Donald Trump has picked Gov. Mike Pence of Indiana as his running mate, turning to a well-established conservative who brings government experience to the Republican presidential ticket. Gov, Pence is a 57-year-old former radio host and congressman as well as a well-known social conservative and could soothe right-leaning voters who are skeptical of Mr. Trump’s views on social issues.
Category: Uncategorized
White House Threatens to Veto House Defense Measure
This week President Obama threatened to veto to House version of the annual defense appropriations legislation in a Statement of Administrative Policy (SAP). Issued by the Office of Management and Budget, the SAP disapproves of the shifting of $16 billion in war funds to the Pentagon’s base budget, funding overseas contingencies only through next April.
The maneuver funds additional procurement, a higher pay raise and more active-duty troops in the Army and Marine Corps, but the administration called the approach dangerous. According to Politico, the White House said: “By gambling with warfighting funds, the bill risks the safety of our men and women fighting to keep America safe, undercuts stable planning and efficient use of taxpayer dollars, dispirits troops and their families, baffles our allies, and emboldens our enemies.”
Super Tuesday!
Today voters in twelve states – 11 Democratic and 11 Republican – will gather together to nominate their party’s candidate for President of the United States.
On the Democratic side, Super Tuesday could be Hillary Clinton’s opportunity to pull away from Bernie Sanders. There are 889 delegates up for grabs in eleven states – Alabama (53), Arkansas (32), Colorado (66), Georgia (102), Massachusetts (91), Minnesota (77), Oklahoma (38), Tennessee (67), Texas (252), Vermont (16), Virginia (95). With Clinton poised to win Texas, Arkansas, Virginia, and Tennessee, Sanders is pushing for wins in northern states. Massachusetts is an important state to watch, as polling shows that Clinton’s lead there is within the margin of error.
Breaking down the Democratic Super Tuesday Map (via Politico)
Support for Donald Trump has grown in many Super Tuesday states, leading pundits to conjecture that a Trump sweep today will cripple all other Republican candidates. Around 600 Republican delegates are up for grabs in Alabama (50), Alaska (28), Arkansas (40), Georgia (76), Massachusetts (42), Minnesota (38), Oklahoma (43), Tennessee (58), Texas (155), Vermont (16), Virginia (49), and Wyoming (29). As Trump hedges closer and closer to the nomination, the Republican establishment is showing signs of panic. Some fear Trump cannot win in November, others fear he would not govern conservatively. Texas is one state that Trump may lose today, and it is a must win for Senator Ted Cruz, a Texas native who holds the lead in the polls.
Breaking down the GOP’s Super Tuesday Map (via Politico)
Department of Education Seeks Summer Interns
The Department of Education announced it is recruiting interns for Summer 2016. The program is sure provide opportunities to learn about education policy in the nation’s capital.
From the ED Homeroom blog:
“Have you ever wondered about pursuing a federal career? Are you interested in public service? Would you like to gain valuable work experience and help move the needle on education issues in this country?
The Department of Education may have opportunities that match your interests – and we’re currently accepting applications for interns!
Our Department is a place where you can explore fields like education policy, education law, business and finance, research and analysis, intergovernmental relations and public affairs, or traditional and digital communications, all while learning about the role federal government plays in education.
Our interns also participate in professional development sessions and events outside of the office, such as lunches with ED and other government officials, movie nights, and tours of the Capitol, Supreme Court and other local sights.
One of the many advantages of interning at ED is our proximity to some of the most historic and celebrated sites in our nation’s capital, all accessible by walking or taking the Metro.
ED is accepting applications for Summer 2016 internships through March 15, 2016.
If you are interested in interning during the upcoming term, there are three things you must send in order to be considered for an interview:
- A cover letter summarizing why you wish to work at ED and stating your previous experiences in the field of education, if any. Include which particular offices interest you. (But, keep in mind that – due to the volume of applications we receive – if we accept you as an intern we may not be able to place you in your first-choice office.)
- An updated resumé.
- A completed copy of the Intern Application.
Prospective interns should send these three documents in one email to StudentInterns@ed.gov with the subject line formatted as follows: Last Name, First Name: Summer Intern Application.
(Note: For candidates also interested in applying specifically to the Office of General Counsel, please see application requirements here.)
An internship at ED is one of the best ways students can learn about education policy and working in the civil service. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to develop crucial workplace skills that will help you in whatever career path you choose. And, it’s an opportunity to meet fellow students who share your passion for education, learning, and engagement.
Click here for more information or to get started on your application today.”
Snow Week
Congress has screeched to a halt this week as DC continues to be quagmired in snow by Snowzilla.
A blizzard that blanketed the Northeast this weekend has disrupted the congressional calendar, with the House canceling all votes for the week and the Senate pushing its first vote to Wednesday evening. Congressional Democrats still plan on gather in Baltimore Wednesday evening until Friday for the annual Democratic issues retreat, which was truncating the Congressional calendar on the weather-shortened week. The Federal government’s Office of Personnel Management (OPM) closed all federal offices again on Monday as the District continues to dig out from record snow fall. Meanwhile the latest controversy in the District is the snow totals and how they are officially calculated for DC. The official totals, recorded at Reagan National Airport, came in at 17.8 inches of snow, and many are taking issue with this official recording. Dulles reported 29.3 inches of snow.
Other fun facts:
- New York City missed is its all-time storm record by a tenth of an inch, with 26.8 inches at Central Park. Meanwhile, 30.1 inches was recorded at JFK airport.
- Worst-hit was the eastern panhandle of West Virginia, according to the National Weather Service, with 42 inches recorded in Glengarry and 40.5 in Shepherdstown.
- Airports are recovering, but at least 1,500 flighs were canceled Monday according to FlightAware.
When Congress returns, they come back to a full and already truncated calendar. The FY 2017 Budget will be front and center as Congress waits for the President’s FY 2017 budget request as well as working through a potential budget itself. While Congress does not need to pass a budget for FY 2017 due to the budget deal reached last year that covered FY 2016 and FY 2017, reports of the rising deficit have brought federal budgeting again to the forefront. For the first time since 2009, the deficit will grow relative to the size of the economy, amounting to 2.9 percent of gross domestic product. This year’s deficit is projected to be $544 billion, up from $439 billion last year.
Politics will be in full swing as the Iowa and New Hampshire presidential primaries are fast approaching while the Senators and Members of Congress also begin to focus on their own primaries.