A Full House

Coffee Brown, University of New Mexico, Talk Radio News

House Majority Leader, Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) presented the House Democrats’ agenda for the economy, energy, education and healthcare.

The economy remains the top item, divided between the budget and legislation to address the crisis. “The economy is continuing to suffer, we’re continuing to see the loss of jobs, many Americans continue to be put at risk,” Hoyer said.

The budget focuses on making “strategic investments” and reversing “years of irresponsible Republican policies,” he said. “We believe all of the bills we’ve passed are consistent with trying to create jobs and invest (in economic recovery).”

Two corrective legislations arebeing proposed. The “Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights Act of 2009”, which is designed to require fairer interest rates and practices for consumers. For example, it would require that the highest interest rate-bearing part of a debt be reduced first by payments, rather last, as is now the often the case.

“In addition, the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act should come out of committee this week or next,” Hoyer said.

There is a 600 page “discussion document” and four more hearings to shape the American Security and Clean Energy Act, which the House hopes to consider in early summer. He noted that this is this is the 39th anniversary of Earth Day, “I remember because I’ve been working here since the first one.”

The Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means and the Education and Labor Committees are all simultaneously working on healthcare reform. Democrats hope to have healthcare legislation on the House Floor for consideration by the August break. The goal is universal coverage and accessibility, though probably not a publicly funded single-payer model.

Hoyer discussed his recent trip to South America. Mexico seems to be committed to working with the U.S. to fight drug smuggling and related violence. Panama is willing to work on their role as a drug smuggling highway, which has increased as American forces become more successful at interdiction at sea, and on money laundering. Columbia has reduced the power of the drug lords. He described the discussions with Brazil as “positive’” “useful” and “engaging,” and said they are interested in advancing a partnership with the U.S.

Gun control may have to remain in the DC voting rights bill, if it is to pass within this session, according to Hoyer, who said, “The biggest objective is to enfranchise the roughly 600,000 citizens of the United States who happen to live in the District of Columbia.” He called their current lack of voting rights “an egregious hole in the integrity of our democracy.”

Next congress looks at hate crimes legislation

White House Gaggle

Briefer: Dana Perino

President’s Schedule

President Bush had his normal briefings this morning. At 10.30 am he signs H.R. 3403, the New and Emerging Technologies 911 Improvement Act of 2008, in the Oval Office of the White House. At 10.55 am, the President will drop by the National Security Advisor's meeting with the Defense Minister of Columbia. At 12.55 pm the President travels to the Pentagon to participate in U.S Department of Defense briefings. At 3.25 pm, President Bush participated in a photo opportunity with the 2008 Boys and Girls Nation delegates. Later this afternoon, the President also signs the Presidential Proclamation in honor of the 60th anniversary of the Armed Forces Integration.

White House Press Secretary Dana Perino will brief the press at 12.15 pm today.

Housing Bill

When asked how far the Administration thinks that the housing bill will go in terms of solving the problems, Perino said that the White House made an announcement earlier this morning that the President on Secretary Paulson’s recommendation will sign the housing bill.
Perino said that the Administration has been very concerned about certain provisions in the bill, one of them being a $ 4 billion, “bail out”, as the White House calls it, for lenders; whereas they are other parts of the bill that have worked very long to get for a long time, such as the GSE reform. “The President would not have signed this bill if we had a lot of time extra time on our hand, we don’t, “Perino said and continued to say that a prolonged veto fight, even though they think they could win it, would not be good for the housing industry right now. The markets need to be stabilized and regain confidence.
Perino was also asked how this will impact Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and she replied that they will need a strong and independent regulator, that makes sure that they are well capitalized, and that they are focus on their core mission which is to help homeowners and especially low income homeowners.


President’s comments during fundraisers

When asked about the President’s colorful remarks about Wall Street being drunk and suffering from a hangover, Perino said that he has expressed these sentiments before as they reflect his view of the market not fully understand the risks that powerful financial instruments pose to the system.
When asked if they are going to start to take away cameras and cell phones from donors at these events, Perino said no, she didn’t think so. She was also questioned about making an audio feed available for the press, and Perino said that is not recorded and she insists that the Administration will maintain the private residence fundraisers as closed press events. When pressed on this, Perino said that she inherited the policy and that she understands it and knows that the press doesn’t agree with it.
Any time the President, or anybody who is speaking in public, they feel like they are guarding their statement, and people do benefit from hearing the President in all of his candor, Perino said.


President’s visit to Pentagon

This is a chance for the President to hear from the Joints Chiefs of Staff, in a longer meeting that is expected to cover a wide range of topics such as Iraq, Afghanistan, care of veterans, and military families.
They will probably also be discussions about future plans for the Pentagon even though there will be a transition within the next budget year.

Iraqi Elections

When asked when elections will take place, and Perino said that they will try to do them by the end of the year, though there are a lot of things to work through first.

White House Gaggle

Briefer: Dana Perino

President’s Schedule

President Bush had his normal briefings at 8 am this morning. At 9.10 am he attended a meeting with his Cabinet. At 1.15 pm, the President will present the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy to the United States Naval Academy Football team. This evening at 6pm, President Bush will make remarks in honor of Thomas Jefferson’s 265th Birthday.

White House Press Secretary Dana Perino will brief the press at 12.30 pm today.

Airline Disruptions

When asked if the issue with the airline industry last week came up in today’s Cabinet meeting, Dana Perino said that Secretary of Transportation Peters provided an update about the airline security congestion issues. Secretary Peters was very concerned about the disruptions and the inconveniences for that many people. Peters also talked about the ongoing efforts to ensure air passengers safety to improve air travel for all passengers by taking steps to reduce congestion and delays. On the specific issues of the two airlines that had problems in terms of inspections, they have worked to address the flaws in the system. Peters wants to accomplish two main things; first letting Americans know that the Department of Transportation is fully committed to making sure that the airplanes are safe and secondly to do everything they can so to make sure these disruptions are not repeated in the future. Perino was also asked if the federal government bears any responsibility for the delays in terms of either inspections or the way that the industry runs. She responded that American Airlines took responsibility for the inspections, and there is where the responsibility lies.

Columbia Free Trade Agreement

Perino was asked if President Bush and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi are having conversations, and if they are trying to come together on this matter, or if the White House considers the matter to be dead. Perino replied that they have not spoken since last Wednesday, though there have been discussions on staff level. Perino continued to say, “The President believes that she made a choice to kill the Columbian Free Trade Agreement. And if and until she schedules a vote on the [Columbian Free Trade Agreement], she has in fact killed it. “ If she commits to a day on the calendar for a vote, then her assertion that she hasn’t killed the agreement will remain true--but up until then, she has killed it, Perino said.

Papal Visit

Perino was asked about the Pope’s visit to Washington, and how it differs from a diplomatic visit, since there seems to be extraordinary protocol taking place. President and Mrs. Bush will travel out to Andrew Air Force Base to greet Pope Benedict the XVI, and according Perino, this is the first time he has ever done so during his presidency. “The President is very much looking forward to raise the level of this visit to one where he and Mrs. Bush will take time out of his day to drive out to Andrews and welcome him as Shepherd One arrives at Andrews Air Force Base” , she said. The following day there will be an official White House ceremony for the Pope.
There was also a clarification of the Dalai Lama coming as a religious leader and instead of the Oval Office met with the President in the Residence, while the Pope is greeting as a Head of State and therefore will meet President Bush in the Oval.
There was also a White House dinner scheduled for Wednesday for catholic leaders in honor of the Pope, though Benedict the XVI will not be attending since he is meeting with US bishops instead. However, the White House made sure to let us know that they were aware of the Pope already having other dinner events while in Washington.