Today in Washington DC

Washington DC at Work - February 4, 2009

Apparently, if you aren't for something, you are against it.

• Economic Stimulus


• EFCA


• American automotive industry


• Green Jobs (union leaders lining up for jobs that don't exist)


• Health care


• Elephants

REINVENTING THE AUTOMOBILE - "Reinventing the Automobile - A Global Challenge" is the theme of the 2009 SAE International Government/Industry Meeting set Feb.3-6 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C. This event is co-located with the Washington Auto Show. Location: Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place NW.

NANCY PELOSI - House speaker Nancy Pelosi participates in several Washington events. Highlights: 10 a.m. Photo opportunity with children impacted by SCHIP legislation. Speakers Balcony Hallway, Capitol. 12:30 p.m. Weekly press conference. H-210, Speakers Ceremonial Office, Capitol . Note: Television Coverage: C-SPAN pool fed on Cap DA Line 9. 1 p.m. Photo Opportunity with Treasury Secretary Geithner. Pelosi and Members of the Democratic leadership will hold a photo opportunity at the top of their meeting with Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. Pre-set: Escorted from the hallway leading to Speakers Balcony from Room H-230, Capitol. 8 p.m. Brief Remarks at Washington Press Club Foundations Congressional Dinner. Ritz Carlton, 1150 22nd St. NW.

GREEN JOBS - 2009 Good Jobs, Green Jobs National Conference, coordinated by the Blue Green Alliance. Highlights: 9 a.m. Leo W. Gerard, international president, United Steelworkers. and others. 9:30 a.m. Achim Steiner, United Nations Environment Program executive director, United Nations Under-Secretary General, and Larry Cohen, president, Communications Workers of America. 11 a.m. Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn. and Denise Bode, CEO, American Wind Energy Association. 11:20 a.m. Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Peter Lehner, executive director, Natural Resources Defense Council. Location: Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, 2660 Woodley Park Rd. Washington.

STEEL - 9 a.m. The Congressional Steel Caucus sponsors a hearing with North American steel execurtives on the current state of the industry, with Nucor Corp. CEO Daniel DiMicco; USW President Leo Gerard; ArcelorMittal Flat Americas CEO Louis Schorsch; US Steel CEO John Surma, others. Location: Room 2362, Rayburn.

ELEPHANT TRIAL - 9:30 a.m. A federal court hearing begins in a case in which a coalition of national animal protection groups, along with Tom Rider, a former Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus employee, have sued Ringling Bros. for allegedly violating the Endangered Species Act by mistreating Asian elephants. Location: United States District Court for the District of Columbia, 333 Constitution Ave. NW.

FEDERAL EMPLOYEES-POLITICAL - 9:30 a.m. American Federation of Government Employees holds press briefing to discuss how it plans to work with the Obama administration and the 111th Congress. Participants include AFGE National President John Gage. Location: 80 F Street, NW.

HEALTH IT-ECONOMIC STIMULUS - 10 a.m. America's Health Insurance Plans holds a telephone briefing to discuss health IT privacy provisions being considered in the economic recovery legislation. Notes: Callin number: 866-394-8312; passcode: 84093865.

BUY AMERICAN-STIMULUS PACKAGE - 11 a.m. The Alliance for American Manufacturing holds a telephone briefing to discuss the trade issues involved in the Buy American provisions of the economic stimulus legislation and why the provisions are legal. Notes: Callin number: 866-838-2054; no access code.

CHAMBER-CARD CHECK - 11 a.m. With the possible introduction of Card Check legislation in the House in the coming days, the US Chamber of Commerce will hold a media conference call to highlight what they say is the importance of defeating this measure. US Chamber will launch grassroots advocacy blitzes of Capitol Hill, public education efforts, and print and broadcast ads to counter Card Check. Call-in: 866-482-6958. Conference ID:1331446

HIPAA - 11 a.m. The Institute of Medicine holds a telephone briefing on a new report on the extent to which the HIPAA privacy rule meets its objectives and recommends ways to improve the regulation and its implementation. Contacts: n/a, 202-334-2138.

HEALTH FACILITIES - 11:30 a.m. The American Institute of Architects, others, hold a briefing on improving patient health through high performing health facilities. Location: Room 2325, Rayburn.

STIMULUS-ECONOMISTS - 11:30 a.m. The Campaign for Jobs and Economic Recovery and the Economic Policy Institute hold a telephone press conference with national economists Lawrence Mishel, Alan Blinder and Lawrence Chimerine to discuss how the Presidents plan will stimulate the economy and create millions of jobs. Notes: Callin number: 877-542-4963; passcode: 84319067.

IMMIGRATION - 12 p.m. Rep. Luis Gutierrez holds a news conference on immigration. Location: Cannon Terrace.

PETITIONS - 12:30 p.m. Workers deliver petitions to Congress urging passage of the Employee Free choice Act. Location: Upper Senate Park, Constitution and Delaware Aves. NE.

GOP-STIMULUS - 2:15 p.m. Senate and House Republicans hold a press conference discussing what they say are the problems with the Democrats' "non-stimulus" bill and outlining what they believe are real solutions to create jobs and stimulate the economy without wasting taxpayer money on special interest projects. Location: Senate Radio/TV Gallery.

YUNUS-BUSINESS MODEL - 7 p.m. Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Muhammad Yunus, author of "Creating a World Without Poverty," will discuss his vision for a new business model that combines the power of free markets with the quest for a more humane world. Location: Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st St. NW.

ECNOMIC STIMULUS - 8 p.m. Americans for Prosperity holds a telephone briefing with Sen. Jim DeMint on the economic stimulus bill. Notes: Callin number: 877-229-8493; passcode: 13896.

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