WEDNESDAY’S EXTRA-EARLY MINI-REPORT…. I have a medical appointment this afternoon that I’ve been pushing off until after the health care vote, so I’m afraid I have to wrap up early. Hoping that nothing extraordinary happens between now and 5:30, here’s today’s early edition of quick hits:
* Done deal? “President Obama and his Russian counterpart, President Dmitri A. Medvedev, have broken through a logjam in their arms control negotiations and expect to sign a new treaty in Prague next month that would slash American and Russian nuclear arsenals, officials from both nations said Wednesday.”
* U.S. housing market still struggling.
* Not helpful: “With strains still high between Israel and the United States over the issue of Jewish settlements, construction of a contentious Jewish housing project in a predominantly Arab neighborhood of East Jerusalem could start at any time, Israeli officials and experts said Wednesday.”
* Improved prospects for financial industry reform?
* As promised, President Obama signed that executive order today on abortion funding.
* Today’s must-read: “For all the political and economic uncertainties about health reform, at least one thing seems clear: The bill that President Obama signed on Tuesday is the federal government’s biggest attack on economic inequality since inequality began rising more than three decades ago.”
* Funny, I didn’t realize Republicans would be able to parse “full repeal.”
* What’s in the new health care law? The White House puts together a compelling list.
* Brian Beutler puts together a wild list of the 10 most ridiculous GOP-proposed health care amendments.
* Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (R) should probably offer taxpayers a hint as to how much of their money he’ll waste challenging health care reform.
* The Wall Street Journal makes very odd editorial decisions.
* Winners in the fight over student loan reform.
* Dear Michael Steele, avoid the phrase “firing line.”
* And Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg wants everyone to know, “I am pleased to report that, contrary to Sen. Bunning’s prediction, I am alive and in good health.”
Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
