President Barack Obama meets with Rev. Billy Graham at his house in Montreat, N.C., April 25, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
–The first Senate procedural vote on financial regulatory reform is scheduled for late this afternoon. There’s no deal yet and top GOP negotiator Richard Shelby says reaching one today is …
This week’s podcast features Michael and Kate. Enjoy:
JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images
–As I noted yesterday, Democrats have Senate Republicans in somewhat of a headlock over financial reform. From the Wall Street Journal:
Nerves appeared to be fraying among Republicans faced with the increasingly unappetizing prospect of opposing new curbs on Wall Street.
…
Republican aides
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“We’re very close to a deal,” Richard Shelby, the ranking Republican on the Senate Banking Committee said Wednesday. “We’ll take the next step,” intoned Senator Olympia Snowe, a prime target for aisle-crossing outreach. “Folks on our side of the aisle want a bill,” Bob Corker, a key GOP architect of portions of the Senate bill, …
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YvuyE6gjKQ]
The Red Coats are coming to levy a fine* if you don’t buy health insurance.
As forays into establishing a national TV presence go, this is, um, a revolution in camp.
(h/t Dave Weigel)
*Said fine is:
Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton
–Obama will make a his case for financial reform “in the shadow of Wall Street” today at Cooper Union. A taste:
I believe in a strong financial sector that helps people to raise capital and get loans and invest their savings. But a free market was never meant to be a free license
…
Official White House photo by Pete Souza
–Marco Rubio is the subject of an IRS probe into whether alleged use of Republican party credit cards for personal expenses warrants criminal charges. A wider federal inquiry involving the U.S. attorney, FBI and IRS has been launched into the Florida GOP’s expenses. The latest wrinkle in …
I would point out two things about the SEC suit: The investigation began well before Obama was elected president and Goldman was warned in July 2009 — hardly the height of financial reform debate — that charges were coming. From the Wall Street Journal:
Goldman said it first heard from the SEC about the investigation in August 2008,
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The White House posts this photo of President Obama and Dr. Height in January:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rZL7Op0YTI]
–The DNC revives the famous McCain line to paint Republicans as irresponsible stewards of Wall Street and push financial regulatory reform.
–Bob Corker’s still optimistic: He expects a “70-vote bill” by Memorial Day.
–But he sounded pretty sour on the bill this morning on …
TIME is taking reader questions for an upcoming interview that will run in the magazine. You can submit your queries here.
Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
–Obama heads to lower Manhattan on Thursday to push for financial regulatory reform. Expect a confrontational tone and a call for quick action in the Senate.
–Hill aides are saying a motion to proceed could come as early as this week.
— Paul Krugman, Ezra Klein and Ryan Avent are …
This week’s podcast features TIME Senior Correspondent Michael Grunwald and Washington Correspondent Alex Altman. Enjoy:
