In This Issue:

- DOMESTIC POLICY MATTERS

President Obama addressed a joint session of Congress Tuesday as he gave the annual State of the Union (SOTU) Address. In addition to announcing the creation of a new mortgage crisis unit to investigate misconduct that led to the housing crisis, President Obama called for a new minimum effective tax rate for wealthy Americans. The next day, President Obama began his post-SOTU travel in several potential swing states (Iowa, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado and Michigan) to expand on and campaign for the changes outlined in the address. President Obama spoke in Michigan about the importance of making higher education more affordable and accessible, calling on Congress to extend tuition tax credits and to increase the number of workstudy jobs. In Colorado, the President discussed energy independence, including a new lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico in an effort to develop domestic oil and gas resources....

- FOREIGN POLICY MATTERS

SOTU Address. This year’s SOTU was, for the first time, internationally broadcast live via the State Department’s website and U.S. Embassy websites. President Obama said “[t]he renewal of American leadership can be felt across the globe.” The President further acknowledged an “iron-clad” commitment to Israel’s security, reiterated “America is a Pacific power,” and acknowledged “a new beginning in Burma has lit a new hope.” President Obama also announced the formation of a Trade Enforcement Unit that will focus on investigating countries who engage in allegedly unfair trade practices....

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