Pennsylvania Avenue
Nov. 5, 12 a.m.
Late in the game, Republicans are proposing alternatives to Democratic health care reform, but they’re certainly not being bold.
Congress Inside Out
Nov. 4, 12 a.m.
Unfortunately, because of lead times, I have to write this long before the results of the Tuesday elections are in. So I cannot make intelligent post-dictions, much less stunning predictions, given that at least two of the three big contests — the New Jersey gubernatorial race and New York’s 23rd Congressional district — are as I write too close to call.
Procedural Politics
Nov. 3, 12 a.m.
When physical health system changes collide with fiscal health cost concerns, red ink is spilt. That’s the mess Congress must face in meeting the president’s health care reform standard of not adding one dime to the deficit. The cleanup effort will not end with enactment, but will take decades.
A Question of Ethics
Oct. 27, 12 a.m.
Q: I am a lobbyist with a question about the new restrictions on lobbying for TARP funding. As I understand it, we are now prohibited from talking to government officials regarding any pending funding applications. While this seems a bit onerous, I suppose it is OK so long as everyone is playing by the same rules. However, some of my peers in the field have said that they plan to continue discussing specific projects with government officials by utilizing what they say is a loophole in the new rules. According to them, there is an exception allowing discussions regarding pending applications so long as those discussions take place at a widely attended gathering. I’m not sure about this. I don’t want to break the rules, but I also don’t want to lose out to lobbyists who plan to take advantage of this exception. What do the rules say?
Fiscal Fitness
Nov. 3, 12 a.m.
Wall Street, which supposedly hates uncertainty, was clearly unhappy late last week. On Thursday, in the face of a report showing not just that the economy had stopped declining but that it had actually grown faster than expected in the third quarter, the Dow Jones industrial average rallied by almost 200 points. Then, after a separate report on Friday showed that consumer spending had fallen by an unexpectedly large amount in that same quarter, the market sold off by more than the previous day’s gain as the Dow fell by about 250 points.
Heard on theHill
Bar Brawl
Nov. 5, 12 a.m.
While HOH is sure plenty of Capitol Hill spokesmen have wanted to punch loudmouth reporters every once in a while, we wouldn’t recommend any of them actually slug somebody in real life.
The RoseGarden
Obama and His Team Throwing Some Elbows
Nov. 2, 12 a.m.
President Barack Obama, criticized in some quarters for appearing too passive, is projecting a very different aura of late, as he and his aides pick fights all over town while the president transforms himself into the very picture of a wartime leader.
RoadMap
Democrats Continue Hunt for Votes on Health Care
Nov. 3, 12 a.m.
Would you buy something sight unseen?
Neither will many Senate Democrats, which is putting Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and his leadership team in the awkward position of looking for votes on a major health care reform bill that doesn’t quite exist.
CampusNotebook
Verifying Vouchers
Nov. 5, 12 a.m.
The House Administration Committee passed a resolution Wednesday to set guidelines for reimbursement vouchers, paving the way for new standards that will be implemented in January.
MorningBusiness
Better Together
Oct. 29, 12 a.m.
Congress last week passed legislation to add former Congressman and Interior Secretary Stewart Udall’s name to the foundation that was created to honor his brother, the late Rep. Morris Udall (D-Ariz.).
Face Time
Updated: Nov. 3
Find out which Members of Congress have appeared most often on Sunday news shows in 2009
Obama Thankful to House for Health Vote, Confident of Senate Passage
Nov. 8, 1:36 p.m.
President Barack Obama thanked House Members Sunday for their “courageous vote” to pass health care reform and said he is confident the Senate will approve legislation as well.
Obama Uses Health Care Vote to Boost Fundraising for Grass-Roots Group
Nov. 8, 10:56 a.m.
President Barack Obama used Saturday night’s House vote in favor of health care reform to raise money for the grass-roots group Organizing for America, telling its 13 million members that the victory heralds a tough fight in the Senate and that OFA needs their financial support.
Senate Committee Will Probe Whether Warning Signs From Shooter Were Missed
Nov. 8, 10:47 a.m.
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Chairman Joe Lieberman (ID-Conn.) said Sunday his panel will launch an investigation into the Army’s handling of Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan in the period leading up to Thursday’s rampage at Fort Hood, Texas, which Hasan is suspected of committing.
Republicans Say Health Vote Could Return Them to Majority Status
Nov. 8, 10:16 a.m.
Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence (Ind.) suggested on Sunday that passage by House Democrats of a health care reform bill Saturday night could result in a GOP takeover of Congress.
Democrats Dodge Tough Immigration Vote
Nov. 8, 12:49 a.m.
House Democrats dodged a bullet Saturday night when, nearing the end of debate on the Democratic health care bill, Republicans opted not to use a procedural motion to force a vote on restricting the rights of illegal immigrants to buy insurance.
House Passes Landmark Health Care Overhaul
Nov. 7, 11:16 p.m.
House Democrats narrowly clinched a landmark victory on a sweeping health care overhaul Saturday night, voting 220-215 to deliver President Barack Obama a key win on his No. 1 domestic priority.
House Rejects GOP Health Bill
Nov. 7, 10:36 p.m.
The House Saturday evening rejected a Republican alternative health care reform bill on a largely party line vote, 176-258.
House OKs Stupak Anti-Abortion Amendment
Nov. 7, 10:30 p.m.
The House handed abortion-rights foes a major victory Saturday night, voting 240-194, with one voting present, to adopt Rep. Bart Stupak’s (D-Mich.) amendment prohibiting abortion coverage under a new national insurance exchange.
Cao May Be Sole GOP Vote In Favor of Health Bill
Nov. 7, 8:38 p.m.
At least one Republican may vote for the Democratic health care bill, several House sources confirmed on Saturday night.
Health Debate Winds Down; Dingell Set to Close
Nov. 7, 7:45 p.m.
The House is winding down its four-hour debate on the Democratic health care bill and preparing for a final vote after 9:30 p.m. Veteran Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.), who proceeded over the beginning of the debate, is set to close for the Democrats, who are convinced they now have the votes to pass the bill.
House Health Care Debate Slogs On Along Party Lines
Nov. 7, 5:41 p.m.
The House on Saturday continued its slog through hours of debate on the Democratic health care bill, with proponents hailing the plan to expand affordable care and opponents warning against a massive government takeover of health care.
Protesters, GOP Leaders Pledge Fight to the End
Nov. 7, 4:24 p.m.
The tea party protest on the East Front of the Capitol may have been smaller than Thursday’s event, but the attendees were no less adamant about their wish to see the Democratic health care reform bill fail in the House.
Stupak Claims 225 Votes for Anti-Abortion Amendment
Nov. 7, 3:13 p.m.
Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) said Saturday afternoon that he has about 225 votes for his anti-abortion amendment to the health care reform bill, more than enough to pass it, and warned the broader measure would lose votes if his proposal fails.
Obama Delivers Eleventh-Hour Appeal for Health Care Bill
Nov. 7, 2:35 p.m.
President Barack Obama on Saturday delivered what attendees described as a somber but inspirational closing argument to House Democrats steeling themselves for a series of gut-wrenching votes on a massive health care overhaul.
House Clears Rule for Health Care Debate
Nov. 7, 2:27 p.m.
House Democratic leaders on Saturday got through their first major vote on their health care proposal with passage of the rule governing debate on the bill.
Obama’s Grass-Roots Team Targets GOP Members
Nov. 7, 2:21 p.m.
The grass-roots group Organizing for America is activating its membership in 33 districts that voted for President Barack Obama but are represented by Republicans, asking them Saturday to demand that their GOP Representatives support the Democratic-backed health care reform bill.
Obama Makes Rose Garden Pitch for Bill
Nov. 7, 1:49 p.m.
President Barack Obama appeared in the Rose Garden on Saturday to urge House Members to answer “the call of history” and pass the health care reform bill.
Pro-Choice Caucus Democrats ‘Furious’ Over Abortion Amendment
Nov. 7, 1:12 p.m.
Democrats supporting abortion rights said Saturday they were “furious” that the House will consider an amendment to the health care overhaul that would ban insurance plans funded in part by federal subsidies from covering the procedure.
Republicans Begin Stall Tactics on Health Care Bill
Nov. 7, 11:53 a.m.
House Republicans began their delay tactics on Saturday by repeatedly interrupting Democratic women who tried to request permission to extend their remarks, arguing that House Democrats were trying to silence debate on the health care bill.
House Kicks Off Debate on Health Care Bill
Nov. 7, 11:25 a.m.
The House on Saturday opened debate on the Democratic health care plan, a delicately crafted package that will demand the support of Democrats uneasy about votes on abortion and immigration provisions.
Abortion Compromise in House Tees Up Health Care Reform Vote
Nov. 7, 1:23 a.m.
House Democratic leaders have broken through the abortion impasse holding up their sweeping health care overhaul, a development leadership aides said put Democrats on track to pass the measure on Saturday.
Barbour Attacks Health Care Proposals as Obama Focuses on Fort Hood Shooting
Nov. 7, 6 a.m.
Republicans this week enlisted Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, a former Republican National Committee chairman and a potential candidate for president, to deliver the weekly address.
Barney Frank Was at 2007 Drug Bust
Nov. 6, 10:40 p.m.
House Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) was present when his partner was arrested for marijuana possession in August 2007, according to a Friday report by MyFoxBoston.
Obama Going to Camp David After Meeting With House Democrats Saturday
Nov. 6, 9:08 p.m.
After addressing the House Democratic Caucus late Saturday morning, President Barack Obama will travel to the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland, where he will spend Saturday night.
House Republicans to Participate in Saturday Tea Party on Health Care
Nov. 6, 7:15 p.m.
Several House Republicans on Friday called on tea party activists and supporters to join them at the Capitol on Saturday for a third protest of the Democratic health care reform bill and the Obama administration’s agenda.
Phone Problems Reported in Capitol
Nov. 6, 3:58 p.m.
Problems with the Capitol’s phone system were reported on Friday afternoon, just as interest groups and citizens scrambled to lobby their legislators on the eve of a likely House vote on health care reform.
Owens Supports House Health Care Bill
Nov. 6, 2:49 p.m.
Rep. Bill Owens (D-N.Y.) on Friday ended speculation about whether he supports the House Democratic health care plan: He does.
Reid Warns of Saturday Sessions in December
Nov. 6, 2:46 p.m.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has put Senators on notice that the chamber may be in session for several Saturdays in December.
Weiner Drops Push to Force Vote on ‘Single Payer’ Plan
Nov. 6, 12:40 p.m.
Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) is backing off trying to force a vote on a wholesale restructuring of the health care system that would replace employer-based insurance with government-run coverage.
CRS Memo Raises New Questions About Legality of HHS Web Site
Nov. 6, 12:33 p.m.
A new Congressional Research Service legal memorandum is raising fresh questions about the legality of a Health and Human Services Web site that asks visitors to show their support for President Barack Obama’s health care reform effort, saying it could violate several federal statutes.
Obama Considers New Steps on Economy, Signs Unemployment Bill
Nov. 6, 12:24 p.m.
President Barack Obama on Friday said he is considering additional steps to boost the economy — including new spending measures and tax cuts — as the Labor Department announced that the unemployment rate has risen to 10.2 percent.
GOP Seizes on Double-Digit Unemployment Figure
Nov. 6, 11:11 a.m.
House Republican leaders on Friday seized on October’s double-digit unemployment rate as proof that Democrats’ economic stimulus legislation has failed and their proposed $1.3 trillion health care overhaul will further sink the economy.
Hoyer: Health Care Vote Could Slip to Sunday or Beyond
Nov. 6, 11:07 a.m.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) is warning action on a health care overhaul could slip past a planned Saturday evening vote into Sunday — or even Monday or Tuesday — if House Republicans employ delaying tactics.
Obama Moves Meeting with House Democrats to Saturday
Nov. 6, 6:52 a.m.
President Barack Obama will meet with the House Democratic Caucus on Saturday instead of Friday to make a last-ditch appeal for health care reform, according to the White House. The White House gave no reason for the change, but the House is expected to vote on the health care bill later in the day or evening on Saturday.
Senate to Take Up Military Spending Bill, Judicial Nomination
Nov. 5, 10:27 p.m.
The Senate will vote Monday on a long-lingering judicial nominee and consider a spending measure funding military construction projects.
Senate Rejects GOP Push to Keep 9/11 Terrorist Cases in Military Courts
Nov. 5, 8:25 p.m.
Senate Democrats beat back, 54-45, a Republican attempt Thursday evening to prevent accused 9/11 terrorists from being tried in U.S. courts.
Hispanic Caucus Threatens to Block Health Bill Over Immigration Language
Nov. 5, 6:42 p.m.
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairwoman Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.) warned President Barack Obama on Thursday that 20 members of her caucus are prepared to vote against the House Democratic health care plan if language restricting the rights of illegal immigrants to buy insurance is added to the bill.
Obama to Emphasize Substance of Health Reform
Nov. 5, 6:41 p.m.
President Barack Obama plans to make a straightforward case for the need for health care reform when he appears before House Democrats on Saturday on Capitol Hill — but he also will mention the importance of simply making some progress on the issue.
DeMint Drops Hold on Nominees, Applauds Obama Moves on Honduras
Nov. 5, 5:38 p.m.
Sen. Jim DeMint dropped his hold on a pair of executive branch nominees Thursday after receiving assurances from the Obama administration regarding the upcoming election in Honduras.
Boehner Laughs at Pelosi’s Take on Tuesday’s Election
Nov. 5, 4:58 p.m.
House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) on Thursday dismissed Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) assertion that the two Congressional races won by Democrats in California and New York reflected the mood of the country on health care reform.
House to Meet Saturday at 9 a.m.
Nov. 5, 4:16 p.m.
House Members should be prepared to meet bright and early Saturday to get started in advancing Democrats’ health care reform plan.
Burris’ Legal Fees Reach $650,000
Nov. 5, 4:13 p.m.
Sen. Roland Burris (D-Ill.) incurred nearly $650,000 in legal debt over a six-month period, according to his legal defense fund’s most recent financial report.
House Sends Unemployment Benefits Bill to President
Nov. 5, 3:56 p.m.
After a month’s delay in the Senate, the House on Thursday easily approved an unemployment benefits package that now heads to the president for his signature.
Demonstrators Cause Mayhem Near Pelosi’s Office
Nov. 5, 3:35 p.m.
Pandemonium broke out around 2 p.m. Thursday in the Cannon House Office Building, much of it taking place outside Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) office.
Cantor: No GOP Votes for Democratic Health Bill
Nov. 5, 3:32 p.m.
Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) on Thursday offered his seal of approval to the House Republicans’ health care alternative by saying many of the proposal’s principles would find their way into the Senate amendment process, while House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) virtually guaranteed that no House Republican would vote in favor of the Democratic health care bill.
White House Holds to End-of-Year ‘Deadline’ for Health Care Bill
Nov. 5, 3:01 p.m.
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Thursday that the “deadline” for Congress to pass health care legislation is the end of the year.
Tea Party Protesters Descend on Capitol
Nov. 5, 2:02 p.m.
House GOP Members welcomed the return of the Tea Party movement to Washington, D.C., on Thursday and pledged to those gathered on the West Lawn of the Capitol to help bring down the House Democratic health care reform bill and derail the Obama administration's agenda.
Obama Trumpets Health Bill Endorsements From AARP, AMA
Nov. 5, 1:50 p.m.
President Barack Obama on Thursday made an unscheduled appearance in the White House briefing room to tout the AARP’s and the American Medical Association’s endorsements of the House health care reform bill.
Ethics Committee Clears Shuler in Tenn. Land Deal
Nov. 5, 1:49 p.m.
The House ethics committee declared in a letter issued late Wednesday that Rep. Heath Shuler (D-N.C.) did not violate the chamber’s rules through his involvement in a Tennessee land-swap deal in 2007.
Reid: No Votes This Weekend
Nov. 5, 1:36 p.m.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Thursday that he doesn’t expect the Senate to work over the weekend.
Chun: Cyber Attacks Demand Strong Public-Private Response
Nov. 6, 12:35 p.m.
The federal government is increasingly taking a leadership role in improving the nation’s cybersecurity. But, with a threat that is quickly growing and more sophisticated each day, it’s clear that the government — for all of its good intentions — cannot win this battle without a robust commitment from technology companies. Read Full Article
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