Tuesday Morning Open Thread

Good morning.

So, where are we with Congress? That's the big question today. The other question is when will this Congress end. They are all getting paid until January 3rd. They all better keep working til they get their jobs done.

Yesterday, the Senate voted to proceed on the Obama/McConnell tax deal -- by a wide margin: 83 - 15. There will be a final vote on that package today. Then, it heads to the House. The Senate is going to move to the continuing resolution (CR), which funds the government. The current one expires on Friday. There's an expectation that the Senate GOPers will play some kind of game with that one. Failure to pass the CR means the government has no money.

Then what? START remains a top priority for the White House. Still unclear when the Senate will deal with DREAM and DADT. Two key constituencies want those bills passed -- this year. (And, GOPers are basically sealing their fate with Latinos, the fastest growing voting demographic, if they block DREAM.)

I do feel better knowing Speaker Pelosi is engaged on DADT. She's the only leader who knows how to get things done.

It's 22 degrees here in DC, but feels like 8 with the wind chill. I'm still shivering from our recent dog walk. Petey is nonplussed.