Skip to content

Cleland Appointment?

President Bush is being urged to nominate former Sen. Max Cleland (D-Ga.) to the board of directors for the Export-Import Bank, a position in which he would watch over funding for overseas development projects. [IMGCAP(1)]

Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) recommended Cleland for the post Thursday and described his former colleague as “a selfless, dedicated public servant committed to improving the lives of the American people.”

“His work on the Small Business Committee gave him excellent insight into the myriad of needs of small- business men and women, and will provide them with a high-profile advocate for expanding small business opportunities around the world,” Daschle said.

Cleland, who lost a bruising re- election battle to then-Rep. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) in 2002, currently serves on the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks and teaches at American University. If chosen by Bush, Cleland would have to be approved by his former Senate colleagues.

Wilson the Whip. House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) announced last week that he has added South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson (R) to his vote-counting team.

Wilson, who was sent to the House in a 2001 special election to replace deceased Rep. Floyd Spence (R), will serve as an Assistant Whip. He takes the position vacated by Rep. Charles Bass (R-N.H.), who resigned from the Whip team in April after voting against a rule.

Information, Please. House Members can soon stock their offices with pocket-size Constitutions and other informational brochures.

Each Member will receive 1,000 copies of “How Our Laws Are Made,” “Our American Government,” “Our Flag,” and both annotated and pocket-size versions of the Constitution in coming months.

A “Dear Colleague” letter from House Administration Committee Chairman Bob Ney (R-Ohio) and ranking member Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.) contains an order form for additional copies of each publication. Orders must be received by July 25.

Security Checks. The Capitol Police will increase security measures Thursday, when British Prime Minister Tony Blair addresses Congress.

The House side will close to the public at 1:30 p.m., and both public and staff-led tours will be suspended until 9 a.m. Friday. Visitors with House gallery passes may remain in the gallery until the House recesses for the meeting.

A Congressional ID and a ticket to the session will be required to attend. Capitol Police will conduct background checks on all ticketholders. Visitors who are not Congressional staffers will be screened at the south visitor screen facility.

— Mark Preston, Ben Pershing and Jennifer Yachnin

Recent Stories

Cole considered early favorite to win House Appropriations gavel

Joseph Lieberman, an iconoclast who frustrated the Democratic Party, dies at 82

Officials: Baltimore bridge price tag could be at least $2 billion

Race to House majority runs through the 10 Toss-ups

Kuster will not seek reelection in New Hampshire

Appeals court extends hold on Texas deportation law