Daily Political Wire 7-22-2010

George Wenschhof

Today, President Obama signs into law the Improper Payment and Elimination Act - largely symbolic, the bill aims to reduce fraud and wasteful spending by government programs. You can read more here.

It's Vice President Joe Biden's turn for a trip to a Gulf state hit hard by the BP oil spill - he is in Theodore, Alabama this morning. On a busy day, the vice president then heads to Chapel Hill, North Carolina. attends a DNC fundraiser and then is off to Columbia, South Carolina.

---

Senate approves Unemployment Benefits Extension - the 59-39 vote was along party lines. The House is expected to approve today and then the president will sign into law. The Washington post has more here.

---

Will tax cuts for the wealthy expire? - the cuts passed during the former Republican George W. Bush administration are set to expire at the end of the year. Of all things, Democrats in Congress can not agree on whether to allow the cuts to expire. fearful of a backlash in a mid term election year, moderate Democrats in Congress are proposing a two year extension. Even former Federal Reserve chair Alan Greenspan said recently the tax cuts for the wealthy need to expire and use the funds to pay down the deficit. TheHill.com has more here.

---

More troubles for RNC Chair Michael Steele - seems like questionable expenses have followed Steele ever since he first ran as Lt. Governor of Maryland. This time, the RNC Treasurer has said over 2 million in debt was hidden from committee officials in the quarter ending June 30 financial report.

The RNC reported 11 million cash on hand which will now be reduced significantly. That compares to the 45 million cash on hand the RNC reported in July 2006 - the last mid term election year.

---

No charges to be brought in regard to firing of U.S. attorney in 2006 by Bush administration - after two years of investigation, the special prosecutor; Nora Dannehy said that while the firing of New Mexico U.S. attorney David C. Iglesias and eight other U.S. attorneys was politically motivated, it was not a crime. The NY Times has more here.

---

To receive "Daily Email Updates", click on "Subscribe to this feed" below or use the sign up box located in the upper right hand corner.