The House and Senate were both in session today, so we’ve got our daily updates on a couple of today’s latest policy topics.
The Budget
Many commentators have wondered whether House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan and Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray can broker a deal on the budget resolution, considering the sides are so far apart. Politico reports on some circumstances that suggest that there just might be an accord after all.
Politico: Hope Grows for Budget Deal
Some have wondered whether Republican Representative Tom Cole would perhaps vote with the Democrats. Today he tamped down on such speculation.
Roll Call: Don’t Expect Tom Cole—or Anyone Else—to Tip the Budget Conference
Aside from the budget resolution, the Congress will have to deal with the debt ceiling again in mid-February. Today the Congressional Budget Office estimated that the government would reach the ceiling sometime between March and June of next year.
Wall Street Journal: CBO: U.S. May Hit Debt Limit Between March and June
Obamacare
When HealthCare.gov’s problems became readily apparent, the Administration set November 30 as a goal for ensuring the website’s functionality for most people. On Tuesday, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius said that fixing the site would be an ongoing process beyond November 30.
AP: Health Website to Remain a Work in Progress
Obamacare’s debacle has prompted many to wonder whether Americans will reject big-government policies for the foreseeable future. RealClearPolitics’ Sean Trende is skeptical of that prediction, owing to many similar projections in the past.
RealClearPolitics: No, Obamacare Isn’t an Existential Threat to Liberalism
And for our latest blog post: What Happens When a Member of Congress Dies?