These excerpts are from the National Journal Toolbox,which is produced every Thursday by the National Journal’s Daily Briefings Team.
- During remarks at the White House on Thursday, President Obama reiterated his call for Congress to advance immigration reform, saying, “this is the moment when we should be able to finally get the job done.
- Look ahead: The president continues to endorse the comprehensive reform bill passed by the Senate, while House Republican leadership prefers a piecemeal approach.
- Leaders of the budget conference committee held a planning call this week ahead of their first meeting, which is expected to take place on Oct. 30.
- Look ahead: The budget negotiations and their outcome could impact House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan’s political future, presenting both opportunities and risks for the Wisconsin Republican.
- President Obama defended the Affordable Care Act in a speech on Monday, but acknowledged the flaws in the program’s rollout and vowed that his administration is working to resolve the technical problems that have hindered the exchange website since its launch.
- Look ahead: Obama tapped former OMB official Jeffrey Zients to oversee a “tech surge” at HHS designed to resolve the ongoing issues.
- The American Petroleum Institute will file suit if the Environmental Protection Agency misses its Nov. 30 deadline to issue next year's renewable-fuel standard.
- The Environmental Protection Agency has rescheduled two stops on a listening tour on regulations to limit carbon emissions from power plants.
The National Journal Toolbox is produced every Thursday by Courtney McBride, Jordain Carney, Alex Brown, Clare Foran, and Sophie Novack with National Journal’s Daily Briefings Team. Read the complete October 24, 2013, edition here.