Tuesday Morning: A Very Lame Duck Session; The Lieberman Referendum; and More Clinton Catnip

Good morning.

The Senate reconvened for their lame-duck session yesterday. And while things in the financial markets are anything but ducky, the prospects for the last hurrah of the 110th Congresss are really pretty lame. Yesterday's debate about a potential bailout for the U.S. auto industry seemed to indicate that a bill to help the Big Three will make little progress before a few extra Democrats show up in January. The bill, proposed by Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid, would allocate an additional $25 billion from October's $700 billion bailout package to be used for bridge loans to the auto companies. Democrats would need at least 10 Republican Senators to support the bill in order to pass it this week, and that seems highly unlikely at this point, despite in-person pleas from Big Three execs in the Senate today and the House tomorrow. So both the auto industry bailout and the larger stimulus package the Dems have proposed will likely have to hang fire until the 111th Congress convenes. Politico's David Rogers writes:

The likely result will be a two-month delay before any major new action is initiated by Congress, a gamble for all sides but one that falls heavily on the shoulders of the Democratic majority. It may prove shrewd politics, creating more pressure for quick action when Obama takes office. But it is not without risks, sacrificing precious time and adding to the perception of a leadership void in Washington.

The perception of a leadership void?

One action on the Hill today is certain: today Senate Democrats will cast secret ballots about what should happen to their colleague Joe Lieberman, the Independent Democrat from Connecticut who supported John McCain for President -- and who holds the valuable Homeland Security Committee chairmanship.

The Democratic blogosphere has been alight with calls for Lieberman's head, or at least his Homeland Security gavel, but President-elect Obama has publicly suggested that the Senator should not be punished. Lieberman, meanwhile, says stripping him of his chairmanship would be "unacceptable" (a veiled threat to jump to the GOP caucus if it happens?) Democrats have kept mum about their inclinations, and even veteran Hill watchers don't seem to know what to expect from today's meeting. One theory that's been floated is that Lieberman may get to keep his Homeland Security post but receive a slap on the wrists in the form of losing his chairmanship of an Environment and Public Works subcommittee -- though he would keep an Armed Services subcommittee chairmanship.

On the Republican side, it appears that the GOP caucus may avoid taking action on a proposal to boot Ted Stevens from the Republican Conference. The Alaska Senator, who has served in the Senate for 40 years, was recently found guilty of seven felony counts after failing to report some $250,000 in gifts. Stevens plans to appeal his conviction and has fallen behind in his re-election bid as the final absentee and early ballots are tallied. Tennessee's Bob Corker told CQ, "There's a chance the election process deals with that issue, and I think it would be far better to see what happens there first."

In less fraught news, Sen. Ted Kennedy reappeared at his Senate office yesterday for the first time since July. He was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in May, and has been undergoing treatment, but the WP's Dana Milbank says he is looking hale and hearty: "His white mane neatly trimmed, his complexion in its trademark ruddy hue, and his midsection still ample. Kennedy walked with a silver-handled cane, but he otherwise showed no evidence of brain cancer or chemotherapy treatment." Kennedy told reporters he looks forward to working with President-elect Obama on a universal healthcare bill.

And finally, the question of Hillary Clinton's potential appointment as Secretary of State has inspired yet more media ruminating on her husband's post-Presidential career. But Politico's Ben Smith points out a smaller, but persistent obstacle...for all the chatter about bringing former Hillary supporters into the fold before the election, what about the Obama folk who vociferously opposed Clinton's candidacy?

From his supporters on the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, to campaign aides of the soon-to-be commander-in-chief, there's a sense of ambivalence about giving a top political plum to a woman they spent 18 months hammering as the compromised standard-bearer of an era that deserves to be forgotten.

But Smith adds that, as is the standard in Obamaland, any initial internal dissent gives way to public unity when a decision has been made.

-- Evie Stone

10:00 AM ET | 11-18-2008 | permalink

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