President Bush announced Tuesday morning that he will nominate ex-Rep. Rob Portman (R-OH) to be the next director of the Office of Management and Budget. For more on this story, see Roll Call

Federal, State and Local Nonprofits: Our Regulatory Policy Department is asking for sign-ons for a letter for organizations opposing sunset commissions. As you know, for nonprofits, sunset commissions would make all government programs be forced to plead for their lives on a periodic basis, such as every ten years, before an unelected sunset commission which would recommend whether they live, die, or be “streamlined.” In the proposals that have circulated from the White House and in several bills introduced in the 109th, sunset and government reorganization proposals from these commissions would then be rammed through Congress on a fast-track, take-it-or-leave-it basis — with limited room for debate, and no chance for amendments. Leading proposals would also exempt the sunset commission from the open government and balance requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, thus making it possible for the White House to name industry lobbyists to the sunset commission and then allow them to make these important decisions in secret proceedings. The House is trying to get a vote on the budget resolution by the end of this week, so the bargaining within the caucus is taking place as we speak.

Sen. Charles Grassley has accused the Red Cross of allowing a weak board to rule the organization, overstepping its Congressional mandate, and fostering a culture that cares more about good publicity than good deeds. The Senate Finance Committee has Grassley's letter, as well as the Red Cross' response to Grassley's request for documents.