CNN 2009-02-04

Good morning from the CNN Center in Atlanta, I’m Reggie Aqui. Thanks for checking in. Here is what’s happening NOW IN THE NEWS.

The Senate is expected to start voting on the amendments¹ to President Obama’s stimulus² package later this morning, but the president is also looking for support beyond Capitol Hill. Mr. Obama is hoping GOP governors will sign on because of the money it would give cash-strapped states. Some Republican senators have polled together a 713-billion-dollar alternative stimulus plan. It relies mostly on tax cuts and focuses spending on infrastructure³ programs, helping⁴ unemployed⁵ Americans and the housing crisis.

Speaking of the economic situation in our country, we are getting word of even more lay-offs this morning. Liz Claiborne, eliminating 725 positions and PNC Financial is cutting 5,800 jobs.

Later this morning, President Obama will announce Republican Senator Judd Gregg as his nominee⁶ for Commerce Secretary. Gregg will be the third Republican in Obama’s cabinet if he is confirmed.

A new footnote in history as Eric Holder⁷ becomes the nation’s first African-American Attorney General. Holder won the Senate confirmation⁸ last night and today the vice-president will perform his swearing-in, one of Holder’s first jobs reviewing the terror fighting policies of the Bush administration and deciding which ones to reverse.

Residents across Kentucky are bracing⁹ for even more snow even as more than 300, 000 people are still without power after last week’s ice storm. State officials are giving FEMA good marks for its response even though aid has been slow getting to some rural areas. 55 deaths have been blamed on the frigid¹⁰ weather across the country.

Please stick with us at the CNN.com and CNN.com/live 24/7 for news from around the world. We are gonna continue giving you these updates right here throughout the day.

 cash-strapped

not having enough money

cash-strapped governments cash-strapped shoppers

1 amendments   

（法律、文件的）改动( amendment的名词复数 )； 修正案； 修改； （美国宪法的）修正案

参考例句：

• The committee does not adequately consult others when drafting amendments. 委员会在起草修正案时没有充分征求他人的意见。
• Please propose amendments and addenda to the first draft of the document. 请对这个文件的初稿提出修改和补充意见。

2 stimulus   

n.刺激，刺激物，促进因素，引起兴奋的事物

参考例句：

• Regard each failure as a stimulus to further efforts.把每次失利看成对进一步努力的激励。
• Light is a stimulus to growth in plants.光是促进植物生长的一个因素。

3 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

4 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

5 unemployed   

adj.失业的，没有工作的；未动用的，闲置的

参考例句：

• There are now over four million unemployed workers in this country.这个国家现有四百万失业人员。
• The unemployed hunger for jobs.失业者渴望得到工作。

6 nominee   

n.被提名者；被任命者；被推荐者

参考例句：

• His nominee for vice president was elected only after a second ballot.他提名的副总统在两轮投票后才当选。
• Mr.Francisco is standing as the official nominee for the post of District Secretary.弗朗西斯科先生是行政书记职位的正式提名人。

7 holder   

n.持有者，占有者；(台，架等)支持物

参考例句：

• The holder of the office of chairman is reponsible for arranging meetings.担任主席职位的人负责安排会议。
• That runner is the holder of the world record for the hundred-yard dash.那位运动员是一百码赛跑世界纪录的保持者。

8 confirmation   

n.证实，确认，批准

参考例句：

• We are waiting for confirmation of the news.我们正在等待证实那个消息。
• We need confirmation in writing before we can send your order out.给你们发送订购的货物之前，我们需要书面确认。

9 bracing   

adj.令人振奋的

参考例句：

• The country is bracing itself for the threatened enemy invasion. 这个国家正准备奋起抵抗敌人的入侵威胁。
• The atmosphere in the new government was bracing. 新政府的气氛是令人振奋的。

10 frigid   

adj.寒冷的，凛冽的；冷淡的；拘禁的

参考例句：

• The water was too frigid to allow him to remain submerged for long.水冰冷彻骨，他在下面呆不了太长时间。
• She returned his smile with a frigid glance.对他的微笑她报以冷冷的一瞥。