Political Scene

CONGRESS

Democrats focus on jobless aid

Democrats are struggling to extend unemployment benefits before they go on vacation next week as they work to ease concerns among jittery lawmakers being hammered over deficit spending.

House leaders hoped to vote Thursday on a bill that would extend the benefits through November, but they are running into opposition from Republicans and some Democrats concerned about the cost of the overall bill.

If Congress doesn’t act, thousands of people would begin to lose jobless benefits when an extension of unemployment insurance expires next week. A 65 percent subsidy for health insurance benefits for the unemployed under the COBRA program also expires.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said the “real emergency” is the growing national debt, which just hit $13 trillion.

“And even some Democrats seem to agree with me,” Mr. McConnell said Thursday. “That’s why we’re seeing a quiet revolt over in the House on this bill.”

RHODE ISLAND

Red Sox executive makes run for office

CRANSTON | Boston Red Sox executive Jeremy Kapstein has been a baseball superagent and chief executive of the San Diego Padres. Now he’s applying for the decidedly less glamorous job of Rhode Island lieutenant governor.

In his first in-depth interview since filing papers last month, Mr. Kapstein tells the Associated Press he is running for the Democratic nomination against incumbent Democrat Elizabeth Roberts because he wants to create jobs.

He faults Miss Roberts for what he says is a “lack of economic ambition.”

Miss Roberts’ campaign manager says she has worked on a number of initiatives to help small businesses, including increasing access to credit.

Mr. Kapstein is the Red Sox’s senior adviser for baseball projects. He said Wednesday he’ll work full time for Rhode Island if elected.

SENATE

Democrats stop bid for troop deployment

President Obama’s Democratic allies in the Senate have repelled a move by presidential rival John McCain to send an additional 6,000 National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border.

The Arizona Republican said the security situation along the order has deteriorated so much that 3,000 troops are needed just to help protect his state. But Mr. McCain failed to muster the required 60 votes for his plan as the Senate continued debate on a war funding bill.

Mr. Obama on Tuesday promised to send 1,200 National Guard troops to the border to support efforts to block drug trafficking and temporarily supplement Border Patrol agents until more agents can be trained.

Former President George W. Bush sent thousands of troops to the border in 2006.

FDA

Congress probes Motrin problems

Johnson & Johnson learned of potency problems with its Motrin formula in 2008, but instead of issuing a recall, hired an outside contractor that began buying up the defective products, according to congressional investigators.

Colleen Goggins, J&J’s president for McNeil consumer products, was to testify before House lawmakers Thursday about ongoing quality problems with its over-the-counter medications.

Last month, McNeil recalled more than 40 varieties of children’s medicines after Food and Drug Administration inspectors discovered a slew of violations at a company plant.

Some of the medicines recalled contained tiny particles of metal, though federal health regulators say the risk of health problems is remote.

The recall is the latest in a series that threatens to tarnish J&J brands such as Tylenol and Benadryl.

Lawmakers were to question Miss Goggins about the latest problems as well as a 2009 recall.

ARKANSAS

Halter outpaces Lincoln in fund-raising

LITTLE ROCK l As they sprint to a runoff, Lt. Gov. Bill Halter is outpacing Sen. Blanche Lincoln in raising money in the race for an Arkansas Senate seat.

Mr. Halter reported Thursday that he got $773,589 in contributions between April 29 and May 19. Mrs. Lincoln reported raising $552,189 in the same period. The June 8 runoff will determine who gets the Democratic nomination to face Republican congressman John Boozman in the fall.

Mrs. Lincoln has become one of the most vulnerable politicians in Washington, facing anger from both the right and the left. The fight for her seat has turned into a bitter and expensive one.

Both candidates spent more than they raised during the period. Mrs. Lincoln spent more than $1.6 million, while Mr. Halter spent $835,629.

WHITE HOUSE

Obama wishes soccer team luck

President Obama told the U.S. World Cup soccer team they will have a fan watching in the Oval Office during next month’s tournament in South Africa.

Mr. Obama met with the team at the White House Thursday. So did Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., who will attend the team’s opening match against England on June 12. Former President Bill Clinton was also on hand, having recently been named the honorary chairman of the bid committee trying to bring the World Cup back to the U.S. in 2018 or 2022.

While their soccer skills got the players into the White House, it was their fashion sense that caught the eye of the leaders. Mr. Clinton told the players he wants to join the team just for their stylish tan dress shoes. Mr. Obama agreed they were “good-looking” shoes.

From wire dispatches and staff reports