The congressional super committee is expected to announce failure today in its goal of reaching a compromise to cut $1.2 trillion from the budget. Democratic committee co-chair Sen. Patty Murray (WA) cited the influence of anti-tax lobbyist Grover Norquist “whose name has come up in meetings time and time again” as a reason behind the committee’s failure to reach an agreement.
New York City police arrested “27-year-old al-Qaida sympathizer” Jose Pimentel for plotting to bomb New York City police officers, post offices, and U.S. troops returning home. Though Pimentel was allegedly inspired by late al Qaeda cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said he is acting as “a total lone wolf” and “was not part of a larger conspiracy emanating from abroad.”
The National Labor Relations Board is considering a proposal to speed up union elections. The proposal, which would defer some types of litigation, is expected to pass with the support of the panel’s two Democratic members.
Despite wide-ranging support, congressional Republicans have killed a proposal to create a National Climate Service that was pitched as a one-stop shop for climate information. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration proposed the agency, which would have required no new funding, and would have been similar to the National Weather Service.
During a raid Sunday morning, police cleared out protesters from an Occupy Oakland encampment. Police in San Francisco also removed tents from a protest site that morning, but protesters quickly rallied and held a peaceful assembly later in the afternoon.
Former Sen. Rick Santorum said his competitor in the GOP presidential primary Mitt Romney would not have been “comfortable” at a Christian forum the Iowa FAMiLY Leader held on Saturday. Santorum said he did not think Romney, who is a Mormon, would be at ease in a setting that explores “why you believe what you believe and where that came from.”
A third day of violent clashes between anti-military protesters and law enforcement officials in Cairo has raised questions about whether Egypt will be able to proceed with national parliamentary elections seven days from now as planned. Key political parties have stopped campaigning, but the military government has pledged not to cancel the elections.
Pakistan’s Taliban movement is holding exploratory peace talks with Pakistan’s government, Reuters reports. Pakistan has been criticized as a capricious ally in fighting militants and the U.S. is unlikely to support any peace talks with the terrorist group.
And finally: Heavy D is now “up in the limousine” of heaven with Notorious B.I.G., and even President Obama offered his condolences. “He will be remembered for his infectious optimism and many contributions to American music,” read a letter from the president to Heavy D’s, born Dwight Myers, family.
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