As expected, the $250 one-time benefit sought by Democrats for Social Security recipients has become a talking point in the campaign. Both Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid have committed their chambers to a vote on the bill in the lame-duck session, with strong support from the President. But the lack of support caucus-wide in the Senate may throw a wrench into this plan.

Senator Tom Coburn, a Republican from Oklahoma, is committed to opposing a supplemental spending bill that includes $33.5 billion to escalate war in Afghanistan, unless the funds to pay for it are found.