Nita Lowey, Carrying the Banner for Appropriations

Since being named to the bicameral budget conference committee this fall, New York Democrat Nita M. Lowey has used her position on the 29-member panel to push the concerns of not only Democrats but appropriators from both sides of the aisle.

Lawmakers Often Won’t Let Pentagon Make Cuts | Topic A

“The Pentagon faces budget cuts of $487 billion over the next 10 years — and the threat of $500 billion more under sequestration. But paring down the budget by killing weapons programs is no easy task on Capitol Hill, where politicians, backed by the defense industry lobby, fight to protect jobs in their home districts,” the Los Angeles Times reports.

• More From Topic A: Defense

Clinton, Capitol Hill Mourn Death of Nelson Mandela

Congress may be out as the world mourns the passing of Nelson Mandela, but Capitol Hill still found ways to grieve the former South African president Friday.

All Quiet on the Conference Front

No news is, well, news, as Congress nears pressing deadlines to reach a budget deal and pass a farm bill — and there doesn’t appear to be an agreement for either one, at least before Monday.

• Boehner: Budget and Farm Bill Deals Are Not Imminent
• Budget Deal Looks Likely, but Passage Uncertain

Gabrielle Giffords Closes Campaign Committee

Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., has terminated her congressional campaign committee and has transferred the remaining funds to her political action committee.

Democratic Committee Leaders Ask for Iran Intel Briefings

Democratic Sens. Tim Johnson of South Dakota, Carl Levin of Michigan and Dianne Feinstein of California wrote to Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper Jr. on Friday, urging him to provide regular briefings on Iran.

Capitol Wreath Ceremony Slated for Monday

Wreaths Across America, the group behind the annual holiday wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, will lay an evergreen wreath at the Capitol on Dec. 9, with a Civil Air Patrol honor guard standing over it all day.

New Stealth Aircraft Scheduled for Production | Topic A

Aviation Week: “A large, classified unmanned aircraft developed by Northrop Grumman is now flying—and it demonstrates a major advance in combining stealth and aerodynamic efficiency. Defense and intelligence officials say the secret unmanned aerial system (UAS), designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, is scheduled to enter production for the U.S. Air Force and could be operational by 2015.”

Caucus Chairman Wants to 'Kick Butt' With New Website

Even before Rep. Xavier Becerra ascended the congressional leadership ranks, the California Democrat wanted to have the best website on Capitol Hill.

Second Republican Goes on the Air in Florida Special Election

State Rep. Kathleen Peters has joined lobbyist David Jolly on the airwaves for the Republican primary in the special election to succeed the late Rep. C.W. Bill Young, R-Fla.

• David Jolly Goes on the Air in Florida Special

House Members Can Include 'Merry Christmas' in Franked Mail

The franking commission will no longer use its proverbial red pen to strike festive sentiments from House members’ communications.

Van Hollen and Allies Drop IRS Suit

Now that the IRS has drafted new rules to rein in politically active tax-exempt groups, Rep. Chris Van Hollen and three allied watchdog groups have withdrawn their lawsuit challenging the tax agency to take action.

Congressional Hits and Misses: Week of Dec. 2 (Video)

Amazon, Geico and high-school sports grace the House floor in HOH’s second installment of Congressional Hits and Misses.

GOP Men Should Be 'a Little More Sensitive' to Women, Boehner Says

Speaker John A. Boehner on Thursday responded to reports that the National Republican Campaign Committee is coaching male House GOP candidates on how to steer clear of allegations of sexism in elections against female challengers.

N.Y. GOP Seeks Opportunities Outside the Big Apple

Beyond the Big Apple, Republicans see great opportunities in the Empire State.

Partying Within the Rules | K Street Files

Hide the silverware. Stow the dinner plates. And definitely keep that 100-year-old cognac corked.

9 Questions About HealthCare.gov Answered

HealthCare.gov is working much better than it was at the start of October. But the woebegone federal website that must haul a system of affordable health coverage into place if the health care law is going to succeed has a long way to go and a short time to get there.

• Translating the Health Tech Lingo

Democratic Super PAC Drops Major Buy in North Carolina

While Democrats up for re-election are facing heat over Obamacare, a Democratic-aligned super PAC launched a TV ad targeting the leading Republican in the North Carolina Senate race on the issue of health care.

A Fight for the GOP Torch in Alaska

In a unique twist among most Republican Senate primaries this cycle, the fight for the nomination in Alaska has become a two-headed battle for the establishment mantle.

Will Obamacare Fixes Satisfy Senate Democrats?

The last day of November was billed as a key date for fixing HealthCare.gov, but the real test may come on Dec. 9, when Senate Democrats return to Washington from a two-week break.

Purse Strings Passed to a Different Sort of Republican

Three weeks ago, and thanks mainly to the seniority system, an unusual midyear rearrangement of the House Appropriations power structure produced promotions for a quartet of relatively moderate and old-school Republicans.