CQ Midday Update
Midday Update for Friday, May 22, 2009 – 2:00 P.M. In This Issue
--------------------------------- Today in WashingtonThe House is not in session; reconvenes at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 2. The Senate is not in session; reconvenes at noon Monday, June 1. The President signs legislation overhauling Pentagon purchasing practices; delivers commencement address at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.; returns to the White House to sign an overhaul of credit card rules. In Washington, Mount Vernon hosts opening of the film, "Night at the Museum 2: Battle at the Smithsonian," which brings to life many of the items housed in the Smithsonian Institution, which holds more than 136 million items in its collections. 6 p.m., George Washington's Mount Vernon Estates and Gardens, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Alexandria, Va. --------------------------------- Top StoriesLawmakers Want Greater Role in Auto RestructuringAfter watching for months from the sidelines as the Obama administration steered Chrysler LLC into bankruptcy and General Motors Corp. into a painful restructuring, lawmakers are seeking a greater role in blunting the impact of the industry's restructuring on dealers, communities and bondholders. [Read More]Under Pressure, Pelosi Stands by Comments on CIAHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi declined to elaborate Friday on the controversy over her allegations that the CIA misled her about the use of harsh interrogation techniques during the George W. Bush administration. [Read More]Obama Signs Pentagon Purchasing OverhaulThe new law adds new layers of oversight to the Defense Department's procurement process with the aim of limiting cost growth, delivering weapons and other equipment on time, and preventing conflicts of interest within major acquisitions programs. [Read More] --------------------------------- Today on Governing.com State and local government news from CQ’s sister publication NEW YORK CITY: City Suspends Rent Collections from Working Homeless MARICOPA COUNTY, Ariz.: Officials Interviewed by FBI about Sheriff PHILADELPHIA: Budget Relies on Tax Hike, Pension Changes WASHINGTON STATE: Governor Orders Emissions Cuts --------------------------------- Political ClippingsThe New York Daily News reports that "Ex-Gov. George Pataki is at the top of national Republicans' wish list to take on Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand at the polls next fall." National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said he has spoken with Pataki about the seat, but doesn't know what he might do. The Christian Science Monitor reports that National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said "former Vice President Dick Cheney could be useful as a campaign surrogate in the upcoming battle to win Senate seats depending 'on the circumstance and on the race.' Cornyn added, "I would be proud to appear with the vice president, anywhere, anytime.'" The Des Plaines (IL) Journal & Topics reports that 9th District Democrat Rep. Jan Schakowsky said "she will make an announcement on her decision to run for Obama's former Senate seat on Monday, June 8." The Lexington Herald-Leader reports that "some Republican heavy hitters have signed on to help Secretary of State Trey Grayson raise cash for a possible U.S. Senate bid." Grayson has formed an exploratory committee to consider a run against incumbent Kentucky Sen. Jim Bunning, a fellow Republican and mentor who encouraged Grayson to explore getting into the race. --------------------------------- "Capitol Hill Workshop: Politics, Policy, and Process"Congressional decision-making is driven by politics, policy and process. In this 3-day workshop, Washington-based experts discuss these 3 P's and help you understand the complete policy-making process. WHERE: See Web Site for location in Washington, D.C. WHEN: June 10-12, 2009, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day Registration Fee: $1295Full 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. --------------------------------- 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 |