://go.usa.gov/lFR
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LeaderHoyer:
See exactly how #hcr will impact you and your family vs. doing
nothing like the GOP did - #YouHad10Yrs http://go.usa.gov/lFJ
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WaysMeansCmte:
RT @edlabordems: when Republicans controlled Congress for #10years,
the number of uninsured Americans rose by 7 million. #YouHad10Yrs
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WaysMeansCmte:
RT @HealthReformNow: As the President said to Republicans, #YouHad10Yrs.
See what you'll get with #hcr immediately http://go.usa.gov/lFe
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@SenateFloor
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@SenateDemocrats
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PressSec:
“We can’t have a system that works better for the insurance
companies than it does for the American people" http://nyti.ms/c0wUpp
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PressSec:
HOPE, measured by a fastball http://bit.ly/9zse7A
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NVSenateDems:
RGJ: "Senate to take up unemployment insurance extension"
... http://ow.ly/1ghLH
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MISenDems:
Sen Dems Propose Developing a Bank to Create Jobs, Grow Small
Business and Protect Michigan Consumers: http://tinyurl.com/y9dvau5
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MISenDems:
Sen. Whitmer talks about creating a state bank to help small
businesses get loans and facilitate job growth: http://tinyurl.com/yadltdc
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HouseDemocrats:
Families paid avg of $1115/mo for employer-sponsored health care
in 09, expect 35% more in #10years without reform. http://bit.ly/axjgZz
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dscc:
RT @SenArlenSpecter Mr. Toomey, voters deserve to know whether
you support creating jobs. Why haven't you taken a position on
the HIRE Act?
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DemocratsDotOrg:
Why we need #HCR: insurance company that threatened to increase
CA premiums by 39% has hiked VA premiums as much as 20%: http://j.mp/aRmprz
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Chief
Economist James Overdahl to Leave SEC
from SEC.gov Updates: Press Releases
The Securities and Exchange Commission announced today that Chief
Economist James A. Overdahl will leave the Commission to rejoin
the private sector after serving since July 2007 as principal
economic advisor to the Commission on policy, rulemaking, and
litigation support.
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Senator
urges Haiti trade bill, benefit reform
from Reuters: Politics
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max
Baucus threw his weight on Tuesday behind calls for an expansion
of U.S. trade benefits to help Haiti rebuild its clothing sector
after its devastating earthquake.
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Biden
raises concern about Iranian "dictatorship"
from Reuters: Politics
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Vice President Joe Biden said on Tuesday
the United States is concerned that Iran is becoming more of
a military dictatorship and insisted that Tehran will not be
permitted to acquire a nuclear weapon.
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Obama
pushes climate change in White House meeting
from Reuters: Politics
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama, weighing in on
the Senate's efforts to pass a climate change bill, gathered
Republican and Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday to try to jumpstart
an overhaul of U.S. energy policy.
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Obama
backs bipartisan crackdown on healthcare cheats
from Reuters: Politics
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama, making a final
push for healthcare reform, will back bipartisan plans to stamp
out waste in government-run medical programs for the old and
needy, the White House said on Tuesday.
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Showdown
looms for financial reform
from Politico.com: congress by Victoria
McGrane
Everyone from the Pentagon to payday lenders joins the fight
over the Dodd bill.
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Gates
Foundation to address House Democrats
from Politico.com: congress by Jake Sherman
The philanthropists will talk about their work with the Gates
Foundation and discuss job creation.
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House
may impeach federal judge
from Politico.com: congress by Jake Sherman
G. Thomas Porteous is accused of accepting money from lawyers
arguing cases before him.
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Frank
wants reform broadcast on C-SPAN
from Politico.com: congress by Victoria
McGrane
The type of “old-fashioned” conference Frank is talking
about is a real rarity in today’s Congress.
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Schumer
explores filibuster buster
from Politico.com: congress by Manu Raju
The New York Democrat plans to begin holding hearings to reform
the potent stalling tactic.
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Secretary
Clinton Meets Embassy Officials, Peace Corps Volunteers in Guatemala
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New
York Fed purchases $1.5 billion in agency coupons
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Iran:
Recommendations for Strengthening Sanctions
from MERLN - Military Education Research
Library Network
The Iran MiPAL has been updated with a State Department statement
on the execution of political prisoners in Iran, remarks by the
U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations on Iran's
nuclear program and provocative behavior, a Government Accountability
Office report with recommendations for strengthening sanctions
against Iran, and a German Marshall Fund of the United States
article assessing Turkey's approach to Iran. Please see the Recently
Added Documents section for the latest on this country - the
newest updates are in bold.
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Russian
Military's Approach to Network-Centric Warfare
from MERLN - Military Education Research
Library Network
The Russia MiPAL has been updated with a Jamestown Foundation
article assessing the Russian military's approach to network-centric
warfare, a Century Foundation report analyzing Russia's policy
in the Middle East, an EGMONT: Royal Institute of International
Relations report evaluating the opportunities for Russia associated
with arctic melting, and a Carnegie Endowment for International
Peace report examining the governance implications of Russia's
brand of democracy. Please see the Recently Added Documents section
for the latest on this country - the newest updates are in bold.
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Near
East and North Africa: Analysis of the Ideological and Social
Characteristics of al-Qaeda in Yemen
from MERLN - Military Education Research
Library Network
The Near East and North Africa Regional Policy Overview has been
updated with a Senate hearing examining the challenges ahead
for the Middle East peace process, a Jamestown Foundation article
analyzing the ideological and social characteristics of al-Qaeda
in Yemen, a Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies report recommending
Arab recognition of the legitimacy of Israel, and a Fundación
para las Relaciones Internacionales y el Diálogo Exterior
report evaluating Morocco's relations with the European Union.
Please see the Recently Added Documents section for the latest
on this region - the newest updates are in bold.
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Homeland
Security: International Responses to Cyber Attacks
from MERLN - Military Education Research
Library Network
The Homeland Security MiPAL has been updated with a Government
Accountability Office report evaluating the challenges associated
with efforts to define and coordinate the Comprehensive National
Cybersecurity Initiative, a Center for Strategic and International
Studies report assessing the threat of homegrown extremism in
the U.S., lectures by the former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security
and the President of Dell Services examining international responses
to cyber attacks and highlighting the importance of balancing
cyber threats and cyber benefits, and a Congressional Research
Service report analyzing the risk of spillover violence along
the Southwest border. Please see the Recently Added Documents
section for the latest on this topic - the newest updates are
in bold.
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Iraqi
Elections from MERLN - Military Education Research Library Network
The Iraq MiPAL has been updated with statements on the Iraqi
elections by the President, the Secretary of State, the U.S.
Ambassador to Iraq, and the Commanding General of the U.S. Forces
- Iraq, a Government Accountability Office report comparing the
costs of using State Department employees versus contractors
for security services in Iraq, a James Martin Center for Nonproliferation
Studies article assessing Iraq's challenges in destroying its
legacy chemical weapons, a Foreign Policy article with a guide
to the Iraqi elections, an Institute for the Study of War report
examining the political landscape in Iraq on the eve of the parliamentary
elections, a Center for Strategic and International Studies report
assessing the prospects for the future of reconstruction efforts
in Iraq, and an Institute for the Theory and Practice of International
Relations report with an overview of the parties, issues, and
challenges for American policy from Iraq's 2010 elections. Please
see the Recently Added Documents section for the latest on this
country - the newest updates are in bold.
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mayoungdems:
RT @kgilnack: @YoungDems time to step it up #ydm #gbyd RT @lisamaatz
@washdcnews: Young Repubs More Enthusiastic http://bit.ly/9zqZ9h
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Funding
and Implementation of the 2009 Delta Legislation
from Legislative Analyst's Office
Presented to Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee, Senate
Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Assembly
Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee, and Assembly Budget Subcommittee
No. 3 on Resources
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AB32:
Analysis of the Net Impact On California Jobs
from Legislative Analyst's Office
This responds to Senator Cogdill's request for an analysis of
the net impact on jobs in California that would occur as a result
of the implementation of AB 32 (Núñez), the Global
Warming Solutions Act of 2006, Chapter 488, Statutes of 2006.
In our response, we briefly summarize the basic provisions of
AB 32 and its planned implementation through the California Air
Resources Board’s (CARB’s) Scoping Plan (SP), discuss
the avenues by which the SP would potentially affect California
jobs, and present the jobs-related effects of the SP as estimated
by CARB. We then comment on CARB’s analysis and offer our
own view about how the SP might affect jobs.
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Voters
FIRST Act for Congress 2021
from Legislative Analyst's Office
This measure amends the Constitution to change the redistricting
process for California’s districts in the U.S. House of
Representatives. Specifically, the measure removes the authority
for congressional seat redistricting from the Legislature and
instead grants this authority to the commission.
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Economic
Impact of Human Services Budget Reductions
from Legislative Analyst's Office
Presented to: Senate Human Services Committee Hon. Carol Liu,
Chair
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India:
Government Seeks to Implement Right to Education by Mid-2010
from Law Library of Congress: Global Legal
Monitor
Education - The Government of India recently announced that it
will issue rules to implement the Right of Children to Free and
Compulsory Education Bill, 2009, by mid-2010. The Constitution
of India was amended in... The Global Legal Monitor from the
Law Library of Congress covers legal news and developments worldwide.
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United
States: Supreme Court Enjoins Streaming Broadcast of Federal
Trial
from Law Library of Congress: Global Legal
Monitor
Communications and electronic information - On January 13, 2010,
the Supreme Court of the United States enjoined a federal district
court order that would have permitted the broadcast of a trial
via streaming audio and video to several federal courthouses
around... The Global Legal Monitor from the Law Library of Congress
covers legal news and developments worldwide.
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United
States: Supreme Court Rules Right to Public Trial Includes Jury
Selection Phase
from Law Library of Congress: Global Legal
Monitor
Criminal law and procedure - On January 19, 2010, the Supreme
Court of the United States ruled that a criminal defendant's
right to a public trial under the Sixth Amendment to the United
States Constitution extends to the jury selection process....
The Global Legal Monitor from the Law Library of Congress covers
legal news and developments worldwide.
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GAO-10-274,
Iraq: Iraqi Refugees and Special Immigrant Visa Holders Face
Challenges Resettling in the United States and Obtaining U.S.
Government Employment, March 9, 2010
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GAO-10-291,
Afghanistan Drug Control: Strategy Evolving and Progress Reported,
but Interim Performance Targets and Evaluation of Justice Reform
Efforts Needed, March 9, 2010
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LifeLock
Will Pay $12 Million to Settle Charges by the FTC and 35 States
That Identity Theft Prevention and Data Security Claims Were
False
|
Federal
Reserve announces results of auction of $25 billion in 28-day
credit held on March 8, 2010
|
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Donna
Brazile rallies African American support for Sen. Reid
from Democratic National Committee: Party
Donna Brazile, DNC Vice Chair of Voter Registration and Participation,
energized a crowd of hundreds of African American leaders and
voters on Thursday in Nevada.
Addressing more than 400 participants at
the Culinary Training Academy in North Las Vegas, Vice Chair
Brazile came with a strong message of support for her friend
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
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World
Factbook Updates - March 9, 2010
from CIA Library
March 9, 2010 - In the Government category, a link to the World
Leaders Web site under the "Executive branch: cabinet"
entry allows users to find a listing of a country's major officials.
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H.R.
1741, Witness Security Protection Grant Program Act of 2010
from CBO's Latest 10 Documents
Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the Senate
Committee on the Judiciary on February 25, 2010
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H.R.
3190, Discount Pricing Consumer Protection Act of 2009
from CBO's Latest 10 Documents
Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the House Committee
on the Judiciary on January 13, 2010
|
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H.R.
4192, Stornetta Outstanding Natural Area Act of 2010
from CBO's Latest 10 Documents
Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the House Committee
on Natural Resources on February 24, 2010
|
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H.R.
4252, Inland EmpirePerchlorate Ground Water Plume Assessment
Act of 2009
from CBO's Latest 10 Documents
Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the House Committee
on Natural Resources on February 24, 2010
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H.R.
4275, A bill to designate the annex building under construction
for the Elbert P. Tuttle United States Court of Appeals Building
in Atlanta, Georgia, as the "John C. Godbold Federal Building"
from CBO's Latest 10 Documents
Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the House Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure on March 3, 2010
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S.
1709, Veterinary Services Investment Act
from CBO's Latest 10 Documents
Cost estimate for the bill as introduced on September 24, 2009
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S.
2961, Haiti Recovery Act
from CBO's Latest 10 Documents
Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the Senate
Committee on Foreign Relations on February 24, 2010
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Peace is Possible with a New Direction
Click here
to view video.
Dennis here.
I get asked all the time if I believe that
peace is really possible.
When you look at U.S. foreign policy throughout
the last dozens of years, we've been involved in one military
adventure after another that would defy the concerns of people
and the ability of this nation to create peace. Vietnam, Iraq,
Afghanistan - three wars, which collectively have had an enormous
impact on our nation and collectively have left a stain on this
country's reputation in the world.
We need to take a new direction and tomorrow
is exactly the opportunity that we should seize to take a direction
out of Afghanistan and in a new direction with our international
policy.
We need to challenge the thinking that
the only way that we can change people's minds is to conquer
them militarily. We need to change direction and use diplomacy
and put a premium on diplomacy no matter how long diplomacy takes
to keep using diplomacy.
We can insist on our nation defending itself,
but our efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan have not made us more
safe; it made America less safe. Because every occupation fuels
an insurgency and creates resentment, particularly when innocent
people are killed.
It's time for America to take a new direction.
So contact your member of Congress and let them know what you
think about the Afghanistan resolution. Let them know tomorrow
is a chance that we have to be able to take a new direction.
We need people's voices and their votes on H. Con Res. 248, the
concurrent resolution which will take us out of Afghanistan.
Please join our efforts. Please sign
the petition. And please be part of this growing effort to
create a resurgence in the peace movement. The first opportunity
that we have will be the vote on Afghanistan tomorrow.
Thank you.
Dennis Kucinich
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VIDEO:
Senate Armed Services Cmte. Hearing on Defense Budget
from C-SPAN Recent Video
Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) chaired a Senate Armed Services Committee
hearing on the FY 2011 budget request for the Department of Defense
and armed services African and European Commands and U.S. Joint
Forces.
Length: 2 hr. 10 min.
Published: Tuesday at 9am (ET)
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VIDEO:
NPC Luncheon Address by U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk
from C-SPAN Recent Video
U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk spoke at a National Press
Club luncheon in Washington. He talked about the Obama administration’s
trade agenda and jobs.
Length: 1 hr.
Published: Tuesday at 1pm (ET)
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VIDEO:
White House Briefing with Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
from C-SPAN Recent Video
Press Secretary Robert Gibbs conducted a daily briefing at the
White House. Topics included the latest timeline for passing
health care legislation and financial troubles in Greece.
Length: 43 min.
Published: Tuesday at 1:30pm (ET)
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VIDEO:
National Association for Business Economics Conference - Day
2
from C-SPAN Recent Video
The Nat’l Assoc. For Business Economics (NABE) continued
its annual economic policy conference. Caterpillar Inc. Chairman
Jim Owens shared his thoughts on jobs and the economy. Christina
Romer, chairwoman of Council of Economic Advisers and Charles
Evans, Pres. of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago spoke to
the conference.
Length:
Published: Tuesday at 8am (ET)
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VIDEO:
Senate Appropriations Subcmte. Hearing on FDA FY 2011 Budget
from C-SPAN Recent Video
A Senate Appropriations Subcmte. held a hearing with Food and
Drug Administration Cmsr. Margaret Hamburg on the agency's proposed
fiscal 2011 budget. Hamburg discussed several FDA initiatives
such as food safety, patient protection, disease treatment and
tobacco program priorities.
Length: 1 hr. 10 min.
Published: Tuesday at 10am (ET)
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VIDEO:
Obama Remarks Honoring Greek Independence Day
from C-SPAN Recent Video
President Obama made remarks at a reception honoring Greek Independence
Day in the East Room of the White House.
Length:
Published: Tuesday at 5:30pm (ET)
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VIDEO:
House Armed Services Cmte. Hearing on Effects of Deployment on
Military Children
from C-SPAN Recent Video
Rep. Susan Davis (D-CA) chaired a House hearing to look at the
impact of long military deployments on children.
Length:
Published: Tuesday at 5:30pm (ET)
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Reconciliation
bill will be hard for GOP to derail
from AP Top Political News At 5:39 a.m.
EST by By ALAN FRAM
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democrats are tying the fate of President
Barack Obama's health care overhaul to a fast-track process that
will make the bill tough for Republicans to derail in the Senate.
But GOP lawmakers will still be able to force votes and make
arguments that could give them ammunition for November's congressional
elections....
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Jobless
aid measure clears Senate hurdle
from AP Top Political News At 5:39 a.m.
EST by By ANDREW TAYLOR
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Legislation to give additional months of unemployment
benefits to people who have been out of a job for more than half
a year cleared a key hurdle Tuesday that guarantees it will soon
pass the Senate....
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Today:
We Tell Health Insurers Stop the Hikes, Back Reform
from AFL-CIO NOW BLOG by Tula Connell
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Live:
March and Rally at Big Health Insurance Meeting
from AFL-CIO NOW BLOG by Tula Connell
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Thousands
Tell Big Insurance: Blocking Health Care Reform Is Criminal
from AFL-CIO NOW BLOG by James Parks
|
Statement
by Joe Biden
|
Remarks
by Joe Biden at Yad Vashem Memorial
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Getting
Health Reform Over the Finish Line
Posted by Jason Djang on March 8, 2010 at 5:26 PM EST
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One
Step Closer to Full Access
Posted by Kareem Dale on March 9, 2010 at 9:31 AM EST
Change. Finding common ground. These are
hallmarks of this Administration. And today, we move one step
closer to full access to books and materials for millions of
Americans with print and other disabilities. While much work
remains to be done, the community of stakeholders has taken a
noteworthy and important step forward.
|
Health
Reform by the Numbers: 1,115
Posted by Cammie Croft on March 9, 2010 at 11:06 AM EST
|
Putting
American Workers and Small Businesses in Charge of Their Own
Health Care Coverage
Posted by Dan Pfeiffer on March 9, 2010 at 2:42 PM EST
|
The
Values Behind International Women’s Day
Posted by Secretary Hilda Solis on March 9, 2010 at 3:13 PM EST
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So
That’s Why They’re Raising Rates So Much …
Posted by Dan Pfeiffer on March 9, 2010 at 6:52 PM EST
If we enact health reform, it will restrict
how much of your premium dollars can be spent on profits and
overhead by requiring health insurance companies to spend 80-85%
of the money they take in on care.
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Support
for Paterson holding steady
Posted: March 9th, 2010 01:56 PM ET
From CNN Deputy Political Director Paul
Steinhauser
According to a new poll, 68 percent of New York voters want Gov.
David Paterson to stick out the rest of his term.
(CNN) - What do New Yorkers want their scandal-tainted governor
to do? Several polls taken in the past week or so offer conflicting
results on whether voters want Gov. David Paterson to quit his
office or finish out the remaining 10 months of his term.
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Unemployment
bill clears Senate hurdle
Posted: March 9th, 2010 04:45 PM ET
From CNN Congressional Producer Ted Barrett
Washington (CNN) - A nearly $140 billion
bill to extend unemployment benefits and a host of expiring tax
cuts cleared a procedural hurdle Tuesday in the Senate on a vote
of 66-34, setting up passage of the bill possibly later in the
day.
|
Biden:
U.S. condemns Israeli announcement of new housing units
Posted: March 9th, 2010 05:07 PM ET
Joe Biden spoke out Tuesday against planned Israeli housing.
Jerusalem (CNN) - Vice President Joe Biden said Tuesday that
the United States condemns Israel's decision to build 1,600 housing
units in a Jerusalem neighborhood, calling it "a step that
undermines the trust we need right now."
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Activists
picket health insurance executives
Posted: March 9th, 2010 07:11 PM ET
Former presidential hopeful and former Democratic National Committee
Chairman Howard Dean spoke with reporters Tuesday after participating
in a protest about health care reform.
Washington (CNN) - Activists ratcheted up the pressure for health
care reform Tuesday, picketing in front of a hotel where a group
of insurance industry leaders were meeting.
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House
health care vote waits for CBO, Senate parliamentarian
Posted: March 9th, 2010 09:11 PM ET
From CNN's Ted Barrett and Deirdre Walsh
WASHINGTON (CNN) – House Speaker Nancy
Pelosi said Tuesday that before the House acts on final health
care legislation, leaders are waiting for costs assessments from
the Congressional Budget Office, and information from the Senate
parliamentarian.
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Democrats
Hold Edge on Generic Ballot
A new Gallup Poll finds Democrats lead Republicans by a slight
47% to 44% margin when registered voters are asked which party's
congressional candidate they would support in their district
"if the elections for Congress were being held today."
|
Stupak
Optimistic He'll Support Bill
Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) now says "prospects are good for
resolving a dispute over abortion" that has led him and
other House Democrats to threaten to withhold support of President
Obama's health care overhaul, the AP reports.
|
Counting
Votes for Health Care
Ezra Klein explains why he isn't paying much attention to the
flurry of announcements by members of Congress in the run-up
to the vote on health care reform.
|
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Brown
Bucks Party on Filibuster
Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) "is putting some muscle behind his
independent image by twice voting against his own party and questioning
the use of the filibuster," CNN reports.
Brown took to the Senate floor "to
announce he would vote for cloture, or to end a Republican filibuster,
on a bill extending unemployment benefits and tax credits. This,
despite the fact he opposes the bill and technically the filibuster
helped his cause."
Said Brown: "I have very serious concerns
about the overall cost of the bill, but my vote for cloture signals
that I believe we need to keep the process moving."
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DNC Youth Council.
--------------------
Subject: YOUTH COUNCIL UPDATE – MARCH 8, 2010
Dear Friends ~
We hope you had a great weekend.
Below you will find an update from the
Youth Council including the March 2010 Dispatch, an upcoming
White House conference call briefing with David Axelrod on health
care reform, Chairman Kaine’s statement on the 45th anniversary
of Bloody Sunday, and the new DNC television ad on Republic fear
tactics.
Have a great week!
Sincerely,
Jason, Amber, Nick & A'shanti
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SoDak
Young Democrats First Annual Convention
What: Club Party
Start Time: Saturday, April 17 at 9:00am
End Time: Saturday, April 17 at 8:00pm
Where: Shamrock Convention Center, Brookings
To see more details and RSVP
|
Good afternoon, I’m wondering if there
are any federal libraries whose agency is requiring that they
read a Privacy Act Statement (in an abbreviated form of some
kind perhaps) to patrons over the phone before collecting contact
information (ie to handle a reference request). It looks like
we may be headed in that direction. Thanks in advance, Ed Metz
Edward Metz, Head Librarian
NETC Library
USFA /FEMA/DHS
16825 South Seton Ave, Emmitsburg MD 21727-8420
800-638-1821 301-447-1046
fax: 301-447-3217
Library Website: http://www.lrc.fema.gov/index.html
Follow USFA on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/usfire
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Highlights:
Shared Democratic Values
Tue, 09 Mar 2010 07:00:00 -0600
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March
9, 2010 - DHS Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report, (PDF,
26 pages - 188 KB)
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Register
Today for the FEC's Candidate/Party Conference May 3-4, 2010
Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington DC May 3-4 2010
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Operations
in Kandahar
Tue, 09 Mar 2010 07:49:36 -0600
U.S. commanders say U.S., NATO and Afghan troops are already
operating in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, and will be expanding
their forces there to secure the region.
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Special
Press Briefing and Release of 2009 Annual Report on Human Rights
Tue, 09 Mar 2010 07:24:46 -0600
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Highlights:
Release of 2009 Human Rights Reports
Tue, 09 Mar 2010 07:00:00 -0600
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The latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover
Survey news release
(http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/jolts.pdf)
was issued today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Highlights
are below.
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There were 2.7 million job openings on
the last business day
of January 2010. The job openings rate rose over the month
to 2.1 percent, the highest the rate has been since February
2009. The hires rate (3.1 percent) and the separations rate
(3.2 percent) were unchanged in January. The annual totals
and rates for 2009 are now available.
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Publications
for Federal Election Commission.
March supplements to the Campaign Guide series are now available.
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Gates
Visits Soldiers at Sharp End of Conflict
Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:35:00 -0600
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Speeches
and Testimony for CFTC.gov.
The following testimony was given by CFTC Chairman Gary Gensler.
March 9, 2010
Testimony of Chairman Gary Gensler Before the Senate Committee
on Energy and Natural Resources.
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NEW GOV JOB VACANCIES, GRANTS, CONTRACT
OPPORTUNITIES and GOV CAREER FAIRS have been posted at www.usdemocrats.com/ticker/jobs/
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NoFEAR
Act Reporting for U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This information has recently been updated, and
is now available.
NoFEAR Act Data now available (in pdf and xls formats) for 4th
Quarter 2009.
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PRESIDENT OBAMA NEEDS US NOW!
"President Obama was on television
Monday to tell people in no uncertain terms - HEALTH CARE REFORM
must happen now. The lobbyists have all flown to Washington to
fight against us in this FINAL two weeks.
OUR PRESIDENT NEEDS EACH AND EVERY ONE
OF US TO STAND WITH HIM.
DO IT NOW. http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/health-care-action-center/"
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WSJ: Health Reform Passes the Cost Test
ICYMI, wanted to make sure you saw today’s
op-ed by David Cutler in the Wall Street Journal about how the
Democratic plan to reform our country's health care system will
cut costs by $600 billion over the next decade. Read the op-ed
here,
or below.
Health Reform Passes the Cost Test
By DAVID M. CUTLER
Many people are worried that the health-care
reform proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats
will fail to bend the "cost curve." A number of commentators
are urging no votes because of this, and Republicans have asked
the president to start health reform over, focusing squarely
on the issue of cost reduction.
These calls overlook the actual legislation.
Over the past year of debate, 10 broad ideas have been offered
for bending the health-care cost curve. The Democrats' proposed
legislation incorporates virtually every one of them. Here they
are:
• Form insurance exchanges. These
would help curb underwriting and inefficient marketing practices
that raise costs in the small-group and individual insurance
markets. This is addressed in all the House and Senate bills,
and the president's proposal. Grade: Full credit.
• Reduce excessive prices, including
those of supplemental plans enrolling Medicare beneficiaries.
The president's proposal reduces these Medicare Advantage overpayments
and others to different providers, even in the face of Republican
claims that reducing such overpayments is tantamount to rationing
care for seniors. Grade: Full credit.
• Moving to value-based payment in
Medicare. Both Democrats and Republicans have called for moving
from a system where volume drives reimbursement to one where
value drives reimbursement. The president's proposal includes
virtually every idea offered for doing this. Grade: Full credit.
• Tax generous insurance plans. Health-insurance
benefits are excluded from income taxation, providing incentives
for excessively generous insurance. Many economists have proposed
capping the tax exclusion to reduce these incentives. The president's
proposal taxes some of the most generous policies, though it
has deferred the date by which these taxes take effect. Grade:
Partial credit.
• Empower an independent Medicare
advisory board. Interest-group politics intrudes too deeply within
the mechanics of Medicare policy, raising program costs and hindering
efforts to improve care. Despite powerful opposition, the president
proposes this independent board and a process for fast-tracking
such recommendations through Congress. Grade: Full credit.
• Combat Medicare fraud and abuse.
The administration has started an active task force to combat
these problems. Other ideas to reduce fraud and abuse were presented
at the recent health-care summit, and were incorporated in the
president's proposal. Grade: Full credit.
• Malpractice reform. Defensive medicine
is a small but important driver of medical spending. The reform
proposal makes some headway, encouraging states to experiment
with alternative mechanisms to reduce malpractice burdens. More
could be done—for example, specialized malpractice courts
and a safe harbor for physicians practicing evidence-based medicine—but
the president's proposal makes a start. Grade: Partial credit.
• Invest in information technology.
Many studies suggest savings in the tens of billions of dollars
from IT investment. The stimulus bill passed a year ago contains
funds to wire the medical system over the next few years, and
the administration is supplementing this with significant funds
to analyze the comparative effectiveness of different treatments—even
in the face of "death panel" claims. Grade: Full credit.
• Prevention. The president's proposal
includes significant public-health investments, provides new
incentives for physicians to focus on preventive and chronic
care, and opens Medicare to finding new ways of supporting prevention.
The only area of weakness is the lack of a junk food tax or tax
on sugar sweetened beverages. Grade: Partial credit.
• Create a public option. A public
insurance option would provide competition for insurers in areas
that are nearly a monopoly and provide a path for reforms in
Medicare to expand readily in the under-65 population. The public
option was eliminated because of Republican opposition, however.
Grade: No credit.
So reform gets full credit on six of the
10 ideas, partial credit on three others, and no credit on one.
The area of no credit (a public option) is because Republicans
opposed the idea. One area receives only partial credit because
of Democratic opposition (malpractice reform) and two other areas
reflect general hesitancy to increase taxes (taxing Cadillac
plans and taxing drivers of obesity).
Why is reform viewed so negatively? In
part, it may reflect the perfect being the enemy of the good.
If the only passing grade is 10 out of 10, then reform clearly
fails. But given where the Republican Party is on a public option,
no reform will get a passing grade. If both parties were willing
to raise taxes and Republicans negotiated malpractice reform
for their overall support, we could probably get a nine out of
10.
Reform is also viewed negatively because
official scorekeepers do not believe anything on this list other
than reducing prices will save much money. The Congressional
Budget Office has consistently estimated that policies built
around changing incentives and thus encouraging more efficient
care will not have any effect on cost trends. My own calculations,
mirrored by other observers and a host of business and provider
groups, suggest that the reforms will save nearly $600 billion
over the next decade and even more in the subsequent one.
Of course, no one knows precisely how much
medical spending increases will moderate. But one cannot doubt
the commitment to try. What is on the table is the most significant
action on medical spending ever proposed in the United States.
Should we really walk away from that?
Mr. Cutler is a professor of economics
at Harvard University.
###
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Roll Call: Talking to Republicans About
the non-issue of reconciliation is just a waste of time
ICYMI, wanted to make sure you saw today’s
op-ed by Stan Collender in Roll Call about the need to put aside
the debate on process and move ahead with a serious discussion
on health care reform: “When someone like me, who has a
personal interest in reconciliation being a big controversy,
says it’s a side issue that not only doesn’t merit
the attention it’s getting but shouldn’t be an issue
at all, you have to understand both how painful it is to say
and how seriously the point should be taken.” Read the op-ed
here, or below.
Can We Please Stop Talking About Reconciliation?
March 9, 2010
By Stan Collender
Roll Call Contributing Writer
My fellow Roll Call columnist Norman Ornstein was one of the
authors of a truly excellent chart on reconciliation that appeared
in the New York Times on Sunday. Norm, and his two co-authors,
Tom Mann and Raffaela Wakeman, show in an almost full-page display
that reconciliation has been used repeatedly since 1981 and is
anything but the, in their words, “power grab” that
some are trying to get us to believe it will be if it is used
for legislation related to health care reform.
They also show that reconciliation has
been used when Democrats and Republicans were in the majority;
to increase and decrease the deficit; to increase and decrease
spending and revenues; and to create, expand and decrease programs.
No matter how much you might prefer it
to be otherwise, this is not partisan opinion, beliefs or analysis.
They are indisputable facts that are neither new nor newly discovered.
So let me say this as directly as possible:
Enough about reconciliation. It absolutely doesn’t deserve
the attention it’s receiving.
Why is anyone talking so much about a subpart
of the Congressional budget process (and a sub-subpart when you
add in the Byrd Rule) when the issue that really needs to be
debated in depth is health care reform?
I am a budget process wonk. I have spent
much of the past three decades speaking about and analyzing the
ins and outs of the Congressional Budget Act (which created reconciliation)
and its successor budget laws. The more people talk about reconciliation
and want information on it, the more likely they are to quote
me in stories and interview me on television and radio. In other
words, the fact that reconciliation is an issue is good for my
business.
When someone like me, who has a personal interest in reconciliation
being a big controversy, says it’s a side issue that not
only doesn’t merit the attention it’s getting but shouldn’t
be an issue at all, you have to understand both how painful it
is to say and how seriously the point should be taken.
I had this same basic argument a year or
so ago with someone who insisted that the United States should
have a capital budget. He was willing to fight to the death to
change the way the U.S. treated capital expenditures. To sell
his point he prepared white papers, talked one on one with countless
people in the House and Senate, participated in seminars and
persuaded think tanks to include it as a high priority on their
agendas.
I told him at the time that the real issue
wasn’t the budget treatment of federal capital purchases;
it was that the U.S. was underinvesting in infrastructure. But
instead of spending his time talking about the benefits of the
change that he wanted, for example, on what it would mean if
roads could be driven more quickly and safely so that people
would get home from work earlier and spend more time with their
families, he focused on accrual accounting for the federal government.
Even I, a budget process aficionado who
served on a presidential commission on capital budgeting, found
that boring and largely beside the point. And, not surprisingly,
the issue died.
The same thing is happening now with reconciliation
and health care.
There are three reasons why the debate
should not be whether this is an appropriate way to adopt legislation.
First, as Norm and his collaborators showed quite definitively
Sunday and what we actually knew long before the chart was published,
that issue was settled a long time ago.
Second, the most important question is
not about the process; it’s about the changes in health
care that would be put in place and, like the safer and faster
ride home that might happen with better roads and rail, what
it would mean for the way we live.
Third, debating the propriety of using
reconciliation is a great way to turn off the interest in health
care reform outside the Beltway. For most people, “reconciliation”
is something you do when you get your monthly checking account
statement or what you try to do when you go to a marriage counselor.
Outside that it has no meaning.
Those for and against a health care bill may have made a huge
mistake in focusing so much of their energies on reconciliation.
Not only is it ultimate inside legislative procedure roughly
akin to trying to make an issue about Section 302b allocations
(Trust me, if you don’t know what these are, you don’t
need to worry about them), it effectively means that a good part
of the outside interest in the issue will end if the procedure
is used, a bill is enacted and the world doesn’t come to
an end.
Meanwhile, those who support changes in
health care have been engaging on a highly technical procedural
issue and, therefore, giving it unnecessary credence. They have
also been missing an outstanding opportunity to talk about what
the changes will mean to the average voter. It’s hard to
imagine that the average voter will support health care reform
because reconciliation was or wasn’t used to put it in place.
Stan Collender is a partner at Qorvis Communications and founder
of the blog Capital Gains and Games. He is also the author of
“The Guide to the Federal Budget.”
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FLOOR SCHEDULE FOR WEDNESDAY, MARCH
10, 2010
House Meets At… First Vote Predicted… Last Vote Predicted…
10:00 a.m.: Legislative Business 1:00 –
2:00 p.m. 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
“One Minutes” (15 per side)
Suspensions (9 Bills)
H.R.
4786 - To provide authority to compensate Federal employees
for the 2-day period in which authority to make expenditures
from the Highway Trust Fund lapsed (Rep. Connolly - Transportation
and Infrastructure)
H.Con.Res.
249 - Commemorating the 45th anniversary of Bloody Sunday
and the role that it played in ensuring the passage of the Voting
Rights Act of 1965 (Rep. Lewis (GA) - Judiciary)
H.Res.
1081 - Supporting the goals and ideals of National Teen Dating
Violence Awareness and Prevention Month (Rep. Lewis (GA) - Judiciary)
H.Res.
1087 - Honoring the life of John H. "Jack" Ruffin,
Jr. (Rep. Barrow - Judiciary)
H.Res.
1115 - Expressing appreciation for the profound dedication
and public service of Enrique "Kiki" Camarena on the
25th anniversary of his death (Rep. Hunter - Judiciary)
H.Res.
1061 - Honoring the heroic actions of Court Security Officer
Stanley Cooper, Deputy United States Marshal Richard J. "Joe"
Gardner, the law enforcement officers of the United States Marshals
Service and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and the
Court Security Officers in responding to the armed assault at
the Lloyd D. George Federal Courthouse on January 4, 2010 (Rep.
Titus - Judiciary)
H.R.
4506 - Bankruptcy Judgeship Act of 2010 (Rep. Cohen - Judiciary)
H.R.
4783 - To accelerate the income tax benefits for charitable
cash contributions for the relief of the victims of the earthquake
in Chile, and to extend the period from which such contributions
for the relief of the victims of the earthquake in Haiti may
be accelerated (Rep. Levin - Ways and Means)
H.R.
4573 - Debt Relief for Earthquake Recovery in Haiti Act of
2010 (Rep. Waters - Financial Services)
H.Con.Res.
248 - Afghanistan War Powers Resolution (Rep. Kucinich –
Foreign Affairs) (Privileged Resolution) (Subject to a Rule)
Postponed Suspension Votes (5 Bills):
H.Res.
1088 - Recognizing the plight of people with albinism in
East Africa and condemning their murder and mutilation (Rep.
Connolly - Foreign Affairs)
H.Res.
1107 - Recognizing the 189th anniversary of the independence
of Greece and celebrating Greek and American democracy. (Rep.
Ros-Lehtinen - Foreign Affairs)
H.Res.
1144 - Expressing Condolences for the victims of the February
27th 2010 earthquake in Chile, as well as solidarity with and
support for the Chilean people as they plan for the recovery
and reconstruction for their Country (Rep. Hinojosa - Foreign
Affairs)
H.R.
4621 - Prevent Deceptive Census Look Alike Mailings Act (Rep.
Maloney - Oversight and Government Reform)
H.Res.
1047 - Commending The Ohio State University Buckeyes football
team for its victory in the 2010 Rose Bowl (Rep. Kilroy - Education
and Labor)
* Conference Reports may be brought up at any time.
* Motions to go to Conference should they become available.
* Possible Motions to Instruct Conferees.
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Young Democrats of Nevada Convention
- March 26-28
Please visit the Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=347765427471
Young Democrats of Nevada Bi-Annual Convention
This year we are proud to announce that in conjunction with out
biannual convention, we are hosting Young Democrats from the
southwest region for their annual meeting. This partnership allows
the Young Democrats of Nevada to showcase our state and our state
plan for the 2010 election.
We are excited to have special guest speakers,
trainings, and workshops.
Every state should come prepared to discuss their state's 2010
plan, we will work together to develop effective strategies for
each state.
This year's convention will be held at
the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 525 Union Hall, located 760
North Lamb Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89110
This will be a great opportunity for all
Young Democrats from across the state and region to come together
and prepare for November's election.
If you have any questions please dont hesitate
to contact Heather Brown, President of Young Democrats of Nevada
at theheatherbrown@gmail.com or cell: 702-523-0886
All participants must register, early bird
price $25: https://yda.wiredforchange.com/o/720/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=13143
See you all in Vegas!!
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Health Reform & Its Immediate Impact
“Failure to Act Is Not an Option” – New York Times,
3/7/10
Democrats are continuing to move forward
on health reform that will make insurance more affordable for
American families and businesses and give patients – not
insurance companies – greater control over their health
care. Following passage of reform legislation, there are several
important benefits that would take effect within the next year.
The attached table shows how Americans would benefit immediately
under health reform and what the cost of inaction would be if
the status quo continues.
Click here
to view a side-by-side comparison of immediate benefits of health
reform versus allowing the status quo to continue.
Click here to
follow @LeaderHoyer on Twitter.
###
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Moving
Forward to Put the American People Ahead of Insurance Companies
from White House.gov Blog Feed by Jesse
Lee
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Key
vacancies give Obama a chance to steer financial reform
from washingtonpost.com - Federal Page
by Binyamin Appelbaum
President Obama has the chance during his first term to appoint
leaders for each of the federal agencies that oversee banks,
an important opportunity to reshape the government's approach
to regulation even as the White House struggles to push structural
reforms through the Senate.
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Rep.
Frank questions safety of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac investments
from washingtonpost.com - Business Policy
by Zachary A. Goldfarb
An influential voice on Capitol Hill has unexpectedly called
into question the safety of investing in Fannie Mae and Freddie
Mac, raising the specter that investors who have lent money to
the two firms or bought their mortgage-backed securities could
one day suffer losses.
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Treasury
issues New General License to Boost Internet-Based Communication,
Free Flow of Information
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Obama
Health Care Push: Back To His Grassroots
from The Full Feed from HuffingtonPost.com
by The Huffington Post News Editors
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Obama
Pushes Health-Care Bill
from The Businessweek Video Library by
feedsupport@feedroom.com (Feed Support)
President Barack Obama this week kicks off a final push to salvage
a health-care overhaul plan that faces opposition from the public
and resistance from members of his own Democratic Party. Bloomberg's
Hans Nichols reports.
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Bernstein
Assesses U.S. Economy
from The Businessweek Video Library by
feedsupport@feedroom.com (Feed Support)
Jared Bernstein, chief economic adviser to Vice President Joe
Biden, talks with Bloomberg's Matt Miller and Carol Massar about
today's report showing the U.S. economy expanded at a 5.9 percent
annual rate in the fourth quarter.
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Dodd
on Financial Reform
from The Businessweek Video Library by
feedsupport@feedroom.com (Feed Support)
Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd talks about
the status of legislation to overhaul U.S. financial regulations.
Dodd, a Connecticut Democrat, says he hasn't made a final decision
on creating a consumer division at the Federal Reserve.
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a new ticker page has started for Wednesday
March 10, 2010
Yesterday's ticker items are archived here
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ticker timeline 00:01 Eastern Time March 10,
2010
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new ticker page started 00:01 Eastern
Time March 10, 2010
today's ticker page 1
for previous
yesterday's ticker page click here
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view
previous page:::::page one |
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