NPR 2009-01-29

President Obama is looking past today's expected House vote on his $825 billion plan to jump-start the economy. He met with business leaders today to urge Congress to complete the process swiftly. NPR's Giles Snyder has more.

The meeting in the Roosevelt Room of the White House was intended to build support for the plan. Mr. Obama said the corporate 1 executives at the meeting including those from Google, IBM, Honeywell and Xerox 2 know how vital a stimulus 3 package would be for the shaky economy. "Their concerns have helped to shape our recovery package and I'm grateful that they are here today to talk about why it's so important that we act and act swiftly. "Congressional leaders have pledged to have the plan ready for its approval by the middle of next month. Mr. Obama promised that the money would be spent in full public view. Giles Snyder, NPR News, Washington.

While it's expected House lawmakers will approve the Administration's package of spending initiatives and tax cuts, it is looking increasingly likely some Republican lawmakers will not be voting for the package. GOP Representative John Boehner of Ohio was criticizing the stimulus measure, saying it doesn't do enough to create jobs and also fails to offer not enough in the way of tax relief. "We think there is a better way. Our fast-acting tax relief that will be offering here soon really will reduce tax rates on the American people. " As currently proposed, the Obama administration plan will contain around $544 billion in federal spending initiatives and $275 billion in tax cuts for individuals and businesses.

Russia is reported to be backing away from plans to deploy 4 missiles near the border with Poland in what looks to be a goodwill 5 gesture to the US. NPR's Michele Kelemen reports.

When the Bush administration decided 6 to put missiles in Poland as part of a missile defense 7 system, Russia responded by threatening to move its own missiles further west. According to the Interfax News Agency, the Russian military is backing off while the Obama administration considers what to do about missile defense. State Department spokesman Robert Wood called that a positive step and said here in Washington, missile defense is under review. "The President is very interested in exploring whether missile defense is possible and if it's workable, then that's something we will pursue. " But Wood said this is not a decision that will be taken soon, the new administration, he said, will have discussion with Russia and others about it. Michele Kelemen, NPR News, the State Department.

The Federal Reserve wrapped up its two-day meeting in Washington today, saying that it is prepared to keep interest rates at their current low levels between zero and a quarter percent for some time. The Fed's Open Market Committee in its end of the meeting statement also said it's prepared to buy long-term government debt, if need be, to help improve conditions in the financial markets.

On Wall Street something of a rally today. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 200 points to end the session at 8, 375. The NASDAQ gained 53 points. The S&P 500 was up 28 points today.

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After avoiding his impeachment 8 proceedings 9 in the Illinois State Senate, now appears the Governor Rod Blagojevich will make an appearance after all. That was confirmed by the President of the Senate and comes as wiretap tapes of the governor will play this week as an impeachment trial at the State Capitol. Blagojevich is accused of seeking to sell President-elect Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat to the highest bidder 10. Blagojevich has maintained he did nothing wrong and has called proceedings against him unfair. He is not asking to testify but would rather to offer a closing statement at his trial.

The Food and Drug Administration has released details on the problems at the manufacturing plant in Georgia that was responsible for the current salmonella outbreak. The report shows a series of problems. NPR's Joanne Silberner has more.

FDA inspectors 11 cited the plant's manufacturer Peanut Corporation of America for a variety of manufacturing and storage problems, including keeping raw potentially contaminated peanuts next to roasted peanuts, not cleaning equipment satisfactorily and storing products underneath 12 leaky ceilings. In addition, the agency described 12 tests between June 2007 and September 2008 that showed the presence of salmonella. In each case the FDA says, the company then sent samples to a different lab, got a negative response and continued manufacturing. Meanwhile, lawmakers on Capitol Hill had introduced the bill they have been working on since the last Congress. It would among other things provide more funding to the FDA for food inspections 13. Joanne Silberner, NPR News, Washington.

James Brady, who for nearly 25 years with the popular celebrity 14 profile column "In Step With" has died in his Manhattan home. Brady's death was announced by Parade magazine. James Brady was 80 years old.