Peter King:
Give Oklahoma Tornado Relief Without Offsets

Lerner to Invoke the Fifth, Former IRS Commissioner Describes 'Dismay'

The IRS official in charge of the division accused of improperly targeting conservative groups will invoke her Fifth Amendment rights against compelled self-incrimination at a committee hearing Wednesday, a sign of concern that the political controversy is heading into the criminal arena.

• Shulman, IRS Officials Heading to Congressional Firing Line This Week
• Why the IRS Mess Bares Big Campaign Finance Problems

Who's the Right Watchdog for Nonprofits' Political Activity? | Rules of the Game

An obvious danger of the IRS political targeting scandal is that congressional and federal investigations will produce much heat but little light.

Gary Peters Leads Poll, Hires Campaign Manager #MISEN

Democratic Rep. Gary Peters has a campaign manager and a lead in the polls — but he’s still awaiting a GOP opponent for the open-seat Senate race in Michigan.

Todd Akin, Virginia Style? | Rothenblog

Until Saturday night, I had never heard of E.W. Jackson, a Harvard Law School graduate and minister who served three years in the Marine Corps and attended Harvard Divinity School.

McCain Lashes Out at Paul on Offshore Tax Hearing | #WGDB

Sen. John McCain of Arizona — the top Republican on an oversight committee that questioned Apple Inc.’s CEO Tuesday — criticized fellow GOP Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky for attacking the panel’s inquiry.

Truce in Judicial Wars: D.C. Court to Get Democratic Pick | Hawkings Here

The Senate is about to put the first new judge on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in seven years.

From the Trail to the Hill: Does My Campaign Experience Mean Nothing? | Hill Navigator

What’s worse than working in a dysfunctional Capitol Hill office? Not having the opportunity to work in one at all. And for a number of wannabe staffers, the road to Capitol Hill is paved with obstacles. Today’s question comes from a spirited campaign worker who wonders why his or her skills on the trail haven’t earned a congressional ID badge.

McConnell Won't Seek to Continue Burma Sanctions | #WGDB

One of the Senate’s leading voices on Myanmar, or Burma, says he will not pursue a renewal of economic sanctions against the country.

A Centrist Party With Clout? Maybe Startup Cash Would Help | Kondracke

Michael Bloomberg, Howard Schultz and Peter Ackerman — meet Charlie Wheelan.

Mike Honda's Endorsement Parade Continues #CA17

What do the president’s half sister, actor Kal Penn and Star Trek legend slash Facebook celebrity George Takei have in common?

Bachmann Opponent on Terms Limits and Tipping Etiquette #MN06 | The Candidate

Note: Every year, scores of congressional candidates visit the CQ Roll Call offices to meet with reporters and Contributing Writer Stuart Rothenberg. This new feature, “The Candidate,” will ask these congressional hopefuls five questions about their campaigns. Responses have been edited and condensed.

Congress Can't Seem to Win for Winning | Wolfensberger

Bashing Congress has been a popular sport since the beginning of the republic.

Veteran National Security Staffer Gordon Lederman Mourned

The national security community on Capitol Hill continues to mourn the recent passing of one of its steadiest hands.

Tea Party Express Backs Special Election Candidate #MO08

Missouri Speaker Pro Tem Jason Smith picked up the endorsement of the Tea Party Express on Tuesday, less than three weeks before the special election in the Show Me State’s 8th District.

House Defense Bill Aims to Implement Lessons From Benghazi Attack

The inquiry led by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee into the slaying of four Americans at the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, last year has been attention-grabbing, but some senior GOP aides are worried that the partisan overtones are diverting Congress from identifying and addressing the real lessons learned from the attack.

IRS 'Scandal' Touches More Nerves as Sign of Incompetence | Hawkings Here

The second congressional hearing on the IRS scandal, scheduled for Tuesday morning in the Senate Finance Committee, may offer solid clues about which of two possible ways the Republicans plan to play the imbroglio.

Top GOP Media Firm's Split Heads to Court | Shop Talk

A top GOP ad firm’s split took a litigious turn earlier this month, when Rex Elsass, the CEO and founder of The Strategy Group for Media, filed suit against his company’s former president, Nick Everhart.

• Embroiled GOP Firm Hires Gingrich Operative

Michelle Nunn Senate Announcement Coming Soon

After appearing at a weekend fundraiser for Senate Democrats, party leaders expect Michelle Nunn to make a final decision on the Georgia Senate race within weeks.