Grassley Opens Mouth, Inserts Foot

Kentucky senator's freeze on employment measure draws bipartisan ire

(NEWSER) - Senate Republicans are breaking ranks as Jim Bunning continues to stall a $10 billion employment and health measure, with Susan Collins of Maine taking to the floor of the chamber this morning to express her "hope that we can act together for the American people." She urged Bunning to drop his objection to the measure; the lame duck replied, "I object." More»

(NEWSER) - After 11 months licking his wounds, John McCain is getting back out there, appearing on TV more often and acting little like the man who gave a gracious, conciliatory concession speech last November. He's finding support within the GOP, where his combative approach hasn't always resonated, because his target is often the White House. "A lot of people, including me, thought he might be the Republican building bridges to the Obama administration," says an adviser. "But he's been more like the guy blowing up the bridges." More»

Ky. Republican blasts party for campaign 'to dry up my fundraising'

(NEWSER) - An irate Jim Bunning said last night he won't run for a third term in the US Senate because his fellow Republicans "have done everything in their power to dry up my fundraising" amid pressure to step aside, the Louisville Courier-Journal reports. Bunning, 77, has focused his ire on fellow Kentuckian Mitch McConnell, who issued a conciliatory statement befitting the apparent winner of a long-running feud. More»

Judiciary committee members share spotlight with nominee

(NEWSER) - Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation looks likely, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be some drama between here and there. Politico runs down which senators have the most to win—and the most to lose:

• Patrick Leahy: Facing his first nominee as judiciary chairman, Leahy’s eager to get Sotomayor through ASAP, but risks Republican wrath if he rushes.

Portion of larger American Jobs Act won't move forward

(NEWSER) - President Obama’s first attempt to split his American Jobs Act into smaller bites did not go well: His $35 billion package, intended to protect the jobs of teachers and first responders, was blocked in the Senate last night. Democrats couldn’t get the 60 votes needed to move the bill forward; three members of the Senate Democratic Caucus joined all Republicans to vote against it, resulting in a 50-50 vote blocking a debate on the package. It was one fewer vote than Obama got in the Senate for his full $447 billion proposal, Politico notes. More»