Boehner, Conservatives Not On Same Page
Boehner, House conservatives, not coordinating 2014 legislative strategy. National Journal: "...leadership officials and conservative members have been huddling separately [and their] plans appear to be on a collision course ... The coming clash won't revolve around the debt ceiling ... Conservatives have tempered their expectations for this debt limit fight, and sound resigned to leadership passing an extension with some relatively modest policy rider attached ... Boehner and his leadership team prefer a quiet, non-controversial legislative session in which Republicans steer clear of mistakes and run out the clock ... conservatives are united in their resolve to make 2014 more about Republicans' 'bold, positive vision' ... the one hot-button subject Boehner and his team want to address this year – immigration – is not a priority for most rank-and-file Republicans..."
Boehner's immigration plan includes "earned legal status for the nation’s undocumented immigrants" reports Politico: "There have been discussions among senior Republicans about trying to trade some form of legalization for increased state and local enforcement of immigration laws — a move, depending on how it’s crafted, that could run into resistance from Democrats ..."
Bloomberg's Jonathan Bernstein explores why GOP didn't hike debt limit in budget deal: "...they may be betting that if approval ratings for Republicans in Congress drop 10 points while approval of Obama drops 2 points, the latter is more likely to influence election outcomes in 2014 and 2016 ... Theory #2 is that Republicans, or at least many of them, just have no idea what they’re doing."
"Dem leaders press GOP on minimum wage" reports The Hill: "The wage hike has little chance of passing in an election year when Republicans control the House. Still, Democratic leaders are hoping their pressure campaign will prompt voters to force GOP leaders to reconsider."
Obama Staring Down Wall Street, Wal-Mart
Politico's Ben White argues Obama has tamed Wall Street: "...the standard media refrain is that Wall Street titans always win, no big bank bosses went to jail and the industry will just find new ways to keep the casino open. But the truth on the ground — at least at this moment in time — is very different. Goldman Sachs, the biggest money machine in Wall Street history, is a shell of its former self. Morgan Stanley, Goldman’s one-time bitter rival in the swashbuckling world of high-risk trading, is transforming into a staid money management firm with a side business underwriting stocks and offering merger advice. Citigroup and Bank of America sold off many of their classic 'Wall Street' businesses, including proprietary trading desks and private equity and hedge fund stakes, to comply with the Dodd-Frank financial reform bill."
NLRB slams Wal-Mart. NYT: "The National Labor Relations Board, in a sweeping complaint filed on Wednesday, said that Walmart illegally disciplined and fired employees after strikes and protests for better pay. The complaint listed violations of federal law in 14 states involving more than 60 workers and 34 stores. It said Walmart fired 19 employees for taking part in strikes and demonstrations against the company. Other employees were given verbal warnings or faced other disciplinary action. In some cases, according to the complaint, the company spied on employees ... Walmart must respond to the complaint by Jan. 28. No hearing date has been set."
Will Wyden Partner With Ryan?
Incoming Senate Finance Chair Ron Wyden coy on specific agenda. W. Post: "As he forges ahead on Medicare, Wyden is also expected to pursue tax reform, a top priority not only for Baucus but also for his House counterpart, Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp (R-Mich.) and for Ryan, a likely future Ways and Means chairman "
Dems worry Wyden is too close to Rep. Paul Ryan. The Hill: "Wyden’s designs for Medicare are especially worrisome for liberals who remember his long history of independent thinking on healthcare issues. He has stayed in contact with House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) since teaming up with him in 2011 to draft a white paper outlining significant reforms to the entitlement system. Wyden and Ryan will be huge players on healthcare and tax reform in the next Congress."
Breakfast Sides
"Federal Judge Upholds Health Care Subsidies" reports NYT: "A federal judge rejected a legal challenge on Wednesday to a central part of President Obama’s health care law, ruling that millions of low- and moderate-income people could obtain health insurance subsidies regardless of whether they bought coverage through the federal insurance exchange or in marketplaces run by the states. Critics of the law had said that a literal reading of it would allow subsidies only in the 14 states that ran their own exchanges."
GOP trying to stop fed support of CA high-speed rail, reports McClatchy: "State and federal officials assured lawmakers on Capitol Hill Wednesday that California’s $68 billion high-speed rail system would move forward despite recent legal setbacks ... A state superior court judge’s ruling in November effectively makes $8 billion in state bond funds unavailable to get the project started until the California High Speed Rail Authority reworks its financing plan ... The Federal Railroad Administration, meanwhile, has continued to make payments on its $3 billion commitment to the project ... [Rep. Jeff Denham] introduced legislation Wednesday to suspend the federal spending."
