Monday’s Political Roundup

The following is a roundup of political activity going on in Washington and across the nation. It’s courtesy of Scott Wilk, Community Organizer, and Anchor Consulting group. The Beacon will be posting these daily as they become available.

In the House:

• The House is not in session.
• ‘Audit the Federal Reserve’ bill gains steam- Congressional auditors would have broad power to examine the Fed’s operations under the legislation first introduced 26 years ago by Rep. Ron Paul. Two-thirds of the House now backs it. (LA Times)

 In the Senate:

• The Senate is not in session.
• Reid the Quarterback May Call on Obama to Referee- As the Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, Democrat of Nevada, takes on the delicate task of melding two competing versions of major health care legislation, aides say he will lean heavily on President Obama to arbitrate a number of contentious issues that still threaten to divide liberal and centrist Democrats and derail a final bill.  (NY Times)

Other News:

• Testing the Dexterity of a Crisis Manager-  After stumbling in his transition from backstage player to out-front crisis manager, Mr. Geithner has since quieted critics inside and outside the administration at a time when health care and foreign policy challenges increasingly command the headlines. (NY Times)
• On Medicare Spending, a Role Reversal; Republicans, Not Interest Groups, Fight Plans to Cut $400 Billion Over 10 Years  -  After years of trying to cut Medicare spending, Republican lawmakers have emerged as champions of the program, accusing Democrats of trying to steal from the elderly to cover the cost of health reform. (Wash Post)
• More school: Obama would curtail summer vacation-  Students beware: The summer vacation you just enjoyed could be sharply curtailed if President Barack Obama gets his way. (Atlanta Journal Constitution)
• Use of Federal Health Clinics Soars – Federally funded health centers, originally created to serve the poor, are seeing a surge of patients as more Americans struggle financially. (WSJ)
• Job losses, early retirements hurt Social Security – Big job losses and a spike in early retirement claims from laid-off seniors will force Social Security to pay out more in benefits than it collects in taxes the next two years, the first time that’s happened since the 1980s. (Houston Chronicle)
• State and local governments look to lobbyists for an edge in Washington – Many cities, counties and states are spending more on lobbying to get a leg up on competition for federal funds in these times of tight budgets. (LA Times)
• States Rush to Avoid Losing $9 Billion in Highway Funds  -  States are urging Congress and the White House to act fast to change a law that may soon deprive them of nearly $9 billion in federal highway funds, the equivalent of roughly one-third of the amount in the economic-stimulus package. (WSJ)

Federal Grant of the Day:

• NIH – Behavioral and Social Research on Disasters and Health- The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to stimulate research in the behavioral and social sciences on the consequences of natural and man-made disasters for the health of children, the elderly, and vulnerable groups, with an ultimate goal of preventing or mitigating harmful consequences. Examples of disasters include severe weather-related events, earthquakes, large-scale attacks on civilian populations, technological catastrophes or perceived catastrophes, and influenza pandemics. Three NIH Institutes are sponsoring this program announcement. The National Institute on Aging is interested in research on the elderly in disasters, especially elderly residents of institutions and frail elderly in the community. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development is interested in research on children and other vulnerable populations in disasters. The National Institute for Nursing Research is interested in research that will develop interventions to improve outcomes for persons affected by natural and man-made disasters.  Eligible applicants include non profits, institutions of higher education and more.  There are multiple receipt dates for submission.  See NIH for more information.

Today in History:

• September 28, 1920- On this date, Eight Chicago White Sox players were indicted for fixing the 1919 World Series in the “Black Sox Scandal.”  None of these men would ever play major-league baseball again, as each was banned for life.

Source and thanks to www.anchor-consult.com / For more information, contact Anchor Consulting, LLC at (703) 333-6013 or [email protected]