In This Issue:

Energy and Climate Debate; Congress; Administration; Department of Energy; Department of Interior; Department of State; Environmental Protection Agency; Personnel; State; International; and Miscellaneous.

Excerpt from Energy and Climate Debate

Ignited by President Obama’s State of the Union address last week and Congress’ return to Washington to begin again debate over the payroll taxes, unemployment insurance, and doc fix package, energy issues are entering more into the national discussion than many had expected over the past several weeks and months.

In his State of the Union address January 24, President Obama laid out a “Blueprint for an America Built to Last” aimed at restoring the nation’s economy through initiatives related to American values, manufacturing, education, and energy. The president encouraged Congress to act immediately on six proposals to encourage job growth in the United States that are paid for by closing tax loopholes that encourage the shifting of jobs and shielding of profits overseas. Additionally, the president called on Congress to extend current temporary tax incentives this year to bring more certainty to the near-term economy and for fundamental tax reform that would encourage more investment in the U.S. with a new international minimum tax, a lower rate for American manufacturing, and a simpler, broader tax code.

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