A lot is being made of Obama's recent use of recess appointments, particularly that of labor attorney Craig Becker to the National Labor Relations Board, but the undertone may have been missed by the general media:

Years ago, after Republicans filibustered a Carter nominee to the NLRB, the two parties made a deal: the board would have three appointees from the president's party and two from the other party. So after he took office Obama nominated two Democrats and one Republican to fill the NLRB's three vacant seats and got support from a couple of Republicans on the HELP committee for the entire slate. But when it got to the Senate floor John McCain put a hold on Becker, and his nomination — along with the others — died.

Fast forward to today and Obama finally decides to fill the board using recess appointments. But what does he do? He only appoints the two Democrats. This is not what you do if you're trying to make nice. It's what you do if you're playing hardball and you want to send a pointed message to the GOP caucus. You won't act on my nominees? Fine. I'll appoint my guys and then leave it up to you to round up 50 votes in the Senate for yours. Have fun.

With Becker and Mark Pearce appointed to the Board, it will contain 3 Democrats and one Republican, with the other, traditionally Republican slot, left vacant.

Sounds like someone may be getting tired of playing nice and wants to send a message.

Today the House votes on whether to pass the Senate bill. If it succeeds, the Senate will then use reconciliation to pass some changes to the bill.

Detailed analysis by Nate Silver at fivethirtyeight.com: Getting the 216 Yes votes (he puts the odds of the bill passing at about 80%). Democrats taking the biggest risk by voting Yes. Overview of the negotiating process. Increase in liberal support for the bill.

Paul Krugman summarizes what's in the bill.   |   Click for full text...

The Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act has been passed by the Senate and is headed to President Obama's desk, to be signed into law. The legislation designed to stimulate jobs by giving employers payroll tax exemptions through 2010 and extending federal highway and other public works projects. The bill passed 69-29, with 11 Republicans voting with the Democratic majority.

A riff on I Can Haz Cheeseburger, North Korea style.

Democrats are looking at adding the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA) to health care care reform legislation. SAFRA would abolish privater lenders of student loans, people would borrow directly from the government, increases Pell Grants and aims to keep loan interest rates loan.   |   Click for full text...

US Vice-President Joe Biden and US Special Envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell headed to Israel on Monday in hopes of restarting negotiations between Israel and Palestine again.

Then the Interior Ministry of Israel announced plans to build 1,600 new Jewish homes in east Jerusalem, which just happens to be where Palestinians would like to place the capital of their eventual separate state. Unsurprisingly, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is no longer interested in the current peace talks.

As a final vote on U.S. health care reform nears, Representative Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), known for being a far left liberal, has made clear that he'll vote against the final bill. Among his concerns are the "...timidity of the legislative language and, specifically, the unwillingness of lawmakers to seriously consider a single payer system".

With the final House vote promising to be close, Democrats are growing alarmed at Kucinich's position, with Daily Kos founder Markos Moulitsas promising a primary challenger if the Congressman proceeds to vote against reform.

The US Department of Transportation has furloughed 2,000 workers, unemployment benefits ended last night, doctors are facing a pay cut and rural satellite tv viewers will be facing dark screens.

What's the common thread? Senator Jim Bunning (Kentucky), who is holding up a $10 billion bill because of his objection to it not being paid for.