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Obama Intensifies Recruitment of House Democrats

December 4, 2008

Members of Congress are flooding the queue of possible nominees to President-elect Barack Obama’s administration.

Rep. Murphy Eyes Specter’s Seat

December 4, 2008

Add another name to the list of people who are considering a run against Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) in 2010.

Senators Urge Quick Confirmation of Bailout Watchdog

December 4, 2008

Democratic Sens. Charles Schumer (N.Y.) and Claire McCaskill (Mo.) on Thursday called for the immediate confirmation of Neil Barofsky, the nominee to oversee the recently passed $700 billion financial bailout for the financial sector.

Fossella Lawyer Rebuts Prosecutor’s Plea for Jail Time

December 4, 2008

Attorneys for Rep. Vito Fossella filed a rebuttal Thursday to a request by prosecutors that the New York Republican serve five days in jail for a drunken-driving conviction.

Hutchison Sets Up Committee to Run for Governor

December 4, 2008

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R) announced Thursday morning that she was opening up an exploratory committee to run for Texas governor in 2010 and transferring $1 million from her Senate campaign account into this new state-regulated account.

Brown Concedes to McClintock

December 3, 2008

Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Charlie Brown (D) conceded defeat in California's 4th district Wednesday, officially making state Sen. Tom McClintock (R) the Congressman-elect who will succeed retiring Rep. John Doolittle (R).

Rangel's Feud With the Times Intensifies

December 3, 2008

The they-said, they-said between embattled House Ways and Means Chairman Charlie Rangel's (D-N.Y.) camp and the New York Times took a bizarre new twist Wednesday afternoon.

Line to Succeed Becerra in California Could Be Long

December 3, 2008

While Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.) ponders whether to accept President-elect Barack Obama’s offer to serve as U.S. trade representative, several current and former officeholders are already being mentioned as possible candidates to replace him in the Los Angeles-based 31st district.

Hoekstra Weighing 2010 Gubernatorial Bid

December 3, 2008

Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-Mich.) on Wednesday denied reports that he is retiring, but said he is “very seriously” looking at a run for governor in 2010 although he has not made a final decision yet

Legislation on Deck to Allow Clinton’s Confirmation

December 3, 2008

An obscure constitutional provision is likely to force the House and Senate to take up one or more pieces of legislation to cut the pay for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.) and any other Members of either chamber who are nominated by President-elect Barack Obama for executive branch positions, Democrats said Wednesday.

Hoyer to Campaign in Louisiana

December 3, 2008

With the Georgia Senate runoff now over, the political world has cast its gaze westward to Louisiana’s Shreveport-based 4th district for the final competitive Congressional race of the 2008 cycle.

Matthews Moving Closer to Senate Bid

December 3, 2008

Television host Chris Matthews continues to lay the groundwork in preparation for a Pennsylvania Senate bid, meeting with top Democratic fundraisers as well as statewide officials and making an unofficial agreement with a prominent Philadelphia media consultant.

House Panel Asks for Extra Time in Health Care Change

December 3, 2008

Staffers may get some extra time to decide whether to change health insurance plans after Members got wind of a few significant changes to a popular Blue Cross Blue Shield plan.

Chambliss’ Win Diminishes Democrats’ Committee Power

December 3, 2008

Adding to their disappointment of failing to secure a filibuster-proof majority in the 111th Congress, Senate Democrats have most likely said goodbye to any hope of holding a three-seat majority on committees as well.

NAM’s Pink Slips Go to Senior Staff

December 3, 2008

The National Association of Manufacturers cut 17 staff positions Tuesday, including at least three senior-level employees.

Obama Makes Richardson Pick Official

December 3, 2008

As widely expected, President-elect Barack Obama on Wednesday announced that New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) is his pick for secretary of Commerce, making him the first Hispanic to be named to Obama’s Cabinet.

White House Warms to Auto Aid

December 3, 2008

The White House today signaled some flexibility on the amount of money it would be willing to provide ailing U.S. automakers, suggesting President Bush would consider providing more than the $25 billion in previously allocated funds.

Chambliss Wins Georgia Runoff

December 2, 2008

After falling just short of earning a second term on Nov. 4, Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) finished the job on Tuesday, defeating Democrat Jim Martin in a runoff that drew many of the top political names in the country to the Peach State over the past four weeks.

Becerra Considering U.S. Trade Rep. Post

December 2, 2008

Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.) is mulling an offer to become the U.S. trade representative in President-elect Barack Obama’s White House, several Democratic sources confirmed Tuesday evening.

Stevens Wants Another Trial

December 2, 2008

Attorneys for Sen. Ted Stevens (R) indicated Tuesday they will seek a do-over of the Alaskan’s criminal case, asserting that numerous “legal issues” invalidated the October trial that ended in a guilty verdict.

Reid Prompts Early Fight Over Committees

December 2, 2008

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is having a tough time selling a plan to parcel out subcommittee chairmanships to incoming freshmen while taking them away from the more established rank and file.

Martinez Successors Begin to Line Up

December 2, 2008

Following Sen. Mel Martinez’s (R-Fla.) surprise announcement he will not seek a second term in 2010, a long line of potential would-be successors had already begun to form by Tuesday afternoon.

Gregoire Offers Recount Advice to Franken

December 2, 2008

Al Franken certainly isn’t the first candidate to endure a long recount. Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire (D) knows all about close races and recounts, and she recently offered her advice to the Democratic-Farmer-Labor nominee in the protracted Minnesota Senate race.

CVC May Be Great for Visitors, but Not for Capitol Police

December 2, 2008

The Capitol Visitor Center is not only a stately entrance for visitors — it is also designed to be a state-of-the-art facility that enhances the security of the Capitol.

A Call for Comments on Disclosure Forms

December 2, 2008

The Senate and House disclosure offices are asking lobbyists to lodge their gripes regarding new disclosure forms by early next week, so any changes may be made by the Jan. 20 filing deadline.

Hoyer Says No Deal, No Votes

December 2, 2008

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said on Tuesday that the House will not come back into session next week unless a deal is reached in the coming days to aid the sinking auto industry.

CVC Opens in Invitation-Only Ceremony

December 2, 2008

House and Senate leaders ceremoniously opened the Capitol Visitor Center on Tuesday with speeches that evoked the beginnings of Congress and the creation of the Capitol.

Cornyn Gets 2010 Wake-Up Call

December 2, 2008

Sen. John Cornyn (Texas) on Tuesday got a taste of life as National Republican Senatorial Committee chairman, when he found out about Sen. Mel Martinez’s (R-Fla.) decision not to seek re-election in 2010 the same way most everyone else did — via the media.

Light Turnout in Georgia Runoff Has Both Camps on Edge

December 2, 2008

Coming off a visit Monday in which Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) sought to fire up the party base for Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R), Peach State Republicans say they are cautiously optimistic about their prospects of holding the state’s “firewall” Senate seat in today’s runoff.

Prosecutors Want Fossella to Serve Five Days in Jail

December 1, 2008

Prosecutors have formally asked a district judge to sentence Rep. Vito Fossella (R-N.Y.) to 180 days in jail for drunken driving, with all but five days suspended.

Bean to Host Fundraiser for New Colleague Halvorson

December 1, 2008

Rep. Melissa Bean (D-Ill.) will host a fundraiser for Rep.-elect Debbie Halvorson (Ill.) to help retire the fellow Chicagoland Democrat’s campaign debt.

Obama and Clinton Together Again

December 1, 2008

President-elect Barack Obama named Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) as his secretary of State on Monday.

CVC (Finally) Ready to Open Its Doors

December 1, 2008

The idea of an underground extension to the Capitol took seed 30 years ago, gained traction in the 1990s and finally got off the ground in 2002.

Jury Is Still Out on Obama Judges

December 1, 2008

Senate Republicans and conservative activists are warily watching President-elect Barack Obama’s early executive branch nominations, aiming to glean a sense of how the new president will approach the minefield of judicial nominations after he takes office in January, activists and aides said.

A Senate Rises Sans Stars

December 1, 2008

“ER” survived 10 seasons after George Clooney left the show and took his star power to the big screen. Just as the hospital drama pivoted to an ensemble cast, so too will the Senate, which appears poised to continue on without a breakout star as two of its biggest celebrities move on to bigger things.

Bill Thomas Looks Back Serenely at House Career

December 1, 2008

Former Rep. Bill Thomas (R-Calif.) chaired two committees and steered dozens of pieces of legislation during his 28-year career. He openly relished his Ways and Means chairmanship — “the only job that I really, really wanted” — and he was a divisive figure whose skirmishes with Democratic colleagues were legendary.

Heard on the Hill: That’s Mr. Obama to You

December 1, 2008

Everyone knows that Barack Obama is the president-elect. Just look at any newspaper (including Roll Call) or flip on the TV to hear the soon-to-be-prez referred to that way.

Members Offered Many Bills but Passed Few

December 1, 2008

Members of the 110th Congress introduced nearly 14,000 pieces of legislation, more than any Congress since 1980, but only about 3.3 percent of the bills actually were signed into law, the lowest success rate since 1976.

Change to Health Plan May Surprise Hill Staffers

December 1, 2008

Some Capitol Hill staffers and other government workers may have to pay more for surgeries and emergency room visits next year thanks to a few significant changes to a popular federal health insurance plan.

Member Losses Wreak Havoc on Staff

December 1, 2008

When Rekha Chandrasekaran took a job with Rep. Tom Allen (D-Maine) earlier this year, she knew that her new boss was running for the Senate against a popular incumbent. But Chandrasekaran took the gamble and was confident that she would be moving to the upper chamber with Allen after Election Day.

Business Groups, Team Obama Play Well

December 1, 2008

As President-elect Barack Obama puts together his administration’s economic team, business groups and private-sector lobbyists are vying to be heard.

Morning Business: Request for Review

December 1, 2008

Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.) filed a petition Wednesday in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit requesting the full court revisit his case, after a three-judge panel refused to dismiss charges against him in November.