Clyburn: Bailout deal could happen this week

U.S. House Majority Whip James Clyburn told CNN he thinks Congress will have the votes to pass a $700 billion financial rescue package that failed to pass the House on Monday. 

Clyburn, who as whip is responsible for rounding up Democratic votes in the House, defended Democrats' commitment to the potentially $700 financial rescue package.

"I was asked to produce 118 votes, I got 140" Clyburn said, which is about 60 percent of House Democrats.

Sanford: Deal with budget before election

Gov. Mark Sanford said lawmakers should return to Columbia and deal with roughly $250 million in budget cuts before November's election, and that he would call them back into session beforehand if he felt they might miss that deadline.

Last week,  the state's Board of Economic Advisors said additional budget cuts were likely when they meet Oct. 8.

That prompted House and Senate leaders to say they would start working on a plan to deal with any budget cuts.

Sanford may call lawmakers back for budget talks

Gov. Mark Sanford will hold a news conference today where he could call lawmakers back to Columbia to order more cuts to the state's $7 billion budget.

Last week, the S.C. Board of Economic Advisers predicted revenues for the remainder of the year could drop by more than $40 million.

Over the summer, revenue projections have steadily softened. Last month, the state's Budget and Control Board trimmed state spending 3 percent -- or $180 million -- based on declining state revenue estimates.

Lawmakers have said they are willing return to Columbia to make any further cuts to the budget. Sanford can, as governor, order lawmakers back.

Who won Friday night's presidential debate?

Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama debated for 97 minutes Friday night. The topics were the economy, national security and foreign affairs.

So who won? Leave your thoughts.

Here is video of our panelists:

DeMint honored by small businesses

The National Federation of Independent Business has named U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint a Guardian of Small Business for what the organization calls DeMint's "outstanding voting record on behalf of America's small business owners in the 110th Congress."

The NFIB citied DeMint’s 91 percent NFIB voting record.

NFIB’s voting record tallies 11 key small business votes in the U.S. Senate taken during the 2007 and 2008 sessions. Issues range from tax relief to affordable health care and from lower energy costs to regulatory reform.

DeMint: Failing economy government's fault

U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint went on national TV this morning to oppose the proposed $700 billion bailout plan backed by President Bush Wednesday night.

DeMint, in an MSNBC appearance, said he opposes the government getting further in the mortgage business by buying troubled loans. He told the national audience he didn't trust government to fix the problem, and he hoped Congress would pursue "free market solutions."

"We ... need an infusion of new thinking because the government did cause this crisis," DeMint said.

DeMint said calls to his office opposing the bailout are "one hundred-to-one against."

Press release:Clyburn to host environmental panel

Congressman Clyburn Hosts Environmental Braintrust on Nuclear Energy at CBC ALC

            (

Washington

,

DC

) – Sixth District Congressman and House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn will host his annual Environmental Justice Braintrust on Friday, September 26th as part of the 2008 Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislation Conference. This year’s theme is Securing Our Future: The Nuclear Alternative.  This Braintust will take place at the

Washington

Convention Center

, in room 143C at 10:30 AM.

Graham point man on presidential debate delay

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of Republican presidential nominee John McCain's closes advisers, is the McCain campaign's representative in negotiating the presidential debate schedule.

That means Graham will be negotiating a new debate schedule if Friday's initial debate is postponed.

DeMint, Graham on opposite sides of bailout

South Carolina U.S. Sens. Jim DeMint and Lindsey Graham are on different sides of the proposed bailout of troubled financial institutions that could cost taxpayers roughly $700 billion.

DeMint, who appeared on NBC's "Today" show this morning, has called the bailout irresponsible and a burden on taxpayers. Graham, on a conference call with S.C. reporters, said a bailout plan is needed to avoid what could be the greatest financial collapse in U.S. history.

Clyburn: President needs to rally GOP on bailout

House Majority Whip James Clyburn, D-Columbia, today called on President Bush to rally Republicans to get behind the administration's $700 billion Wall Street ballout package.

Clyburn said Republican lawmakers are stalling when the nation needs the bailout now. Financial giants Lehman Brothers and AIG and mortgage giants Freddie Mae and Fannie Mac are to receive federal money to stave off a collapse that would reverberate throughout the economy.

U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint, a Greenville Republican, has been one of the members of Congress who has opposed the bailout, because he said the bailout would be too burdensome for taxpayers.