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$18M Being Spent to Redesign Recovery.gov Web Site

For those concerned about stimulus spending, the General Services Administration sends word tonight that $18 million in additional funds are being spent to redesign the Recovery.gov Web site.

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July 8, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (133)

Sixty Democrats … or 58?

Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., was sworn in this week with much fanfare as the 60th Democrat in the Senate. With 60 Senators, Democrats have something they haven't had since the 1970s: enough votes to block Republican filibusters.

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July 8, 2009 in Congress, Democratic party | Permalink | User Comments (13)

Sen. Alexander: GOP Open to Taxing Health Benefits

Democrats are searching -- mostly in vain -- for areas where they can work with Republicans on health care reform. But on the concept of taxing health benefits to expand coverage -- an idea floated by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., in the presidential campaign, and ridiculed by President Obama at the time -- they may find at least some GOP cooperation.

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July 8, 2009 in Top Line | Permalink | User Comments (7)

Waxman: House Dems Will Not Budge on Public Option

Despite suggestions from the White House that a public option is a negotiable item, a key House leader said today that the House health care bill will contain a public option plan to compete with private insurers -- and predicted that it will be supported by at least some House Republicans.

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July 8, 2009 in Congress, Democratic party, GOP, Health Care | Permalink | User Comments (15)

Health Care Hardball: Will Dems Abandon Republicans for a Public Plan?

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid skipped a press conference this morning with billionaire T. Boone Pickens on some alternative energy legislation because, as we were told by his fill-in Sen. Bob Menendez, D-NJ., he is busy talking to the the White House about health care. One Hill publication reported this morning that Reid asked moderate Democrats on the Finance Committee Tuesday to abandon their hunt for hunt for Republican buy-in to health care reform.

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July 8, 2009 in Congress, Democratic party, GOP, Health Care, Obama Agenda, President Obama, Republican Party | Permalink | User Comments (92)

Obama Administration Grant Program De-Emphasizing Job Creation

The Obama administration is de-emphasizing potential job creation when “rating” proposed projects for possible funding, in their new $3.3 billion grant program to upgrade the nation’s electricity.

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July 8, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (15)

The Note: Economies of Sale -- Obama Agenda Threatened by Economy

It never really went away, but the economy is back as a top political issue, with job losses creating pressure for a new stimulus bill, and mixed messaging on health care leaving President Obama’s domestic agenda in the balance -- even while he travels abroad, ABC News senior political reporter Rick Klein writes Wednesday in The Note. And Sarah Palin is explaining her decision -- while repercussions are felt throughout the Republican Party.

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July 8, 2009 in Democratic party, GOP, Obama Agenda, The Note | Permalink | User Comments (44)

The Note's Must-Reads for Wednesday, July 8, 2009

The Note's Must-Reads are a round-up of today's political headlines and stories from ABC News and the top U.S. newspapers. Posted Monday through Friday right here at www.abcnews.com Compiled by ABC News’ CARRIE HALPERIN, CLAUDIA MORALES, GEORGIA DAWKINS, PETER MARTINEZ...

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July 8, 2009 in The Note Must-Reads | Permalink | User Comments (0)