Poll: Gingrich Holds 13 Point Lead In Iowa

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich leads the GOP field in Iowa according to a new poll, holding a double digit lead over former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.

In a new Rasmussen Reports poll, Gingrich holds 32 percent among likely caucus goers. Mitt Romney comes in with 19 percent and businessman Herman Cain holds 13 percent. Ron Paul received 10 percent support but no other candidate broke double digits.

The poll also found that although 77 percent of respondents said they would vote for any GOP candidate who received the nomination, 32 percent said that they would consider a third-party candidate if Mitt Romney, the party’s projected frontrunner, won the Republican nod.

The poll was conducted among 700 likely caucus goers on November 15^th.

Obama Signs Temporary Spending Bill

President Barack Obama signed legislation Friday that will keep the government funded through December 16^th.

The continuing resolution, the latest in a series of temporary spending bills, was included in a legislative package alongside appropriations bills for several government agencies- Agriculture, Justice, Transportation, Commerce and Housing and Urban Development.

On Thursday, the bill passed through the House with a 298-121 vote and through the Senate 70 to 30. The measure, priced at approximately $130 billion, is a clean extension of current funding levels.

Another Dem Calls For Hearing Into Penn State Scandal

Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.) on Thursday called on the head of Congress’ committee on education to investigate what went wrong at Penn State University, where a former football coach allegedly sexually abused a series of young boys from 1994 to 2009.

In a letter to House Education and the Workforce Chairman John Kline (R-Minn.), Miller asked whether federal laws designed to prevent such abuse from taking place at public institutions need to be reformed.

“We have a responsibility to our children and our communities to maintain vigorous oversight of child safety issues,” Miller wrote. “Any specific remedies we identify through such collective oversight should be immediately taken up by this House.”

Earlier in the week, Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) called for congressional hearings into the matter, as well.

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Today's Business Roundup

By Scarlette Whyte

Market

US stocks slump after a shaky trading session and uncertainties around Europe. 

The Dow slipped nearly 200 points.

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq sank as well.

Occupy Wall Street

Today marks the two month anniversary since the Occupy Wall Street protests started and the demonstrations have not simmered down. The protestors linked arms to form man-made barricades to stop Wall Street employees from going to work. Approximately 7 police officers have been hospitalized. Protests have spread throughout the country. In Washington D.C., demonstrators plan to block the Key Bridge, which will block traffic between D.C. and Arlington, Virginia.   

Europe Debt Crisis

The ongoing debt crisis paints a very bleak picture for Europe. Spain was forced to offer record euro-era yields at its government-bond auction as a result of investors’ demands for higher risk premiums. 

Jobs

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell again this week; the lowest level since the week of April 2nd. This could be a signal of progress in the US jobs market. Jobless benefits fell by 500,000 to a seasonally adjusted 388,000 for the week that ended November 12th.

Dean Of The House Challenges Congress To Stay In Session

Dean of the House Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) challenged Congress to stay in session until ” we can accomplish something of value, something worthwhile for the American people.”

In a Politico Op-Ed published late Wednesday evening, Dingell expressed his frustration with the political atmosphere that has engulfed Capitol Hill and argued that, thus far, the 112th Congress has been spinning its wheels and has failed at being a productive legislative body. 

“We’ve wasted the time of this great institution in a fashion worthy of the dreamiest kindergartener,” Dingell said. “I’m not willing to say Congress is broken. I am, however, ready to say that we need some repair work.”

Dingell, the longest-serving member in the House, challenged Congress to remain in Washington until it takes significant steps towards resolving the wide-array of issues currently facing the country. 

“There are traditionally bipartisan proposals in these areas,” Dingel wrote. “There is no reason there shouldn’t be today if members of Congress are willing to put their country ahead of their career.”

Click Here to read the full text of Dingell’s challenge to Congress…