Monday Morning Open Thread

Good morning.

They're back. The House and Senate return to the Capitol this week. The House convenes tomorrow. The Senate starts its work today. It's unclear how long Congress will stay in session. The schedule called for four weeks, but there's been talk that they'll only stay for three weeks.

Based on various reports, it looks like the Senate will take up the tax bill (extend Bush tax cuts or not), the Small Business bill (which now has a 60th vote to end the GOP filibuster) and what's called a "Continuing Resolution" (that's the legislation to keep funding the government for a set period.) What's missing? The Defense Authorization bill, which includes the compromise DADT language. Both SLDN and Servicemembers United have raised serious concerns about any delay in the defense bill. We'll know more over the next couple days. This is looking dire. And, it could mean no DADT legislation this year. Seriously. (And, ENDA doesn't seem to be on the agenda in either house.) I hope the LGBT "leaders" have a strategy here.

The President has a busy day. First thing, he's speaking to a reception of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Then, he's got a meeting with his full national security team to talk Afghanistan and Pakista. In the afternoon, he's heading across the river to Fairfax, VA, where he'll be meeting with a family to talk about the economy. He's got a one-on-one meeting with Secretary Gates this afternoon. And, Obama is hosting a bunch of college athletes at the White House tonight.

Many primaries tomorrow including New York, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Delaware. In Delaware's GOP Senate primary, the teabagger, Christine O'Donnell, has moved into a slight lead over Rep. Mike Castle in PPP's latest poll. It's too close to call, but the fact that Castle is in this much trouble is a real stunner. O'Donnell is trouble. Talk about a shady past.

Busy week ahead.