By President Barack Obama travels to Georgia on Thursday to talk about enlarging early childhood education programs, and, as the Associated Press notes, Education Secretary Arne Duncan will head to Capitol Hill to tell senators that pending budget cuts could be devastating to current preschool students.
Obama proposed a plan to expand preschool programs in his State of the Union address. He did not go into details in the speech, but administration officials said federal financial incentives to assist states would be included.
The president was in North Carolina on Wednesday to rally support for manufacturing initiatives unveiled in his address.
The Senate will continue debate on former Sen. Chuck Hagel’s nomination to be secretary of defense. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid filed a motion Wednesday to end debate and vote to confirm Hagel. The vote is expected Friday.
Senate Democratic leaders might be ready Thursday to introduce a plan to replace the looming sequester, which is the package of automatic, deep spending cuts set to kick in March 1
Also worth noting on Thursday: The House is expected to begin debate on federal pay freeze legislation; Sens. Barbara Boxer and Bernie Sanders will announce climate change legislation; and there will be a MomsRising rally calling for “common sense gun laws.”
And then there is this: New York City Michael Bloomberg turns 71 on Thursday. He will celebrate by giving his final State of the City address, which will include a call for banning plastic-foam packaging used for coffee cups and food containers.
Sources: Yahoo News’ The Ticket, Yahoo News reporters Rachel Rose Hartrman, Chris Moody and Holly Bailey, Associated Press and Reuters.
