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July 16, 2009

House Health Bill Under Fire

Hours after a jubilant House Democratic leadership rolled out what they hope will be landmark health care legislation, the gritty work of actually passing it began.

Lobbying of GOP Heats Up on Health Care

Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and President Barack Obama worked furiously Wednesday to lure Republican Senate support for a health care overhaul, eyeing a self-imposed timeline that could force them to choose between bipartisanship and going it alone.

GOP Senate Candidates Rebound in Money Chase

After being outshone by Democrats in the first quarter of the 2010 cycle, Senate Republican candidates rebounded with a respectable showing in the second quarter — including a few bright stars who stood out above the rest.

Newcomers Bask in Hearing's Glow

As Supreme Court hopeful Sonia Sotomayor easily maneuvered her way through a third day of confirmation hearings Wednesday, a trio of the Senate’s newest Democrats were using the confirmation process to make their own marks on the Senate.

Heard on the Hill: It's a Live One

The curse of the live mike strikes again: While presiding over the House, Rep. John Tierney (D-Mass.) was caught expressing frustration that clearly wasn’t meant to be heard by his colleagues, let alone those C-SPAN viewers watching the floor.

Intel Probes May Yet Turn to Cheney

Congressional Democrats and the Obama administration may end up uncovering more provocative information about then-Vice President Dick Cheney’s management of secret anti-terrorism programs, even though they say they are trying not to jump to conclusions in the multiple probes of Bush-era intelligence activities.

House Cafeteria Offers Farmers Market

Lois Allensworth stood behind a table stacked with her tomatoes, cantaloupe and garlic on Wednesday, enthusiastically inviting staffers and visitors to try a cherry tomato or a slice of melon.

Campus Notebook: God, Communists and the CVC

The nation’s largest group of atheists and agnostics is suing the Architect of the Capitol in an effort to stop the engraving of “In God We Trust” in the Capitol Visitor Center.

Who Will Congress Put First — Children or Teachers Unions?

If any story this year deserved Page One coverage — but didn’t get it — it was Education Secretary Arne Duncan’s challenging speech July 2 to the nation’s largest teachers union.

Educating America About a Judge and Other Summer Follies

In a stunning statement Monday sure to affect her confirmation prospects, Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor pledged her “fidelity to the law.” That must have been regarded as big news to the folks over at the Washington Post, since that was the bold headline on Page One of Tuesday’s newspaper.

A Torturous Case of He Said, She Said

National security must remain a strategic legislative priority that deserves the vigilant and careful attention of Congress. When it comes to protecting Americans and preserving our freedoms, the interests of the people are best served by a permanent relationship of reciprocal confidence and deference between Congress and the intelligence community.

On Camera

The latest cartoon from R.J. Matson.

Many Eye Maloney's Big Apple Seat

Congressional vacancies in Manhattan are rarer than cheap apartments in the Big Apple.
So it’s hardly surprising that a long line of candidates is forming in New York’s 14th district as nine-term Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D) inches closer to running for Senate next year.

Walberg Seeks to Retake House Seat

Tim Walberg (Mich.) this week became the third former House Republican to officially announce a quest to reclaim his old seat, joining the ranks of former Reps. Steve Pearce (N.M.) and Steve Chabot (Ohio) in their respective rematch races against freshman Democrats.

Shop Talk: Great Scott, Another State!

Democratic campaign strategist Scott Arceneaux sure does get around — to different states that is. Arceneaux was just announced as the new executive director for the Florida Democratic Party.

California: Chu Defeats Chu to Win Solis' Seat

California Board of Equalization Vice Chairwoman Judy Chu (D) was elected to replace former Rep. Hilda Solis (D) in a low-turnout affair Tuesday. President Barack Obama called Chu Wednesday to congratulate her on being the first Chinese-American woman elected to Congress.

Pennsylvania: Gerlach Move Sets Off Scramble in 6th District

Rep. Jim Gerlach’s (R) announcement this week that he will leave Congress to run for governor in 2010 touches off a competitive race in his suburban Philadelphia 6th district.

Louisiana: Colleagues Chip In to Boost Cao Fundraising

Rep. Anh “Joseph” Cao (R), who is viewed by many race watchers as the most vulnerable incumbent of the 2010 cycle, more than doubled his first-quarter fundraising between April 1 and June 30 thanks in no small part to an uptick in donations from his fellow Republican colleagues.

Indiana: Burton Outraised by 1 of 4 Primary Foes

One of Rep. Dan Burton’s (R) primary opponents appears to have outraised him in the past three months, according to Federal Election Commission reports filed Wednesday.

Florida: Boyd Fundraising Far Outpaces Opponent

State Senate Minority Leader Al Lawson, who is challenging Rep. Allen Boyd from the left in the Democratic primary, won’t turn many heads with just $55,000 raised during the second quarter and less than $38,000 in cash on hand as of June 30.

Virginia: Not Goode Fundraising for a 2010 Comeback

For a man who says he’s seriously considering trying to regain his old seat in Congress, former Rep. Virgil Goode (R) sure isn’t fundraising like he wants to come back to Capitol Hill.

Kansas: Democrat Joins Race for Tiahrt Seat

State Rep. Raj Goyle announced Tuesday he will run for Rep. Todd Tiahrt’s (R) seat, making him the first viable Democratic candidate in the race.

A Lincoln Legacy

What was once a museum that focused on the last days of Abraham Lincoln’s life in the basement of Ford’s Theatre is today something totally new: an interactive showcase of his transformation during the four years he was in the White House.

Photography Melds Movement and Architecture

Philip Trager started his career in the 1970s as a commercial real estate attorney in Connecticut.

Small Plates: Grill Cook-off Set For Nationals Park

The Nationals won’t be the only ones competing at their stadium Sunday. Local chef Teddy Folkman, owner of Granville Moore’s and a recent finalist on the Next Food Network Star, will be facing off against Phil Bucco, who oversees the food served at the ballpark, in an Iron Chef-style cook-off.

Hill Talk: The Wettest Art Form

When Lisa Gold, executive director of the Washington Project for the Arts, says she wants people to experience new art forms, she’s not kidding. Gold is the mastermind behind SynchroSwim, an event to be held at Capitol Skyline Hotel’s retro pool on Sunday.

Photo From the Attic: Those Were the Days

On July 7, 1937, Capitol Hill was deserted as the House and Senate recessed so that legislators could watch the All-Star Game. Shown here are House Minority Leader Bertram Snell (left) and Rep. John O’Connor, chairman of the Rules Committee.