President's Schedule: Monday, April 26

Back from some r & r at a North Carolina resort - and a moving visit with the families of those deceased West Virginia coal miners - President Obama is back in the White House this foggy Monday morning, and he's got a lot on his plate.

FINANCIAL REFORM

Obama is keeping a close eye on Capitol Hill, where a key legislative goal, reforming the financial industry, comes up for a crucial test vote in the Senate.

Democrats have reached a tentative deal that would restrict trading of derivatives - the murky financial instruments that played such a big role in the economy's meltdown. Even so, both Republicans and Democrats think today's "test" vote won't pass, because no GOP senators as of this morning support the measure. Democrats will get to say the GOP is standing in the way of reform; Republicans will counter by charging the bill's flaws will do the economy more harm than good. But both sides say the bill's long-term prospects are pretty good.

ENERGY UNPLUGGED

Today was supposed to have been the day that a sweeping energy and climate bill was unveiled in the Senate. Primarily the work of John Kerry (D-Mass), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.), the bill would focus on curbing emissions from power plants and blocking the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from regulating carbon dioxide as a pollutant. It would also create a way for industries to "trade" credits allowing them to emit CO2 and other greenhouse gases.

But it won't be introduced today after all, because Graham is angry that the Senate is moving immigration reform efforts up the priority ladder.

DAMN YANKEES

Obama also welcomes the World Series champion New York Yankees to the White House. Don't look for the POTUS - a die-hard Chicago White Sox fan - to wear a Yankees cap.

MUSLIM OUTREACH

This evening Obama speaks at the "Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship" - an event designed to strengthen U.S. ties links with business leaders, foundations, and entrepreneurs in the Muslim world.

*****

EDT

9:30AM Pool Call Time

9:30AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press

10:00AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the Economic Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press

10:40AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
Closed Press

3:00PM THE PRESIDENT welcomes World Series Champion New York Yankees to the White House.
South Portico
Open Press (Pre-set 2:00PM – Final Gather 2:30PM – North Doors of the Palm Room)

4:30PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meet with Secretary of Defense Gates
Oval Office
Closed Press

6:00PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at the Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship
Ronald Reagan Building
Pooled TV, Open to pre-credentialed correspondents & still photographers (Pool Gather time 5:15PM– North Doors of the Palm Room)

Briefing Schedule

1:00PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs

*****

On This Day

1984: President Ronald Reagan arrives in China for a summit with Chinese President Li Xiannian. It was the first time a U.S. president had traveled to China since President Richard Nixon s historic trip in 1972. Reagan's trip highlighted his administration s desire to improve diplomacy with China in light of the growing economic relationship between the two nations. Other topics of discussion between the two leaders over the course of the six-day trip included the development of commercial nuclear power in China and China s displeasure with continuing U.S. support for nationalists in Taiwan.

Presidential Quote

"If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity."
- John F. Kennedy