TPMDC Japan
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
As Debt Ceiling Vote Nears, The Pressure Is On House Republican Freshmen
The Washington Post reports: "They ran against debt. They swore and swore again that they'd cut up the nation's credit card. But now the 87 freshmen House Republicans are facing intense pressure from administration officials and even some natural allies on why they should -- indeed, why they must -- vote to allow the federal government to go even deeper into debt.
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama and Vice President Biden will receive the presidential daily briefing at 9:30 a.m. ET, and Obama will meet at 11:45 a.m. ET with senior advisers. At 1:45 p.m. ET, Obama will present the Commander-in-Chief Trophy to the Air Force Academy football team. At 3:05 p.m. ET, Obama will be interviewed by KCNC Denver, WRAL Raleigh, WFAA Dallas and WTHR Indianapolis. At 4:30 p.m. ET, Obama and Biden will meet with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Topics: 2012 elections, Barack Obama, Debt Ceiling, Hillary Clinton, Japan, Joe Biden, Roundup, Senate '12
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Democrats Allow Trims To Favored Programs
The New York Times reports: "After a bruising battle with Republicans over financing the government through the rest of the fiscal year, Democrats spoke proudly of their success in staving off painful cuts to programs near and dear to them, ones that became the centerpiece of their fight against huge cuts sought by Republicans. But as some details of the plan to cut roughly $38 billion in federal spending came trickling out Monday, it was clear that many of those programs, while cut nowhere near as much as Republicans had hoped, were significantly nibbled at."
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will receive the presidential daily briefing at 9:30 a.m. ET, and meet at 10 a.m. ET with senior advisers. At 12 p.m. ET, the President, Vice President, First Lady and Dr. Jill Biden will deliver remarks at the launch of the First Lady and Dr. Jill Biden's national initiative to support and honor America's service members and their families. Obama will meet at 2:15 p.m. ET with Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry. Obama and Biden will meet at 4:30 p.m. ET with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, and meet at 5 p.m. ET with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Topics: 2012 elections, Barack Obama, Budget, Hillary Clinton, Japan, Joe Biden, RNC, Roundup
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Libya Questions Swirl As Obama Comes Home
CNN reports: "President Barack Obama is returning home to a firestorm of criticism over his handling of the crisis in Libya and mounting calls for a clearer explanation of U.S. policy in the war-torn North African nation...Critics on Capitol Hill and elsewhere are angry over what they consider inadequate administration consultation with Congress before the start of the military mission over the weekend. They also continue to have questions over the conflict's cost and consequences as well as the U.S. endgame."
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama and Vice President Biden will meet for lunch at 12:45 p.m. ET. Obama will meet at 2:15 p.m. ET with Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner. In the afternoon, Obama will meet with his national security team to review efforts in Libya.
Topics: 2012 Presidential Primaries, 2012 elections, Barack Obama, Japan, Joe Biden, Libya, NATO, Nuclear Energy, Pres '12, Roundup
Nuclear Energy
Poll: Support For Nuclear Power Drops, Support For Oil Drilling Up
Tennessee Valley Authority nuclear plant
After the BP oil spill, Americans became increasingly wary of offshore drilling. Now, as Japan struggles to deal with an earthquake-damaged nuclear power plant, a new Pew poll shows a spike in opposition to nuclear power here in the U.S. -- while support for offshore drilling is making a comeback.
The two findings aren't necessarily related to each other, as support for offshore drilling began rising late last year. But the results suggest that, as was the case with the oil spill, an energy production disaster can quickly turn public opinion against that form of energy production.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: BP, Gulf Coast Oil Spill, Japan, Nuclear Energy, Offshore Drilling, Oil, Oil Spill, Polls
Roundup
TPMDC Saturday Roundup
Obama Promotes Trade With Latin America
In this weekend's YouTube address, President Obama promoted trade with Latin American countries, heading into his trip to the region.
"Latin America is a part of the world where the economy is growing very quickly. And as these markets grow, so does their demand for goods and services," said Obama. "The question is, Where are those goods and services going to come from? As President, I want to make sure these products are made in America. I want to open more markets around the world so that American companies can do more business and hire more of our people."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Barack Obama, Brazil, Jaime Herrera Beutler, Japan, Libya, Nuclear Energy, Roundup, Warren Christopher
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Congress To Buy More Time For Budget Dispute
Reuters reports: "The Congress is expected to buy itself more time on Thursday to work out a much-delayed budget deal as the costs of the stalemate are increasingly being felt across the globe. The Senate is expected to pass a sixth stopgap bill that would keep the government running through April 8, more than six months after the fiscal year began. The House of Representatives passed the measure on Tuesday. Republicans who control the House and Democrats who control the Senate need to resolve a $50 billion gap between their two spending plans."
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will receive the presidential daily briefing at 10 a.m. ET. President Obama and Vice President Biden will meet at 10:30 a.m. ET with Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny, and Obama and Kenny will deliver statements to the press at 11:05 a.m. ET. Then at 12 p.m. ET, Obama, Biden and Kenny will attend a St. Patrick's Day lunch. At 7:05 p.m. ET, the President and First Lady will host a St. Patrick's Day reception, which Biden will also attend.
Topics: 2012 elections, Barack Obama, Budget, Continuing Resolution, Earmarks, Japan, Nuclear Energy, Pres '12, RNC, Reince Priebus, Roundup
Nuclear Energy
Boehner: The United States Should Be More Like France -- When It Comes To Nuclear Energy
House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH)
Reacting to the nuclear meltdown crisis playing out in Japan, House Speaker John Boehner told an audience at a job creation forum Wednesday that the United States should and will learn lessons from the tragedy. But in the meantime, the country should aim to increase its reliance on nuclear energy -- much like France.
"I don't think there's any question that there are a lot of lessons to be learned by what's happening in Japan, and there's no question we will learn from that," Boehner said.
But there are nuclear reactors operating all over the world. Eighty-two percent of the electricity produced in France comes from nuclear sources, and has done so successfully for decades. Only 20 percent of the electricity in the United States comes from nuclear sources.PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)So I think let's learn the lessons, let's understand what safeguards if any additional safeguards need to be put in place. But let's not just say like we have for the last 30 years, we're not even going to look at it because we're afraid of it.
Topics: France, Japan, John Boehner, Nuclear Energy, Socialism
Nuclear Energy
Markey Calls On U.S. To Dispense Anti-Radiation Pills
Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA)
Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) is calling on the U.S. government to require residents within 20 miles of a nuclear plant to have iodine tablets on hand as sales of the pills in the U.S. and Canada soar in response to the nuclear explosion at the Fukushima Daiichi plant.
It's been 22 years since scientists recommended implementing the tablet policy after the Three Mile Island incident, Markey said.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Budget, Ed Markey, Energy Department, Fred Upton, House Democrats, House Energy & Commerce Committee, House Republicans, Japan, Joe Barton, Nuclear Energy, Steven Chu
Nuclear Energy
Could House Restore Nuclear Safety Funding?
U.S. lawmakers are sticking to their past support for nuclear power despite Japan's ongoing crisis, but the disaster could put the kibosh on proposed funding cuts to nuclear safety programs in America.
Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) has called on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where he is the ranking minority member, to hold hearings on nuclear safety, and National Journal quotes a Republican aide saying that there will a budget hearing on the issue in the wake of Japan. The Republicans' proposed bill funding the government through September would cut $131 million from the Department of Energy's Office of Nuclear Energy as well as $1.4 billion from emergency response training to chemical and radioactive disasters.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: 112th Congress, Henry Waxman, Japan, Lindsey Graham, Nuclear Energy
Libya
White House Lays Out New Option on Libya
As Muammar Qaddafi's forces push east and bare down on opposition rebels, the White House continues to deflect calls for a no-fly zone in Libya, instead offering up an entirely new option Tuesday.
White House spokesman Jay Carney said the U.S. is trying to find ways to free up some of billions of dollars of assets seized from the Libyan leader's government to provide help for the opposition. He was short on details about the plan as reporters peppered him with questions about whether the tide has already turned in Qaddafi's favor.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Japan, Jay Carney, Libya, Muammar Qaddafi, NATO, Nuclear Energy, State Department, Tsunami, no-fly zone
Eric Cantor
Eric Cantor: Don't Borrow From Japan to Aid Japan
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA)
Eric Cantor (R-VA) pushed aside criticism on Monday that GOP budget cuts would compromise America's ability to detect a Japan-style tsunami and help allies like Japan with their own disasters.
The president of the National Weather Service Employees Organization warned last week that the Republican House's spending plan would cut funding for NOAA by $450 million from President Obama's proposed budget, potentially requiring furloughs at tsunami watch centers. Cantor was asked at his weekly press briefing about the funding as well as cuts to USAID, which provides relief to disaster areas.
"I mean, essentially what you're saying is go borrow from the Japanese so we can go and spend it to help the Japanese," Cantor told reporters.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Eric Cantor, Japan, Nuclear Energy
Japan
Japan's Nuclear Aftershocks Hit Obama's Energy Policy
Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Gregory Jaczko
President Obama's plan to overhaul the nation's energy policy, already beset by strong GOP opposition in Congress and the BP oil spill, is facing a new setback as Japan struggles to prevent multiple nuclear reactor meltdowns in the aftermath of Friday's devastating earthquake and tsunami.
The President's call for the government to support a new generation of nuclear power plants as part of his "clean energy" agenda is under intense new scrutiny since several nuclear reactors at multiple power plants in Japan were stricken by a cascading series of natural disasters and other failures.
Topics: Barack Obama, Energy, Japan, Jay Carney, Nuclear Energy, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Tsunami
TPMDC Sunday Roundup
Lieberman: 'Put The Brakes' On New Nuke Plants
Appearing on Face The Nation, Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) called for a delay in setting up new nuclear power plants in the United States, in light of the ongoing earthquake crisis in Japan. "The reality is that we're watching something unfold," said Lieberman. "We don't know where it's going with regard to the nuclear power plants in Japan right now. I think it calls on us here in the U.S. - naturally not to stop building nuclear power plants, but to put the brakes on right now until we understand the ramifications of what's happened in Japan."
McConnell: Environmental Catastrophe Not 'A Very Good Time' To Make Energy Policy
Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) defended nuclear power, saying that the United States should not back away from it in the wake of the earthquake in Japan. "This discussion reminds me, somewhat, of the conversations that were going on after the BP oil spill last year," said McConnell. "I don't think right after a major environmental catastrophe is a very good time to be making American domestic policy."
Topics: 2012 Presidential Primaries, 2012 elections, Budget, Continuing Resolution, Government Shutdown, Japan, Joe Lieberman, Jon Kyl, Kevin McCarthy, Mitch Daniels, Mitch McConnell, Nuclear Energy, Pres '12, Sunday Shows
Barack Obama
Obama: U.S. 'Slowly Tightening The Noose' Around Qaddafi
President Barack Obama
President Obama says he is "absolutely" concerned about Libyan Leader Muammar Qaddafi prevailing against opposition rebels but said the U.S. and its allies are "slowly tightening the noose" around him in an effort to push the dictator from power.
"I've not taken any options off the table at this point," Obama said in Friday press conference. "...We've moved as swiftly as any international coalition has ever moved to take sanctions...I have not foreclosed any options."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Barack Obama, Budget, Budget Committee, CIA, CIA/DNI/Intelligence, Hillary Clinton, House Democrats, House Republicans, James Clapper, Japan, Libya, Muammar Qaddafi, Senate, Senate Democrats, Senate Republicans, State Department
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Obama Declares Bond With Japan 'Unshakeable'
CNN reports: "President Obama sent his condolences to the people of Japan over the devastating 8.9 magnitude earthquake, and declared that the United States stands ready to offer aid because of the 'unshakeable' bond between the two nations. Obama, who was informed of the earthquake at 4 a.m. ET by Chief of Staff Bill Daley, also said he has instructed the Federal Emergency Management Agency 'to be ready to assist Hawaii and the rest of the U.S. states and territories that could be affected' by tsunamis."
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will receive the presidential daily briefing at 9:45 a.m. ET, and meet at 10:15 a.m. ET with senior advisers. He will hold a news conference at 11:15 a.m. ET, officially billed as being about rising energy prices among other issues. At 2:50 p.m. ET, the President and First Lady will honor the 2009-10 Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks in a ceremony.
Topics: 2012 Presidential Primaries, 2012 elections, Barack Obama, Budget, David Vitter, Japan, Joe Biden, Pres '12, Roundup, Russia, Tsunami
Japan
Obama to FEMA: Stand Ready To Assist Hawaii, Other Areas
President Barack Obama
President Obama has put the Federal Emergency Management Agency on high-alert to help Hawaii and other coastal areas in the United States and its territories that could be affected after a massive, 8.9 magnitude earthquake hit 80 miles off the coast of Japan Friday morning triggering a devastating Tsunami.
Hawaii and the Pacific Basin except the mainland United States and Canada are bracing themselves for the worst Friday morning, according to the U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. Hawaii is under an order to evacuate all coastal areas, including all of Honolulu and its famed tourist hub, Waikiki beach.
Topics: Barack Obama, FEMA, Hawaii, Japan, Tsunami
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Obama Considers Levy For Rescued Firms
President Obama is reportedly considering a new fee for bailed-out financial firms, to recover tax dollars in the midst of controversies over large bonuses at companies. The TARP law does not trigger efforts to recover money for another four years, so pursuing the levy would require changing the law.
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will depart the White House at 9:20 a.m. ET, arriving at 10:15 a.m. ET in New Castle, Delaware. At 11 a.m. ET, they will attend funeral services for Mrs. Jean Biden, the late mother of Vice President Joe Biden. They will depart from New Castle at 1 p.m. ET, and arrive back at the White House at 1:50 p.m. ET. Obama will greet the U.S. Ladies Professional Golf Association team at 4:05 p.m. ET. Obama will meet at 4:30 p.m. ET with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.
Topics: Barack Obama, Chuck Schumer, David Paterson, Harry Reid, Hillary Clinton, Japan, Joe Biden, Roundup, TARP
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Talks To Merge Health Care Bill Bills Begin Behind The Scenes
Roll Call reports that the Congressional aides have begun setting up the negotiations between the House and Senate for the health care bill, though at a very early stage. "Everything happening this week is happening behind the scenes," said a Senate aide. "Staff is taking the week to review documents. Informal staff meetings may happen, but nothing is scheduled just yet."
Health Lobby Takes Fight To The States
The New York Times says that with the federal government poised to pass a health care reform bill, the states are set to become the new battlegrounds over issues of opting into some programs, opting out, or fighting them entirely: "Last year, for example, the drug industry poured more than $20 million into political contributions in states around the country. In California alone, the industry spent an additional $80 million on advertising to beat back a California ballot measure intended to push down drug prices."
Topics: Afghanistan, Blue Dogs, Dan Boren, Health Care, House '10, Japan, Peter Orszag, Roundup
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
RNC Ends Coverage Of Abortion In Its Employee Health Plans
The Republican National Committee has told its insurance company to remove coverage of abortion from the RNC's standard health insurance policy for its employees, following a Politico story revealing the policy that has existed since 1991. "Money from our loyal donors should not be used for this purpose," RNC Chairman Michael Steele said in a statement. "I don't know why this policy existed in the past, but it will not exist under my administration. Consider this issue settled."
Obama's Day In Japan
President Obama arrived in Tokyo, Japan, at 4:15 p.m. ET local time (2:15 a.m. ET). He held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Hatoyama at 6:50 p.m. local time, an expanded meeting at 7:10 p.m. They held a joint press conference at 8:20 p.m., and dinner at 8:45 p.m.
Topics: Abortion, Barack Obama, Chris Van Hollen, Climate Change, DCCC, Greg Craig, Hillary Clinton, Japan, Michael Steele, Pres '12, RNC, Roundup, Sarah Palin, Tim Pawlenty
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
NYT: Behind The White House Vs. Fox News Fight
The New York Times reports on the White House-Fox News feud, and how it followed an unsuccessful attempt by senior adviser David Axelrod and Fox head Roger Ailes to work out their problems. "We simply decided to stop abiding by the fiction, which is aided and abetted by the mainstream press, that Fox is a traditional news organization," said deputy White House communications director Dan Pfeiffer.
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will depart form the White House at 10:05 a.m. ET, arriving in Boston at 11:30 a.m. ET. He will tour a research laboratory at MIT, at 12 p.m. ET, and will deliver remarks on clean energy at 12:30 p.m. ET. He will deliver remarks at a fundraising reception for Gov. Deval Patrick at 2:05 p.m. ET, and will speak at a fundraising event for Patrick at 2:45 p.m. ET. He will depart from Boston at 3:40 p.m. ET, arriving at 4:35 p.m. ET in New York City. He will join Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT), and tour a small business at 5:15 p.m. ET. He will deliver remarks at a Dodd fundraising dinner at 6:45 p.m. ET. He will depart from New York at 8 p.m. ET, arriving back at the White House at 9:10 p.m. ET.
Topics: Afghanistan, Barack Obama, Bob Corker, CT-SEN, Chris Dodd, David Axelrod, Deval Patrick, Fox News, Japan, Joe Biden, John Kerry, MA-GOV, Missile Defense, Roundup, Senate '10
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Treasury To Order Steep Pay Cuts At Bailed-Out Firms
The Treasury Department is expected to order bailed-out financial firms to cut their compensation packages for their top executives -- with a 90% slash to base salaries, and a 50% cut to total compensation. Elizabeth Warren, the head of the TARP oversight committee, confirmed the reports: "It's real in the sense that it says,Guys, you have to understand that you can't party on like it's 2007. If you're going to take taxpayer dollars, then the game has to change. In that sense it's real."
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will hold a videoconference at 10 a.m. with Lt. General Karl Eikenberry, U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan. He will meet for lunch at 12:30 p.m. ET with Speaker Nancy Pelosi. At 2:15 p.m. ET, he will sign the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act. He will meet at 3:15 p.m. ET with Secretary of the Treasury Tim Geithner, and at 3:45 p.m. ET with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Topics: Afghanistan, Bailout, Barack Obama, Budget, Daniel Inouye, Dick Cheney, Japan, Robert Gates, Roundup
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