Democratic Party

The Four Pieces of the Great Spending Debate

Starting this week deficits and spending will take center stage in Washington. And barring a total meltdown in the Middle East, they will hog the stage for the next three months. The stakes are high. Odds of a government shutdown are getting better as are the chances the U.S. could default on its debt. Odds that President Obama will …

Suspension Silliness

For all the hoopla over the Patriot Act extension failing the House last night, it really isn’t that big a deal. The majority often brings items up under suspension – meaning the bills are so innocuous that the regular rules are waived because they’ll likely easily pass, mostly post office namings and resolutions congratulating …

Webb Decides to Call it a Day

As Michael Scherer noted, Senator Jim Webb, a Virginia Democrat, announced today he won’t run for a second term. Webb’s decision not to engage in a rematch with former Senator George Allen, whom Webb beat in 2006 by less than half of 1% of the vote, blows open the field for Democrats. Virginia went for President Obama in 2008 53% to John …

Morning Must Reads: Plan

(White House Photo/Pete Souza)

–After missing a Jan. 31 deadline, Treasury could release its housing finance reform proposals as soon as Friday. They are expected to lay out a plan for slowly dismantling government-backed mortgage giants Fannie and Freddie, as well as offer a buffet of options for a diminished federal role in the …

Obama Hopes to Hand Leaky States a Bail

President Obama’s upcoming budget proposal for fiscal year 2012 is expected to have some nips and tucks — a federal pay freeze, non-defense discretionary spending freeze, an earmark ban — but it’s not going to be unadulterated austerity. One area where the White House continues to show willingness to spend is aid to states struggling …

Still No Egypt Resolution

The Senate today adjourned after voting on an amendment to the Federal Aviation Reauthorization bill. Senate Democrats are heading south to Charlottesville, Virginia for their annual retreat. We had expected that they would be back late Wednesday or Thursday for more votes — particularly on a resolution on Egypt. But, the galleries tell …

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