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Talkin' Turkey, Duck, Pay Freezes and More

The Thanksgiving break is over and President Obama says "it's time to get back to work."  Two days after he pardons Apple the Thanksgiving turkey, has a run in with the elbow of Rey Decerega, director of programs for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute in a pick up basketball game at the Department of Interior, the President is rolling up his sleeves, and making waves.

After the midterm elections that saw the Republicans regain control of the House, the president promised to  meet with both political parties in a lame duck session to discuss ways to move the country forward.  Most noticeably, the president plans to address growing the economy, securing the American people from the ongoing threat of terrorism, Bush-era tax cuts, and the ratification of the New START treaty.

With Congress convening this week, the president will meet Tuesday with bipartisan Congressional leadership that include the likes of both Democrats and Republicans.   Scheduled to attend are Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of the Treasury Tim Geithner, Office of Management and Budget Director Jack Lew, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Representative John Boehner (R-OH) , Representative Steny Hoyer (D-MD, Majority Leader Representative Eric Cantor (R-VA), Republican Whip Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), Majority Leader Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Assistant Majority Leader Senator Jon Kyl  (R-AZ), Republican Whip.

The president has called for a freeze on the salaries of federal workers in an attempt to rid-down the national debt.  A freeze he calls a sacrifice that "must be shared by employees of the federal government." 

"After all, small businesses and families are tightening their belts.  Their government should, too", said the president making remarks today in the Eisenhower Executive Building. 

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