Wednesday Morning Open Thread

Good morning.

The House is planning a vote on the standalone DADT "repeal" bill today. That bill will then be sent as a "message" to the Senate, meaning there can't be an initial filibuster to prevent debate. We'll still need 60 votes to end debate. But, this move expedites the process -- and we need all the help with timing that we can get.

The Senate should finally pass on the Obama/McConnell tax deal today. That bill heads to the House. Unclear what will happen there. Obama is counting on House Democrats to cave like he usually does (and many probably will.) The Senate is going to move on to the omnibus spending bill which includes funding to run the government. That temporary extension of funding runs out on Friday.

Then, there's the START Treaty before Senators even get to DADT and DREAM. Yesterday, Majority Leader Harry Reid told his colleagues, ""There's still Congress after Christmas." Imagine that. Senators are actually expected to work over the holidays -- like most of their constituents (the ones who have jobs anyway.)

Today, the President is hosting a meeting with top business executives. He's hoping they like like him again because of the tax cut deal.

Should be another fun day.