CQ Today Midday Update
Midday Update for FRIDAY, FEB. 15, 2008 – 2:04 P.M. In This Issue
--------------------------------- Today in WashingtonThe House meets in pro forma session. The Senate meets in pro forma session. The President meets with bicameral Republican leadership; then meets with Ban Ki-moon, the Secretary-General of the United Nations; departs with Mrs. Bush on a trip to Africa. In Washington, a panel discussion moderated by actor and activist Clayton LeBouef at the unveiling of the prototype of the Benjamin Banneker Memorial explores the impact on history of the 18th century African-American mathematician, astronomer, clockmaker and publisher. 7 p.m., McGowan Theater, National Archives, Constitution Ave., between 7th and 9th Sts. N.W. --------------------------------- Top StoriesFISA Talks Start as White House, Republicans Assail DemocratsCongressional Republicans and the White House feuded anew with Democrats Friday over the impending expiration of a temporary surveillance law, as top Democrats began meeting on a more lasting electronic eavesdropping overhaul. [Read More]FDA, House Staff Meet on Blood Thinner Safety ConcernsFood and Drug Administration staff met with congressional investigators Friday to discuss safety concerns over the blood thinner Heparin, a day after a House subcommittee chairman called for the resignation of the FDA commissioner.. [Read More]Walker Resigning GAO Post To Lead New Public Policy FoundationDavid M. Walker, the U.S. comptroller general and head of the Government Accountability Office, announced Friday that he will resign in March to lead a new foundation focused on long-term public policy challenges. [Read More]Political Trivia for Feb. 15Which former GOP presidential nominee saw his comeback hopes ended in the 1944 Wisconsin primary? [Read More] --------------------------------- The Defense BudgetThis TheCapitol.Net course, held each year in mid-February, concentrates on the president's new fiscal year defense budget proposal and how Congress responds to it. Experienced faculty members explore and study key documents, charts and graphs, budget allocations and projections provided in this budget. The defense budget request is carefully analyzed, focusing on winners and losers, the Defense Department's budget authority by title, weapons systems, budget by service, military transformation and Congress' response. WHERE: Goethe-Institut, 812 Seventh Street, N.W. WHEN: February 29, 2008, 8:30 am to 4:15 pm Registration Fee: $595 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 Beatrice Daily Sun in Nebraska reports that Democrats have finally gotten their first House candidates. Max Yashirin, a 25-year-old former Marine, said he will challenge Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, R-Neb. In the 2nd District, Jim Esch is reconsidering his decision not to seek a rematch with GOP Rep. Lee Terry, though he would face a primary challenge from economics professor Richard Carter.The Salisbury Post reports that truck driver Duskin C. Lassiter became the first Democrat to file as a candidate against Sen. Elizabeth Dole, R-N.C. Investment banker Jim Neal and state Sen. Kay Hagan have announced they also will enter the Democratic primary race but have not yet filed. Lassiter introduced himself in a video on his campaign Web site, saying voters can return to “the same old policies that don’t work, or we can choose a better way.” He wants to raise the minimum wage to $12 an hour, expand basic education to include two years of college and implement universal health care. He also says free trade should be replaced with “balanced trade.” --------------------------------- Today on Governing.com State and local government news from CQ’s sister publication DEKALB, Ill.: Six Dead in University Shootings HOUSTON: City to Offer Police $12,000 Signing Bonuses CHICAGO: Trains, Buses to Get $227 Million Makeover THE NATION: Bond Crisis Threatens State, Local Finances FLORIDA: Poll: Little Support for Evolution-Only Education WASHINGTON STATE: Embattled Crime Lab Chief Resigns --------------------------------- 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 |