White House Condemns Baghdad Bombing

Deputy White House Press Secretary Bill Burton told reporters aboard Air Force One today that President Barack Obama condemmned yesterday’s bombing in Iraq that took the lives of dozens of Iraqi army recruits.

There are “obviously still people who want to derail the advances that the Iraqi people have made towards democracy, but they are firmly on track and we’re confident that we’re moving towards the end of our combat mission there,” he added.

Burton told reporters that the attack does not change the President’s commitment to removing all U.S. combat forces from Iraq by the end of the month.

“We’re obviously helping the Iraqi forces to keep that country secure. Our combat mission ends at the end of the month, but we will still have troops there who are helping to support them as necessary.”

Senate To Hold Second Small Business Vote

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has announced that he will hold another vote to try and pass a small business lending bill on Monday at 5:00 pm. Yesterday, Republicans successfully filibustered a vote on the bill, which failed 58-42. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said his party’s opposition stemmed from Democrats’ refusal to allow votes on more than three GOP-offered amendments…

Republicans Stall Small Business Vote In The Senate

Democrats failed to get the 60 votes needed to overcome a Republican filibuster, and pass a bill aimed at freeing up $30 billion in federal funds to small businesses. Republicans contend that the bill does not properly address issues that are facing small businesses, such as the upcoming expiration of the Bush tax cuts. Currently, Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) are working on a possible agreement to pass the bill before the August recess. For more information, click here…

-Rob Sanna

Small Business Lending Bill Losing Steam In Senate

The Senate will hold a cloture vote any minute on a bill aimed at providing relief to small businesses. However, odds of passage don’t look good. Senate Majority Leader Harry (D-Nev.) announced last night that talks between parties had broken down over the GOP’s insistence to have their amendments voted on. A group of Senate Democrats will address the media following this morning’s vote. My colleague Rob Sanna will have more on the story later…