Progressive Breakfast: Republicans are blocking nearly all of Obama’s judicial picks. Politico:

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Monday, July 6

CONGRESS FACES HIGHWAY CLIFF

Congress returns to grapple with highway funding, Ex-Im Bank. AP:“Near the top of the list is renewing highway funding before the government loses authority July 31 … The highway bill probably also will be the way lawmakers try to renew the disputed federal Export-Import Bank …”

Republicans are blocking nearly all of Obama’s judicial picks. Politico:“More than two dozen federal courts have declared ‘judicial emergencies’ because of excessive caseloads caused by vacancies … When the Senate returns after the July Fourth break, the chamber will vote to confirm its first circuit court nominee of the year, Kara Stoll.”

Debt ceiling may be reached in December. Politico:“Surging tax receipts are likely to push the deadline to raise the nation’s debt limit, once thought to come as soon as October, off until around December and maybe even beyond … The later date puts key congressional decisions on fiscal matters and the debt uncomfortably close to the start of the presidential-primary season …”

EXPECT MORE DARK MONEY

IRS expected to be lax about non-profit activity in presidential campaign. NYT:“…at least eight Republican presidential candidates, including leading contenders like Jeb Bush and Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, have aligned with nonprofit groups set up to raise hundreds of millions of dollars. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s supporters are considering a similar tactic … While the nonprofit groups are supposed to limit their political activity, the I.R.S. appears powerless to stop the onslaught of money coursing through them.”

Gov. Scott Walker racks up right-wing legislative wins in advance of presidential announcement. Bloomberg:“Among provisions likely to be passed in Madison during the closing days of the session are drug testing for some residents on public assistance, reduced tenure protection for university professors and a larger private-school voucher program.”

Some Republicans distance themselves from Trump on immigration. CNN:“Jeb Bush said Donald Trump doesn’t represent the views of most Republicans … ‘I was offended by his remarks,’ former Texas Gov. Rick Perry said … Huckabee softened his stance, saying he would ‘never besmirch all the people who come here.'”

Progressive Breakfast is a daily morning email highlighting news stories of interest to activists. Progressive Breakfast is a project of the Campaign for America's Future.more »



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