Progressive Breakfast: The President's Public Option Pledge

Public Option Fight May Continue After Reform Passes

President seeks to reassure House progressives on future of public option. Salon.com:: "A key House progressive says President Obama blamed the Senate Thursday for the fact that a public insurance option has been dropped from healthcare reform legislation — but promised to push for one in the future, after the current bill passes. 'The meeting with President Obama today was productive and necessary, and I was glad to hear him speak frankly about where we stand on healthcare legislation,' said Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-Ariz., the co-chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus .... Grijalva's statement [Thursday] was much less skeptical..."

Ezra Klein wonders why Obama didn't make this promise to begin with: "The administration and others like to say that the Senate legislation is just a start, and they should begin acting on that belief. Pass the start, and then begin trying to make it better with smaller, discrete bills that are easier to message and pass."

One liberal "No" vote, Rep. Dennis Kucinich, expected to stay that way. HuffPost: "None of the members, including Kucinich, indicated that they would vote any differently this time around. 'I think [Kucinich] left the meeting leaving the impression with the president that he's a no-go,' said Schakowsky."

Obama seeks to defuse issue on which body votes first. Bloomberg: "Grijalva said Obama told the lawmakers he intends to sign both the Senate-passed bill and the reconciliation bill on the same day."

Head of "centrist" House coalition Rep. Joseph Crowley optimistic. NYT quotes: “I think when all is said and done, we will have the votes.”

OMB director and top WH health care adviser pushback on conservative talking points in W. Post oped: "...some skeptics have claimed ... gimmickry because the legislation would pay for only six years of coverage expansions with 10 years of budgetary offsets. [But] the savings in the president's plan grow faster than the costs over time..."

President Obama shares story of cancer patient who lost insurance in meeting with insurance industry execs. McClatchy: "The letter ... from Natoma Canfield, 50, talked about how she'd been cancer-free for 11 years but nonetheless had last year paid $6,075 in premiums and about $4,000 more for medical care, co-pays and prescriptions, and her insurance had paid out only about $935. Then she was informed her 2010 premiums would go up 40%. [HHS Sec.] Sebelius is asking insurers to provide actuarial data justifying large rate increases."

House needs 217 votes, after GOP Rep. Nathan Deal delays resignation, reports TPMDC.

Obama more trusted than either party on health care. USA Today: "...a new Gallup Poll found that just half of the nation is confident Obama is recommending the right policies for revamping the health care system. Fewer Americans, 37%, had confidence in Democratic lawmakers, and only about a third expressed confidence in Republicans."

Abortion issue remains complicated minefield. W. Post: "The effort depends on convincing as many as a dozen antiabortion Democrats in the House that abortion language in the Senate bill is more stringent than initially portrayed. But Democratic leaders must be careful that they don't drive away abortion rights supporters who are increasingly concerned that the measure would prove severely restrictive."

Wonk Room's Igor Volsky cites Stupak's "lies" regarding Senate language: "...Stupak is just shifting the goal posts. First he complained about taxpayer funding for abortion and once Democrats strengthened the Senate language, he began arguing that private funds will not go towards abortion coverage. He simply can’t have it both ways."

Rep. Steny Hoyer floats possibility of separate abortion bill. Politico: "...while Hoyer proposed that an additional bill could be a viable route forward, the feasibility of that option remains in serious question. As recently as Tuesday, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said that 'there is no conversation' about a 'clean-up' bill in the Senate to resolve Stupak's qualms."

Newsweek's Andrew Romano, debunks all seven claims GOPers are making "reconciliation": "Republicans happen to have a case to make against relying on reconciliation to finalize health-care reform. But to make it, they'd have to abandon the ludicrous talking points they're currently parroting and indulge in something called logic instead."

Steve Benen at Washington Monthly says reconciliation was a lot less controversial when conservatives used to pass the Bush tax cuts: "Partisan hacks have managed to convince an entire political world and a media establishment that use of a fairly routine Senate procedure is not only problematic, but genuinely scandalous. They've even convinced some Democrats to feel squeamish about a process Republicans have used repeatedly with no qualms at all. It's quite a sight."

House Passes Senate Jobs Tax Credit

Jobs tax credit survives liberal defections. W. Post: "The House voted 217 to 201 to approve a $15 billion measure that would give tax breaks to companies for hiring new employees. Six Republicans joined the vast majority of Democrats in supporting the bill ... More than 30 Democrats voted against the measure. Liberals complained that it is too small and too focused on tax cuts ... "

House amendments mean measure ping-pongs back to the Senate. NYT: "They adjusted the bill to cover its costs more completely, to satisfy Democratic fiscal hawks. To attract liberal lawmakers who contended the measure was too meager, they added a provision to generate business for minority contractors. The revisions mean the measure will have to be reconsidered by the Senate, where it was unclear whether Republicans would seek to slow its progress."

Senate looks to finish long-term jobless aid, aid to states by Tuesday. CQ: "Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said ... the chamber would likely hold a cloture vote on the bill and finish it up on Tuesday ... Lively debate is expected on an amendment by Democrat Jim Webb of Virginia, that would impose a 'windfall tax' on bonuses paid in 2009 to [bailed out] executives..."

NYT's Paul Krugman was what the jobs debate has taught us about the two parties: "How can the parties agree on policy when they have utterly different visions of how the economy works, when one party feels for the unemployed, while the other weeps over affluent victims of the 'death tax'?"

Will Banking Regulators Have Veto Power Over Consumer Agency?

Politico reports "no breakthroughs" yet. Veto power over consumer rules a sticking point, but many optimistic: "...hope remained alive that senators could deliver President Barack Obama a sweeping financial reform package within weeks ... Democrats still have 'a few differences but I think it’s coming together,' said Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) ... 'I think we’re going generally in the right direction,' said Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) ... Dodd stressed Thursday that he wouldn’t accept Republican demands that a banking regulator have veto power over the consumer body’s rule-making authority..."

Dood making case that agency could still be independent if within Fed, while Shelby pushing veto authority for banking regulators CQ: "Richard C. Shelby of Alabama, the top Republican on the Banking panel, wants financial regulators to have veto authority over the rules developed by the consumer division. Dodd has envisioned a system where financial regulators could appeal consumer rules they disagree with to a new council that would oversee broad risks to the financial system ... Dodd said in his statement. 'I am pushing for an office with an independent head, appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate; that has an independent budget to do its work; autonomy to craft rules; and an ability to enforce those rules.'"

Regional Fed chairs looking to expand Fed power. NYT: "The presidents not only fear the loss of prestige and influence, but also have to deal with the concerns of employees anxious about losing their jobs or being reassigned ... Critics of the Fed say the district presidents are often too cozy with the banks they regulate."

Congressional bailout watchdogs skeptical of Citigroup, Treasury Dept. testimony. NYT: "Despite near perfect recollection of most other events, [CEO Vikram] Pandit said he did not recall if he had spoken to Treasury officials or other federal regulators regarding the second rescue. The testimony left Damon A. Silvers, a committee member who is special counsel to the A.F.L.-C.I.O., incredulous. 'Your memory seems pretty good to me otherwise,' ... 'I don’t understand why the U.S. government can’t admit what everyone in the world knows: that during that week Citigroup was a failing institution,' Mr. Silvers said."

Politico adds: "In questions for Herbert Allison, Treasury’s assistant secretary for financial stability, [Panel chair Elizabeth] Warren pounced on several areas in which she thinks Treasury has been lax ... Warren demanded, 'Are you telling me that you are exercising no supervision of Citigroup?' ... Allison responded that Treasury has a deliberately hands-off policy toward Citi."

Momentum For Rockefeller Restrictions On EPA Climate Regs

W. Post reports on formal introduction of new bill to temporarily block EPA climate actions: " Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.) introduced a bill that would put a two-year freeze on the EPA's ability to regulate greenhouse gases from power plants ... Rockefeller's legislation would not affect the EPA's plans to limit greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks. But it would prevent the agency from implementing -- or even doing much work on -- caps on emissions from such 'stationary sources' as power plants and factories. Experts say the bill could postpone regulations for as much as four years."

EPA does not react as strongly as toward previous GOP attack. NYT: "'It is important to note that Senator Rockefeller’s bill, unlike Senator Murkowski’s resolution, does not attempt to overturn or deny the scientific fact that unchecked greenhouse gas pollution threatens the well-being of the American people,' said Adora Andy, an E.P.A. spokeswoman, 'nor would it threaten the historic clean cars program announced by the Obama administration last year.'"

Murkowski gets behind Rockefeller proposal. The Hill: "Murkowski – who has 40 cosponsors for her competing plan – supports Rockefeller’s bill but said she’s keeping her own plan at the ready if it doesn’t advance."

Rockefeller's fellow West Virginian not on board. Coal Tattoo quotes Sen. Byrd: "I do not plan to cosponsor Senator Rockefeller’s legislation at this time. I was encouraged by the response last week from EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson to a letter that I signed along with other Senators that would delay into next year the application of stronger standards regarding increased efficiency or reduced pollution at large power plants and factories ... I take her at her word ... I am reluctant to give up on talks that might produce benefits for West Virginia’s coal interests by seeming to turn away from on-going negotiations."

Enviro groups highly critical of Rockefeller bill. Mother Jones: "Environmental groups argue that Rockefeller might as well have joined Murkowski's efforts. 'In our view, there is little difference between no action for two years and no action ever on solving the climate crisis,' said Joe Mendelson, director of global warming policy at the National Wildlife Federation."

Weathervane's Nathan Richardson does not believe Rockefeller restrictions will become law: "I cannot imagine the president would sign the bill. It blocks action on GHGs that the president has publically stood behind. Also, and maybe more importantly, the bill would take an arrow out of the quiver of the executive branch. No President likes that."

ANWR Drilling Not Happening

Lieberman rejects Murkowski call to include ANWR drilling in climate compromise. The Hill: "He said allowing ANWR drilling 'would be a deal breaker.' ... 'We are looking at a lot of things, we are bending to bring people in, but that one is a no-no,' he said."

Sen. Kerry calls forthcoming climate protection bill a "jobs bill." The Hill quotes: "What we are talking about is a jobs bill. It is not a climate bill. It is a jobs bill, and it is a clean air bill. It is a national security, energy independence bill ... And people are going to have to decide whether they are going to vote for America or against it."

Grist's David Roberts laments all the "stupid" things being said about climate compromise plan: "It’s just profoundly depressing that world-historically consequential policy is being shaped by people who don’t understand how it works and are primarily motivated by marching orders from corporate polluters. But, you know ... welcome to the U.S. Senate."

Another $100M in stimulus for green tech. NYT: "The [Energy] department has designated three areas of focus for the projects: energy storage, electrical power technology and thermodevices."

Breakfast Sides

Sen. Michael Bennet, fresh from defending the public option in health care reform, calls for the filibuster to be reformed: "...this important rule is being abused at an unprecedented rate, and it's grinding the business of the Senate to a standstill. That's why I am introducing new legislation ... to reform the filibuster in a responsible, practical way ... Ends anonymous hold ... Requires filibuster supporters to actually show up ... Filibusters at the beginning of debate will be eliminated ... Creates incentives to encourage bipartisanship..."

President looks to launch immigration reform effort. LAT: "Obama took up the issue privately with his staff Monday in a bid to advance a bill through Congress before lawmakers become too distracted by approaching midterm elections ... the White House may ask [Dem Sen. Chuck] Schumer and [GOP Sen. Lindsey] Graham to at least produce a blueprint that could be turned into legislative language."

Transportation Sec. challenges GOP Sen. Kit Bond on high-speed rail, livability. Streetsblog: "Bond cited a recent Wall Street Journal editorial by Wendell Cox, a conservative pundit who has penned laudatory literature for road lobbying groups, in accusing the Obama administration of frittering away taxpayers' money on high-speed rail. LaHood fired back, remarking wryly that Bond's home state sought high-speed rail grants and publicly celebrated its $31 million haul ... 'When did it become the responsibility of the federal DOT to build sidewalks?' the soon-to-retire senator asked, before LaHood that reminded him Congress set up dedicated funding for pedestrian improvements nearly 20 years ago."

College students rise up across nation to protest high tuition. AP: "Anger over rising tuition and school budget cuts boiled over as students across the country staged rowdy demonstrations that led to clashes with police and the rush-hour shutdown of a major freeway in California ... University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee police arrested at least 15 people protesting tuition hikes ...At the University of Illinois, more than 200 professors, instructors and graduate faculty marched through campus carrying signs that read 'Furlough Legislators' ... In Olympia, Wash., a group of about 75 protesters arrived at the Capitol bearing a faux coffin emblazoned with the slogan 'R.I.P. Education.'"

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