When Rep. John A. Boehner, Ohio Republican, takes the gavel from outgoing Speaker Nancy Pelosi next week, the California Democrat won't be the new year's biggest loser. That dubious honor falls on America's big-spending big-city mayors. The Republican resurgence sends a message that municipal partying at taxpayer expense must come to an end. Finally, after an era of indiscipline, 2011 promises to be a year of reckoning.
The Senate passed a stopgap funding bill Tuesday to keep the government open into March, when Republicans will have greater power to cut federal spending.
I frankly didn't think President Obama had it in him. His recent clash with GOP leaders over the so-called Bush tax cuts was a masterstroke of political maneuvering. He was, of course, helped greatly with the approach taken by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Republican; Sen. Jon Kyl, Arizona Republican; and incoming House Speaker John A. Boehner, Ohio Republican, who kicked away all the leverage gained with a November trouncing of the Democrats at the ballot box.
Golf-loving Rep. John A. Boehner says playing 18 holes with someone is a good way to get to that person. That might be hint from the House speaker-in-waiting to fellow golfer President Obama.
Uh-oh. Could it be the clash of the titans?
Incoming House Speaker John A. Boehner disappointed many conservatives with his choices for three key committee slots. It is important to take action to ensure these chairmen don't get squishy.
The House Democratic Caucus has voted to reject President Obama's tax deal with Republicans in its current form.
A little over a year ago, President Obama explained that he could ram his leftist policy agenda through the legislative process for a simple reason. "I won," he quipped at a meeting with congressional lawmakers. This week, the tables turned as the president negotiated a compromise with the GOP on extending the George W. Bush tax cuts for another two years. It's the first sign that Mr. Obama recognizes he lost on Nov. 2.
Brushing aside calls from his own political base to take a stand, President Obama last night announced a deal with congressional Republicans that will extend expiring Bush-era tax cuts — even those for the wealthiest filers — for two years in exchange for a 13-month extension of unemployment benefits.
