Federal Deficit Was $165 Billion In July

The Wall Street Journal reports today that “the U.S. government spent itself deeper into the red last month, paying nearly $20 billion in interest on debt and an additional $9.8 billion to help unemployed Americans…

BP Receives Another Bill From Feds

According to the Deepwater Horizon Incident Joint information Center, the administration sent a fifth bill to petroleum mogul BP Wednesday to reimburse the government for response costs tied to the BP-Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

This latest bill - totaling almost $168 million - nearly matches the $222 million already demanded in the first four bills, all of which BP has paid in full. 

As the responsible party, BP will continue to receive invoices from the administration for all costs associated with the response to the months-old oil leaked that has wreaked havoc on the Gulf Coast’s fishing, tourism, and oil industries.

Obama Signs Manufacturing Bill

President Barack Obama signed the Manufacturing Enhancement Act of 2010 Wednesday.

The legislation is aimed at driving job creation and investment by reducing or eliminating select tariffs on materials imported by U.S. manufacturers, thus lowering production costs.

“When the playing field is even, American workers can compete with anybody,” Obama said in the White House’s East Room prior to signing the bill.

Flanked by Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, Obama added, “We’re going to compete aggressively.”

Gibbs Says Remarks Were Not Made In Error

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs admitted Wednesday that he was frustrated by criticism from liberal pundits over the Obama administration’s legislative achievements, but stopped short of calling a remark he made earlier in the week a mistake.

“I think it was born out of frustration,” Gibbs told CBS’ Chip Reid during today’s briefing.

Reid asked him, “Did you put your foot in your mouth?”

“I think I have both my feet planted firmly on the floor,” Gibbs responded.

At least two Democratic lawmakers have called on the press secretary to resign over his comments, but Gibbs brushed aside those requests today, telling reporters that he has no plans to step down…

Senate Will Return Thursday To Pass Border Bill

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has called the Senate back into session tomorrow to vote on a $600 million bill aimed at beefing up security along the U.S./Mexico border.

The House yesterday passed its version of the bill, but due to procedural rules, the Senate must also pass it before President Barack Obama can sign the bill into law. Since the measure is expected to pass on a voice vote, the presence of only a handful of Senators is required.

The legislation, co-sponsored by Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), would send 1,500 Customs and Border Patrol agents to the southwest border. The cost of the bill is offset by an increase on visa application fees paid by companies that employ 50 or more non-immigrant, skilled foreign employees.

In addition to the border security measure, the Senate will vote on a resolution to recognize the death of former Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), who died in a plane crash sometime either late Monday night or early Tuesday morning…