These excerpts are from the National Journal Toolbox,which is produced every Thursday by the National Journal’s Daily Briefings Team.
- National Journal’s Matthew Cooper rounds up seven things worth knowing in Obama’s budget, including tax hikes on cigarettes for his pre-K initiative, the State Department taking a 6 percent hit to its budget, and money for robotic NASA missions to asteroids. Read more
- Many of President Obama’s nominees to high-profile positions enjoyed a pretty good week: SEC chair nominee Mary Jo White was confirmed in the Senate, as was Interior pick Sally Jewell. Those chosen to lead the Department of Energy, Office of Management and Budget, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Servicesall garnered high praise from Republicans in their confirmation hearings.
- Look ahead: That’s the good news. On Thursday, Gina McCarthy, Obama’s pick to head the EPA, appeared before skeptical Republicans at her confirmation hearing, and her status is less clear. Read more
- Democrats say they are putting the finishing touches on a bipartisan immigration bill, which is now expected to be introduced early next week. Voting may not begin until May. Read more
- Look ahead: Over objections of Republicans, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on April 17 on immigration reform, based in part on the Senate Gang of Eight’s expected proposal. Read more
The National Journal Toolbox is produced every Thursday by Glen Justice, Jonathan Miller, Ben Schreckinger, Cory Bennett and Jordain Carney with National Journal’s Daily Briefings Team. Read the full April 11 edition here.