Here are some stories being reported on your United States Senate and its members today.
General News
- House to Take Up War Spending Bill? - The New York Times reports on the upcoming war supplemental spending bill which may come to the floor of the House this week. We normally don’t report on the day-to-day goings on in the House, but the way this bill moves will likely be a preview of how work in the Senate is conducted, namely whether the bill is brought to the floor without a markup in committee. The price tag is rumored to be around $178 billion which seems to indicate that the bill includes the additional $70 billion in funding that the President requested for fiscal year 2009. The original $108 billion in funding was to go toward the rest of 2008. An extension of unemployment benefits and educational benefits for returning war veterans, possibly similar to Senator Webb’s (D-VA) new GI bill proposal, will likely be added to the package. Timelines for troop withdrawal and requirements for future reconstruction costs to be paid for by Iraqis will likely be added by the House and later removed by the Senate. The final price tag after domestic spending programs are added is the important thing to watch for as it will almost certainly determine whether the President will veto the measure.
- Farm Bill Talks Resume – House and Senate Farm Bill negotiators were scheduled to resume their closed-door discussions on reaching a compromise agreement on new farm-related legislation today. They are operating under a current extension of the 2002 Farm Bill which expires on May 16.
Election News
- Reid Supports Superdelegates Right to Choose - The Hill reports that Majority Leader Reid (D-NV) told National Public Radio that he supports the right of superdelegates to choose whomever they wish in the Democratic nomination process. The article notes that this view differs with House Speaker Pelosi (D-CA) who said it would be “harmful” to the Democratic party for superdelegates to vote against the will of the voters. Although both leaders remain publicly neutral, some speculate that the Majority Leader might risk losing some of his influence in the Senate if Senator Obama (D-IL) were to get elected because his close ally, Senator Durbin (D-IL), is currently the number two leader as Majority Whip.
- Sununu Trails Shaheen - The Crypt reports that a new poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire shows Senator Sununu (R-NH) trailing his Democratic opponent, former New Hampshire Governor Jeanne Shaheen, 48% to 39%. Although Congressional Quarterly lists the race as “No Clear Favorite,” consensus is building that this seat is perhaps the most vulnerable for Republicans in the Fall as additional polls show similar numbers. CQ notes that the political climate in New Hampshire has shifted to the Democratic side after the party gained a majority in the state legislature and both U.S. House seats in 2006.
- Johnson Set for Re-election – Politico reports on Senator Johnson’s (D-SD) efforts to prepare for an upcoming re-election bid this Fall after suffering a severe brain hemorrhage in December of 2006.
