Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/34053
8A Daily News – Wednesday, June 15, 2011 Budget talks will produce deficit cuts WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Joe Biden says he’s confident budget talks he’s leading will produce deficit cuts ‘‘well beyond’’ $1 trillion. Biden says he hopes his group, which includes top lawmakers of both par- ties, will have a tentative agreement by Congress’ July 4th recess. That would leave plen- ty of time to draft and pass the deficit cuts — along with must-pass leg- islation allowing the gov- ernment to continue to borrow to finance its operations and avoid defaulting on U.S. bonds. Leaving the Capitol after the group’s seventh negotiating session Tues- day, Biden said he’s con- vinced the group can come up with an agree- ment that increases the so-called debt limit and ‘‘makes a real serious down payment’’ on Presi- dent Barack Obama’s promise to cut the deficit by $4 trillion over the next decade or so. Obama visits Puerto Rico SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Wooing Hispanic voters back home, President Barack Obama kept his campaign pledge to become the first president since John F. Kennedy to make an offi- cial visit to this recession- battered U.S. territory. ‘‘The aspirations and the struggles on this island mirror those across Amer- ica,’’ Obama declared Tuesday. On a sweltering day, thousands crowded the main roads and waved flags as Obama’s motor- cade roared by. A huge banner filled eight stories of a building, featuring the images of Kennedy and Obama. ‘‘We are proud to be part of histo- ry,’’ it said. Puerto Ricans are an important component of the fast-growing Hispanic population in the U.S., now totaling 50 million, that Obama wants to mobilize in his re-election campaign. Even though he spent mere hours on the island, the visit was designed to lift the presi- dent’s visibility and create goodwill in a territory known as a vacation desti- nation but otherwise something of an after- thought in America. Residents of Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens but cannot vote in presidential general elections — only in primaries — one of many factors that give rise to a sense of second-class citizenship among some here. Reaching out to Puerto Ricans is part of a broader effort to court Hispanics, who accounted for more than half the U.S. popula- tion increase over the past decade. National exit polls showed that 67 per- cent of Latinos voted for Obama in 2008, com- pared with 31 percent for Arizona Sen. John McCain, but some His- panics have become disil- lusioned with Obama because of his failure to deliver on promises to overhaul immigration WORLD BRIEFING policy. Dems hoping pressure will persuade Weiner to quit WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats are counting on growing pres- sure from Rep. Anthony Weiner’s colleagues, a suggestion from the presi- dent and the return of Weiner’s pregnant wife from an overseas trip to persuade him to resign over a sexting scandal in which he sent lewd photos of himself and messages to several women. The House’s top Republican, Speaker John Boehner, joined the cho- rus of Democrats calling for the New York Democ- rat to quit. House Democ- rats went behind closed doors for their regular party meeting, but they decided against taking action against Weiner in hopes that he’ll resign soon. A fellow member of Weiner’s New York Democratic delegation, Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, said before the meeting, ‘‘Hopefully, we are hear- ing he might resign in a couple of days.’’ When she emerged later, she added: ‘‘He’s waiting for his wife to come home. That’s what we’re hearing from his friends.’’ Weiner’s wife, State Department official Huma Abedin, is due back from an overseas trip early Wednesday with her boss, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. Weiner, meanwhile, has sought treatment at an undis- closed location and has been granted a two-week leave of absence from Congress. Senate derails move to repeal ethanol tax credits WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate refused to kill a $5 billion annual sub- sidy for ethanol on Tuesday, backing continued govern- ment aid for a Farm Belt- based industry over deficit reduction in an era of record red ink. The 40-59 vote, far short of the 60 needed to advance the measure, reflected regional as well as partisan differences, a split among Republicans — and any- thing but the final word on the issue. ‘‘We continue to spend money that we don’t have on things that we don’t need,’’ said Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., a promi- nent deficit hawk who led the effort to eliminate the subsidy immediately. Supporters of continued federal spending for ethanol argued it is a leading source of alternative fuel and is needed to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil. ‘‘With conflicts in the Middle East and crude oil priced at more than $100 a barrel, we should be on the same side. Why would any- one prefer less domestic energy production,’’ Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said on Monday, when the measure was debated at length. Boehner pressures Obama on role in Libya WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker John Boehner urged President Barack Obama on Tuesday to explain the legal grounds for the continued U.S. mili- tary involvement in Libya and set a Friday deadline for the commander in chief’s response. All You Can Eat Spaghetti Served with Garden Salad or Cup of Soup & Garlic Toast Ratcheting up the pres- sure, the Ohio Republican said in a letter to the White House that the administra- tion clearly will be in viola- tion of the 1973 War Pow- ers Act this weekend. Obama did not seek con- gressional consent for the operation within 60 days of the March 19 U.S. airstrikes against Moammar Gad- hafi’s forces. ‘‘Either you have con- cluded the War Powers Res- olution does not apply to the mission in Libya or you have determined the War Powers Resolution is con- trary to the Constitution,’’ Boehner wrote. ‘‘The House and the American people whom we represent deserve to know the deter- mination you have made.’’ Boehner complained that the administration has provided briefings for law- makers but has not sought formal authorization. Seek- ing an explanation, he asked Obama for answers to con- stitutional and statutory questions by Friday. Army bids adieu to black berets COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — It’s hot, it doesn’t keep the sun out of your eyes, and you need two hands and a mirror to make sure it’s on straight. After 10 years of com- plaints, the Army is all but ditching the black wool beret and allowing soldiers to go back to the old brimmed patrol cap for their everyday duties. ‘‘It’s the military equivalent of being able to wear a baseball cap to work,’’ said Col. Pete Brooks of the South Car- olina Army National Guard. ‘‘Wearing the beret in 100-degree South Carolina heat was like wearing a wet piece of black wool on your head.’’ $8.99 Every Thursday all day with purchase of reg. sized entrée (excludes steak) Kids Eat FREE every Wednesday Cozy Diner 259 S. Main St. Red Bluff 528-8777 OPEN: 7 days a week 5:30 am - 9 pm The law firm of McGlynn and McGlynn is pleased to announce that Laura Clark will be joining the firm on July 1, 2011. Laura brings experience in the areas of family law, civil litigation and criminal defense. 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