Political Quick Hits: July 27th Edition
Here’s your weekly quick look at few developing stories in the political arena:
- The Government Accountability Office on Monday reported that the 2011 fight over raising the debt ceiling cost the U.S. government an extra $1.3 billion. “Delays in raising the debt limit can create uncertainty in the Treasury market and lead to higher Treasury borrowing costs,” the GAO said. With another fight regarding raising the debt ceiling looming at the end of year, this report shows us that if Congress fails to act, it costs us even more. (CNN)
- The Justice Department announced in a letter on Monday that is investigating whether or not Pennsylvania’s new Voter ID law discriminates against minorities. The Justice Department is asking for data on the state’s registered voters, a sign that a federal lawsuit may be coming. The Justice Department will check the data to see if voters who don’t have the proper voting ID under the new law are disproportionately black or Hispanic. The Voting Rights Act, a law passed in 1965 during the civil rights movement, bans rules that make it more difficult for minorities to vote. Pennsylvania is one of 11 states to pass a controversial voter ID law since 2010, and the law is already currently be challenged in state court by civil right groups. (Reuters)
- The Senate voted this week to extend most of the Bush-era tax cuts this week, but letting them expire for the wealthiest Americans. It now moves to the Republican-controlled House, where they will likely vote to extend the Bush-era tax cuts for everyone, including the wealthy. What does this mean? Well, it is almost certain that there will be a stalemate regarding the tax cuts until after the presidential election. After the election however, Congress will have less than two months to act before the Bush tax cuts expire and automatic spending cuts take effect at the beginning of 2013. These tax cuts figure to be a key point for both presidential nominees as Barack Obama and the Democrats want to extend the cuts on everyone but the wealthy, and Mitt Romney and the Republicans want to extend the cuts to everyone including the wealthy. (Yahoo)
- And finally, it’s less than four months until the election and how do you feel about this year’s campaign? Well if you’re like most Americans, according to a new poll, you are already frustrated with it. Seventy-eight percent of Americans polled said that they are frustrated by this year’s political battle. About 3/4 of Americans say this election is more intense and negative than previous years. Also 66 percent of Americans say candidates have spent more time on the offensive than addressing the actual issues. Interesting, huh?
