Just one month after Texas Rep. Ralph Hall made the switch to the GOP, his new colleagues are already opening the fundraising spigot for him. [IMGCAP(1)]

On Tuesday, House Republican leaders will host a “Welcome to the Party” reception for Hall at the Capitol Hill Club. Hosts will kick in $5,000 apiece, while PACs will pay $1,000 for admittance and individuals will pony up $500.

On Jan. 2, Hall filed to seek re-election as a Republican after serving his Texas district as a conservative Democrat since 1980. He said switching parties would allow him to get re-elected more easily and do more for his constituents.

Lawsuit Against LOC. A Library of Congress employee, claiming she faced discrimination based on both her race and disability, is seeking $1 million in a lawsuit filed Wednesday in federal court.

Gail Moorhouse, a 29-year veteran of the Library, serves as a program specialist in the pay and personnel information office.

According to court documents, Moorhouse, who is Asian, suffers from “depression, anxiety, and high blood pressure.”

In February 2001, Moorhouse received a recommendation from her physician to work from home two days each week, and received approval for such a schedule from the Health Services Office and her immediate supervisor, Herb Junious, who retired in June 2001.

In July 2001, supervisor Nora Bardak, who has since retired, revoked Moorhouse’s adjusted schedule, and on Aug. 16, 2001, declared her “Absent Without Leave,” according to the filing. Moorhouse’s attorney, Bryan Chapman, said the August complaint related to a dispute over Moorhouse’s vacation time.

Bardak recommended Moorhouse’s dismissal in November 2001, but Moorhouse has fought that recommendation and remains employed by the Library, Chapman said.

The Library of Congress, which is represented by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, has not yet filed a response.

Me and My Shadow. As part of the Job Shadow Coalition’s 7th Annual Job Shadow Initiative, Georgia students will have the opportunity to shadow several members of the Peach State Congressional delegation.

The participating Georgia Members include: Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R), Reps. Jim Marshall (D), Denise Majette (D), Nathan Deal (R) and David Scott (D).

The year-long program, which kicks off today and is sponsored by Junior Achievement, America’s Promise and the Labor Department, is expected to reach about 1 million students nationally.

— Ben Pershing, Jennifer Yachnin and Bree Hocking