Katrina Vanden Heuvel spoke about recent news including the economy and foreign affairs, as well as her recent pieces in The Nation and her most recent piece “Gorbachev on 1989.”

Gregory Ip discusses the latest economic news, including the question of whether the country is on its way to an economic recovery, legislative options to increase nation-wide employment and the Obama administration's economic stimulus initiatives.

In his weekly address, Pres. Obama recounted the milestones on the economy and the Recovery Act. Though acknowledging that unemployment numbers were still high, the president also "applauds the fact that the Recovery Act has now created or saved more than a million jobs."

After attending an event with Vice President Joe Biden, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) and Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley (D) spoke to reporters about how the stimulus spending is impacting their states.

Vice Pres. Biden announced that stimulus funding projects have saved or created over 640,000 jobs in the past eight months. Of the $787 billion recovery package, about $340 billion has been either obligated or distributed. Governors Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA) and Martin O'Malley (D-MD) spoke about how the stimulus spending is impacting their states.

In an effort to regulate banks' ability to charge overdraft fees, the House Financial Services Cmte. heard testimony from credit union & consumer financial agencies on the Overdraft Protection Act of 2009. The bill would limit the number of fees and would make fees proportional to the cost of covering a shortfall.

Nonprofit publisher Tax Analysts hosted a discussion of state finances around the country. Panelists included tax experts and a representative of state budget officers.

J. Russell George talked about a recent report by the Treasury Inspector General's office that suggests the tax credit for first-time home buyers consists of widespread abuse and errors in the program.

Representatives Charles Dent (R-PA) and Robert Andrews (D-NJ) talked about health bills, including the House Democrats' plan announced the previous day. They also discussed the economy and U.S. policy toward Afghanistan and Pakistan.

President Obama said the latest economic growth numbers show the success of his administration’s policies. He also praised the health care bill introduced by House Democrats. Those comments came at a gathering of small business owners in the Old Executive Office Building.