The Senate approved a measure 64-34 on Thursday to suspend the $16.4 trillion limit on federal borrowing, following its passage last week by the GOP-led House. The bill will now go to Obama, who has said he will sign it, averting a situation in which the government may have defaulted...
For the first time in four years, Democrats promise to put forward a budget. But such a thing will pose huge political risks, as National Journal’s Nancy Cook reports. "The biggest danger is that by putting forward a concrete plan, Senate Democrats will open themselves to new attacks on their...
"New GOP mantra: Be positive and prudent," writes Jonathan Martin, "Overtly in speeches and more subtly with their actions, GOP leaders and potential 2016 presidential candidates are sending a message to their party that they ought not let themselves be radicalized by Obama's ambitious and decidedly left-leaning second-term agenda. ......
"A much-ballyhooed panel of CEOs, economists, and labor figures that President Obama had hoped would help spur job growth is shutting down," Politico reported. "The 26-member President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness had not met in six months. … The group met four times in 2011 and 2012, fashioning about...
In a lopsided vote on Tuesday, the Senate confirmed Kerry, (D-MA) 94-3. Republican Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz of Texas and Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma voting against the nomination. RACIAL MILESTONE IN THE U.S. SENATE When Sen. designate William "Mo" Cowan (D-MA) assumes office, the Senate for the first...
in the Obama cabinet (FirstRead). OUT (with replacement, if known): Hillary Clinton at State (John Kerry confirmed) Leon Panetta at Defense (Chuck Hagel nominated) Tim Geithner at Treasury (Jack Lew nominated) Hilda Solis at Labor Lisa Jackson at EPA Ken Salazar at Interior Ray LaHood at Transportation Steven Chu at...