Obama Will Lean On Senate To Pass Jobs Bill

White House press secretary Jay Carney told reporters Wednesday that President Obama will push Hill lawmakers to vote on his jobs package.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Monday that the Senate will “get to that,” referring to Obama’s $447 measure aimed at boosting hiring. Reid later said that his top priority when Congress returns to session next week will be to advance a bill that cracks down on alleged currency manipulation by the Chinese government.

“I don’t think there’s anything more important for a jobs measure than China trade, and that’s what we’re going to work on next week,” Reid said.

Carney today said that Obama “will keep up the pressure” on both the House and Senate to act quickly. And, Carney added, “if it comes to us in pieces, we’re going to keep demanding the rest.”

“We’re not gonna accept half” of the bill, Carney later stated. “That would be half good for the American people.”

House To Pass Week-Long CR Via Unanimous Consent

The Senate narrowly avoided a potential government shutdown after passing a bipartisan deal Monday, keeping the government funded for seven more weeks. 

Now, the GOP-led House is expected Thursday to pass via unanimous consent a temporary stopgap measure that keeps the government operational until early next week. 

For this move to be successful, not a single member of the 435-member legislative body can object. Though an objection is not likely for the week-long measure, the potential remains. 

Should the House be successful in achieving unanimous consent, its members will have a few extra days to examine the details of the Senate’s bill before next week’s full vote.

The House is expected to hold a vote next Tuesday, Oct. 4, on the spending bill that would fund the government through Nov. 19 and provide FEMA with funding. 

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Rove Softens Stance On Perry's Social Security Position

Republican strategist Karl Rove seemed to back away Tuesday night from his recent criticism of Texas Governor Rick Perry for describing Social Security as a ponzi scheme.

In an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, Rove said he would personally characterize the benefit program for seniors in a different way, but added, “I’m not adverse to the use of Ponzi scheme.”

He went on to clarify his view on Perry’s use of the term, which connotes an illegal investment operation.

“I wouldn’t use it, because a Ponzi scheme is a deliberately criminal enterprise, but I get what he’s talking about when he says a Ponzi scheme, which is unsustainable.”

During an appearance on ABC’s Good Morning America earlier this month, Rove said that for Perry, explaining his controversial description of Social Security would be his “biggest challenge” in his quest for the GOP nomination.

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Senate Republicans Ask Obama To Enforce Immigration Laws

By Mike Hothi

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) along with 18 fellow Senate Republicans sent a letter to the White House Monday urging the President to direct the Department of Homeland Security to overturn directives regarding the increased use of prosecutorial discretion in immigration cases.

The request is a specific response to the June 17th Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) memorandum which stated “Because the agency is confronted with more administrative violations than its resources can address, the agency must regularly exercise “prosecutorial discretion” if it is to prioritize its efforts.”

“We request that you promptly rescind these initiatives, dismantle the working group designed to identify “low priority” cases before our immigration and federal courts, and direct the agencies within the Department of Homeland Security to abide by our Nation’s immigration laws,” the letter states.

Grassley and the fellow co-signers reaffirmed that they were committed to providing the Administration the resources it needs to enforce immigration laws.

Christie Addressing Reagan Library Amid Renewed 2012 Buzz

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is scheduled to deliver a speech on American exceptionalism at the Reagan Presidential Library Tuesday evening.

The speech comes amid an uptick in chatter over a possible late-entry for Christie in the GOP primary. Following Texas Governor Rick Perry’s last lackluster debate performance, many in the party have renewed calls for Christie to jump into the field.

Christie has adamantly maintained that he will not be running in 2012. However, former New Jersey Governor Tom Kean told the National Journal Monday that Christie is seriously mulling a run.

“I think the odds are a lot better now than they were a couple weeks ago,” Kean said.