CQ Today Midday Update

Highlights from today's news on CQ.com

Midday Update for Friday, April 16, 2010 Edited by Joe Warminsky | Email the editor In This Issue For High Court Nominations, Timing Is Critical Senators Urged to Hew to Party Lines on Financial Overhaul --------------------------------- Today in Washington The House convened for a pro forma session. The Senate is not in session. The President spoke at the White House Conference on America's Great Outdoors at the Interior Department; met with his national security team on Afghanistan and Pakistan; meets with the Presidents Economic Recovery Advisory Board. In Washington, the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Embassy of Poland host a screening of the Academy Award-nominated film "Katyn," about the 1940 killings of thousands of Polish nationals by the Soviets. 3 p.m., 2325 Rayburn Bldg. --------------------------------- Top Stories For High Court Nominations, Timing Is Critical Ever since Robert H. Bork's Supreme Court nomination was defeated in October 1987, after months of unrelenting Democratic attacks, presidents of both parties have sought to get their picks confirmed before the Senate's August recess. [Read More] Senators Urged to Hew to Party Lines on Financial Overhaul With a financial industry overhaul headed to the Senate floor next week, the task for leaders of both parties is to prevent members from breaking ranks -- and that is already proving to be a challenge. [Read More] --------------------------------- CQ Politics: The Eye Poll Shows Hawaii Special Election Could Be a Dead Heat: A poll of voters in Hawaii's 1st District showed Republican Honolulu City Councilman Charles Djou with 32 percent, former Democratic Rep. Ed Case with 29 percent and Democratic state Senate President Colleen Hanabusa with 28 percent. The survey found 7 percent of respondents were undecided in the winner-take-all vote-by-mail special election. Potential Grayson Rival Raises $305,000: Florida businessman Bruce O'Donoghue, who was recruited by the National Republican Congressional Committee to take on outspoken first-term Democratic Rep. Alan Grayson, said he started his House campaign with $50,000 of his own money, then raised $305,000. In Nevada, Titus Widens Cash Edge Over Heck: One of the lingering questions about Republican Joe Heck's ability to topple Democratic Rep. Dina Titus has been his fundraising, and Heck's first-quarter financial report is unlikely to silence those concerns. The CQ Politics staff reports the latest news in House, Senate and governors' races in The Eye. --------------------------------- Other CQ-Roll Call Group Products Sign up for free trials CQ Floor Video CQ.com CQ Weekly CQ Today Roll Call CQ BillTrack CQ Budget Tracker CQ Committee Amendments CQ HealthBeat CQ Homeland Security CQ Hot Docs CQ House Action Reports CQ LawTrack CQ Politics See all CQ-Roll Call Group products Published by CQ-Roll Call Group Editorial Director and Senior Vice President: Mike Mills Executive Editors: John Dineen and Susan Benkelman Deputy Executive Editor, News: Randy Wynn CQ Politics Editors: Katherine Rizzo and Lauren Whittington Associate Editor: Martha Angle Deputy Editor, Copy and Production: Joe Warminsky Midday Update Product Editors: Jessica M. Cuellar and Jamisha Purdy Reporters: The staff of CQ-Roll Call Group Information Services V.P.: Keith A. White Marketing V.P.: Greg Hamilton Circulation Sales V.P.: Jim Gale Technology V.P.: Dennis Arndt Strategy and Development V.P.: Neil Maslansky To sign up for CQ-Roll Call Group's free newsletters, click here: http://www.cq.com/corp/newsletters.do Follow CQ Politics on Twitter. Copyright 2010 CQ-Roll Call Group Inc. All rights reserved.

CQ Today Midday Update

Highlights from today's news on CQ.com

Midday Update for Thursday, April 15, 2010 Edited by Martha Angle | Email the editor In This Issue Senate Nears Extension of Jobless Benefits, Other Programs Reid 'Hoping' To Begin Senate Debate Next Week on Financial Overhaul House Welcomes New Rep. Deutch --------------------------------- Today in Washington The House considers legislation to reauthorize and strengthen EPA's National Estuary Program. The Senate continues consideration of a bill to extend through May a number of expiring programs, including federal unemployment benefits and subsidized COBRA health insurance coverage for jobless workers. The President meets with Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis and with the head of the Mine Safety and Health Administration; travels to Cape Canaveral, Fla., to tour a commercial rocket processing facility and deliver remarks on NASA's manned spaceflight program; attends Democratic National Committee fundraiser in Miami. In Washington, the Constitution Project holds its third annual Constitutional Champion Awards Dinner, honoring George Kendall for his work to confront injustice in the criminal justice system and Ambassador Thomas Pickering for his distinguished diplomatic career. Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. delivers the keynote address. 7 p.m., Renaissance Mayflower Hotel, 1127 Connecticut Ave. N.W. --------------------------------- Top Stories Senate Nears Extension of Jobless Benefits, Other Programs Senate Democrats appeared headed toward passage Thursday of a package of short-term extensions of several federal programs, including federal unemployment benefits, after killing two Republican amendments to offset the bill's cost. [Read More] Reid 'Hoping' To Begin Senate Debate Next Week on Financial Overhaul Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid , D-Nev., says he hopes to bring a financial regulatory overhaul bill to the floor as soon as next week. [Read More] House Welcomes New Rep. Deutch Relieved Democrats welcomed Rep. Ted Deutch of Florida to the House on Thursday, two days after he won a special election that the Republican candidate tried to turn into a referendum on the new health care law. [Read More] --------------------------------- CQ Politics: The Eye Porn Star Decides Not To Challenge Vitter but Cain Might: Headline writers all over Louisiana are bound to be bummed out by the news that porn star Stormy Daniels won't be running for the Senate after all. According to WAFB.com, she released a statement saying, "I am not running for the US Senate because I am an adult entertainment star." The Associated Press reports that former state Rep. James David Cain, a Republican, has said he may enter the race against incumbent David Vitter. Tea Party Group Backs Angle in Nevada Senate GOP Primary: Former Nevada state lawmaker Sharron Angle, a conservative Republican, has won the backing of the Tea Party Express, one of the most prominent Tea Party-affiliated national advocacy groups. The group promised that her run for Senate would be its "top priority" among 2010 primaries. Angle trails former state Sen. Sue Lowden and Las Vegas Real Estate developer Danny Tarkanian in GOP primary polling and in fundraising. Poll Finds Nostalgia For Bush: President Obama just passed another milestone: His popularity is polling behind that for his predecessor, George W. Bush, according to a Public Policy Polling survey taken April 9-11. When asked to state their preferences for president, 46 percent chose Obama, and 48 percent picked Bush, according to the PPP poll. The culprit appears to be the health care law. Fifty percent of respondents to the poll say they oppose it, while 45 percent support it. Fifty-three percent want it repealed, while 40 percent would oppose that. The CQ Politics staff reports the latest news in House, Senate and governors' races in The Eye. --------------------------------- Other CQ-Roll Call Group Products Sign up for free trials CQ Floor Video CQ.com CQ Weekly CQ Today Roll Call CQ BillTrack CQ Budget Tracker CQ Committee Amendments CQ HealthBeat CQ Homeland Security CQ Hot Docs CQ House Action Reports CQ LawTrack CQ Politics See all CQ-Roll Call Group products Published by CQ-Roll Call Group Editorial Director and Senior Vice President: Mike Mills Executive Editors: John Dineen and Susan Benkelman Deputy Executive Editor, News: Randy Wynn CQ Politics Editors: Katherine Rizzo and Lauren Whittington Associate Editor: Martha Angle Deputy Editor, Copy and Production: Joe Warminsky Midday Update Product Editors: Jessica M. Cuellar and Jamisha Purdy Reporters: The staff of CQ-Roll Call Group Information Services V.P.: Keith A. White Marketing V.P.: Greg Hamilton Circulation Sales V.P.: Jim Gale Technology V.P.: Dennis Arndt Strategy and Development V.P.: Neil Maslansky To sign up for CQ-Roll Call Group's free newsletters, click here: http://www.cq.com/corp/newsletters.do Follow CQ Politics on Twitter. Copyright 2010 CQ-Roll Call Group Inc. All rights reserved.

CQ Today Midday Update

Highlights from today's news on CQ.com

Midday Update for Wednesday, April 14, 2010 Edited by Martha Angle | Email the editor In This Issue Democrats Propose $23 Billion to Avert School Layoffs Obama Prods Leaders To Act on Financial Overhaul House Passes Bill To Ban Caller ID 'Spoofing' Gitmo Closing Is Contingent on Funding for Illinois Facility, Holder Says Administration Sees Backing for U.N. Resolution on Iran --------------------------------- Today in Washington The House cleared legislation to encourage debt relief for Haiti; considers bills to enforce new penalties for caller ID falsification and to provide taxpayer assistance. The Senate continues consideration of a bill to provide short-term extensions of various expiring programs, including unemployment benefits and subsidized COBRA health insurance coverage for jobless workers. The President met with bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate on financial regulatory overhaul; meets with senior advisers; also holds meeting with Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. In Washington, the National Restaurant Association begins its 2010 Public Affairs Conference, with keynote address by former House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert. 6 p.m., Grand Hyatt Hotel, 1000 H St. N.W. --------------------------------- Top Stories Democrats Propose $23 Billion to Avert School Layoffs In an effort to stave off massive school layoffs, Democratic leaders are proposing $23 billion in emergency aid to the nation's school districts and public colleges. [Read More] Obama Prods Leaders To Act on Financial Overhaul President Obama urged House and Senate leaders from both parties Wednesday to set aside partisan tensions and work harder to complete legislation overhauling the nation's system of financial regulations. [Read More] House Passes Bill To Ban Caller ID 'Spoofing' The House passed legislation Wednesday to ban "spoofing," the falsification of telephone numbers on Caller ID. [Read More] Gitmo Closing Is Contingent on Funding for Illinois Facility, Holder Says Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. said Wednesday the Obama administration cannot close the Guantánamo Bay detention facility until Congress provides money for a replacement in Thomson, Ill. [Read More] Administration Sees Backing for U.N. Resolution on Iran A senior Obama administration official predicted Wednesday that Washington would win the support of China and Russia for some kind of U.N. Security Council sanctions resolution against Iran this spring. [Read More] --------------------------------- CQ Politics: The Eye Linder Backs Former Chief of Staff for His Seat: Retiring Rep. John Linder, R-Ga., is giving his "unconditional endorsement" to his former chief of staff, Rob Woodall, to succeed him in Congress. Linder said in a statement released Tuesday that Woodall's decision to jump in the race last last month put his mind at ease about his decision to retire after nine terms in the House. Army Col. Doug Heckman announced Tuesday that he will make a second run on the Democratic side, after losing to Linder in 2008. Thompson Reportedly Rejects Wisconsin Senate Bid: Former Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson will not challenge Democratic incumbent Sen. Russ Feingold for re-election this year, according to the Web site of Milwaukee radio station WTMJ. The news outlet said Wednesday morning that an unnamed source "who is close with Thompson's family" said "he believes Thompson's decision is not to run." Thompson, who served as governor from 1987 to 2001 and then as President Bush's first Health and Human Services secretary, had been weighing a campaign against Feingold for months and ran about even with the senator in early polls. Garcia Gets In: Joe Garcia, formerly the chairman of the Miami-Dade County Democratic Party, is running for Congress again in south Florida. Garcia came within 6 points of GOP Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart in 2008, and party officials had been prodding Garcia to consider another run after Diaz-Balart decided he didn't want to run again in the 25th district. (He's running instead in the neighboring 21st district.) The CQ Politics staff reports the latest news in House, Senate and governors' races in The Eye. --------------------------------- Other CQ-Roll Call Group Products Sign up for free trials CQ Floor Video CQ.com CQ Weekly CQ Today Roll Call CQ BillTrack CQ Budget Tracker CQ Committee Amendments CQ HealthBeat CQ Homeland Security CQ Hot Docs CQ House Action Reports CQ LawTrack CQ Politics See all CQ-Roll Call Group products Published by CQ-Roll Call Group Editorial Director and Senior Vice President: Mike Mills Executive Editors: John Dineen and Susan Benkelman Deputy Executive Editor, News: Randy Wynn CQ Politics Editors: Katherine Rizzo and Lauren Whittington Associate Editor: Martha Angle Deputy Editor, Copy and Production: Joe Warminsky Midday Update Product Editors: Jessica M. Cuellar and Jamisha Purdy Reporters: The staff of CQ-Roll Call Group Information Services V.P.: Keith A. White Marketing V.P.: Greg Hamilton Circulation Sales V.P.: Jim Gale Technology V.P.: Dennis Arndt Strategy and Development V.P.: Neil Maslansky To sign up for CQ-Roll Call Group's free newsletters, click here: http://www.cq.com/corp/newsletters.do Follow CQ Politics on Twitter. Copyright 2010 CQ-Roll Call Group Inc. All rights reserved.

CQ Midday Update

Highlights from today's news on CQ.com

Midday Update for Tuesday, April 13, 2010 Edited by Joe Warminsky | Email the editor In This Issue House Leader Outlines Plans for Gay Rights Legislation Democrats Warn Against GOP 'Obstruction' on Judicial Nominees Agency Playing Politics With Toyota Documents, Republican Says --------------------------------- Today in Washington The House is considering minor measures under suspension of the rules. The Senate continues consideration of a bill to extend several federal programs on a short-term basis. The President Attends events and meetings throughout the day at the Nuclear Security Summit held in Washington's Convention Center. In Washington, the Mortgage Bankers Association holds its 2010 policy conference. Speakers include HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan; Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn.; and Reps. James E. Clyburn, D-S.C., and Paul E. Kanjorski, D-Pa. 4 p.m., Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill, 400 New Jersey Ave. N.W. --------------------------------- Top Stories House Leader Outlines Plans for Gay Rights Legislation Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer signaled Tuesday that the House is likely to consider legislation this year banning employment discrimination based on sexual orientation, saying the proposal is not as controversial as it once was. [Read More] Democrats Warn Against GOP 'Obstruction' on Judicial Nominees Two leading Democrats threatened Tuesday to keep the Senate in session overnight and through weekends if necessary to clear a backlog of federal judicial nominations. [Read More] Agency Playing Politics With Toyota Documents, Republican Says The ranking Republican on a House committee investigating safety issues with Toyotas is accusing the federal auto safety watchdog of playing politics by withholding documents. [Read More] --------------------------------- CQ Politics: The Eye Fla. Rep. Grayson Raises More Than $800,000: Outspoken freshman Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., announced Tuesday that he raised $803,000 in the first three months of the year for his re-election bid. Grayson, who has become a hero of progressives, is a top target of national Republicans. GOP Candidate in Fla. 25 Gets Help From Washington: Florida Republican state Rep. David Rivera will be on Capitol Hill on April 26 for a fundraiser that will include Minority Leader John A. Boehner, National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Pete Sessions, Republican Whip Eric Cantor, Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence and several other of the party's House leaders. Sen. Gillibrand's Ratings Rise: A Quinnipiac University poll found that 37 percent of voters now have a favorable opinion of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., up from 33 percent in February. She also saw a spike in her approval rating, which now stands at 47 percent. The CQ Politics staff reports the latest news in House, Senate and governors' races in The Eye. --------------------------------- Other CQ Products Sign up for free trials CQ 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 Hot Docs CQ House Action Reports CQ LawTrack CQ Politics CQ Press See all CQ products Published by CQ-Roll Call Editorial Director and Senior Vice President: Mike Mills Executive Editors: John Dineen and Susan Benkelman Deputy Executive Editor, News: Randy Wynn Managing Editor, CQ Politics, Katherine Rizzo Associate Editor: Martha Angle Deputy Editor, Copy and Production: Joe Warminsky Midday Update Product Editors: Jessica M. Cuellar and Jamisha Purdy Reporters: The staff of Congressional Quarterly Information Services V.P.: Keith A. White Advertising V.P.: Victoria Lion Monroe Marketing V.P.: Greg Hamilton Circulation Sales V.P.: Jim Gale Technology V.P.: Dennis Arndt Strategy and Development V.P.: Neil Maslansky To sign up for CQ's free newsletters, click here: http://www.cq.com/corp/newsletters.do Follow CQ Politics on Twitter. Copyright 2010 Congressional Quarterly Inc. All rights reserved.

CQ Today Midday Update

Highlights from today's news on CQ.com

Midday Update for Monday, April 12, 2010 Edited by Joe Warminsky | Email the editor In This Issue Senate Goes Back to Work on Financial Overhaul Senate to Take Up Another Fix to Medicare's Physician Payments --------------------------------- Today in Washington The House is not in session. The Senate resumes consideration of the motion to proceed to legislation to provide short-term extensions of federal programs, including unemployment benefits. The President attended the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington; meets with Jordan's King Abdullah II, Malaysian Prime Minister Mohammed Najib Abdul Razak, Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovich, Armenian President Serzh Sargsian and Chinese President Hu Jintao; later this evening a working dinner is planned with the heads of delegations to the summit. In Washington, American University's Kennedy Political Union presents a discussion with three former chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff -- Gens. Richard Myers, Peter Pace and Hugh Shelton -- on national security and the future of the military. 8:15 p.m., Bender Arena, American University --------------------------------- Top Stories Senate Goes Back to Work on Financial Overhaul Although Senate Democratic leaders and the Obama administration list overhauling financial regulation as a top priority, lawmakers are returning to Capitol Hill this week no closer to a deal on legislation. [Read More] Another Fix for Medicare's Physician Payments Is on Agenda When the Senate returns from its two-week recess, it will be under intense pressure to halt a 21 percent cut in payments to physicians who treat patients on Medicare — although the fix would provide only a stopgap remedy that doctors have deemed inadequate. [Read More] --------------------------------- CQ Politics: The Eye Castle Challenger Self-Finances $500,000: Real estate developer Glen Urquhart -- one of two major Republican candidates seeking the seat that GOP Rep. Michael N. Castle is giving up for a Senate run -- announced Monday that he had $512,000 in his campaign account at the end of March after giving more than $500,000 of personal funds to his campaign. The other candidate, lawyer Michele Rollins, announced her candidacy last week and doesn't have to file a first-quarter report. Reid Below 40 Percent: A poll conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling for the Las Vegas Review-Journal shows Nevada Republican Sue Lowden with a solid lead among candidates who want the GOP Senate nomination. Lowden also is running ahead of incumbent Democrat Harry Reid: She was favored by 46 percent of voters surveyed, while Reid had the support of 38 percent. The CQ Politics staff reports the latest news in House, Senate and governors' races in The Eye. --------------------------------- Other CQ Products Sign up for free trials CQ 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 Hot Docs CQ House Action Reports CQ LawTrack CQ Politics CQ Press See all CQ products Published by CQ-Roll Call Editorial Director and Senior Vice President: Mike Mills Executive Editors: John Dineen and Susan Benkelman Deputy Executive Editor, News: Randy Wynn Managing Editor, CQ Politics, Katherine Rizzo Associate Editor: Martha Angle Deputy Editor, Copy and Production: Joe Warminsky Midday Update Product Editors: Jessica M. Cuellar and Jamisha Purdy Reporters: The staff of Congressional Quarterly Information Services V.P.: Keith A. White Advertising V.P.: Victoria Lion Monroe Marketing V.P.: Greg Hamilton Circulation Sales V.P.: Jim Gale Technology V.P.: Dennis Arndt Strategy and Development V.P.: Neil Maslansky To sign up for CQ's free newsletters, click here: http://www.cq.com/corp/newsletters.do Follow CQ Politics on Twitter. Copyright 2010 Congressional Quarterly Inc. All rights reserved.