GOP Bolsters Hispanic Outreach Efforts

Friendly Fire: Parties Slam Some of Their Own | Rothenblog

The National Republican Congressional Committee and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee each blasted the other side after a near party-line vote on the Smarter Solutions for Students Act, which passed the House on Thursday, 221-198.

Menendez: Filibuster-Proof Majority not 'Identified' for Immigration Bill | #WGDB

New Jersey Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez tells Univision that the “gang of eight” senators working on an immigration overhaul don’t yet have 60 votes.

• House Immigration Bill Back on Track, Say Bipartisan Negotiators

Democrats Pan House Student Loan Bill, Prep For Action | #WGDB

Senate Democrats hate it. The White House said it would veto it. And yet, the House passed a student loan bill Thursday, increasing the pressure on Democrats to move their own bill.

• Student Loan Standoff to Test Hill’s Summer Tone | Hawkings Here

Democrat Noncommittal on Pelosi #NY11 | The Candidate

CQ Roll Call talks to New York City Council Member Domenic M. Recchia Jr., who is taking on Rep. Michael G. Grimm in New York's 11th District.

David Dreier Lands at Brookings | Goppers

Former House Rules Chairman David Dreier, R-Calif., has joined the Brookings Institution as a distinguished fellow, the think tank announced.

National Republicans Send Staff to Massachusetts #MASEN

National Republicans have dispatched staff to Massachusetts to assist with the Senate special election that has become tantalizingly close.

Frosty GOP Reception for Obama's Terrorism Policy Shifts

President Barack Obama tried to use a wide-ranging speech Thursday to reset the narrative on a counterterrorism record that has been a political thorn in the White House’s side in recent months. But the immediate reaction from adversaries in Congress about new policies relating to the Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, prison and drone strikes suggested he had changed few minds.

Grassley Chief of Staff Running for Senate #IASEN

David Young, a longtime chief of staff to Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, intends to run for Senate in the Hawkeye State, a GOP source confirmed.

Ex-Rep. Joe Baca Touts 30 Endorsements From House Democrats #CA31

Former Rep. Joe Baca, a Democrat attempting a comeback bid in California’s 31st District, boasted support from 30 House Democrats on Thursday. The list runs the gamut from members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to Assistant Minority Leader James E. Clyburn of South Carolina.

DesJarlais Will Pay State Fines for Medical Misconduct | Goppers

Several months since the revelation broke that Rep. Scott DesJarlais engaged in inappropriate relationships with patients during his pre-congressional career as a doctor, the tea-party-backed, two-term Tennessee Republican will pay a fine and receive admonishment from the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners.

Jo Bonner to Resign From Congress Soon (Updated) #AL01

Updated 3:57 p.m. | Rep. Jo Bonner, R-Ala., will resign from Congress later this year to take a job at the University of Alabama, CQ Roll Call has confirmed.

• Roll Call Casualty List

Reid Raises Possibility of Using Nuclear Option

Senate Majority Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell tangled over nominations for the second day in a row Thursday, with Reid raising the possibility of changing the filibuster rules on a simple majority vote to speed action.

• McCain Looks to Defuse 'Nuclear' Threat

Old Objections Hang Over New Push for Media Shield Law

Bipartisan momentum is building for legislation that would give reporters new legal protections from government authorities who want them to reveal their confidential sources. But it’s far from clear whether the effort can overcome the objections that derailed similar bills in the Senate in 2007 and 2009.

Cancer Survivor's Softball Duties Are Extra Resonant

Kate Yglesias Houghton, a staffer at the Democratic National Committee, has been helping organize the Congressional Women’s Softball Game since its inception five years ago.

• Teens Road-Tripping to Watch Gillibrand Play in Softball Game

Hellbender Brewing Has Hill Roots

Six hours before the start of the new year, the Senate was about to reach a deal on the fiscal cliff and longtime staffer Patrick Mullane was getting ready to leave the Hill for beer. It’s just that it’s taken a few months to get the kegs tapped.