Obama Sends Hanukkah Message

President Barack Obama issued the following statement Tuesday marking the start of Hanukkah:

“Michelle and I send our warmest wishes to all those celebrating Hanukkah around the world. 

This Hanukkah season we remember the powerful story of a band of believers who rose up and freed their people, only to discover that the oil left in their desecrated temple – which should have been enough for only one night – ended up lasting for eight.

It’s a timeless story of right over might and faith over doubt – one that has given hope to Jewish people everywhere for over 2,000 years.  And tonight, as families and friends come together to light the menorah, it is a story that reminds us to count our blessings, to honor the sacrifices of our ancestors, and to believe that through faith and determination, we can work together to build a brighter, better world for generations to come.

From our family to the Jewish Community around the world, Chag Sameach.”

Poll: GOP Frontrunners Tied With Obama

GOP frontrunners Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich both hold a statistical tie with President Obama in a hypothetical 2012 matchup, according to a new Gallup/USA Today poll.

With a 4-point margin of error, Both Republicans score 48 percent while President Barack Obama comes in with 50 percent.

The data shows an improvement in Gingrich’s general election standing. In a previous Gallup poll released exactly one week ago, Obama held a 6-point lead over Gingrich at 44 to 50 percent.

The poll was conducted between December 15^th and 18^th among 1,019 Americans.

A separate survey released Monday by the agency shows that Gingrich’s lead over the GOP field has subsided. Now, the former House Speaker statistically ties with Romney at 26 to 24 percent. The new data reflects an 11 point drop for Gingrich from December 5^th.

Hoyer Blasts Tea Party Politics As Payroll Vote Looms

By Tim Young

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) blamed tea party politics Monday for threatening the extension of payroll relief.

Speaking to reporters, Hoyer described the current session of Congress as the  “most unproductive Tea Party dominated partisan session of Congress in which [he] has participated.”

Hoyer quoted four Republican Senators who seem to be in agreement with him, Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN), Senator Scott Brown (R-MA), Senator Dean Heller (R-NV), and Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME).

In the absence of a year-long deal over payroll relief, the Senate voted with an overwhelming majority Saturday in favor of a two-month extension. House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) initially signaled his support for the compromise, but ultimately changed his mind after an apparent rebellion from rank-and-file Republicans. A vote on the Senate version is still expected to take place Monday evening, but the likelihood of it passing is in severe doubt.

Hoyer described the looming vote as the last chance Congress will have to extend payroll relief before the holidays.

“We’re going to determine if there will be a Happy New Year,” Hoyer said.

Scott Brown Takes Swipe At Boehner

Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) issued the following statement in response to House Speaker John Boehner’s (R-Ohio) newfound opposition to extending the current payroll tax holiday by two months:

“The House Republicans’ plan to scuttle the deal to help middle-class families is irresponsible and wrong. I appreciate their effort to extend these measures for a full year, but a two-month extension is a good deal when it means we avoid jeopardizing the livelihoods of millions of American families. The refusal to compromise now threatens to increase taxes on hard-working Americans and stop unemployment benefits for those out of work. During this time of divided government, both parties need to be reasonable and come to the negotiating table in good faith. We cannot allow rigid partisan ideology and unwillingness to compromise stand in the way of working together for the good of the American people.”

Supreme Court Will Hear Health Care Arguments Next March

The Supreme Court announced Monday that they will hear arguments regarding the constitutionality of the health care reform law March 26th through the 28th.

On March 26th, the court will determine whether or not they will even be able to take on the challenges to the law. Under the Anti-Injunction Act, Americans are not allowed to take legal action against a tax until it is actually levied. Since the bill’s most controversial provision, the individual mandate, slaps a tax on those who opt to not purchase health insurance, the Court may be barred for issuing a ruling until the tax goes into effect in three years. 

Presuming the Court will be able to proceed, they will hear arguments over the individual mandate on March 27th and new Medicaid requirements on March 28th.