Before the weekend, I wanted to make sure you saw the following news articles.
 
Solving Problems in a dysfunctional Senate
An article from the Wall Street Journal highlights Lamar's leadership in breaking the stalemate in the U.S. Senate. From the article, “Senator Alexander is a conservative problem solver who's focused on results, and Republicans are fortunate to have him."
 
End Obamacare “carveout” for unions
Via The HillLamar and his colleagues have demonstrated “deep disappointment” that the administration “has approved a final rule creating an unwarranted special carveout benefiting certain unions over other Americans.” 
 
Senate passes Lamar’s child care bill
Via The Daily Times:  The U.S. Senate passed The Child Care and Development Block Grant program co-authored by Lamar to “continue a successful program that provides child care vouchers to low-income children nationwide, including 39,000 in Tennessee.”  The vote was 97-1.
 
Obama’s Labor Secretary ducks Lamar’s simple “Yes or No” Question
Via Breitbart.comAt a Senate hearing this week, Labor Secretary Perez makes an “elaborate effort to duck” Lamar’s question “about the minimum wage."  Click to watch the video of Secretary Lopez ducking Lamar’s simple "yes or no" question.
 
Defending the Tenth Amendment
As Senator, Lamar is working to defend the Tenth Amendment.  He has led the conservative fight to reduce federal debt, balance the budget, get rid of Obamacare, and send decisions about education, taxes, and other issues back to the states where they belong. For his efforts in defending the Tenth Amendment, the National Conference of State Legislators gave Lamar Alexander its “Restoring the Balance” Award - the first time they have given this award in the last decade.  Click here to stand with Lamar and defend the Tenth Amendment.
 
What We’re Watching
·         MSNBC's Chris Matthews believes the Senate goes Republican in 2014.
·         Former Senator Scott Brown is expected to announce his U.S. Senate bid in New Hampshire today, putting another Democrat seat in play.
·         NASCAR Sprint Cup is at Bristol for the Food City 500 on Sunday.
·         Vols Basketball vs. South Carolina at 3:30 PM on ESPNU today.
·         Get your brackets ready, Selection Sunday is Sunday on CBS at 6pm.
·         Vandy baseball hosts LSU in a top-10 showdown this weekend.