Daily Briefing: It's Only Money
•Pentagon to request $80-90b for Iraq, Afghanistan; more than expected but Congress likely to agree. [ WSJ ]
• BushshiftsLeavittfrom EPA to HHS; safe pick already has strong support among senators. [ WP , NYT , NYT , WSJ , LAT , USAT , WT ]
•Most Republican solutions for Social Security require cuts in benefits of future retirees. GAO official: "The creation of private accounts for Social Security will not deal with the solvency and sustainability of the Social Security fund." [ NYT ]
•Democrats pledge to take on watchdog role, overseeing government expenditures.Reid: "We're going to try to be as fair as they have not been to us."Dorgan: "And if the Republicans decide to hold their own oversight hearings, there will be no need for this project." [ WP , NYT ]
• McCainhas "no confidence" inRumsfeld; comments echoHagel. [ WP , NYT ]
•CIA reduced use of harsh interrogation tactics after concerns were voiced last year; disclosure pins blame on military. [ NYT ]
• Rehnquistcurtails involvement in court; will sit out about one-sixth of '04-'05 term. [ USAT , WSJ ]
•Environmentalists dread upcoming moves byBushover "Clear Skies" proposal;Leahysays revisions will make matters worse. [ WP ]
•Ohio officially goes forBush-Cheney. Governor: "The vast majority of people understand this election is over." [ WP , WT ]
• McClellandenies fallout betweenGiulianiandBush: "I don't think the president felt that [apology] was necessary." [ LAT ]
• Gonzales' hearing could easily become debate on treatment of detainees. [ WT ]
•NASA boss steps down citing family affairs. [ WP , NYT ]
•White House statements of "full confidence" are mere rhetoric, writesMilbank. [ WP ]