Save for laterUpdated as of 12:02 p.m. on Jan. 31 | The Capitol is a busy place most Tuesdays, but this Tuesday was special. President Donald Trump’s first State of the Union address at 9 p.m. ET made for a chaotic (and long) day for lawmakers, their aides, reporters and Capitol staff.
Susan A Davis
Jan. 30 as captured by Roll Call’s photographers
Trump takes a selfie with Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., in the House chamber after the address. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Franking rule change would let lawmakers link to HealthCare.gov
After complaints from Democrats, Franking Commission Chairman Rodney Davis, shown here in 2014, has floated a rule change that would allow lawmakers to link to HealthCare.gov in taxpayer-funded ads. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)
House Republicans are working to resolve a dispute over rules that Democrats say are stopping them from promoting the health insurance exchanges.
Currently, lawmakers are prohibited from linking to any website other than their own in taxpayer-funded advertisements. Rep. Rodney Davis is proposing to allow them to link to other federal government websites, including HealthCare.gov.
House Democrats accuse commission of playing politics
Democrats have asked Franking Commission Chairman Rodney Davis, shown here in 2014, to address complaints that the commission is unfairly blocking ads. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Attempts by House Democrats to promote open enrollment in the health care marketplaces are running up against arcane rules and what they call partisan politics. Lawmakers are seeking to compensate for reduced marketing on the part of the Trump administration with their own taxpayer-funded ads.
The Department of Health and Human Services earlier this year slashed advertising for HealthCare.gov by 90 percent, prompting cries of “sabotage” from Democrats and consumer advocates. House Democrats are trying to fill that gap through their own ads on social media and other outlets, but are being thwarted by Republicans on the Franking Commission who say the advertisements do not comply with congressional rules.
Plaintiff says flag is religious symbol for the ‘homosexual denomination’
California Rep. Susan Davis posted a photo of the gay pride flag hanging outside her office alongside U.S. and California flags. (Courtesy Davis’ office)
Four Democratic lawmakers are being sued by an opponent of LGBTQ rights for displaying a gay pride flag in front of their offices.
The lawsuit is being brought by Chris Sevier, a lawyer opposed to same-sex marriage, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.
Illinois Democrat pledged to do more after losing legs in Iraq
Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth competed in her first marathon four years after losing her legs in Iraq. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)
Serving as captain of the wheelchair team in the 36th annual ACLI Capital Challenge on Wednesday is part of a pledge that Sen. Tammy Duckworth made to herself after losing her legs while serving in Iraq.
“When I was in the hospital, I made a promise to do more than I could before I was wounded,” the Illinois Democrat said. “My recovery goal wasn’t just to get by — it was to go beyond what I thought I could ever do.”
Your social calendar for the week
A television monitor at the TV stakeout shows proceedings on the floor as the House votes to repeal and replace the 2010 health care law on Thursday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
House staffers get a bit of a break this week.
While the Senate is in session, the House is on recess following a long and stressful week that culminated with the passage of the Republican health care bill.
The art competition is coming back
Celebrate Easter with the Washington Nationals this year. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)
The annual White House Easter Egg Roll is no longer the only game in town.
The Washington Nationals are hosting their first-ever Easter Egg Hunt at Nationals Park on Sunday. It will take place on the field after the Nationals take on the Philadelphia Phillies at 1:35 p.m.
Conservatives vote to reject the bill, Democrats Reject Gun Provisions
Speaker Paul D. Ryan, R-Wis. ( Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Speaker Paul D. Ryan said Wednesday the House will proceed with a vote on a counter-terrorism and gun control package but declined to say when, given defections from the conservative wing of his party and outright opposition from Democrats.
“We’re going to do it when we’re ready and we’re going to do it in a good amount of time,” Ryan said at a news conference Wednesday.
