Happy Monday, D.C. dwellers and beyond!
- The week ahead on the Hill: The return of Burris, and the anticipated rollout of Obama’s budget plans — which spell the end of the Bush tax cuts. Plus a video preview from HillTube.
- $15 billion of the $787 billion stimulus package will be released to states right away to help with their Medicaid programs. Sam Youngman has the story.
- Harry Reid, meanwhile, is feeling optimistic about the economy.
- Shameless self-promotion: The rocky road forward for Obama in Afghanistan.
- Hillary in China: Pundit blogger Kathy Kemper says the secretary of state sent “a powerful message.” Plus, Clinton warns China against making U.S. “mistakes.”