Consumer Reports Morning Update[SIZE=-1]Some of the stories our editors are following today:
Stimulus Bill:
Most seem to be predicting that the economic recovery bill will make it through the House tonight, although most Republicans will likely vote against it. The Senate will likely vote on its version of the bill next week. (Reuters)
President Obama, who met with Congressional Republicans on Tuesday, says he?s willing to compromise but wants a bill passed. (AP)
What?s in: Money for healthcare for the unemployed (NYT); an extra $70 billion in relief from the Alternative Minimum Tax (Bloomberg) and $150 billion for education (NYT)
What?s out: Family planning (Politico) and the National Mall refurbishment (ABC News).
Bank Bailout:
The White House is looking for new ways to prop up the nation?s ailing banks ? none of which seem to please economists. (WaPo).
And, after coming under widespread ridicule, Citibank ? which received a massive tax-payer funded bailout last year ? decided to send back its new $50 million jet.*
DTV Transition:
The Senate passed a bill by unanimous consent that will give an extra four months for broadcasters and viewers to make the switch over from analog.
The House delayed its vote on the Obama-backed bill to delay the DTV transition date.
The House Majority Leader?s office indicated that the bill would get its vote (and pass) in the House late Wednesday night. Then it?s back to the Senate to talk about the ?tweaks? made in the House. (Multichannel)
We're happy: The Consumer?s Union has been pushing for the DTV transition to be delayed.
But there are certainly those on the other side. Here?s three reasons why there shouldn?t be a delay.
Healthcare Reform:
The push for a major overhaul of the nation?s healthcare system may be losing steam in Washington ? falling prey to ballooning deficits and other priorities. (Boston Globe)
Salmonella Outbreak:
The FDA accused a peanut manufacturer of shipping products even though it had detected bacterial contamination. More than 500 people in 43 states have gotten sick in the salmonella outbreak. (USA Today)
Digital Age:
Today we welcome a new holiday to the calendar: Data Privacy Day. Companies and agencies from the U.S. and Europe are trying to educate consumers on how to protect themselves online. (cnet, Intel)
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