Daily Political Wire 8-13-2010

George Wenschhof

President Obama to sign 600 million Border Security bill today - the House called into special session on Tuesday passed the bill which had previously been passed in the Senate. In a rare procedural move, the Senate confirmed passage after the House vote with a voice vote - only two Senators were present. You can read more here.
This bill will strengthen the US/Mexican border by providing assistance to border states in the form of more troops and provision of high technology.

However, until Congress acts on a comprehensive Immigration Reform bill, passions will continue to flare among Americans who have differing opinions on the matter. In addition to strengthening the border, what is needed is an agreed upon pathway to citizenship for the estimated 11+ million undocumented workers and a rewrite of the current U.S. rules and procedures for immigration into the country.

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Supporters of California's proposition 8 ask for Stay - of the decision made by U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker. Walker overturned Proposition 8 and his stay of his own decision will expire on Wednesday. The stay request is to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. If granted, Judge Walker's decision would not go into effect until appeals have been heard. MSNBC.com has more here.
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Representative Maxine Waters (D-Calf.) to hold press conference this morning - she will be responding to the three charges of conflict of interest brought against her by the House ethics committee. TheHill.com has more here.

A bank with which her husband owned stock received assistance from her office in receiving funds from the infamous bail out bill passed at the end of the George W. Bush administration.

She joins fellow Democratic Representative Charles Rangel (D-NY), both African Americans, in facing charges from the House Ethics committee prior to the mid term elections.

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Jury in Rod Blagojevich Trial Undecided - Monday will be two weeks since the jury began deliberations on the 24 counts filed against the former governor of Illinois. The Washington Post has more here. In a handwritten note, Jurors informed the Judge they were only able to agree on two of the twenty-four charges. The Jurors were given today off and instructed to return on Monday. Stay tuned....

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Mortgage Rates at all time low, yet sales remain slow - the average 30 year fixed mortgage is only 4.4% and the 15 year fixed rate is only 3.92%. You can read more here.

Real estate agents who have been in the business for some time will tell you they would be happy will 10% mortgages in a strong economy. The all time low interest rates signify little movement in real estate sales.

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