Politics: Afternoon Edition: CBO: deal would save at least $2.1 trillion

If you have difficulty viewing this newsletter, click here to view as a Web page. Click here to view in plain text. Monday, August 1, 2011 HEADLINES CBO: deal would save at least $2.1T The Congressional Budget Office said the debt ceiling deal would cut deficits by at least $2.1 trillion over the next ten years. » Read full article Romney, Bachmann oppose debt deal The 2012 GOP field has largely avoided weighing in on the debt ceiling deal. » Read full article Analysis: A clear win for GOP? Observers say the emerging debt deal appears to align more closely with the ideology of Republicans. » Read full article Why Allen West is vulnerable in 2012 Will West lose because he supported debt deal? » Read full article Obama's 50th birthday: A time for reflection...and fundraising The president turns his attention to another milestone: His 50th birthday. » Read full article BEHIND THE GOVERNMENT SHOWDOWN Sign up for daily e-mail updates on the federal budget showdown QUOTE OF THE DAY Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, describing the debt ceiling deal: "A sugar-coated Satan sandwich." COMMENT OF THE DAY Lee1865, on Lori Montgomery and Paul Kane's "White House, congressional leaders reach debt-limit deal" story: Are we supposed to applaud? This was a manufactured crisis. The fact that they resolved it means nothing — it was a diversion from the real work they needed to be doing. Q&A DISCUSSIONS Joe Davidson and Eric Yoder was online at 12:30 p.m. ET to discuss federal workers and the debt deal: Q: Mr. Davidson, I'm a federal employee and quite frankly I'm tired of being the political strawman to be knocked over. The private sector would take longer than my team and I do and cost a minimum of twice what my team and I cost (for the contractors their usual works out to about twice my team and I's annual salary per project!). Yet I am obviously overpaid and don't do work. Who are the champions of the federal workforce? Who is the voice making the case for Federal employees and the quality work that we do? Joe Davidson: Several people and organizations make the case for federal employees, but their voices don't always carry the day. Certainly federal unions speak up, so do some members of Congress. John Berry, the OPM director, is a big cheerleader for federal workers, though what he can advocate is limited by administration policy. » View full Q&A session MULTIMEDIA Video: Free birth control part of new health guidelines CBS News correspondent Michelle Miller reports on historic new health rules that require health insurance companies to cover birth control for women. Then, Chris Wragge talks to White House Deputy Senior Adviser Stephanie Cutter about the new rules and the history of how they came into effect. Get The Washington Post, your way. Want to stay on top of the latest news, features, commentary and more? Here's how: Mobile: Alerts: Social Media: Applications Web site E-mail SMS RSS Feeds Facebook Twitter SEND TO A FRIEND UNSUBSCRIBE E-NEWSLETTER CENTER GET HELP Washington Post Digital E-mail Customer Care 1150 15th Street NW Washington, D.C. 20071 ©2011 The Washington Post Privacy Policy