Here is your R&D for January 20th:
House passes health law repeal from Politico
House Republicans managed to pass a bill that repealed President Obama’s healthcare law yesterday. The vote was 245-189 and no House Republican defected during the vote. However, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says that he is not going to take up the bill.
Mayor Pledges Tough Stance on Unions from the Wall Street Journal
In his State of the City speech, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg promised to take a tougher stance on the city’s unions. This comes in light of allegations that the unions deliberately sabatoged some of the clean up following a blizzard in December.
Congo’s Kabila revises Constitution: presidential candidates now only need a plurality from the Christian Science Monitor
Joseph Kabila, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has revised the Congolese constitution to scrap the runoff system used in the country’s presidential elections. International observers warn that the change may lead to electoral violence and may undermine national unity.
U.S.-China Exchange Rate Thicket from the Council on Foreign Relations
Extempers may find it difficult to understand the complex exchange rate problems that are at the core of America’s relations with China. This expert brief from the Council on Foreign Relations sheds some light on this issue and discusses how the U.S. can try to persuade China to move positively on the currency front.
Palestinians gain more UN support from the UK Press Association
Lebanon has submitted a resolution to the UN Security Council that criticizes Israeli settlement expansion. However, although 122 countries have signed on as co-sponsors, the United States is not backing the resolution.