CQ Today Midday Update
Midday Update for FRIDAY, JAN. 11, 2008 – 2:08 P.M. In This Issue
--------------------------------- Today in WashingtonThe House is not in session; reconvenes for business on Jan. 15. The Senate meets in pro forma session; reconvenes for business on Jan. 22. The President visits Israel’s Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem; visits holy sites in Galilee; flies to Kuwait City and meets with Emir Shaykh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah, the emir of Kuwait. In Washington, an exhibit of the paintings of American artist Edward Hopper is in its final 10 days at the National Gallery of Art, East Building, 4th and Constitution Ave. N.W. --------------------------------- Top StoriesStudy Deals a Blow to Independent PharmaciesIndependent pharmacists complaining they don’t make enough money from Medicare’s new prescription drug benefit have gained the ear of Congress and expect to see an increase in their payments this year. [Read More]Concerns Build About Public-Safety Network RequirementsCongress mandated a nationwide transition to digital television in 2009 so analog TV airwaves would be freed up for use by emergency first responders — but that part of the plan now appears in jeopardy and lawmakers might have to revisit it. [Read More]Flu Pandemic Nothing to Sneeze At, Energy Official WarnsFew people connect electricity with the flu, but they might if all the lights go off because the power company’s staff is home sick. [Read More]Rep. Berman Likely to Succeed Lantos as Foreign Affairs ChairmanCalifornia Democrat Howard L. Berman is likely to take over the gavel at the House Foreign Affairs Committee when Chairman Tom Lantos retires at the end of this Congress, according to a senior Democratic source. [Read More]Party Officials Poised to Select Nominees in Indiana’s 7th DistrictLocal Democratic and Republican Party organizations will be working this weekend to pick their nominees to fill the 7th District seat of Indiana Democratic Rep. Julia Carson, who died Dec. 15. [Read More]Political Trivia for Jan. 11Where did George W. Bush win his first primary in 2000 after losing in New Hampshire? [Read More] --------------------------------- TheCapitol.Net: Update on the 110th Congress, 2008, 2nd SessionOur expert faculty look at the second session of the 110th Congress in terms of leadership, membership, the 2008 elections, and the anticipated legislative agenda. They will also review and analyze the major legislative initiatives and accomplishments of the first session of the 110th Congress WHERE: Goethe-Institut, 812 Seventh Street NW, Washington, D.C. WHEN: January 29, 2008, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Registration Fee: $395 Full program description and online registration, or call our registrar at 202-678-1600. This training conference is sponsored by TheCapitol.Net, exclusive provider of Congressional Quarterly Executive Conferences. --------------------------------- Political ClippingsThe Prescott Daily Courier reports that freshman Republican state Rep. Andy Tobin said Thursday he is considering a run at Arizona’s 1st District seat in Congress, which GOP Rep. Rick Renzi is leaving at the end of this year. So far, there is only one Republican in the race, Sidney Hay. Four Democrats have announced campaigns: Ann Kirkpatrick, Mary Kim Titla, Howard Shanker and Jeffrey Brown. State Sen. Tom O’Halleran, a Republican, “said Thursday that he decided a while ago not to run.” Tobin said “he started considering the idea seriously Wednesday after Rep. Bill Konopnicki of Safford announced he would not run.” Tobin “is the co-owner of TLC Employee Benefits and has specialized in the health care insurance and business consulting market for the past 10 years.”According to the Santa Fe New Mexican, “Marco Gonzales, in seeking the Republican nomination in the 3rd Congressional District, said Thursday that he can appeal to Democrats in the tradition of U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici and even California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. He’ll have to. The Northern New Mexico district voted just 27 percent Republican in the last congressional race, and Gonzales’ own family is mostly Democratic.” Gonzales, 40, an attorney, joins at least five Democrats and one other Republicans seeking to succeed Rep. Tom Udall, D-N.M., who is running to succeed retiring Republican Domenici in the Senate. --------------------------------- Today on Governing.com State and local government news from CQ’s sister publication CLEVELAND: City Sues 21 Banks over Foreclosure Crisis SALT LAKE CITY: Mayor Seeks Domestic-Partner Registry LOS ANGELES: City Sees Plunge in Gang-Related Homicides PHOENIX: City Faces Layoffs, Service Cuts DETROIT: Plunging Propane Truck Incinerates House, Closes I-75 ARIZONA: State Defies Feds on Auto Emissions GEORGIA: New DOT Chief May Scrap All Toll-Road Projects --------------------------------- Other CQ ProductsSign up for free trialsCQ Legislative Impact CQ.com CQ Weekly CQ Today CQ Today Action Alerts CQ BillTrack CQ Budget Tracker CQ Committee Amendments CQ HealthBeat CQ Homeland Security CQ House Action Reports CQPolitics.com CQ Press CQ Top Docs See all CQ products |