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Opinion

With Pentagon Unable to Do Advance Planning, Congress Must Step Up

Glory be — the Senate Armed Services Committee actually held a real oversight hearing on the Iraq war. Glory be — Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld actually testified after brushing off the committee (albeit only after New York Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton made it clear that his failure to appear would be a big issue). Glory be a third time — Rumsfeld was not his usual pugnacious, if charming, self. Rather, he was subdued and even at times tentative (although the quintessential Rumsfeld, including the one asking aggressive rhetorical questions he answers himself, did appear under questioning by Clinton).

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Rep. Frank Pallone waits Feb. 8 for the start of a news conference to introduce legislation to keep arsenic and lead out of fruit juices.
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30 Hill Aides to Know

30 Hill Aides to Know

The clear expectation is Congress will get very little done this election year. But what does get accomplished, at least in the high-profile areas, will largely be the handiwork of an elite group of staffers — who combine policy expertise, political acumen and the trust of their lawmaker bosses to drive much of the legislative agenda.

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