Daily Briefing: A Big Wet Kiss
•At presser,Bushproposes "progressive indexing" of Social Security benefits, shows concern about gas prices, and restates need for diplomacy in dealing with North Korea. [ WP , WP , NYT , WSJ , WSJ , LAT , USAT , USAT , WT ]
•$2.56 trillion budget for 2006 approved, clearing way for tax cuts and ANWR drilling.Hillary: "It is unconscionable to balance the budget on the backs of our most vulnerable Americans, and that is exactly what the White House and congressional Republicans have decided to do." [ WP , NYT , LAT ]
•Democrats denounceFrist's offer to cap senate debates at 100 hours.Reid: That's "a big wet kiss to the far right." [ WP , WSJ , NYT , LAT , USAT ]
•Atmosphere at White House remains "unsettled" after risky presser; "one ofBush's most dramatic attempts to regain the initiative after a dreary spring." [ NYT , WP , LAT ]
• Boltonreportedly punished State Department officials over disagreements. [ WP ]
•Former head of National Intelligence Council advised staff not to listen toBoltonon Syria. [ NYT ]
• Bushpresses Senate to pass abortion notification bill. [ WP ]
•Ties toDeLaytest impartiality of ethics panel; lengthy inquiry expected. [ NYT , LAT ]
•NBC had White House move presser to 8 o'clock. [ NYT ]
• Bushhas held monthly news conferences since re-election. [ USAT ]