House Heavyweight Feels Threat to Power April 25
In the weeks since the news that prosecutors had raided the offices of the PMA Group — a lobbying firm founded by a former Murtha associate that became a gateway to his office and his biggest source of campaign money — about two dozen rank-and-file Democrats have risked his wrath by calling for a House ethics investigation of the matter
Now Mr. Murtha also agreed to accept a new rule requiring competitive bidding on earmarked contracts. Furthermore, one of his usual lieutenants — Representative Peter J. Visclosky, Democrat of Indiana and member of the defense subcommittee who is chairman of the energy and water panel — unexpectedly switched sides to back the new restrictions, perhaps because he too is under new scrutiny for his ties to the PMA Group.
And in a recent meeting with the secretary, Mr. Murtha pushed a plan to divide a $35 billion contract to build a new airborne refueling tanker between two rival contractors — a compromise that pleases both but would cost the government much more. Mr. Gates listened with little response, several people briefed on their conversation said, but he later dismissed it.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
New York Times Article 6
Without Superfund Tax, Stimulus Aids Cleanup April 25
Environmental Protection Agency officials and environmentalists say the Superfund program has been chronically underfinanced since a tax that supported it expired in 1995.
The government is spending $600 million in stimulus money to work on sites like the defunct arsenic-fouled Vineland Chemical Company
Ronald Naman, the E.P.A. manager for the Vineland site, said the new money would create or save about 20 jobs and allow the current phase of the cleanup to be completed in as little as two years rather than four.
President Obama wants to restore the tax and assumes it will provide $1 billion in revenues for his 2011 budget.
Environmental Protection Agency officials and environmentalists say the Superfund program has been chronically underfinanced since a tax that supported it expired in 1995.
The government is spending $600 million in stimulus money to work on sites like the defunct arsenic-fouled Vineland Chemical Company
Ronald Naman, the E.P.A. manager for the Vineland site, said the new money would create or save about 20 jobs and allow the current phase of the cleanup to be completed in as little as two years rather than four.
President Obama wants to restore the tax and assumes it will provide $1 billion in revenues for his 2011 budget.
New York Times Article 5
As Nations Try to Contain Flu, N.Y. cases are confirmed April 26
Cases were confirmed in Queens, N.Y. of the swine flu that has been spreading in Mexico. 81 people have been confirmed dead in Mexico with the outbreak originating in Mexico City.
Governments issued travel restrictions urging people not to travel to Mexico.
All of the cases confirmed in N.Y. have been mild so far, but without a known treatment for the disease and unclear answers as to how it spreads, extreme precautions are being carried out.
Hong Kong issued extreme measures on travel. Any person entering Hong Kong from Mexico with a fever or respiratory illness will be immediately detained.
So far there have been no deaths in the U.S. due to the new outbreak of swine flu
Cases were confirmed in Queens, N.Y. of the swine flu that has been spreading in Mexico. 81 people have been confirmed dead in Mexico with the outbreak originating in Mexico City.
Governments issued travel restrictions urging people not to travel to Mexico.
All of the cases confirmed in N.Y. have been mild so far, but without a known treatment for the disease and unclear answers as to how it spreads, extreme precautions are being carried out.
Hong Kong issued extreme measures on travel. Any person entering Hong Kong from Mexico with a fever or respiratory illness will be immediately detained.
So far there have been no deaths in the U.S. due to the new outbreak of swine flu
New York Times Article 4
Policy Agenda Poses Test for Rusty Legislative Machinery April 5
The ambitious policy agenda will test whether congress can shake the rust ffrom its legislative machinery.
Congress has not managed to produce its basic spending bills on time in recent years and has spent considerable energy dealing with recurring tax and Medicare issues.
Many are wondering if Congress is up to the task of completeing and taking this agressive policy agenda head on. The budgets approved by the House and Senate last week need to be reconciled for a final vote and this is only the first step in producing the related legislation.
One concern is that simple matters of logistics can slow progress and the calendar can get away from Congress. Another concern is the extent Republicans will be enganged in trying to produce any bills.
The ambitious policy agenda will test whether congress can shake the rust ffrom its legislative machinery.
Congress has not managed to produce its basic spending bills on time in recent years and has spent considerable energy dealing with recurring tax and Medicare issues.
Many are wondering if Congress is up to the task of completeing and taking this agressive policy agenda head on. The budgets approved by the House and Senate last week need to be reconciled for a final vote and this is only the first step in producing the related legislation.
One concern is that simple matters of logistics can slow progress and the calendar can get away from Congress. Another concern is the extent Republicans will be enganged in trying to produce any bills.
New York Times Article 3
Obama to Loosen Restrictions on Policy with Cuba April 5
Obama plans to abandon restrictions on family travel and remittances to Cuba. The House and Senate are considering legislation that would allow all Americans unlimited travel to Cuba.
Obama, however, is not expected to lift the trade embargo which calls for Congressional approval.
Cuban-Americans as of now, are allowed to travel once a year to the island to visit close relatives. Support for these changes has been growing in the U.S. and Latin America.
Obama plans to abandon restrictions on family travel and remittances to Cuba. The House and Senate are considering legislation that would allow all Americans unlimited travel to Cuba.
Obama, however, is not expected to lift the trade embargo which calls for Congressional approval.
Cuban-Americans as of now, are allowed to travel once a year to the island to visit close relatives. Support for these changes has been growing in the U.S. and Latin America.
New York Times Article 2
Pentagon Weighs Cuts and Revisions of Weapons April 4
The Army's expensive Future combat Systems and exotic missile defense programs are likely to be cut back.
These changes are the first step in the reshaping of the military under the Obama administration. Robert M. Gates, the secretary of defense is expected to announce the changes on Monday. Although he is not disclosing details of the changes yet he did make it clear of his intention to take a "hatchet" to troubled high-tech programs designed for fighting countries like China or Russia. This in turn would help free up money for simpler systems.
Gates is likely to cut 1 to 2 billion dollars from missile defense programs. Focusing the budget on systems to protect soldiers from short range missiles.
These proposals will go to the White House and a budget will be sent to Congress in May.
The Army's expensive Future combat Systems and exotic missile defense programs are likely to be cut back.
These changes are the first step in the reshaping of the military under the Obama administration. Robert M. Gates, the secretary of defense is expected to announce the changes on Monday. Although he is not disclosing details of the changes yet he did make it clear of his intention to take a "hatchet" to troubled high-tech programs designed for fighting countries like China or Russia. This in turn would help free up money for simpler systems.
Gates is likely to cut 1 to 2 billion dollars from missile defense programs. Focusing the budget on systems to protect soldiers from short range missiles.
These proposals will go to the White House and a budget will be sent to Congress in May.
New York Times Article 1
North Korea Launches Rocket April 6
North Korea Launched a Rocket despite warnings from U.S.. North Korea claimed that it was a satellite they were launching but suspicions were high.
The Rocket flew over Japan and landed in the Pacific Ocean. The rocket, from reports from the Japanese prime ministers office, indicated it flew farther than any the north had tested before.
The launch drew swift international condemnation and prompted the U.N. security council to have an emergency meeting. Britain, France, and the European Union all criticized North Korea for raising tensions.
Obama is now being tested on his reactions to provocation and his strategy to counter proliferation threats.
North Korea Launched a Rocket despite warnings from U.S.. North Korea claimed that it was a satellite they were launching but suspicions were high.
The Rocket flew over Japan and landed in the Pacific Ocean. The rocket, from reports from the Japanese prime ministers office, indicated it flew farther than any the north had tested before.
The launch drew swift international condemnation and prompted the U.N. security council to have an emergency meeting. Britain, France, and the European Union all criticized North Korea for raising tensions.
Obama is now being tested on his reactions to provocation and his strategy to counter proliferation threats.
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