Those waiting for a change in the Senate filibuster rules may be waiting a while. Senate Democrats have been toying with the idea of softening the rules to ease the logjam in the Upper Chamber for years. The dawn of the 112th seemed like an ideal time to make the change, especially in the face of lots of potential objections from the …
Harry Reid
Obama’s Not-So-Lame Record
[vodpod id=Video.2285748&w=425&h=350&fv=]
Just over a year ago, Saturday Night Live lampooned President Obama for his record, or lack thereof. “There are those on the right that are angry, they think that I’m turning this great country into something that resembles the Soviet Union, or Nazi Germany,” said actor Fred Armisen, …
The Wives Win!
The end of the lame duck is in sight.
The House late last night passed the tax bill after progressives gave up their demands to strengthen the estate tax provision — demands that nearly brought down the bill. Members are sticking around Washington now, waiting until how the government is funded the next few months is resolved by the …
Morning Must Reads: Fees
The U.S. Capitol Dome is lit after the first significant snowfall of the season as the House of Representatives worked late into the evening on December 16, 2010. (REUTERS/Hyungwon Kang)
–The tax deal, including a two-year extension of all the Bush breaks, a temporary payroll tax cut, and assorted other cuts and credits, breezed …
Playing Chicken with Christmas
I can just imagine conversations going on between senators and their spouses right about now.
“Sweetie, I’m sorry, but I’m going to be stuck in Washington all of next week.”
“Darling, no way. You left me alone last year with your in-laws and the kids. I’m not doing another Christmas in Florida without …
Morning Must Reads: Christmas
Majority Leader Harry Reid talks to reporters after the Senate Democratic policy luncheon on Dec. 14 (Scott J. Ferrell/Congressional Quarterly/Getty Images).
–The Senate will pass the tax deal today and is likely to move on to START.
–Jon Kyl says Reid is ruining Christmas. Matt Yglesias pines for
Will They Stay or Will They Go?
House Democrats have a decision to make this week: do they value messing with President Obama’s tax plan more than their Holiday plans? The Senate today is expected to vote on cloture on the tax plan, which would mean passage by Wednesday (assuming they get cloture, which seems likely). The House would then take up the measure Thursday …
Morning Must Reads: Coup
(White House/Pete Souza)
–Obama’s tax cut deal is poised to sail through the Senate today.
–What you missed Sunday: House Dems want to excise the estate tax concession. Rep. Van Hollen says they’re “not going to hold this thing up at the end of the day.” The White House doesn’t want to change anything.
–Treasury kicks the …
The End of DADT and DREAM?
Two Democratic constituencies are likely to end the day disappointed: Hispanics and gays. This afternoon Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will try and move to the DREAM Act, which would grant a path to citizenship to millions of illegal children who are getting college degrees or serving in the armed forces. After that he will attempt …
McConnell’s First Test
On Meet the Press yesterday Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell took a victory lap, gloating that he’d forced the administration to bend to Republican will.
We’ve had more conversations in the last two weeks than we’ve had in the last two years, and I think that’s a good sign, a growing awareness that the power’s going to be more
…
Sock Puppet Theater, Act II
Congress tomorrow – yes, on a Saturday – will be holding their second round of just-for-show votes on extending the Bush tax cuts. On the heels of the House vote, the Senate will be tackling the tax cuts, which expire at the end of January if action isn’t taken. Don’t expect real progress, though: the legislation isn’t expected to …
Lame Duck Bingo
There are a lot of bills floating around this lame duck – most of them lacking the mojo to pass – the ratification of the nuclear START treaty with Russia, the DREAM Act helping the children of illegal immigrants, the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, the defense reauthorization bill, the renewal of the Bush tax cuts and a …
Morning Must Reads: 2012 Checkup
(White House Photo by Pete Souza)
–Mike Huckabee tells the Iowa Family Policy Center the state supreme court ousters “may have been singularly the most important election that happened in America.” Back story here.
—New York Magazine‘s Jason Zengerle details how Chris Christie