In the face of increasing domestic and international economic concerns, the Wall Street Journal is reporting that Congress may be ready to set aside partisan differences and work together to develop a viable economic stimulus package.  Initially it seemed as though Congressional leaders would use the stimulus for political gain, but as the seriousness of the situation has become apparent, both parties seem to be coming together Democrat and Republican leaders are meeting with President Bush today in hopes of reaching a compromise.

Several big differences remain between Democrats and Republicans, such as who should receive tax rebates, and how much cash should be devoted to additional spending items favored by Democrats. One remaining wild card is the Senate, which hasn't been in full session during the recent negotiations, which were led by the House. (See related article1.)
 
Yet for all the remaining questions, there remains a striking desire to work across party lines, a contrast to the bickering and bluster that prevailed on Capitol Hill for much of last year. Near panic in European and Asian financial markets yesterday, which will likely spill into U.S. markets when they reopen today after the holiday, will only increase pressure on lawmakers to act quickly.
 
"We have a good way forward," said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. The Kentucky Republican, who last year led efforts to stymie the Democratic majority's legislative agenda, praised the "tone and attitude" established by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and others in the leadership. He suggested that the groundwork has been laid for bipartisan action, "rather than getting into one of these point-scoring routines."
 
"That's a good way to start," he said.
 
A top Democrat, Sen. Charles Schumer of New York, agreed. "Early on, there was a desire to get out front early," Mr. Schumer said. "Now there's a real desire to put together a joint package rather than play one-upmanship."

Bill Gertz of the Washington Times wrote an article describing the constitutional debate surrounding the renewal of FISA legislation, currently set to expire on February 1st.  Republican lawmakers and staff have argued that FISA is clearly authorized by Article II of the Constitution, and that this has been an effective and legal method of maintaining our national security since World War II.

"There is nothing new or aggressive about relying on Article II authority in the context of foreign intelligence surveillance," stated the assessment produced by the office of Sen. Christopher S. Bond, Missouri Republican and vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

The 13-page assessment counters Democrats and other critics of the Terrorist Surveillance Program (TSP) who argued during a Senate filibuster of the legislation last month that electronic spying is illegal, began before the September 11 attacks, and that the program spied improperly on domestic telephone and electronic communications.

"There is no evidence to substantiate claims about warrantless spying on Americans prior to the 9/11 terrorist attacks," the report stated. "Nor is there any evidence to substantiate the claim that the TSP covered domestic calls between friends, neighbors and loved ones. As the president has stated, the TSP involved the collection of international calls involving members of al Qaeda."

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, Massachusetts Democrat, said during the floor debate last month that the surveillance program spied on innocent Americans. Sen. Christopher J. Dodd, Connecticut Democrat, also said then that any surveillance without a court order undermines "our democratic society."

But the report stated that "warrantless surveillance for foreign intelligence collection has been an integral part of our nation's foreign intelligence gathering. During World War II, our warrantless surveillance of the German and Japanese militaries and the breaking of their codes preserved our democracy."

The chief U.N. envoy to Iraq has said that recent security improvements in the country have opened a "window of opportunity" for political gains by the government in Baghdad.  Over the past few weeks the government has made progress on a number of significant reconciliation measures, including last week's passage of de-Baathification legislation deemed necessary to unite the government.

"The past weeks have witnessed some tentative and overdue, but certainly welcome, steps towards national reconciliation and inclusive political dialogue,'' Staffan de Mistura told the Security Council today. "The government recognizes 2008 as the year to demonstrate its ability to administer a state that enjoys the broadest support.''

De Mistura cited a law adopted on Jan. 12 that makes it easier for members of former dictator Saddam Hussein's Baath Party to hold government jobs and an agreement in December to give the UN the lead role in talks aimed at determining who controls the disputed, oil-rich city of Kirkuk.

"The government must be complimented on enacting such legislation,'' said de Mistura, who was named to the post in August by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. "This is coupled by encouraging signs of increased dialogue between the government and the Sunni Arab bloc and the latter's indication of return to the national unity government.''

The so-called surge in U.S. troop strength to 160,000 "is beginning to achieve momentum that, if maintained, may lead to sustained stability,'' U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, the former American envoy to Iraq, told the Security Council.