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March 13, 2010 for yesterday's ticker entries click here



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March 13, 2010

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    Yesterday's newsbrief journal is archived
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MarketWatch.com - MarketPulse

    
Senate Floor Today

    

    
A new newsbrief journal has been started
    at 02:04 Saturday March 13 2010

    
Facebook and Twitter feeds from yesterday's
    newsbrief journal can be found at the archive here

    


    


    
Good morning,

    

    
41 -- that's the number of leading economists
    -- including three Nobel Prize winners -- who sent a letter to
    President Obama and Congress yesterday urging the swift passage
    of comprehensive health insurance reform to curb skyrocketing
    health care costs.

    

    
41 -- is also the percentage of adults
    under the age of 65 who accumulated medical debt, had difficulty
    paying medical bills, or struggled with both during a recent
    one-year period.

    

    
No ifs, ands or buts about it -- fact is,
    if we do nothing to reform our broken health care system, costs
    will continue to skyrocket and break the budgets of American
    families, small businesses and the Federal Government.

    

    
If we pass comprehensive health insurance
    reform, we can reverse this trend and control rising costs. According
    to some of our nation's leading economists, "the health
    care reforms passed by the House and Senate -- with recent modifications
    proposed by President Obama -- include serious measures that
    will slow the growth of health care spending."

    

    
The facts
    above paint a very clear picture -- the United States cannot
    wait any longer for health insurance reform.



    

    

    
41 is just the latest number in ‘Health
    Reform by the Numbers,' our online campaign to raise awareness
    about why the time is now for health insurance reform. To help
    spread the word, share this email with your family, friends and
    online networks.

    

    
Let's get
    it done.

    

    
Nancy-Ann DeParle

    Director, White House Office of Health Reform

    


    
MARCH FOR HEALTHCARE REFORM Days 3-5:
    THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

    
Friend --

    
The Final March for Reform is going strong
    -- yesterday, OFA supporters made the phones ring off the hook
    in Congressional offices on Capitol Hill and across the country.
    But for every member of Congress, there are eight anti-reform
    lobbyists swarming Capitol Hill -- and the upcoming vote is still
    too close to call.

    
So in these crucial, final days, we must
    make sure the voices of constituents break through the lobbyist
    attacks. And here's the plan to make it happen:

    
As the next step in the Final March for
    Reform, OFA supporters like you will be gathering at volunteer
    phone banks across the country. We'll be calling supportive voters
    in critical districts nationwide, asking them to reach out to
    their representatives and express their strong support for reform.
    A local OFA organizer will be on hand at every event, and no
    experience is required.

    
Here's how to join in: First, find and
    RSVP for an event near you. Before you go, make sure to invite
    friends to come with you, or help them find an event in their
    area on our website. Then join with local supporters at your
    event and reach out to as many voters as you can -- each call
    makes a vital difference.

    
Click here
    to get started.

    


    
As we speak, insurance-industry lobbyists
    are deploying from their emergency base at the D.C. Ritz-Carlton,
    banging down the door of every Congressional office on Capitol
    Hill to derail reform and preserve their ability to jack up premiums
    and deny care to those in need.

    
In the old Washington, that would have
    been an unstoppable barrage.

    
But thanks to your unprecedented organizing,
    the lobbyists have finally met their match: the American people.

    
So let's get out there, and make sure the
    people's voice is heard.

    
Please sign up to join the Final March
    for Reform event in your area:

    
http://my.barackobama.com/FinalMarchRSVP

    
Let's finish this,

    
Jeremy

    
Jeremy Bird

    Deputy Director

    Organizing for America

    


    
Greece
    to receive financial support

    
from BBC News Player | World 

    
USA
    urged to confront shocking maternal mortality rate

    
from Amnesty International USA: Most Recent
    English News Releases 


    
China-U.S.
    relations need more cooperation, less containment after "spring
    chill": Chinese advisory body

    
from China 

    
Google
    ‘99.9 Percent’ Sure to Shut Down in China, FT Says

    
from BusinessWeek.com -- Asia 

    Google Inc. has drawn up detailed plans to shut its search engine
    in China and is “99.9 percent” certain of going ahead
    with the closure, the Financial Times reported today, citing
    a person it didn’t name.
 

    CANADA
    newsbrief journal has been updated and posted

    
United
    States Concerned Over Iranian Religious Persecution

    
from Iran News latest RSS headlines - Big
    News Network.com 

    The United States has raised concerns about religious persecution
    in Iran. A spokesman for the State Department said Iran had detained
    at least 25 people of the Baha'i religion in recent weeks and
    tha...
 

    Human
    Resources Line of Business Provider Assessment

    Frequently
    Asked Questions about the Human Resources Line of Business Provider
    Assessment
 

    OPM
    Strategic Plan 2010 - 2015

    
USTDA
    Hosts Energy Efficient Building Solutions Workshop

    
from USTDA News by webmaster@ustda.gov
    (Webmaster)

    JOHANNESBURG (March 10, 2010) — With electricity prices
    on the rise in South Africa, consumers are looking for innovative
    ways to reduce their electricity usage. Today's Energy Efficient
    Building Solutions Workshop, funded by the U.S. Trade and Development
    Agency with sponsorship from Honeywell (Morristown, NJ), explored
    opportunities to reduce electricity usage in large building complexes.

    


    
Partial
    2009 Crop Year Counter-Cyclical (CC) Payments

    
from USDA Farm Service Agency Notices 

    DCP-229, Partial 2009 Crop Year Counter-Cyclical (CC) Payments(FOR
    State Offices and Service Centers) DATE POSTED: 2011-03-09 DATE
    EFFECTIVE: 2011-03-01 STATUS: CURRENT

    
Field
    Office Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)

    
from USDA Farm Service Agency Notices 

    AO-1461, Field Office Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)(FOR State
    and County Offices) DATE POSTED: 2010-03-10 DATE EFFECTIVE: 2010-07-01
    STATUS: CURRENT
 

    
FY
    2010 Acreage Allocations for CP33, CP37, and CP38

    
from USDA Farm Service Agency Notices 

    CRP-656, FY 2010 Acreage Allocations for CP33, CP37, and CP38(FOR
    State Offices) DATE POSTED: 2010-03-11 DATE EFFECTIVE: 2011-01-01
    STATUS: CURRENT
 

    
Recruitment
    for Modernize and Innovate the Delivery of Agricultural Systems
    (MIDAS) Project Vacancies

    
from USDA Farm Service Agency Notices 

    PM-2753, Recruitment for Modernize and Innovate the Delivery
    of Agricultural Systems (MIDAS) Project Vacancies(FOR FSA Offices)
    DATE POSTED: 2010-03-11 DATE EFFECTIVE: 2010-09-01 STATUS: CURRENT
 

    
World
    Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates

    
from USDA Economic Research Service - What's
    New 

    Issued monthly, WASDE provides the most current USDA forecasts
    of U.S. and world supply-use balances for major grains, soybeans
    and products, and cotton, and U.S. supply and use data for sugar
    and livestock products.

    
Energy
    Use in the U.S. Food System

    
from USDA Economic Research Service - What's
    New 

    Energy is an important input in growing, processing, packaging,
    distributing, storing, preparing, serving, and disposing of food.
    Analysis using the two most recent U.S. benchmark input-output
    accounts and a national energy data system shows that in the
    United States, use of energy along the food chain for food purchases
    by or for U.S. households increased between 1997 and 2002 at
    more than six times the rate of increase in total domestic energy
    use. This increase in food-related energy flows is over 80 percent
    of energy flow increases nationwide over the period. The use
    of more energy-intensive technologies throughout the U.S. food
    system accounted for half of this increase, with the remainder
    attributed to population growth and higher real (inflation-adjusted)
    per capita food expenditures. A projection of food-related energy
    use based on 2007 total U.S. energy consumption and food expenditure
    data and the benchmark 2002 input-output accounts suggests that
    food-related energy use as a share of the national energy budget
    grew from 14.4 percent in 2002 to an estimated 15.7 percent in
    2007.
 

    
Season-Average
    Price Forecasts

    
from USDA Economic Research Service - What's
    New 

    A futures-price forecasting model is used to provide season-average
    price forecasts for corn, soybeans, and wheat. In addition to
    the monthly forecasts for prices received, the model computes
    a forecast for the counter-cyclical payment rate for each commodity.
    The 2002 Farm Act provides for counter-cyclical payments when
    prices are below specified levels.

    
Wheat
    Outlook

    
from USDA Economic Research Service - What's
    New 

    Examines supply, use, prices, and trade for wheat, including
    supply and demand prospects in major importing and exporting
    countries. Contains data and information on U.S. wheat by class.
 

    
Livestock
    and Meat Trade Data

    
from USDA Economic Research Service - What's
    New 

    The Livestock and Meat Trade Data Set contains monthly and annual
    data for imports and exports of live cattle, hogs, sheep, and
    goats, as well as beef and veal, pork, lamb and mutton, chicken
    meat, turkey meat, and eggs. The tables report physical quantities,
    not dollar values or unit prices. Data on beef and veal, pork,
    and lamb and mutton are on a carcass-weight-equivalent basis.
    Breakdowns by country are included.

    Competitive
    Grant To Establish a Center for Behavioral Economics and Child
    Nutrition Research: Request for Applications
 

    Research
    Planning Grants To Support Application of Behavioral Economics
    in USDA’s Child Nutrition Programs: Request for Applications

    
Incorporating
    Behavioral Economics into Federal Food and Nutrition Policy

    
from USDA Economic Research Service - What's
    New 

    ERS will host a two-part conference that will investigate how
    behavioral economics can guide strategies to increase the effectiveness
    of federal food and nutrition policies and programs. Day 1 (April
    15) features presentations on new ERS-funded research that applies
    behavioral economic concepts to a wide range of issues on improving
    diet and health. In partnership with the Food and Nutrition Service,
    Day 2 (April 16) will concentrate on behavioral economic applications
    to USDA school meal programs. The conference will be held on
    April 15 and 16, 2010, in the Frederick Waugh Auditorium at the
    Economic Research Service, 1800 M Street, NW, Washington, D.C.
    20036. Information on registration and a preliminary agenda is
    available.
 

    
U.S.
    Agricultural Trade Data Update

    
from USDA Economic Research Service - What's
    New 

    Provides a monthly update of year-to-date quantities and values
    of U.S. agricultural exports and imports. Also provides data
    on leading destination countries for exports and import source
    countries.
 

    
Rice
    Outlook - Thursday, March 11, 2010

    
from USDA Economic Research Service - Rice
    Outlook 

    Examines supply, use, prices, and trade for rice, including supply
    and demand prospects in major importing and exporting countries.
    Contains information on U.S. rough, milled, and long-, medium-,
    and short-grain rice.
 

    
Oil
    Crops Outlook - Thursday, March 11, 2010

    
from USDA Economic Research Service - Oil
    Crops Outlook 

    Examines supply, use, prices, and trade for oil crops (primarily
    soybeans and products), including supply and demand prospects
    in major importing and exporting countries. Includes information
    on cottonseed, peanuts, sunflowerseed, tropical oils, corn oil,
    and animal fats.

    
Feed
    Outlook - Friday, March 12, 2010

    
from USDA Economic Research Service - Feed
    Outlook 

    Examines supply, use, prices, and trade for feed grains, including
    supply and demand prospects in major importing and exporting
    countries. Focuses on corn; also contains information on sorghum,
    barley, oats, and hay.
 

    
Cotton
    and Wool Outlook - Thursday, March 11, 2010

    
from USDA Economic Research Service - Cotton
    and Wool Outlook 

    Examines supply, use, prices, and trade for cotton and wool,
    including supply and demand prospects in major importing and
    exporting countries. Includes data on raw fibers and textiles.

    Treasury
    Announces Pricing of Public Offering of Warrants to Purchase
    Common Stock
 

    Secretary
    Geithner Written Testimony before the House Appropriations Committee

    Treasury,
    Energy Announce Guidance for Tax Treatment of Smart Grid Investment
    Grants
 

    Treasury
    Announces Pricing of Public Offering of Warrants to Purchase
    Common Stock

    Treasury
    Announces Confirmation of Three Key International Financial Institution
    Posts
 

    Treasury
    Department Announces Pricing of Public Offering of Warrants to
    Purchase
 

    Administration
    Releases February Loan Modification Report
 

    LeaderHoyer:
    Dems ban earmarks directed to for-profit entities: http://go.usa.gov/lL5,
    adding to strong record of reform: http://go.usa.gov/lLI

    LeaderHoyer:
    Conservatives have honest #HCR arguments, but not these: RT @PoliticsDaily
    Ten Wrong Reasons to Oppose Health Reform http://bit.ly/buVehy
 

    LeaderHoyer:
    I just announced next week’s schedule on the House Floor,
    including possible action on #HCR. Votes may extend into next
    weekend.

    LeaderHoyer:
    Ram through #HCR? I am tired of that blatantly false claim. I
    just spoke emphatically on the House Floor: http://bit.ly/bVk9aZ
 

    LeaderHoyer:
    Coincidence or convenient? GOP earmark ban lasts only until next
    election. Under GOP Congress, earmarks exploded. http://go.usa.gov/ltp

    WaysMeansCmte:
    Did you know that Martha Wright Griffiths (D-MI) was the 1st
    woman to serve on W&M? She became a cmte member in '62 -
    http://go.usa.gov/ltj
 

    SenateDemocrats:
    Special Session will begin Monday at noon http://j.mp/cFROD5
    #waleg

    Twitter
    / PulseonDems
 

    PressSec:
    RT @petesouza Potus meets in Sit Room on Afghanistan and Pakistan:
    http://bit.ly/caFko7
 

    PressSec:
    Lots on Supreme Court and Pres this week - it could mean unlimited
    corporate $ spent on ads for candidates http://nyti.ms/cKooVn
 

    HouseDemocrats:
    House Committees on Twitter: @WaysMeansCmte @housetransif @OversightDems
    @hascdemocrats @scitechcmte @markeymemo #FF

    GovContracts:
    70--Data, Voice, Video, and Wireless Networking Services: Department
    of the Navy Naval Sea Systems Command http://bit.ly/dqXN0Z
 

    dscc:
    Help get @PaulHodes to 1,600 fans http://facebook.com/PaulHodes.
    Become a fan, then suggest to friends!

    dscc:
    Rep. Paul Hodes (NH) fighting Chamber of Commerce in defense
    of health care reform. http://bit.ly/cYsPBv #hcr
 

    DemocratsDotOrg:
    41:% of adults under 65 who accumulated medical debt or had difficulty
    paying medical bills during a recent 1yr period http://bit.ly/9C9VFw

    DemocratsDotOrg:
    Lobbyists have met their match: the American people. Join a Final
    March for Reform event this weekend: http://j.mp/j-e
 

    
House
    panel to consider healthcare bill Monday

    
from Reuters: Politics 

    WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The House of Representatives Budget Committee
    on Monday will consider a reconciliation bill that Democrats
    hope clears the way for final congressional approval of an overhaul
    of U.S. healthcare, House Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer said
    on Friday.

    
Student
    loans to be in healthcare package: Pelosi

    
from Reuters: Politics 

    WASHINGTON (Reuters) - House of Representatives Speaker Nancy
    Pelosi said on Friday the final version of a broad healthcare
    overhaul would include a revamp of the student loan program but
    not a government-run health insurance option.
 

    
Geithner
    still optimistic on financial reform

    
from Reuters: Politics 

    WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A day after U.S. Senate bipartisan talks
    on financial reform collapsed, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner
    sought to revive hope that Congress can still complete a bill
    to overhaul financial rules.
 

    
Clinton
    warns Israel over settlements

    
from Reuters: Politics 

    WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned
    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday his government
    sent a "deeply negative signal" by taking steps that
    undermined renewed Middle East peace talks.
 

    
White
    House proposed student loan overhaul gets boost

    
from Reuters: Politics 

    WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's stalled bid to
    overhaul the federal student loan program by cutting subsidies
    to private lenders and increasing aid to students received a
    boost on Friday.

    
U.S.
    has no plan to "Americanize" Somalia conflict

    
from Reuters: Politics 

    WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Friday denied coordinating
    plans by Somalia's embattled government to launch an offensive
    against Islamist fighters, saying it had no plans to "Americanize"
    the conflict.

    


    
Clinton
    berates Netanyahu over settlements

    
from Reuters: Politics 

    JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told
    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday he must work
    to repair relations with Washington after a debacle over Jewish
    settlements that has undermined U.S. efforts to mediate new peace
    talks with the Palestinians.

    
Second
    poll shows Specter lead

    
from Politico.com: Politics by Jessica
    Taylor
 

    
POTUS
    to raise for DCCC

    
from Politico.com: Politics by Glenn Thrush

    President Barack Obama will be hosting a big-money fundraiser
    for Democratic House candidates at an as-yet undetermined location
    in New York City on May 13 -- his first such event this year.

    
AFL-CIO
    endorses Bernero for Mich. governor

    
from Politico.com: Politics by Tim Alberta

    The Michigan AFL-CIO endorsed Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero for
    governor Friday, giving the Democrat the backing of the largest
    labor group in the state.
 

    
Dems:
    Time to 'rip the band-aid off'

    
from Politico.com: congress by Patrick
    O'Connor

    The speaker vows to stay in session until the chamber comes to
    a vote on health care reform.

    New
    York Fed announces $4.1 billion in TALF loans settled for March
    4 facility
 

    GAO-10-294R,
    VA Faces Challenges in Providing Substance Use Disorder Services
    and Is Taking Steps to Improve These Services for Veterans, March
    10, 2010
 

    GAO-10-447T,
    Space Acquisitions: DOD Poised to Enhance Space Capabilities,
    but Persistent Challenges Remain in Developing Space Systems,
    March 10, 2010
 

    GAO-10-464R,
    Revitalization Programs: Empowerment Zones, Enterprise Communities,
    and Renewal Communities, March 12, 2010

    GAO-10-365,
    Electronic Government: Implementation of the Federal Funding
    Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, March 12, 2010
 

    FDIC
    Board Approves An Extension Regarding the Safe Harbor Protection
    for Securitizations

    FDIC
    Closes on Sale of $1.8 Billion of Notes Backed by Mortgage-Backed
    Securities
 

    FIL-9-2010:
    Community Reinvestment Act - Revisions to Interagency Questions
    and Answers

    Federal
    News Radio Interview with Dr. Dr. Elizabeth Kolmstetter, Intelligence
    Community Deputy Chief Human Capital Officer
 

    
A
    Look Back … Maria Gulovich: Sweetheart of the OSS

    
from CIA Featured Story 

    March 12 - The ability to speak multiple languages is a very
    valuable talent in the Intelligence Community. During World War
    II especially, interpreters were very important. Twenty-three-year-old
    Maria Gulovich was recruited to join the Office of Strategic
    Services (OSS) — the predecessor of today’s CIA —
    because she could speak five languages fluently. Gulovich was
    a brave guide and interpreter working for the OSS who led a group
    of two OSS agents and two British agents out of the clutches
    of the Germans and to safety over the Russian lines during a
    blizzard in the Slovak mountains.

    
World
    Leaders - Updates for 1 - 9 Mar 2010

    
from CIA Library 

    March 12, 2010 - Posted updated Chiefs of State and Cabinet Members
    of Foreign Governments with updated entries for Andorra, Australia,
    Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, China, Denmark, Germany, Ghana,
    Lithuania, Maldives, Nepal, Netherlands, Niger, Philippines,
    Ukraine, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela. Changes reflect updates
    in leadership, positions, or the spelling of officials' names
    in the country listings during the period 1 - 9 Mar 2010.
 

    
H.R.
    2609, Federal Insurance Office Act of 2009

    
from CBO's Latest 10 Documents 

    Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the House Committee
    on Financial Services on December 12, 2009
 

    
H.R.
    4098, Secure Federal File Sharing Act

    
from CBO's Latest 10 Documents 

    Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the House Committee
    on Oversight and Government Reform on March 4, 2010
 

    
H.R.
    4714, National Transportation Safety Board Reauthorization Act
    of 2010

    
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

    
S.
    1609, Longline Catcher Processor Subsector Single Fishery Cooperative
    Act

    
from CBO's Latest 10 Documents 

    Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the Senate
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on December
    17, 2009
 

    
VIDEO:
    James Hohmann, Politico

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    Congressional Reporter James Hohmann gives an update on the health
    care debate, including the President’s push on the issue
    & whether Congress will be ready to vote on the legislation
    by Easter break. 

    Length: 22 min.

    
Published: Friday at 8am (ET)

    
VIDEO:
    Steven Emerson, Investigative Project on Terrorism

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    Steven Emerson, executive director of the Investigative Project
    on Terrorism, examines the growth of Islamic radicalism within
    the United States in the aftermath of the recent "Jihad
    Jane" case - the American woman accused of aiding foreign
    terrorists, and the overall threat of homegrown terrorism. 

    Length: 30 min.

    
Published: Friday at 8:30am (ET)
 

    
VIDEO:
    Senate Armed Services Cmte. Hearing on DoD FY 2011 Budget

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) chaired a Senate Armed Services Committee
    hearing on the FY 2011 Defense budget for the Northern and Southern
    Command as well as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program. The
    F-35 has faced delays and cost challenges that will likely delay
    delivery to 2015.

    Length:

    
Published: Thursday at 10am (ET)

    
VIDEO:
    Senate Commerce Subcmte. Hearing on the NBC/Comcast merger

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski and Christine Varney, head of
    the DoJ's Antitrust Division, discussed the proposed merger between
    Comcast and NBC Universal at a Senate Commerce Cmte. hearing.
    Members questioned the deal's potential impact on the media marketplace,
    including program availability and consumer costs. 

    Length: 3 hr. 6 min.

    
Published: Thursday at 10am (ET)
 

    
VIDEO:
    House Energy and Commere Cmte. Hearing on Oversight of NHTSA

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    The House Energy and Commerce Subcmte. considered Nat'l Highway
    Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) future while it questioned
    the department's approach to recent auto recalls. NHTSA Admin.
    Strickland reccognized its current staffing and funding challenges
    while also defending its approach to the Toyota recalls.

    Length: 2 hr. 13 min.

    
Published: Thursday at 10am (ET)

    
VIDEO:
    House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) Weekly Legislative Briefing

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) talked about the ongoing
    process in passing health care reform legislation and responded
    to reporters' questions at her weekly legislative briefing.

    Length: 17 min.

    
Published: Friday at 11am (ET)
 

    
VIDEO:
    Senate Approps. Subcmte. On Proposed Fiscal 2011 Budget For HUD
    Programs

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee held a hearing on proposed
    fiscal 2011 appropriations for Housing and Urban Development
    Department programs. H.U.D. Sec. Shaun Donovan discussed efforts
    to stabilize the housing market by reorganizing HUD’s separate
    rental assistance programs, as well as HUD’s fiscal year
    2011 budget request.

    Length: 1 hr. 52 min.

    
Published: Thursday at 9:30am (ET)
 

    
VIDEO:
    State Department Briefing on Somalia

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    The Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs and the
    U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Agencies in Rome discussed U.S. policy
    toward Somalia including the assistance being offered to those
    being displaced by the fighting between government-backed troops
    and rebel forces. 

    Length: 36 min.

    
Published: Friday at 12pm (ET)
 

    
VIDEO:
    State Department Press Briefing

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Philip Crowley conducts
    a daily briefing at the State Department.

    Length: 10 min.

    
Published: Friday at 1pm (ET)

    
VIDEO:
    Defense Department Briefing on Weapons

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics
    Ashton Carter spoke to reporters at the Pentagon about new Defense
    Department weapons including the F-35 Joint Strike Force Program.

    Length: 46 min.

    
Published: Friday at 11am (ET)
 

    
VIDEO:
    White House Briefing with Press Secretary Robert Gibbs

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    Press Secretary Robert Gibbs conducts a daily briefing at the
    White House.

    Length: 51 min.

    
Published: Friday at 1:30pm (ET)

    
Kerry:
    Energy bill more about jobs

    
from AP Top Political News At 5:39 a.m.
    EST by By MATTHEW DALY and FREDERIC J. FROMMER

    WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. John Kerry, hoping to win over wavering
    senators, said he is pushing environmental reforms to create
    jobs and spark energy independence, with climate benefits along
    "for the ride."...
 

    
Yellen
    at Fed would likely favor low-rate policy

    
from AP Top Political News At 5:39 a.m.
    EST by By JEANNINE AVERSA and JIM KUHNHENN

    WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama's likely choice of
    Janet Yellen to become vice chairman of the Federal Reserve would
    favor a policy that stresses low interest rates to ease unemployment
    over higher rates to curb inflation....

    
‘I
    Am Not Your ATM’

    
from AFL-CIO NOW BLOG by Laura Clawson
 

    Executive
    Order - National Export Initiative

    Posted in Executive Orders

    

    Statement
    by the President on Today’s Meetings on Immigration Reform
 

    Readout
    of President Obama's Meeting with the Congressional Black Caucus
 

    Readout
    of President Obama's Meeting with the Congressional Hispanic
    Caucus
 

    Statement
    by the Press Secretary on a Visit by First Lady Michelle Obama
    to Mexico

    Mike
    Froman, Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economic
    Affairs to Hold Background Call to Discuss President’s Remarks
    at the Export-Import Conference
 

    Briefing
    by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 3/12/10

    Exploring
    the Link between Rising Health Insurance Premiums and Stagnant
    Wages

    Posted by Christina Romer & Mark Duggan on March 12, 2010
    at 12:17 PM EST
 

    President
    Obama at Your Graduation?

    Posted by Cammie Croft on March 12, 2010 at 2:46 PM EST

    National
    Security Team, at Work Again on Afghanistan and Pakistan

    Posted by Jesse Lee on March 12, 2010 at 4:38 PM EST
 

    Joe
    Biden in the Middle East

    Posted by Jesse Lee on March 12, 2010 at 5:03 PM EST

    Democrats
    push back on Wall Street reforms

    Posted: March 12th, 2010 12:01 PM ET
 

    President
    Obama, advisers meet on war strategy

    Posted: March 12th, 2010 01:50 PM ET

    
Clinton
    tells Israeli leader plan undermines peace process

    Posted: March 12th, 2010 02:44 PM ET

    
From CNN Senior Producer Charley Keyes

    


    Hillary Clinton warned Benjamin Netanyahu about new construction.

    Washington (CNN) – Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke
    to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday to express
    unusually strong U.S. objections to new Israeli construction
    in disputed territory in East Jerusalem.

    


    
Democrats
    soften pledge for three-day posting of health bill

    Posted: March 12th, 2010 05:22 PM ET

    
From CNN Congressional Producer Evan Glass

    House Democrats may not post health care reform package online
    for 72 hours before vote.

    Washington (CNN) – House Democrats appear to be softening
    their pledge to allow the public 72 hours to review the health
    care reform package online before a House vote. "We will
    certainly give as much notice as possible, but I'm not going
    to say that 72 hours is going to be the litmus test," said
    Majority Leader Steny Hoyer on Friday.

    

    Clinton:
    Israeli announcement of new settlements in East Jerusalem 'insulting'

    Posted: March 12th, 2010 06:33 PM ET



    Secretary Clinton has some harsh words for Israel

    Washington (CNN) – Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told
    CNN Friday that Israel's announcement of new settlement construction
    in disputed territory in East Jerusalem was "insulting"
    to the United States.

    


    Obama
    Delays Asia Trip for Health Care Bill

    President Obama is delaying his Asia trip from March 18 to March
    21 to work on health care, the AP reports.

    

    Save
    the Date!

    Taegan Goddard from PoliticalWire be moderating CQ-Roll Call's
    "Off to the Races" event in Washington, D.C. at the
    Columbus Club at Union Station on March 23 at 8:30 am.

    


    Specter
    Leads Toomey in Pennsylvania

    A new DailyKos/Research 2000 poll in Pennsylvania finds Sen.
    Arlen Specter (D) leading Pat Toomey (R), 47% to 41%.

    

    Newsom
    Will Run for Lt. Governor

    As it seemed last month, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom (D)
    will announce that he's running for lieutenant governor of California,
    the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

    


    Health
    Care Vote Likely Next Week

    House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told her members "to brace themselves
    for a climactic health care vote as early as next week, warning
    them to clear their schedules for next weekend and promising
    to stay in session until the landmark vote, people present said
    afterwards," Politico reports.

    

    
US-CERT Current Activity

    
Apple Releases Safari 4.0.5

    
Original release date: March 12, 2010 at
    8:32 am

    Last revised: March 12, 2010 at 8:32 am

    
 

    
Apple has released Safari 4.0.5 to address
    multiple vulnerabilities in

    ColorSync, ImageIO, PubSub, Safari, and WebKit. These vulnerabilities

    may allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code, cause
    a

    denial-of-service condition, obtain sensitive information, or
    bypass

    security restrictions.

    
US-CERT encourages users and administrators
    to review Apple article

    HT4070 and upgrade to Safari 4.0.5 to help mitigate the risks.

    
Relevant Url(s):

    <http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4070>

    
====

    This entry is available at

    http://www.us-cert.gov/current/index.html#apple_releases_safari_4_04
 

    Treasury
    Department Announces Pricing of Public Offering of Warrants to
    Purchase

    March 12, 2010

    TG-585
 

    New
    TBI Policy

    Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:49:18 -0600
 

    DAILY
    WHIPLINE | FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2010 ARCHIVE

    Cms.hhs.gov-
    Low Income Health Access Open Door Forum for Centers for Medicare
    & Medicaid Services (CMS).
    This information has recently been updated, and is now available.
    


    'Civilian
    Surge' Comes to Life at Training Center


    Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:45:00 -0600 

    Sen.
    Dodd to Offer His Own Financial Regulation Bill 

    Posted: 10 Mar 2010 04:00 PM PST

    By JIM KUHNHENN 


    House
    Votes to Impeach U.S. Judge from Louisiana 

    Posted: 10 Mar 2010 04:00 PM PST

    By LARRY MARGASAK 

    WASHINGTON - The House voted unanimously Thursday to impeach
    a U.S. district judge from Louisiana, who lawmakers said avoided
    likely criminal charges related to alleged payoffs in part because
    the statute of limitations expired. 

    Court
    Upholds 'under God' in Pledge of Allegiance 

    Posted: 10 Mar 2010 04:00 PM PST

    SAN FRANCISCO - A federal appeals court in San Francisco has
    ruled that the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of
    Allegiance is constitutional. 


    Pres.
    Obama Says He's Committed to Immigration Overhaul 

    Posted: 11 Mar 2010 04:00 PM PST

    By DARLENE SUPERVILLE 

    WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama on Thursday assured immigration
    advocates frustrated by the wait for a promised overhaul of U.S.
    immigration laws that he remains committed to fixing a system
    he has said is broken. What remains unclear is whether Congress
    will send him a bill this year. 

    President
    to Tap Janet Yellen to Be Federal Reserve Vice Chair 

    Posted: 11 Mar 2010 04:00 PM PST
 

    


    
Good morning,

    

    
41 -- that's the number of leading economists
    -- including three Nobel Prize winners -- who sent a letter to
    President Obama and Congress yesterday urging the swift passage
    of comprehensive health insurance reform to curb skyrocketing
    health care costs.

    

    
41 -- is also the percentage of adults
    under the age of 65 who accumulated medical debt, had difficulty
    paying medical bills, or struggled with both during a recent
    one-year period.

    

    
No ifs, ands or buts about it -- fact is,
    if we do nothing to reform our broken health care system, costs
    will continue to skyrocket and break the budgets of American
    families, small businesses and the Federal Government.

    

    
If we pass comprehensive health insurance
    reform, we can reverse this trend and control rising costs. According
    to some of our nation's leading economists, "the health
    care reforms passed by the House and Senate -- with recent modifications
    proposed by President Obama -- include serious measures that
    will slow the growth of health care spending."

    

    
The facts
    above paint a very clear picture -- the United States cannot
    wait any longer for health insurance reform.



    

    

    
41 is just the latest number in ‘Health
    Reform by the Numbers,' our online campaign to raise awareness
    about why the time is now for health insurance reform. To help
    spread the word, share this email with your family, friends and
    online networks.

    

    
Let's get
    it done.

    

    
Nancy-Ann DeParle

    Director, White House Office of Health Reform

    Forces
    Arrest Militants, Seize Weapons, Drugs 

    Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:38:00 -0600 


    New
    Simulator Sharpens Skills on Unpaved Roads 

    Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:36:00 -0600 

    Gen
    Renuart Testifies

    Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:23:42 -0600
 

    Effective
    Health Care Spotlight for Agency for Healthcare Research and
    Quality (AHRQ). This information
    has recently been updated, and is now available. 

    

    Economic
    Recovery from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) website. Information has been updated. Funds Obligated:
    FTA has awarded 933 grants totaling $8.3 billion. A total of
    13 grants are undergoing review and pending award for a potential
    total of 946 grant awards valued at $8.3 B dollars in FTA Allocated
    ARRA funds. Note: Pie chart does not include FHWA funds transferred
    to FTA, now available. 

    


    March
    12, 2010 - DHS Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report, (PDF, 26 pages - 185 KB) 

    

    Department of Energy Issues Requests for
    Applications for Nuclear-Related Science and Engineering Scholarships
    and Fellowships



    Washington, D.C. – The Department of Energy today issued
    two Request for Applications (RFA) for scholarships and fellowships
    as part of its efforts to recruit and train the next generation
    of nuclear scientists and engineers. The Department’s Nuclear
    Energy University Programs (NEUP) will provide approximately
    $5 million for scholarships and fellowships for students enrolled
    in two-year, four-year and graduate engineering and science programs
    related to nuclear energy at accredited U.S. universities and
    colleges. 



    “As we work to expand nuclear power in the United States
    to meet our climate and energy challenges, it’s critical
    that we have a skilled workforce who can lead in the future,”
    said U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu. “Through the Nuclear
    Energy University Programs, we are training the next generation
    of nuclear scientists and engineers who will help move the nuclear
    industry forward.”



    The Requests for Applications include a RFA for Scholarships
    and a RFA for Fellowships. The Scholarship and Fellowship Program
    aims to attract the brightest students to science and engineering
    disciplines related to nuclear energy, such as Nuclear Engineering,
    Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, Health
    Physics, Nuclear Materials Science, Radiochemistry, Applied Nuclear
    Physics, and Nuclear Policy at universities and colleges located
    in the U.S. 



    Two-year programs that lead to a certificate or minor are also
    included, such as Nuclear Power Technology, Nuclear Maintenance
    Technology, Nuclear Engineering Technology, and Radiation Protection
    Technology. Undergraduate scholarships will average $5,000 per
    year. Three scholarships may be awarded up to $25,000 to distinguished
    undergraduate students. The maximum award for fellowships will
    be $50,000 per year over three years. 



    Students must matriculate at an institution that is participating
    in the program to be eligible for either scholarships or fellowships.
    Two-year or four-year U.S. universities and colleges that are
    not on the current list of participating institutions listed
    in the RFAs may apply to a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA)
    to administer scholarships and fellowships through http://www.grants.gov/
    under FOA # DE-FOA-0000176 that was issued on March 4, 2010.




    Students need to apply to the Scholarship and Fellowship RFAs
    by April 26, 2010 through www.ne-up.org
    to be considered for an award. The Department anticipates notifying
    students by June 2010 of its selections with awards planned for
    July 2010. 



    -DOE-

    


    Former
    Acting Executive Director of Nonprofit Organization in American
    Samoa Pleads Guilty to Theft of Federal Grant Funds 

    

    Military
    Tax Benefits

    Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:57:25 -0600

    U.S. tax laws provide some special benefits for active duty members
    of the military, including those serving in combat zones.

    


    Join
    us at the IC Virtual Career Fair to explore career opportunities, chat with recruiters, and apply for job openings
    - all from the comfort of your computer! 

    Tuesday, March 16, 2010 | 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. ET 

    

    CDC's
    Vaccine Price List. This message
    is to notify you that the Vaccine Price List has been updated
    and is now available. 

    The information for PCV13 has been updated. 

    


    Registration is now available for the following
    BIS "Complying with U.S. Export Controls" seminar.
    

    May 5-6 in Newport Beach, CA - Complying with U.S. Export Controls


    http://www.bis.doc.gov/seminarsandtraining/newportbeachca_may_2010.htm

    The Office of Exporter Services

    Bureau of Industry and Security

    Office of Exporter Services

    

    FBI's
    Top Ten News Stories for the Week Ending March 12, 2010 

    Read about our Top Ten news stories of the week, including the
    indictment of a Pennsylvania woman in a plot to recruit violent
    jihadist fighters and commit murder overseas; the announcement
    of the 60th anniversary of the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives
    program; and the indictment of eight members and associates of
    the Colombo organized crime family on multiple charges.

    


    
DOE Fossil Energy NEWSALERT

    ---------------------------

    
The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded

    a cooperative agreement to Summit Texas Clean

    Energy LLC for the Texas Clean Energy Project

    to design, build, and demonstrate an integrated

    gasification combined cycle electric generating

    facility, complete with co-production of high-value

    products and carbon capture and storage. For more

    details, link to the Energy Department's Fossil

    Energy Web site at:

    
http://www.fossil.energy.gov/news/techlines/2010/10008-DOE_Awards_Cooperative_Agreement.html

    

    Secretary
    Clinton to Host Appreciation Event for Haiti Earthquake Task
    Force Volunteers

    Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:25:49 -0600

    


    Highlights:
    UN World Conference on Women in Beijing

    Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:00:00 -0600

    

    IC3
    2009 Annual Report on Internet Crime Released 

    


    
DOE Fossil Energy NEWSALERT

    ---------------------------

    
The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded
    a

    cooperative agreement to American Electric

    Power Service Corporation for the Mountaineer

    Commercial Scale Carbon Capture and Storage

    Project to design, construct, and operate a

    system that will capture and store approximately

    1.5 million tons per year of carbon dioxide. For

    more details, link to the Energy Department's

    Fossil Energy Web site at:

    
http://www.fossil.energy.gov/news/techlines/2010/10007-DOE_Awards_Cooperative_Agreement.html

    

    Background
    Notes : Holy See (03/10) 

    Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:33:59 -0600 

    


    Future
    of U.S. Public Diplomacy

    Fri, 12 Mar 2010 05:00:00 -0600

    

    Administration
    Releases February Loan Modification Report
 

    United
    States to Assist Palestinian Refugees

    Fri, 12 Mar 2010 05:00:00 -0600

    

    Ambassador
    CdeBaca to Speak at "Women in the World: Stories and Solutions,"
    a Three-Day Summit Showcasing Stories of Outstanding Women 

    


    FEC
    Weekly Digest for Federal Election Commission. This information has recently been updated, and
    is now available. 

    

    
New
    Embassy in Beijing, China Wins Best Public Project in "Good
    Design Is Good Business" China Awards

    
Office of the Spokesman

    Washington, DC

    
March 12, 2010

    


    Waco
    Psychologist Sentenced on Health Care Fraud and Money Laundering
    Charges 

    

    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 .

    


    Background
    Notes : Turkey (03/10) 

    Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:54:33 -0600 

    

    Commitments
    of Traders Reports for CFTC.gov.


    The current reports for the week of March 9, 2010 are now available.


    See previous weeks in Historical
    Commitments of Traders Reports. 

    


    
South Dakota Democrats.

    
--------------------

    Subject: McGovern Day 2010 Countdown Fact - 28 Days -

    
"We won, not only because of the hard
    work and effective supporters, but also because many R realized
    that a two-party structure was in the best interests of the State.
    Competition improved each party and meant that SD representatives
    in Congress would be more responsive to the state's needs. -
    from George McGovern, The Kind of Man He Is.

    
*McGovern Day 2010 is April 9 & 10
    at the Holiday Inn in Rapid City - reservations are under McGovern
    Day.

    
***Also, become a FAN of the SDDP so you'll
    get updates as posts.

    
http://www.facebook.com/pages/South-Dakota-Democratic-Party/352879861301?ref=mf

    --------------------

    

    


    
MARCH FOR HEALTHCARE REFORM Days 3-5:
    THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

    
Friend --

    
The Final March for Reform is going strong
    -- yesterday, OFA supporters made the phones ring off the hook
    in Congressional offices on Capitol Hill and across the country.
    But for every member of Congress, there are eight anti-reform
    lobbyists swarming Capitol Hill -- and the upcoming vote is still
    too close to call.

    
So in these crucial, final days, we must
    make sure the voices of constituents break through the lobbyist
    attacks. And here's the plan to make it happen:

    
As the next step in the Final March for
    Reform, OFA supporters like you will be gathering at volunteer
    phone banks across the country. We'll be calling supportive voters
    in critical districts nationwide, asking them to reach out to
    their representatives and express their strong support for reform.
    A local OFA organizer will be on hand at every event, and no
    experience is required.

    
Here's how to join in: First, find and
    RSVP for an event near you. Before you go, make sure to invite
    friends to come with you, or help them find an event in their
    area on our website. Then join with local supporters at your
    event and reach out to as many voters as you can -- each call
    makes a vital difference.

    
Click here
    to get started.

    


    
As we speak, insurance-industry lobbyists
    are deploying from their emergency base at the D.C. Ritz-Carlton,
    banging down the door of every Congressional office on Capitol
    Hill to derail reform and preserve their ability to jack up premiums
    and deny care to those in need.

    
In the old Washington, that would have
    been an unstoppable barrage.

    
But thanks to your unprecedented organizing,
    the lobbyists have finally met their match: the American people.

    
So let's get out there, and make sure the
    people's voice is heard.

    
Please sign up to join the Final March
    for Reform event in your area:

    
http://my.barackobama.com/FinalMarchRSVP

    
Let's finish this,

    
Jeremy

    
Jeremy Bird

    Deputy Director

    Organizing for America

    


    
SoDak Young Democrats.

    
Subject: Volunteer for Ben Nesselhauf at
    St. Pat's Paradae

    
"Ben Nesselhauf's campaign is looking
    for volunteers to hand out stickers at tomorrows St. Patricks
    Day Parade in Sioux Falls. Anybody available?"

    

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

    


    
Ohio Young Democrats.

    
--------------------

    Subject: Butler Co. ODP Reception

    
Young Dems,

    For those of you in SW Ohio, I encourage you to attend this Monday's
    Butler Co. ODP Reception in Hamilton. Details below!

    
OYD

    
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=330866181103&ref=mf

    

    


    
ECONOMY WEEKLY WEEK OF MARCH 8, 2010

    
“[A]nyone who thinks that high unemployment
    in the first quarter of 2010 has anything to do with workers
    getting excessively generous benefits must not get out much.
    And the truth is that unemployment benefits are a good, quick,
    administratively easy way to increase demand, which is what we
    really need. So right now they have the effect of reducing unemployment.”

    – Paul Krugman, New York Times, 3/7/2010

    

    
Economy Highlights:

    
• The Department of Labor announced
    that for the second straight week, “the number of Americans
    filing first-time claims for jobless benefits fell … to
    a level that indicates companies are nearing the end of payroll
    reductions as the economy recovers. First-time jobless applications
    dropped by 6,000 to 462,000 in the week ended March 6…”
    [Bloomberg,
    3/11/2010]



    • Data shows that the manufacturing sector of our economy
    continues to show strong signs of recovery. “Improbable
    as it seems, the brightest spot so far in the nation's spotty
    economic recovery is a sector long considered all but dead --
    good-old-fashioned manufacturing. Factories are churning. Exports
    are up. Even though jobs are the bleakest aspect of the overall
    economy these days, factory payrolls have turned positive.”
    [L.A.
    Times, 3/10/2010]

    
• According to a February 2010 U.S.
    Foreclosure Market Report from RealtyTrac, “U.S. mortgage
    foreclosure filings dropped for a second straight month in February,
    and notched the smallest annual increase in four years….
    Foreclosure filings – including mortgage default notices,
    house auctions and home repossessions by banks – were …
    down 2 percent from January…” [Reuters,
    3/11/2010]

    


    Recovery Highlights:

    
• A Wall Street Journal survey indicated
    that economists broadly agree that the Recovery Act, in addition
    to actions taken by the Federal Reserve, prevented an even deeper
    economic crisis than we would have had without it. “On average,
    economists estimated that the stimulus added one percentage point
    to growth in 2009; they forecast gross domestic product would
    expand 3% this year, compared with 2.2% in the absence of stimulus.
    They estimated that the February unemployment rate, reported
    at 9.7% last week, would have been 10.4% without the stimulus.”
    [Wall
    Street Journal, 3/12/2010]

    


    Detroit-Area
    Doctor Convicted in Medicare Fraud Scheme 

    

    Cross-Border
    Investment in a Post-Recession World

    Fri, 12 Mar 2010 05:00:00 -0600

    


    Highlights:
    START Talks

    Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:00:00 -0600

    

    U.S.
    Department of State Daily Press Briefing - March 12

    Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:38:57 -0600

    


    Cross-Border
    Investment in a Post-Recession World

    Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:48:38 -0600

    

    Wounded
    Warriors, Veterans Find Therapy on Ski Slopes 

    Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:56:00 -0600 

    


    Guard
    Vital to Northcom, Commander Says 

    Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:10:00 -0600 

    

    


    
Health Insurance Reform Will Control
    Costs

    
The case continues to build for how Democrats’
    health insurance reform legislation will bring down costs and
    produce long-term savings for families, businesses and the government.
    Below are good recent analyses on how reform succeeds in meeting
    the important goal of cost containment.



    41 Top Economists Applaud Reform Cost Controls: This week, 41
    noted economists sent a letter to the President stating their
    support for the proposed reform legislation on account of the
    significant cost-saving measures included. [3/11/2010]



    Reform Includes Nearly all Cost-Cutting Ideas; Saves $600 Billion:
    The Wall Street Journal ran an op-ed
    by Harvard Professor David Cutler giving Democrats’
    reform legislation credit for including nearly all of the cost-cutting
    ideas available and estimating actual savings in the first 10
    years are closer to $600 billion. [3/9/2010]



    Krugman Dispels Reform Cost Myths: Economist Paul
    Krugman discusses how frequently heard attacks that health
    reform is fiscally irresponsible and won’t contain costs
    don’t bear truth upon honest accounting. [3/12/2010]



    LA Times Says Reform Passes Cost Test: The LA
    Times Editorial Board writes that reform passes the cost
    control test with flying colors and that Republicans have consistently
    misrepresented the facts to argue otherwise. [3/12/2010]



    Orszag to Critics: Reform is No Gimmick: White House Office of
    Management and Budget Director Peter Orszag wrote a blog
    post addressing false claims about health reform’s budget
    impact. [3/4/2010]

    
###

    


    
CDC's ACIP: Provisional Recommendations

    
This information has recently been updated
    and is now available. 

    The provisional recs for PCV13 have been removed as they are
    official recs now published in the MMWR at 

    http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5909a2.htm


    

    
C-SPAN Weekend Alert

    Programming Information for Fri. 3/12 - Mon. 3/15, 2010

    **********************************************************************

    
C-SPAN Highlights

    
Friday:

    * House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) Weekly Legislative Briefing
    (8pm)

    * House Floor Remarks by Reps. Hoyer & Cantor on Health Care
    (8:20pm)

    
Saturday:

    * Communicators: Tim Sparapani, Facebook, Public Policy Director
    (6:30pm)

    * A&C: Speech by Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberts (7pm)

    
Sunday:

    * Newsmakers (6pm)

    * Q&A: Michelle Easton, Founder & Pres., Clare Boothe
    Luce Policy Inst. (8pm)

    
Monday:

    * U.S. House: In Session (12:30pm) - LIVE

    **********************************************************************

    C-SPAN 2 Highlights

    
Friday:

    * Senate Homeland Cmte. Hearing on Aviation Security (8pm)

    * Washington Journal: Steven Emerson, Investigative Project on
    Terrorism (10:05pm)

    
Saturday/Sunday:

    * Book TV on C-SPAN2 All Weekend. Check the Book TV Schedule,
    Updated Daily - http://www.booktv.org

    * Book TV Interview with Karl Rove, "Courage and Consequence"
    (10am) - LIVE

    
Monday:

    * U.S. Senate: In Session (2pm) - LIVE

    **********************************************************************

    C-SPAN 3 Highlights

    
Friday:

    * White House Briefing; Reps. Hoyer, Canter & Speaker Pelosi
    on Health Care (7pm)

    
Saturday:

    * AHTV: David Detzer, Author, “Donnybrook: The Battle of
    Bull Run, 1861” (10am)

    
Sunday:

    * AHTV: Chris Myers Asch, Author, “The Senator & the
    Sharecropper” (10am)

    
Monday:

    * House Budget Cmte. Mark Up of the Health Reform Bill (3pm)
    - LIVE

    **********************************************************************

    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:

    * Newspaper Articles

    * Viewer Calls

    * Discussion on Lenders Unaffected by Bank Reform

    * Discussion on Education & Common Core State Standards

    
Sunday:

    * Newspaper Articles & Viewer Calls

    * Discussion on the Major Political Stories of the Week

    * Discussion on Improving Car Safety

    * Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK), Environment & Public Works, Ranking
    Member

    
Monday:

    * Newspaper Articles & Viewer Calls

    * Discussion on House & Senate Leadership

    * Discussion on the Record High Sales Tax

    * Discussion on Job Recovery & Race

    **********************************************************************

    


    DOD
    Identifies Marine Casualty


    Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:07:00 -0600 

    

    
U.S.
    Policy in Somalia

    
Johnnie Carson

    Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs

    Ertharin Cousin, Ambassador to the UN Mission in Rome

    
Washington, DC

    
March 12, 2010

    


    Former
    Campaign Manager Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement, Tax Evasion Charges 

    

    


    
Hoyer Statement on Republicans’
    Selections for the Bipartisan Fiscal Commission

    
WASHINGTON, DC – House Majority Leader
    Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after
    Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader
    John Boehner announced their selections for the bipartisan fiscal
    commission:



    “I am pleased that Leader McConnell and Leader Boehner have
    made their selections for the bipartisan fiscal commission. They
    have appointed knowledgeable Members, who I hope will take the
    work of the commission seriously and work in a bipartisan way
    to address the deficits and debt confronting our nation.”

    
###

    


    DoD
    Contracts for March 12, 2010


    Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:01:00 -0600 

    

    CDC’s
    Winter Weather Health & Safety Updates. 

    


    Press
    Conference with Secretary Gates from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 

    Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:13:00 -0600 

    

    The
    FBI New York Shines Light on Potential Rental and Real Estate
    Scams in Our Area 

    


    FBI
    Celebrates 60th Anniversary of the “Top Ten” Program 

    

    Constituent
    Update for USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. This information has recently been updated, and
    is now available. 

    


    Arrest
    of Individual for Identity Theft


    

    Retail
    Distribution List for FSIS Recall 017-2010 

    


    Statement
    from the Department of Health and Human Services Regarding the
    Decisions of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims in the Omnibus
    Autism Proceeding

    Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:01:00 -0600

    As these latest cases illustrated, there's no doubt that autism
    and autism spectrum disorders place a heavy burden on many families.
    We know that autism and related disorders are conditions that
    present many special challenges to all families touched by these
    disorders. That is why the U.S. Department of Health and Human
    Services provides services to families with family members with
    autism spectrum disorder and continues to support research to
    better understand risk factors and causes of autism spectrum
    disorders and develop more effective methods of treatment.

    

    


    
MESSAGE FROM THE MAJORITY LEADER

    
Democrats are making steady progress on
    health insurance reform, and are very close to having a final
    bill that puts American families and small business owners –
    not insurance companies – in control of their own health
    care, makes insurance more affordable for the middle-class, and
    reduces the deficit through numerous measures including reining
    in waste, fraud and abuse. The final bill will incorporate the
    best ideas from legislation that has already passed the House
    and the Senate, as well as new ones from both Democrats and Republicans.
    I am confident that it will not be long before we pass health
    insurance reform on the House and Senate Floors and send a final
    reform bill to the President’s desk.



    In our ongoing efforts to increase openness and transparency,
    this week House Democrats announced that we will no longer approve
    earmark requests from for-profit companies. This important step
    builds on the Democratic majority’s significant reforms
    that have cut the number of earmarks in half and brought unprecedented
    transparency to the process. Earmarks exploded when the Republican
    Party took control of the House of Representatives in 1994 and
    Republicans had years to reform the earmark process and did not.
    I am pleased that the Committee took this critical step to ensure
    that Americans can have more confidence that public money is
    going to the projects that are most deserving, not those that
    are best-connected.



    Next week, the House will consider two bills that continue our
    efforts to make government more open and transparent. One requires
    Members to return unused funds from their budget at the end of
    each fiscal year to help reduce the deficit; the other bill would
    make legislation more user-friendly by having bills written in
    plain language. In addition, we will continue our work on our
    top priorities of job creation and health insurance reform, and
    will take action as appropriate.



    Sincerely yours,

    
STENY H. HOYER

    


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

    

    Child
    Protection in Indian Country

    Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:09:09 -0600

    


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

    

    DOD
    News Briefing with Ashton Carter from the Pentagon 

    Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:11:00 -0600 

    


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

    

    Persecution
    of Religious Minorities in Iran

    Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:21:53 -0600

    


    Highlights:
    U.S. Policy in Somalia

    Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:00:00 -0600

    

    Persecution
    of Religious Minorities in Iran

    Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:21:53 -0600

    


    Attorney
    General Eric Holder Speaks at the Department of Justice and USDA
    Agriculture Workshop

    Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:16:48 -0600

    

    Father
    and Son Plead Guilty to Selling Counterfeit Software Worth $1
    Million

    Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:37:09 -0600

    Robert D. Cook, 56, and his son, Todd A. Cook, 23, both of Wichita
    Falls, Texas, pleaded guilty late yesterday to criminal copyright
    infringement and conspiracy to commit criminal copyright infringement
    before U.S. District Court Judge T.S. Ellis III, in Alexandria,
    Va.

    


    Ten
    Years for Securities Fraud, Part I

    Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:30:38 -0600

    Police agencies around the world are on the lookout for terrorists
    24/7. FBI Special Agent Matt Dunn is in Toronto, Canada, working
    cases. The episode is part of our "Gotcha" series highlighting
    closed FBI cases.

    

    Mortgage
    Fraud Summit, Part II

    Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:28:50 -0600

    


    Remarks
    at the UN Commission on the Status of Women

    Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:19:10 -0600

    

    


    
THE WEEKLY LEADER: WEEK OF MARCH 15,
    2010

    
FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2010

    First Vote of the Week… Last Vote Predicted…

    
Monday 6:30 p.m.

    
Legislative Program - 51600 | Floor Information
    - 57400 | Whip Information - 63210

    
MONDAY, MARCH 15, 2010

    On Monday, the House will meet at 12:30 p.m. for Morning Hour
    debate and 2:00 p.m. for legislative business with votes postponed
    until 6:30 p.m.



    Suspensions (6 Bills)

    1) H.Res.
    1145 - Recognizing the University of Arizona's 125 years
    of dedication to excellence in higher education (Rep. Giffords
    - Education and Labor)

    2) H.Res.
    1170 - Congratulating the winners of the Voice of Democracy
    national scholarship program (Rep. Hunter - Education and Labor)

    3) H.Res.
    1163 - Recognizing Washington State University Honors College
    for 50 years of excellence (Rep. McMorris Rodgers - Education
    and Labor)

    4) H.R.
    2377 - To direct the Secretary of Education to establish
    and administer an awards program recognizing excellence exhibited
    by public school system employees providing services to students
    in pre-kindergarten through higher education (Rep. Titus - Education
    and Labor)

    5) H.R.
    4628 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal
    Service located at 216 Westwood Avenue in Westwood, New Jersey,
    as the "Sergeant Christopher R. Hrbek Post Office Building"
    (Rep. Garrett - Oversight and Government Reform)

    6) H.Res.
    267 - Recognizing the cultural and historical significance
    of Nowruz, expressing appreciation to Iranian-Americans for their
    contributions to society, and wishing Iranian-Americans and the
    people of Iran a prosperous new year (Rep. Honda - Oversight
    and Government Reform)



    TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 2010 AND THE BALANCE OF THE WEEK

    On Tuesday, the House will meet at 10:30 a.m. for Morning Hour
    debate and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business. On Wednesday
    and Thursday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for legislative
    business. On Friday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative
    business.



    Suspensions (18 Bills)

    1) H.Res.
    311 - Expressing the support of the House of Representatives
    for the goals and ideals of Red Cross Month (Rep. Watson - Foreign
    Affairs)

    2) H.Res.
    605 - Recognizing the continued persecution of Falun Gong
    practitioners in China on the 10th anniversary of the Chinese
    Communist Party campaign to suppress the Falun Gong spiritual
    movement and calling for an immediate end to the campaign to
    persecute, intimidate, imprison, and torture Falun Gong practitioners
    (Rep. Ros-Lehtinen - Foreign Affairs)

    3) H.Res.
    1128 - Thanking Vancouver for hosting the world during the
    2010 Winter Olympics and honoring the athletes from Team USA
    (Rep. Davis (CA) - Foreign Affairs)

    4) H.Res.
    1089 - Recognizing the 150th anniversary of Augustana College
    (Rep. Hare - Education and Labor)

    5) H.Res.
    1167 - Expressing the support of the House of Representatives
    for the goals and ideals of Professional Social Work Month and
    World Social Work Day (Rep. Shea-Porter - Education and Labor)

    6) H.R.
    4252 - Inland Empire Perchlorate Ground Water Plume Assessment
    Act of 2009 (Rep. Baca - Natural Resources)

    7) H.R.
    2788 - Distinguished Flying Cross National Memorial Act (Rep.
    Calvert - Natural Resources)

    8) H.R.
    4003 - Hudson River Valley Special Resource Study Act (Rep.
    Hinchey - Natural Resources)

    9) H.R.
    3671 - Upper Mississippi River Basin Protection Act (Rep.
    Kind - Natural Resources)

    10) H.R.
    4192 - Stornetta Public Lands Outstanding Natural Area Act
    of 2009 (Rep. Thompson (CA) - Natural Resources)

    11) H.R.
    1769 - Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions and Pratt and Middle
    Fork Snoqualmie Rivers Protection Act (Rep. Reichert - Natural
    Resources)

    12) H.R.
    4395 - To revise the boundaries of the Gettysburg National
    Military Park to include the Gettysburg Train Station (Rep. Platts
    - Natural Resources)

    13) H.R.
    4825 - To require any amounts remaining in a Member's Representational
    Allowance at the end of a fiscal year to be deposited in the
    Treasury and used for deficit reduction or to reduce the Federal
    debt (Reps. Kirkpatrick/Peters - House Administration)

    14) H.R. __ - Directing the Clerk to create a separate section
    of the congressional record to provide for CBO scores (Rep. Murphy
    (NY) - House Administration)

    15) H.R.
    946 - Plain Language Act of 2009 (Rep. Braley - Oversight
    and Government Reform)

    16) H.R.
    1320 - Federal Advisory Committee Act Amendments of 2009
    (Rep. Clay - Oversight and Government Reform)

    17) H.R.
    1387 - Electronic Message Preservation Act (Rep. Hodes -
    Oversight and Government Reform)

    18) H.R.
    4214 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal
    Service located at 45300 Portola Avenue in Palm Desert, California,
    as the "Roy Wilson Post Office" (Rep. Bono Mack - Oversight
    and Government Reform)



    Possible Action on H.R.
    1586 - FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement
    Act (Rep. Oberstar – Transportation and Infrastructure)
    (Subject to a Rule)



    Further Action on Jobs Legislation



    Further Action on Health Insurance Reform Legislation



    * Conference Reports may be brought up at any time.

    * Motions to go to Conference should they become available. 

    * Possible Motions to Instruct Conferees.

    


    NEW GOV JOB VACANCIES, GRANTS AND GOV CONTRACT
    OPPORTUNITIES have been posted at www.usdemocrats.com/ticker/jobs/

    
Interview
    With CNN's Jill Dougherty

    
Hillary Rodham Clinton

    Secretary of State

    New York City

    
March 12, 2010

    


    General
    Leads Effort Against IEDs 

    Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:00:00 -0600 

    

    Length
    of Wars Challenges Nation, Lynn Says 

    Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:12:00 -0600 

    


    FAQ
    What should I do if someone is poisoned?

    Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:02:17 -0600

    If a poison victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call 911.
    If the victim is awake and alert, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222.
    National Poison Prevention Week is March 14-20. Visit the FAQ
    at USA.gov for more information.

    

    Pentagon
    Brief

    Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:02:57 -0600

    Ashton Carter, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology,
    and Logistics speaks with reporters at the Pentagon.

    


    




    
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