Obama Statement On Ted Stevens' Death

The White House today released the following statement from President Barack Obama on the death of former Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska):

“A decorated World War II veteran, Senator Ted Stevens devoted his career to serving the people of Alaska and fighting for our men and women in uniform.  Michelle and I extend our condolences to the entire Stevens family and to the families of those who perished alongside Senator Stevens in this terrible accident.”

House Passes Jobs Bill, Will Resume Recess

The House today passed a $26 billion measure that will provide emergency funding to cash-strapped states. $16 billion will go toward extending Medicaid funding through November, while the other $10 billion will help states avoid laying off teachers, policemen and other first responders.

The final vote today was 247-161 with three Democrats voting against the bill and two Republicans voting for it. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who called the House back into session for today’s vote, announced the tally, banged her gavel, and with that the House returned to its summer recess.

The White House announced after the vote that President Barack Obama would sign it into law later in the day…

Former Senator Stevens Killed In Plane Crash

Update: Via Reuters, a spokesperson for the Stevens family confirmed that former Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens was among those killed in a plane crash in Alaska. Stevens was 86.

Former Alska Sen. Ted Stevens was among those killed in a plane crash in the state, according to KTUU, an NBC affiliate in Alaska.

The KTUU report cites David Dittman, a former staffer for the Senator and friend of the Stevens family, who says he was told Monday night that the former Senator was killed.

Five people were reportedly killed in the crash, but the identities are not confirmed. Former NASA administrator Sean O’Keefe was on board as well.

Former Alaska Senator Ted Stevens Believed To Be In Possibly Fatal Plane Crash

Update: KTUU, an NBC affiliate in Alaska, is reporting that Ted Stevens was killed in the Dillingham plane crash.

Reuters is reporting that former Alaska Senator Ted Stevens (R) was aboard a plane that crashed in Alaska. It is not yet confirmed whether the Senator is alive, but half of the plane’s passengers were reportedly killed.

Stevens, the 7th longest-serving Senator in U.S. history, lost his seat in 2008 amid an ethics scandal. 

Update:

-Via Reuters, Ex-Nasa Administrator from 2001-2005 Sean O’Keefe was reportedly on board as well.  

In Hand-Delivered Letter, Texas Gov. Asks Obama Administration To Amp Up Border Security

Texas Governor Rick Perry asked the Obama administration to send an additional 1,000 National Guard troops to the state’s souther border, via a letter hand-delivered to Presidential advisor Valerie Jarret Monday.

Wearing a tan suit and cowboy boots, Perry met Obama on the tarmac of Austin’s Bergstrom airport. The two shook hands, and Perry then took a letter from his suit pocket and passed it to Jarrett.

While a far cry from the widely derided hug Obama and Florida governor Charlie Crist shared when Obama visited the Governor’s state in February, Perry reportedly clapped as the President stepped off the plane. According to Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton, it marked the first time a Governor has clapped for the President during a tarmac greeting. 

Obama was en-route to a fundraiser in Dallas for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.