Daily Political Wire 11-30-2010

George Wenschhof

Yesterday, President Obama proposed a Pay Freeze for Federal Employees - exempting those serving in the military, a savings of up to 30 billion over the next five years. Some believe it was a preemptive move, prior to his meeting with the leaders of Congress today, designed to placate Republicans.

Republicans have been calling for this action for the last two years. While, the president was trying to appease Republicans with this proposal, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumpka said the proposal "was bad for the middle class, bad for the economy and bad for business". You can read more here.

Representative Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), current House Majority Leader, said the proposal needed to be broader and include military personnel not serving in harms way.

Stay tuned, as this proposal needs congressional approval.

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Postponed White House Meeting with Congressional Leaders today - seems the dinner invite from the previously scheduled meeting has been dropped and the meeting is now scheduled to last one hour.

Expect wrangling to center around the extension of the Bush tax cuts, the extension of unemployment compensation for the long term unemployed and ratification of the START Treaty with Russia.

Republican Leaders; incoming House Speaker John Boehner (Ohio) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) have an op-ed in The Washington Post today calling for an extension of the Bush tax cuts and a reduction in government spending. You can read it here.

Indications are one deal may be to extend the Bush tax cuts for all for 2-3 years in exchange for extension of unemployment compensation and START ratification.

Meanwhile, House Democrats will move forward a vote to extend the Bush tax cuts for only the middle class. Representative Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) says the vote will happen this week. TheHill.com has more here.

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Rangel lobbies fellow Democrats for Reprimand - the vote by the House is expected today at the earliest as to his punishment for ethics violations. a Censure was recommended by the ethics committee. Representative Charles Rangel's (D-NY) office sent a letter to fellow members giving ten reasons as to why to not vote for a censure. You can read more here.

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D.A.D.T. Report Due Today - the Pentagon reports today at 2:00 PM the results of their nine month survey. Early reports indicate a majority of servicemen and women do not care and a minority are opposed to the repeal of the current U.S. policy toward gays/lesbians serving in the military. CNN.com has more here.

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Senate Expected to Vote on Food Safety bill Today - the bill which provides for more authority for the food and drug Administration was passed by the House over a year ago. Currently, voluntary recalls are needed by companies when tainted food is detected such as salmonella is detected in eggs. CNN.com has more here.

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