This report provides a snapshot of the US Executive Branch priorities via daily schedules and the prior day’s press releases. POTUS’ Schedule* 9:30 a.m. EST – THE PRESIDENT receives the President’s Daily Brief | The White House 3:30 p.m. EST – THE PRESIDENT signs into law H.R. 3537, the “Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for … Continue Reading
The United States (US) continues to focus on the aftermath of the US Capitol Building attack on 6 January, as it looks to move forward with a peaceful transition of power this coming week. Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) process for approving the EU-United Kingdom (UK) trade deal took another step forward this week, as … Continue Reading
This report provides a snapshot of the US Executive Branch priorities via daily schedules and the prior day’s press releases. POTUS’ Schedule* *The US President (POTUS) and Vice President’s (VPOTUS) daily schedules are subject to change. The White House had not yet released the President’s schedule. VPOTUS’ Schedule* THE VICE PRESIDENT has no public events … Continue Reading
National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Last Thursday, the House passed the Senate-House compromise FY 2015 Carl Levin and Howard P. ‘Buck’ McKeon NDAA by a vote of 300-119. Retiring House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon (R-California) gave his farewell address on the House floor last week, imploring, “I hope sometime next year a compromise can … Continue Reading
Iraq The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, an al-Qaida offshoot, are moving toward Baghdad, having captured Mosul and other cities in the north. President Barack Obama called the developments in Iraq an “emergency situation” on Thursday, but on Friday announced he “will not be sending U.S. troops back into combat in Iraq.” President Obama … Continue Reading
Executive and Legislative Branch Activity Budget Last week’s successful eleventh-hour Senate-led bipartisan proposal (H.R. 2775) to raise the debt ceiling (until February 7) and end the government shutdown, by essentially funding the federal government at FY 2013 numbers (through January 15), also included a provision to establish a budget conference committee to reconcile the differing … Continue Reading
Executive and Legislative Branch Activity Secretary Kerry Travel This week, Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to France, the United Kingdom and Italy. In Paris, the Secretary will meet with representatives of the Arab League’s Arab Peace Initiative Follow-on Committee to discuss the Middle East Peace Process. Secretary Kerry will also hold a bilateral … Continue Reading
Executive and Legislative Branch Activity Syria Last Thursday, September 26, the five permanent members of the United Nations (U.N.) Security Council finalized a resolution that stipulates the Syrian government must abide by the terms or the Security Council will take measures under Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter. Such measures could include economic sanctions or military … Continue Reading
Executive and Legislative Branch Activity Syria During last week’s Congressional recess, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) slipped over the Turkish border into Syria to meet with the leaders of the Free Syrian Army. Syrian opposition leaders reportedly called on the United States to increase its support by providing heavy weapons, instituting a no-fly zone and employing … Continue Reading