Senator Sanders

The Fed The Senate banking committee on Thursday recommended Ben Bernanke for a second term as Federal Reserve chief, despite sharp attacks on his role in the 2008 global financial meltdown. The 16-to-7 vote sent his nomination to the full Senate, where a platoon of lawmakers vowed to deny him another four years at the central bank helm, The Associated Press, New York Times, CBS News and AFP reported. Sanders told MSNBC's Dylan Ratigan, "It is incomprehensible to me that...this guy should be reappointed." LINK, LINK, LINK, LINK, VIDEO, VIDEO

Dairy Crisis U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders says the United States Department of Agriculture has started to process emergency payments to dairy farmers who have struggled with low milk prices. The Vermont independent, who sponsored an amendment that added the funds to the agriculture appropriations legislation, says a Vermont farm with 125 cows could receive an estimated $8,000.Sanders says eligible farmers can expect to receive the funding in the next few weeks, AP, the St. Albans Messenger and WPTZ reported. LINK, LINK and VIDEO

Health Care Simmering liberal angst over the Senate health care bill threatened to boil over Thursday as a critical labor union threatened a new fight over provisions that were dropped to attract more moderate supporters. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders told CNN's Wolf Blitzer on Wednesday that he has "made it clear that, at this point, it is not for sure that I will vote for that bill unless it becomes significantly better." LINK

Injured Abroad, Neglected at Home In her first public address after taking office, Labor Secretary Hilda Solis promised to increase enforcement of laws designed to protect workers. Ten months later, her department has failed to crack down on the system to ensure medical care for civilian workers injured in war zones. Sen. Bernie Sanders said Labor officials have the power to enforce the law, but for eight years under President Bush ignored their responsibilities, ProPublica and Salon reported. LINK and LINK

International

Climate Deal Close China signaled concessions on monitoring of emission curbs, and the US said it would commit money for developing countries. Leaders are likely to have big choices to make when they meet on Friday. However, a leaked document from the UN climate convention indicates the best deal likely here will not keep the temperature rise below 2C (3.6F). Even if countries implement their biggest pledges, a rise of 3C (5.4F) is indicated, it concluded. Despite many expressions of concern about projections of climate change, finance has emerged as an issue more likely to make or break a deal than emission pledges, reported the BBC. LINK

National

Nelson Rejects Abortion Compromise A moderate Democrat whose vote could be crucial said Thursday an attempted Senate compromise on abortion is unsatisfactory, raising doubts about whether the chamber can pass President Barack Obama's health care overhaul by Christmas."As it is, without modifications, the language concerning abortion is not sufficient," Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson, a key holdout on the health care bill, said in a statement after first making his concerns known to Majority Leader Harry Reid, according to The Associated Press. LINK

Vermont

Welch Votes Against Defense Bill The U.S. House passed a $636 billion defense-spending bill Wednesday, but Vermont's lone congressman fell among the small minority opposing the measure. Rep. Peter Welch, voted against the Pentagon bill because some of the money will be spent to pay for the war in Iraq, AP reported. LINK