Blog - Congress Links

It looks like Congress is back in the swing of things, but the agenda for the near future, at least in the Senate, is missing a few expected items. For the next few weeks, it looks like the Senate will focus on jobs legislation, financial reform, and a few other topics. Conspicuously missing is a Supreme Court nomination and a START treaty ratification, among other items. To catch up in this and other developments in Congress, check out today’s Congress Links:

• Another item that Senate Democrats are likely to move on soon is crafting a response to the Citizens United decision allowing unlimited corporate dollars to influence federal elections. (The New York Times)
• Prospective Senator Rand Paul, son of Ron Paul [R, TX-14], is diverging from his famous father by taking a hard line against earmarks. (The Hill)
• Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell [R, KY], has blasted Democratic financial regulation efforts as another bailout for the big banks. (Time)
• Ezra Klein takes apart McConnell’s claim on a more substantive level. (The Washington Post)
• The federal government isn’t known for its speed, but one thing that can apparently make it jump to attention is airline fees for carry-on bags. (Donald Marron)
• To the surprise of many, Sen. Blan che Lincoln [D, AR] today said that her derivatives reform bill will be stronger than anything we’ve seen so far from Congress or the White House. (TPMDC)
• The Democrats might skip on passing a budget resolution thiis year, which means no reconciliation bills in 2011. (Reuters)