Where's the Congressional Mute Button? | Capitol Quip

Tensions boiled over last week when House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Darrell Issa, R-Calif., cut of the microphone of ranking member Elijah E. Cummings, D-Md., before Cummings could speak at a panel hearing. Harsh words followed, along with rancor on the floor and, eventually, a kinda-sorta apology predicated on the words “hissy fit.” That brings us to this week’s Capitol Quip.

Jeffries and Farenthold at SXSW: Keep Patent Trolls Under the Bridge

Senate staffers who got a lot of emails about "patent trolls" today can thank South by Southwest. Speaking to an audience of about 150, Reps. Hakeem Jeffries and Blake Farenthold said the other chamber of Congress needs to move on legislation to combat frivolous patent lawsuits.

• Roll Call's Guide to SXSW Interactive

Alan Grayson Will Not Face Charges in Marital Spat

Rep. Alan Grayson will not face charges after a marital spat devolved into accusations of domestic abuse earlier this month.

Did Shutdown Showdown Advance D.C. Budget Autonomy?

Although October’s partial federal government shutdown was a tense stretch for the District, those 16 days might help ease the way for budget autonomy.

Expanding the Senate Map Promises to Get Expensive

Senate Republicans aren’t just widening their path to the majority with each new seat added to the competitive map, they’re also increasing the odds Democrats will have to spend money in states beyond the top battlegrounds.

Cooperation a Distant Goal for One Spending Bill

As appropriators try to build on the accord they reached in the $1.1 trillion omnibus while working on fiscal 2015 spending plans, some observers already are questioning whether the largest nondefense spending bill, Labor-HHS-Education, can be completed as a stand-alone measure in a steeply divided Congress.

• Labor-HHS Bill Managed From the Exit Ramp

Cochran Upbeat About Primary Fight, Not Running Scared

Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran was upbeat this week that he will prevail over his tea-party-backed Republican primary challenger when voters go to the polls in June.

Women of Congress Promote STEM Education, Careers

“All I could visualize, to be perfectly honest, was being a teacher, a social worker and a secretary,” said Rep. Susan A. Davis, D-Calif.

McCain: Cruz's Criticism of Bob Dole Crossed a Line

Sen. John McCain said Friday he told Sen. Ted Cruz that the Texas Republican’s criticism of former Majority Leader Bob Dole in a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference crossed a line.

Congressional Hits and Misses: Week of March 3 (Video)

HOH serves up another dish of the best of what’s around with members detailing how cold Ukraine is, explaining what happens when the toilet leaks and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., seeing how many times he can say “Koch brothers” in a 10-minute speech.

Gutierrez Defends Calling Obama 'Deporter in Chief'

Rep. Luis V. Gutiérrez defended his characterization of President Barack Obama as “deporter in chief” during a conference call with immigration activists on Friday.

House GOP to Tie 'Doc Fix' to Individual Mandate Delay (Updated)

Updated 5:33 p.m. | House Republicans will tie the “doc fix” to a delay of up to 10 years of the mandate in Democrats’ health care law that Americans purchase insurance, according to GOP aides.

Alexander, Feinstein Restate Displeasure With In-Flight Phone Calls

The Senate’s leading voices against in-flight cellphone calls are at it again.

Senate Blocks Gillibrand's Military Sexual-Assault Bill (Updated) (Video)

Updated 5:04 p.m. | The Senate narrowly blocked Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s bill to remove prosecutorial decisions for military sexual assaults and other felonies from the chain of command.

• McConnell Dodges Criticism From Both Sides With Vote on Gillibrand Bill

A Campaign's Favorite Spokesperson: the Daughter

A candidate recently aimed to make a positive impression on voters by starring his female offspring in a TV ad.

Sinema Will Run for Re-Election in Current District

Freshman Democratic Rep. Kyrsten Sinema will seek re-election in the 9th District of Arizona.

Defense Dept. Proposes Retirement Benefit Changes | Topic A

Military Times posts an exclusive: “After years of silence on the intensely controversial issue of military retirement reform, the Pentagon on Thursday unveiled a detailed proposal for fundamental, far-reaching changes to the current pension system, Military Times has learned.”

• More From Topic A: Defense

Bill Shuster Begins Major TV Ad Campaign

Pennsylvania Rep. Bill Shuster is leaving nothing to chance in his campaign for a seventh full term.

Rodney Davis Dwarfs Competition in Fundrising Ahead of Primary

Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Ill., far outraised his opposition in the competitive 13th District, according to fundraising reports filed Thursday — less than two weeks before the March 18 primary.

McMorris Rodgers Works to Rebuild, Rebrand Party Image, One Republican at a Time

Cathy McMorris Rodgers has two major goals: changing how Republicans sell themselves to the American people and how Americans view the Republican Party.

• The 200th Woman Elected to House, McMorris Rodgers Works to Recruit More of Her Own

Condoleezza Rice Headlines McConnell Fundraiser at Rupp Arena

Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is headlining a fundraiser in Lexington on Thursday for Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky, a spokesperson for the campaign confirmed.

Gray Undecided on Controversial Scholarship Program

Despite opposition from Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., District leaders advanced a plan to create a new need-based scholarship program funded by the city.