Monday, April 20, 2009 | 10:13 a.m.
WASHINGTON -- Greetings, Early Liners, from the nation’s capital where Congress is about to resume session, President Barack Obama returns from his trip abroad and even the Supreme Court is hearing arguments today.
Policymaking seems to be overtaking politics, if that seems possible, as Congress begins tackling Obama’s ambitious agenda to revamp health care, energy and education.
Nevada’s lawmakers will be central this week’s packed line-up of hearings on health care. Virtually all of Nevada’s lawmakers (except Sen. Harry Reid, the majority leader) serve on committees central to the health care debate.
Plus, Congress still must pass Obama’s budget, as well as begin to consider additional funds for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan – with battles ahead on both.
Carson City, needless to say, has its work cut out for itself this week, as the legislature pick up where it left off with still much to do before fixing the state’s gaping budget hole.
But before we go any further, a brief recap of the weekend’s news.
- Ensign made a name for himself Sunday during his appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union” when he said it was “irresponsible” for Obama to be seen laughing with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
“You have to be careful who you’re seen joking around with,” Ensign said. “I think it was irresponsible for the president to be seen kind of laughing and joking with Hugo Chavez.”
Not only did the comment get picked up broadly but it provoked a rebuff from the president.
“It's unlikely that as a consequence of me shaking hands or having a polite conversation with Mr. Chavez that we are endangering the strategic interests of the United States," Obama said, according to the Associated Press.
Ensign continues to raise his profile in Washington. Even so, he didn’t make the Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza’s cut today of five Republicans most likely to lead the party out of the political wasteland.
- On the same CNN show Sunday morning, Ensign also reiterated his opposition to gay marriage – a position out of step with some in his party.
Republican operative Steve Schmidt, the former adviser to presidential nominee Sen. John McCain, said the Republican Party needs to consider dropping its anti-gay marriage stance lest it become “sectarian,” according to the Post.
- Nevada’s House members busied themselves over the recess week.
Democratic Rep. Shelley Berkley led her annual entourage to Europe as co-chairman of the Trans-Atlantic Dialogue.
Democratic Rep. Dina Titus has been following Rule One of a new lawmaker: Be noticed. Titus held almost daily events last week – setting up shop to meet with constituents at a Congress on the Corner event outside a Las Vegas Albertsons, talking with local service organizations, hosting a day-long housing help forum for distressed homeowners.
Republican Dean Heller spoke at an anti-tax tea party up north.
That’s it for now. Lots of good reads in the weekend papers. Check back often for the latest political news from Nevada.
Editor's Note: This story was corrected to reflect the correct name of the TV program, "State of the Union."
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