CQ Today Midday Update
Midday Update for FRIDAY, SEPT. 26, 2008 – 2:03 P.M. In This Issue
--------------------------------- Today in WashingtonThe House passes its latest bill to extend expiring tax provisions and plans to consider a new economic stimulus bill. The Senate is in a holding pattern. It is likely to vote Saturday on a year-end appropriations package. The President Assures the public that Congress will pass a financial rescue plan before adjourning; speaks to the U.S. Ocean Action Plan at the National Museum of Natural History; meets with the Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai; meets with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown; attends a National Book Festival Gala performance. In Washington, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, during its annual legislative conference, holds a forum on the challenge of criminal justice reform in a new administration. 3 p.m. Washington Convention Center, Mt. Vernon Square. --------------------------------- Top StoriesFinancial Bailout Talks To Resume, But Hard Feelings LingerTalks on a financial industry bailout appeared to be on track again on Capitol Hill, with House Republicans naming a new lead negotiator after throwing a curve into the process with a rescue plan of their own. [Read More]House Defies Senate, Passes Another Tax Extenders BillThe House passed a $61.7 billion tax bill Friday, cementing the battle lines in an escalating fight with the Senate as the clock ticks toward adjournment. [Read More]Workers Say Stevens Wasn’t Billed For Home ImprovementsConstruction workers described for a federal court jury Friday how they improved the Alaska house of Sen. Ted Stevens but weren’t working directly for the Republican senator. [Read More]House to Vote on Stimulus Plan After Senate Version Fails to AdvanceThe House was set to vote Friday on a stimulus package that would provide about $60 billion for infrastructure and extending unemployment insurance. [Read More]Political Trivia for Sept. 26When was the only televised presidential debate between one major-party and one independent candidate? [Read More] --------------------------------- "Capitol Hill Workshop: 2008 Election""Capitol Hill Workshop: 2008 Election is of particular interest to anyone needing more background on how Capitol Hill really works and early insight into the 111th Congress and the new administration. WHERE: Goethe-Institut, 812 Seventh Street N.W., Washington, D.C. WHEN:November 12-14, 8:30 a.m .to 4:00 p.m. all three days Registration Fee: $1295 Full program description and secure 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 Denver Post reports that Rep. Mark Udall, D-Colo., and GOP senatorial challenger Bob Schaffer again have ratcheted up attacks centered on the Wall Street bail out proposal being negotiated in Washington D.C. Udall accused Schaffer “of siding with corporations and CEOs and Schaffer suggesting Udall hire an economist to help him understand why tax cuts are more needed now than ever,” the newspaper reports. Both candidates back some sort of bail out, but each comes at it differently: “that it protect taxpayer interests and vulnerable homeowners, for Udall; that it come with a parallel plan to stimulate the economy, for Schaffer.”A Rasmussen Reports automated poll finds Democratic challenger Kay Hagan with 48 percent of the vote and the incumbent U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole, R-N.C., at 45 percent. “That’s a slight improvement for Dole who trailed by six just a few days ago, but it’s never comfortable for an incumbent to be trailing this late in the campaign season,” according to Rasmussen. “Adding to Dole’s problems is the fact that John McCain finds himself in a very tight race with Barack Obama for North Carolina’s Electoral College votes.” --------------------------------- Today on Governing.com State and local government news from CQ’s sister publication ILLINOIS: Tollway Chief Resigning to Join Contractor TEXAS: State Bans Power Disconnects for Ike Victims THE NATION: Blaming States for AIG Failure Draws Regulators’ Fire OAKLAND, Calif.: Mayor to Cut Millions, May Push Four-Day Week DETROIT: Audit Brings Crime Lab Shutdown MILWAUKEE: Push to Dissolve School District Dissolving NEW YORK CITY: Elevator-Inspection Failures Raise Safety Questions --------------------------------- Other CQ ProductsSign up for free trialsCQ Floor Video 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 CQ LawTrack CQ Politics CQ Press CQ Top Docs See all CQ products |