Congressional Leaders to Pitch Debt-Reduction Compromise to Caucuses

Democratic and Republican leaders in both chambers of Congress will meet with their caucuses Monday for a hard sell of a compromise debt-reduction package that gives President Obama up to a $2.5 trillion hike in the debt limit as long as lawmakers can find an equal or greater amount in spending cuts.

But even if they can’t come up with solutions, the cuts will be found for them. Obama announced Sunday night that leaders of both parties in both chambers reached an agreement on a debt-reduction deal that will "lift the cloud of uncertainty that hangs over our economy" and prevent the nation from potentially defaulting on the U.S.'s financial obligations.

According to the president, the deal means an immediate cut of $1 trillion in government spending over a 10-year period accompanied by a $900 billion increase in the debt ceiling. That will be followed by the creation of a committee to come up with additional cuts worth at least $1.5 trillion to be voted on by the end of the year. The debt ceiling will be raised by $1.5 trillion if the committee recommendations are approved.

Source: FoxNews.com; http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/08/01/congressional-leaders-to-pitch-debt-reduction-compromise-to-caucuses/
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Rubio Blasts Obama: ‘Left-Wing Strong Man’

Unlike so many first turns in the upper chamber, Rubio’s stirring remarks, which celebrated American exceptionalism, caught fire. The Florida Republican’s words were cited by Senate colleagues and championed by conservatives. To no one’s surprise, the push to put Rubio on the 2012 ticket only increased, even though the charismatic freshman continues to swat away the chatter.

Look for the Rubio buzz to continue. In an interview with National Review Online, he says that he will take to the Senate floor for his second speech this week — and this time he will have President Obama in his crosshairs.

Rubio tells us that he will respond to Obama’s recent press conference, where the president reveled in class-warfare bluster. “Quite frankly, I am both disappointed for our country and shocked at some of the rhetoric,” he says. “It was rhetoric, I thought, that was more appropriate for some left-wing strong man than for the president of the United States.”

“Talking about corporate jets and oil companies,” Rubio says, missed the point. “Everybody here agrees that our tax code is broken,” he says, and he is open to discussing tax reform. “But don’t go around telling people that the reason you are not doing well is because some rich guy is in a corporate jet or some oil company is making too much money.”

Source: By Robert Costa - Natinal Review Online; www.nationalreview.com/corner/270862/rubio-blasts-obama-left-wing-strong-man-robert-costa
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Did President Obama violate Wars Power Resolution of 1973?

Separation of powers is the one thing that any 9th grade civics student should be able to tell you they learned from their American government and politics course. It’s one of the most important tenants of democracy, right up there with the will of the people. After all, if the government grows too powerful, than it no longer needs the will of the people to sustain it, and the government no longer needs the people – thus ending the democratic process. Separation of power became even more important in the early to mid ’70′s, when one man thought he could get above the democratic precess (and the law in general), and didn’t have to listen to the will of the people anymore.

Source: By Robert Costa - Natinal Review Online; www.nationalreview.com/corner/270862/rubio-blasts-obama-left-wing-strong-man-robert-costa
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Anacostia River protesters upset over failed cleanup efforts

BLADENSBURG, Md. (AP) - Protesters in fake hazmat suits plan to swim in the Anacostia River to protest the failure of cleanup efforts to meet a deadline in the federal Clean Water Act.

Organizers say the protesters planning to take the plunge Thursday morning at Bladensburg Waterfront Park include former U.S. Sen. Joe Tydings and state Sen. Paul Pinsky of Prince George's County.

Organizers say they are holding the event to raise awareness about the failure to meet a July 1, 1983 deadline, set by the Clean Water Act, to make polluted waterways swimmable and fishable.

The Anacostia is one of a number of waterways nationwide targeted last week in a new federal urban waters initiative. Federal officials also unveiled a plan last year to clean the river flowing through Southeast Washington.

House Chides Obama Over Libya, Stops Short of Calling for U.S. Withdrawal

The U.S. House formally rebuked President Obama Friday for his handling of the war in Libya, though lawmakers stopped short of calling for a withdrawal of U.S. forces.

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