Daily Democratic Wire 2-18-2010

George Wenschhof

President Obama has a very busy day (see White House Schedule in below post) - after signing an executive order establishing the Deficit Commission I reported yesterday, he will meet with the exiled spiritual leader of Tibet, the Dali Lama at the White House. This is one of the highlights of the day. Sure to anger the Chinese, it is still a positive move by the president. You can read more here.



Later in the day, Obama will travel to Colorado to help raise funds for Senator Michael Bennet before traveling to Las Vegas to help raise funds for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Seems the mayor of Las Vegas is unhappy with some comments made by the president. Chris Cillizza's "The Fix" has more here.

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Six more states in addition to California set to face dramatic increases in health care premiums - Health Care Reform Anyone? - Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announces six more states who are facing huge premium increases. She is already investigating the 39% increase by Anthem Blue Cross in California. TPM.com has more here.

It is way past time for Congress to pass Health Care Reform.

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Will "Republican Party of No" block 15 Billion Jobs Bill? - it is becoming increasingly likely the 60 votes needed for cloture will not be there on Monday when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid introduces the legislation. TheHill.com has more here.

Reid scuttled a bloated 85 billion Jobs bill co-sponsored by Senators Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) so look to see Republicans be obstructionists once again and instead of following their own mantra of less spending, insist on the 85 billion version of the bill.

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Financial Regulatory reform moves closer to passage - Senate Leaders and the Obama administration are nearing agreement to establish an financial oversight council headed by the Treasury. The aim is to ensure the monumental problems that hit the financial sector and led to the economic recession would be identified early, thereby reducing the risks to the economy. Still to be worked out are the all important wording that creates the powers of the oversight council. The NY Times has more here.

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CPAC Conference begins today in D.C. - a good time to leave the capitol for the weekend. The Conservative Political Action Conference will highlight such conservative speakers as Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-Mn.), Dick Armey, former Republican Rep. from Texas and founder of "Freedom Works", Senator Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) and former Majority Leader Newt Gingrich. On Saturday, they will conduct their straw poll for Republican presidential candidate for 2012. Politico.com has more here.

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