Obama Signs Ledbetter Act as His First Bill

Obama's Council on Women and Girls a misplaced gesture

(NEWSER) - When President Obama last week created the White House Council on Women and Girls—a body that looks out for the fairer sex in federal policy-making—it seemed an almost laughable “act of paternalistic magnanimity,” writes Kathleen Parker in the Washington Post. Unfortunately, it also perpetuates “the false notion that girls are a special class of people deserving special treatment.” The truth is, boys need far more help these days. More»

Panel will help coordinate Cabinet-level policy on women's issues

(NEWSER) - President Obama will sign an executive order today creating a White House panel to advise on women's issues, the Washington Post reports. Senior adviser Valerie Jarrett will head the White House Council on Women and Girls, which will be tasked with coordinating government policy regarding women and families. A similar panel created by President Clinton was disbanded when George W. Bush took office. More»

(NEWSER) - The House today passed the $787 billion stimulus bill, once again without a single Republican vote, the AP reports. Eight Democrats also opposed the bill, which will make its way to the Senate later today. The victory belongs to President Obama, who says the package will save or create 3.5 million jobs. Republicans say the measure is light on tax cuts and contains too much pork. More»

Feds may see $1.2B in savings if for-profit facilities come under new regulation

(NEWSER) - A clause in a child-health bill just passed by the House would restrict Medicare payouts for, and the expansion of, doctor-owned hospitals, the specialized-care units blamed for hurting income at nonprofit facilities, the Wall Street Journal reports. There are 200 such facilities nationwide, touted for their efficiency but criticized for giving physicians a financial incentive to recommend unnecessary tests and surgeries. More»

Federal spending is rising at slowest rate since '50s, report finds

(NEWSER) - Republicans are trying to fool the country into believing that they are the party of fiscal responsibility, President Obama told a fundraiser yesterday. "I’m running to pay down our debt in a way that’s balanced and responsible. After inheriting a $1 trillion deficit, I signed $2 trillion of spending cuts into law,” he told donors in Denver. "My opponent won’t admit it, but it’s starting to appear in places, like real liberal outlets, like the Wall Street Journal," he quipped. "Since I’ve been president, federal spending has risen at the lowest pace in nearly 60 years. Think about that.” More»