For Obama, Tax Deal Is A Back-Door Stimulus Plan
The New York Times reports: “Mr. Obama effectively traded tax cuts for the affluent, which Republicans were demanding, for a second stimulus bill that seemed improbable a few weeks ago. Mr. Obama yielded to Republicans on extending the high-end Bush tax cuts and on cutting the estate tax below its scheduled level. In exchange, Republicans agreed to extend unemployment benefits, cut payroll taxes and business taxes, and extend a grab bag of tax credits for college tuition and other items.”
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama will receive the presidential daily briefing at 9:30 a.m. ET. He will meet at 10:15 a.m. ET with Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski, and the two will hold an expanded meeting at 10:30 a.m. ET, and then deliver statements to the press and take questions at 11:05 a.m. ET. Obama and Vice President Biden will meet with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at 2:15 p.m. Obama will hold a Cabinet meeting at 3:30 p.m. ET, and meet with senior advisers at 4:50 p.m. ET. He will sign the Claims Resolution Act, providing for the recent settlement with African-American farmers, at 5:30 p.m. ET.
Biden’s Day Ahead
Vice President will attend President Obama’s daily briefing at 9:30 a.m. ET. He will attend the expanded meeting between Obama and Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski at 10:30 a.m. ET. He and Obama will meet at 2:15 p.m ET with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Biden will attend Obama’s Cabinet meeting at 3:30 p.m. ET.
GOP Freshman Class Draws K Street Talent
The Hill reports: “Lobbyists are being lured back to Capitol Hill as the huge class of freshman lawmakers searches for experienced hands to help it transition into Congress. At least nine federally registered lobbyists have accepted offers to become chiefs of staff to newly elected Republican House members and senators, according to a review of press releases and media reports as well as interviews by The Hill.”
Obama Still Getting Push Back On Pay Freeze For Federal Workers
The Washington Post reports on President Obama’s new political troubles with federal workers: “Washington area members of Congress, including the House majority leader, are among those pushing against a two-year freeze. Eight House members, including Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.), said Congress should consider a one-year freeze. They said a second year could be reconsidered later as part of a larger deficit-reduction program.”
Democrats Attempt To Revive Food Safety Bill
The Associated Press reports: “The bill to increase the Food and Drug Administration’s powers to keep food safe stalled after overwhelmingly passing the Senate last week. House Democrats said after it passed that the bill contains fees that are considered tax provisions, which under the Constitution must originate in the House. House Democrats are attempting to fix the problem by adding the legislation to a catchall spending bill unveiled early Wednesday.”
Thune Quietly Gathers 2012 Advice
Roll Call reports: “Sen. John Thune has quietly begun seeking the counsel of his closest Senate colleagues and an array of party operatives as he considers a bid for the White House in 2012. “I’m having a lot of discussions with people whose opinions I value. You try and have as many data points as you can to make a decision like that,” the South Dakota Republican said in a brief interview with Roll Call on Tuesday.”
Eric Kleefeld
Eric Kleefeld joined TPM as an intern for the final months of the 2006 midterm elections, and then kept showing up for work. His other interests include guitars, old comic books and the politics of various English-speaking countries.
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