Hillary, Bernie Tout Donor Bases
Hillary Clinton leads in women donors. W. Post: "The $47.5 million Hillary Rodham Clinton raised during her first two and half months as a presidential candidate this year was boosted by a predominantly female donor base, her campaign said Wednesday. Of the more the 250,000 contributors who donated to Clinton, 61 percent are women. That puts her on track to outstrip the presidential high-water mark set by President Obama in 2012..."
Bernie Sanders buoyed by small donors. W. Post: "The Sanders campaign reported to the FEC Wednesday that it raised nearly $10.5 million in small contributions, and an additional $3 million in donations of more than $200 each..."
Martin O'Malley struggles to call attention to his policy proposals. Bloomberg: "...yet O'Malley is leading the battle of ideas in his field. He's the first candidate to release detailed policy proposals on key issues like climate change (he proposes to phase out fossil fuels by 2050), immigration (he advocates the most far-reaching executive actions any candidate has suggested to help undocumented people, whom he calls "New Americans"), cracking down on Wall Street (he'd break up big banks and tightening regulations) and making college debt-free for students."
House Passes Short-Term Transportation Bill
House passes bill keeping highway trust fund alive for five months. USA Today: "The five-month patch through Dec. 18 passed 312-119. Many Democrats opposed the GOP bill in part because they want a long-term measure and also because it did not include any language to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank ... Senate Republicans, meanwhile, are trying to come up with a counter measure, an $80 billion bill that would provide funds for several years. The Senate bill is also expected to include a provision to renew the Export-Import Bank..."
Sen. Jim Inhofe predicts Senate will pass longer-term measure. The Hill: "He added that based on conversations he's had with House lawmakers, he believes they'll 'be very excited over there that we're going to have, and have the funding for, a six-year bill.'"
Senate Dems resist paying for highways with pension cuts. Politico: "Senate negotiators are mulling about a dozen different potential ways to pay for a long-term bill that, if taken together, could provide nearly $80 billion — enough to keep highway projects running for at least five years. But the biggest revenue raiser — a change to the federal employee retirement plan that would bring in about $30 billion — is a nonstarter for Democrats ... Taking the retirement pay-for out of the equation [leaves] a good chunk of money and could fund at least a three-year bill..."
Sen. Ted Cruz threatens filibuster over inclusion of Ex-Im. The Hill: "'I'm willing to use any and all procedural tools to stop this corporate welfare and this corruption from being propagated,' Cruz said..."
Obama To Visit Prison
Obama visits Oklahoma's El Reno prison today to push sentencing reform. NYT: "In becoming the first sitting president to visit a federal prison, Mr. Obama will showcase an emerging bipartisan drive to overhaul America’s criminal justice system in a way none of his predecessors have tried ... he has embarked on a new effort to reduce sentences for nonviolent offenders, to make it easier for former convicts to re-enter society and to revamp prison life by easing overcrowding, cracking down on inmate rape and limiting solitary confinement."
El Reno has been testing reforms. Time: "... it offers both an evidence-based residential drug abuse treatment program and a critical reentry program known as Federal Prison Industries that helps inmates prepare for life on the outside. Inside, according to an inmate handbook, inmates have access to educational and vocational training programs from GED and associate’s degree courses to business management and welding training."
Bill Clinton admits his crime bill was too harsh. NYT: "He agreed that the law he enacted in 1994 played a significant part in warping sentencing standards and leading to an era of mass incarceration. 'I signed a bill that made the problem worse,' Mr. Clinton said. 'And I want to admit it.'"
