Top Dem Dogs Ready to Retool Obama's Budget

Health care takes center stage in 'consequential' recess

(NEWSER) - With health care reform hanging in the balance, the August congressional recess is likely to be a lot less relaxing than usual, writes Glenn Thrush in Politico. What to watch:

1. Health insurers’ response to Nancy Pelosi’s singling them out as the "bad guys" on soaring health care costs. Will we see a counterattack like the “Harry and Louise” ads of the Clinton era?
2. President Obama’s approval rating. If his numbers keep falling, it will make it tough for Dems “to sell anything.”

Baucus leads 'Board of Directors' in tough bipartisan negotiations

(NEWSER) - If Barack Obama succeeds in overhauling America's health care system by the end of 2009, he'll have to thank a bipartisan group of nine senators charged with developing a bill that can muster 60 votes. The "Board of Directors"—named by Max Baucus, Obama's go-to figure for health reform—has been holding weekly meetings to flesh out a deal, but as Politico reports, it's been slow going. More»

Energy and Commerce Committee will see much legislation from Obama

(NEWSER) - House Democrats elected Californian Henry Waxman to chair the House Energy and Commerce Committee today, the Hill reports. Waxman’s new post will hold considerable influence over how the next administration will effect its legislative agenda; his selection over Michigan’s John Dingell, who has served on the committee for 28 years, is seen as a victory for the further-left elements of the party. More»

Obama says he will veto proposed budget amendment to Constitution

(NEWSER) - So much for the weekend plans of the United States Senate: The Chicago Tribune notes that Harry Reid said today he'll hold session every single day "from now until Congress passes legislation that prevents the United States from defaulting on our obligations." While little progress was made last week, President Obama met with John Boehner and Eric Cantor in secret yesterday in an effort to get deficit talks back on track before the Aug. 2 deadline, adds Politico . “We're making progress,” he said today. More»

Instead of celebrating, 'now is time to dig in'

(AP) - President Obama called today's passage of legislation by a key Senate committee "a critical milestone" toward getting a health care overhaul this year, but said "now is not the time to pat ourselves on the back." Obama spoke in the Rose Garden about two hours after the Senate Finance Committee approved its version of reform. Obama praised the bill but didn't endorse it over the others that have passed other committees. More»