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Democrats Confident as Marathon Saturday Session Begins

Nov. 21, 9:44 a.m.

The epic battle for health care reform gets its first big test on the Senate floor tonight, with Democratic leaders feeling confident, though not yet assured, of getting the 60 votes necessary to beat back a GOP-led filibuster.

Obama Reports on Asia Trip as GOP Hits Health Bill Effort

Nov. 21, 6 a.m.

President Barack Obama used his Saturday radio address to defend his just-completed trip to Asia, arguing the visit will help “open a new era of American engagement” that will boost domestic efforts to right the economy. But Sen. Mike Crapo (Idaho), in the GOP response, continued the Republican assault on Democratic health care reform plans, charging that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) legislation “will result in higher premiums and higher health care costs for Americans — period.”

Democrats Leaving No GOP Health Care Critique Unchallenged

Nov. 20, 10:27 p.m.

With the Senate preparing to vote Saturday on whether to consider a $848 billion health care overhaul bill, national Democrats on Friday launched a rapid response system aimed at blunting each GOP criticism of the bill.

Despite Ailing Mother, Baucus Will Return for Saturday Vote

Nov. 20, 6:06 p.m.

Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) will be in attendance during the Saturday night vote on a health care reform bill that he helped write, his office said.

White House Strongly Backs Reid’s Health Reform Bill

Nov. 20, 6 p.m.

The White House formally endorsed Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) version of health care reform late Friday, calling it a “historic step forward.”

GOP Leaders Press Obama on Afghanistan

Nov. 20, 5:48 p.m.

House Republican leaders reiterated their concern on Friday that the Obama administration has endangered troops in Afghanistan by engaging in an extended review of the situation in the troubled region before sending additional forces.

Levin Says Panel May Have to Punt on ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’

Nov. 20, 4:54 p.m.

Senate Armed Services Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) said Friday that his panel may not call a hearing to review the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy this year, as originally intended.

Senate Phones Disrupted by Deluge of Calls

Nov. 20, 2:07 p.m.

A deluge of phone calls is causing problems with the Senate’s voice mail system, prompting officials to ask staffers to regularly delete their messages.

GOP Senators Warn Democratic Centrists Against Voting to Begin Debate

Nov. 20, 1:15 p.m.

Senate Republicans kicked off an offensive heading into Saturday’s health care reform vote on Friday, warning vulnerable Democrats against voting to begin debate on the measure and challenging the bill’s price tag.

Nelson Will Vote to Begin Debate on Health Bill

Nov. 20, 12:44 p.m.

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) ended weeks of speculation by announcing Friday that he will vote to start debate on the Senate’s health care reform measure when the roll is called Saturday evening.

Obey Seeks War Tax; Pelosi Signals Dwindling Support for Buildup

Nov. 20, 12:19 p.m.

With new polls showing increased opposition to the war in Afghanistan and Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) casting doubts on her Caucus being up for another round of troop deployments, leading House Democrats are now calling for a war tax to make all Americans share the cost burden.

Restaurants to Open for Senate on Saturday

Nov. 20, 12:15 p.m.

Senators and staffers stuck on Capitol Hill on Saturday won’t go hungry: Officials announced Friday that they are keeping two restaurants open.

Byrd Celebrates 92nd Birthday After Setting Record

Nov. 20, 12:11 p.m.

Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) celebrated his 92nd birthday Friday, two days after setting the record as the longest-serving Member of Congress.

Ethics Admonishes Burris Over Senate Appointment

Nov. 20, 11:29 a.m.

The Senate Ethics Committee publicly admonished Sen. Roland Burris (D-Ill.) on Friday for discrediting himself and the Senate in the way he sought appointment to the seat of now-President Barack Obama.

CRS Report Shows Most Bills Subject to Cloture Pass

Nov. 19, 10:25 p.m.

A new study of Senate voting patterns shows the chamber has approved more than 97 percent of all bills subject to a cloture motion to begin debate — a finding that could undercut Democratic efforts to paint a key health care vote on Saturday as procedural.

Doug Hampton: Money From Ensigns Was ‘Severance’

Nov. 19, 9:32 p.m.

Doug Hampton, the former top aide to Sen. John Ensign whose wife had an affair with the Nevada Republican, is alleging the nearly $100,000 that the lawmaker’s parents paid him from their personal accounts after he discovered the affair was “severance” and not a gift as Ensign has claimed.

DeFazio Woos Colleagues to Support Obama Economic Team Ouster

Nov. 19, 6:48 p.m.

Rep. Peter DeFazio, one of the most outspoken Democratic critics of the White House economic team, said he plans to press the 27-member Congressional Populist Caucus to back his call for their ouster.

Reid Tees Up Vote; GOP Drops Bill-Reading Plan

Nov. 19, 4:54 p.m.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Thursday afternoon set the procedural wheels in motion for a crucial vote on a major health care reform bill Saturday night at 8 p.m. and scored a coup by apparently persuading Republicans to abandon their plans to have the entire 2,074-page bill read aloud on the Senate floor.

Nelson Joins Lieberman in Threatening to Filibuster Health Bill

Nov. 19, 4:34 p.m.

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) officially joined Sen. Joe Lieberman (ID-Conn.) as the second member of the Democratic Conference to threaten a filibuster of the Senate’s health care reform bill.

CBO: House Bill Cuts Deficit More Than Senate Version

Nov. 19, 4:29 p.m.

Score one for the House, perhaps. The Congressional Budget Office revised its estimate of the House health care bill Thursday, saying it would shrink the deficit by $139 billion in the first decade, $30 billion more than earlier estimates and $9 billion more than the Senate bill unveiled Wednesday by Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).

Durbin: ‘Place Your Bets’ on 8 p.m. Health Care Vote

Nov. 19, 4:23 p.m.

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said Thursday that Senators should expect to take their first vote on a major health care reform effort Saturday night around 8.

Democratic Caucus Rolls Out Revamped Web Site

Nov. 19, 4:01 p.m.

The House Democratic Caucus unveiled a revamped Web site Thursday with a new focus on showcasing individual Members and legislation.

Senate Confirms Hamilton to 7th Circuit Court

Nov. 19, 3:45 p.m.

Senate Democrats on Thursday voted 59-39 to install David Hamilton to the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Nelson: Abortion Can Be Dealt With on the Floor

Nov. 19, 1:56 p.m.

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) hinted again Thursday that he's leaning toward voting to allow Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to bring his health care bill to the floor, rejecting an argument from fellow Nebraska senator Mike Johanns (R) that such a vote was a vote for abortion rights.

Reid Confident but Won’t Yet Predict 60 Votes

Nov. 19, 1:50 p.m.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) confidently predicted Thursday that the Senate would eventually pass a health care reform measure, even as he refused to say whether he has the 60 votes necessary to bring the measure up for debate.

Pelosi Prefers Senate Abortion Language

Nov. 19, 1:18 p.m.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) rarely misses a chance to defend her chamber’s prerogative, but on one sticking point in the health care debate — abortion — she is casting her lot with the Senate.

Abortion Spotlight Shines on Ben Nelson

Nov. 19, 12:19 p.m.

Abortion language included into the Senate health care bill by Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) quickly came under attack from abortion-rights foes, who are trying to ratchet up the pressure on moderate Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) to block consideration of the bill.

Kerry’s Daughter Arrested for DUI

Nov. 19, 12:06 p.m.

Foreign Relations Chairman John Kerry’s (D-Mass.) daughter was arrested Thursday morning in Los Angeles for driving under the influence.

GOP Leaders Say Most — Not All — Will Oppose ‘Doc Fix’

Nov. 19, 12:02 p.m.

House Republican leaders emerged from a closed-door conference meeting on Thursday confident that most of their members would vote against the $210 billion “doc fix” bill — but stopped short of declaring there would be unanimous GOP opposition.

Lugar’s Wife Arrested for DUI

Nov. 19, 11:03 a.m.

Charlene Lugar, wife of Senate Foreign Relations ranking member Dick Lugar (R-Ind.), was arrested Wednesday night for drunken driving after a traffic accident in McLean, Va.

Official CBO Score Released: Senate Health Bill $848 Billion

Nov. 19, 7:35 a.m.

The Congressional Budget Office confirmed late Wednesday night that the Senate health care reform bill would cost about $848 billion over ten years, but upped the amount of deficit savings Democratic aides had predicted from $127 billion to $130 billion over ten years.

Republicans Won’t Back Off Criticism of DHS

Nov. 19, 12 a.m.

Seven months ago, House Republicans decried as offensive a Homeland Security Department report that listed returning war veterans as possible recruits for “right-wing extremists.”

Durbin, Dorgan Writing Senate Jobs Bill

Nov. 19, 12 a.m.

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Democratic Policy Committee Chairman Byron Dorgan (N.D.) have been quietly trying to write a jobs bill that the Senate can act on early next year, underscoring the renewed emphasis Congressional Democrats are putting on the economy as 2009 comes to a close.

Gitmo Still Vexing Democrats

Nov. 19, 12 a.m.

House Republicans continued Wednesday to hammer Democrats over the issue of bringing suspected terrorists from Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, onto U.S. soil for trial — and they appear to be making headway.

Jefferson to Stay Out of Prison Pending Appeal

Nov. 19, 12 a.m.

Ex-Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.) received a temporary reprieve Wednesday when a federal judge ruled the former lawmaker will not have to begin his 13-year prison term while he appeals his conviction.

D.C. Officials Renew Push for Greater Autonomy

Nov. 19, 12 a.m.

D.C. officials are renewing their push for greater autonomy, pressing Members to pass two bills that would eliminate a Congressional review process they say disrupts the city’s operations and wastes local dollars.

Republicans Complain About ‘Preliminary’ Cost of Senate Health Care Bill

Nov. 18, 9:06 p.m.

Senate Republicans roundly criticized Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) health care reform bill as a backroom deal that will raise insurance premiums and increase taxes on Americans, even as they complained they have yet to read the 2,074-page bill.

Obama Names McCue, Perino to Broadcast Board

Nov. 18, 8:32 p.m.

The White House announced Wednesday that President Barack Obama was nominating Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) former chief of staff, Susan McCue, and former Bush White House Press Secretary Dana Perino to the Broadcasting Board of Governors.

Senate Reform Race Begins

Nov. 18, 7:58 p.m.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) finally ended weeks of mystery about his health care reform bill on Wednesday night, setting the stage for a historic debate that could begin this week if he can get an initial OK from all 60 members of the Democratic Conference.

Owens, Garamendi About to Get Committee Assignments

Nov. 18, 6:25 p.m.

The two newest House Democrats — Reps. John Garamendi (Calif.) and Bill Owens (N.Y.) — are about to get their committee assignments.

House GOP to Meet Thursday, Fearing Split Over ‘Doc Fix’

Nov. 18, 6:02 p.m.

The House Republican Conference will hold a special meeting Thursday morning to discuss the “doc fix” bill, which has the potential to divide some the most conservative members from their leadership.

Byrd Celebrates Becoming Longest-Serving Member

Nov. 18, 5:34 p.m.

An ebullient Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) took to the floor Wednesday afternoon to celebrate his 20,774th day of service in Congress, the longest of any lawmaker in history.

Senate Health Bill Comes In at $849 Billion

Nov. 18, 4:58 p.m.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) health care reform proposal will cost $849 billion over 10 years but cut the deficit by about $127 billion, leadership aides announced Wednesday afternoon.

Democrats Demand Insurers Explain Rate Hikes

Nov. 18, 4:11 p.m.

A bicameral group of Democratic lawmakers led by Rep. Joe Crowley (D-N.Y.) is asking the insurance industry to explain a report that its companies are steeply hiking rates ahead of a health care reform overhaul aimed in part at reining in industry profits.

Nelson: A Vote to Begin Debate Not an Endorsement on Health Bill

Nov. 18, 4:09 p.m.

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) on Wednesday took aim at critics who have attempted to sway his vote on whether to support Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) effort to begin debate on a health care reform measure this week.

Senate Prepares to Work Through Next Wednesday

Nov. 18, 2:07 p.m.

Senators may keep slogging through debate on their health care overhaul until the day before Thanksgiving, according to an adjournment resolution the House approved Wednesday.

Biden, Salazar and Daschle Tapped to Lobby Senators on Health Reform

Nov. 18, 12:58 p.m.

President Barack Obama has dispatched a trio of heavy-hitting former Senators to the Senate to shore up votes for a health care reform bill that could come up later this week.

Blue Dogs Challenge Pelosi With Support of Deficit-Cutting Commission

Nov. 18, 11:59 a.m.

In a direct challenge to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition voted Tuesday night to endorse a powerful bipartisan commission with fast-track authority to bring legislation to the House and Senate floor that would slash the federal deficit.

Byrd Honored as Longest-Serving Lawmaker

Nov. 18, 10:53 a.m.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) took to the Senate floor Wednesday morning to laud President Pro Tem Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) for becoming the longest-serving Member of Congress.

Reform Allies Ready Ads Backing Vulnerables

Nov. 18, 12 a.m.

Outside groups pushing health care reform are readying a multimillion-dollar ad blitz to defend about a dozen vulnerable House Democrats who helped pass a sweeping overhaul from attack ads launched by the measure’s opponents.