Top story: House Republicans are voting today on a bill that could temporarily avert a debt ceiling standoff. Now all they have to do is get enough Republicans to pass it.
- “GOP House member on debt vote: ‘far from certain votes there to pass. may be there tmrow. staggering blow to our leadership if they aren’t.’” (John Harwood)
- “Post presser asked Boehner if Leadership had the votes on the 3 month debt limit extended, he declined to answer as did Cantor.” (Luke Russert)
- Five key facts about the House debt limit deal (Tax Policy Center)
- One way to look at the GOP’s short-term debt ceiling plan: “The GOP’s biggest cave yet.” (Steve Kornacki)
- “House Budget Chairman Paul D. Ryan’s “goal is to advance a budget that balances within a decade.” (Roll Call)
- “I am very much looking forward to seeing how Paul Ryan’s next budget that balances within 10 years.” (Ezra Klein)
- “Ryan’s current budget balances around 2040, and only then under very optimistic assumptions.” (Ezra Klein)
- “S&P 500 up 75% since the dawn of Sharia Socialism:” (Matt Yglesias)
And in other news …
- In her last act as Secretary of State, Hillary is testifying about Benghazi. (The Atlantic Wire)
- Why Benghazi hasn’t brought down Hillary Clinton – and won’t. (National Journal)
- Hillary Clinton finally has paid off her 2008 campaign debt. (The Hill)
- The NRA has responded to President Obama’s inaugural speech: “In his second inaugural address, President Barack Obama quoted the Declaration of Independence and he talked about ‘unalienable rights. I would argue that his words make a mockery of both.” (The Hill)
John Flowers