John Murtha Dead at 77

Party faces yet another battleground

(NEWSER) - John Murtha’s death has left Democrats with another fight on their hands. Last night the Cook Political Report changed its rating of the race to “toss-up,” one of 50 Democratic-held seats bearing that rating. Voting isn’t far off either; Ed Rendell has 10 days to schedule a special election, which will have to happen within 60 days of that. The most likely date is May 18, during Pennsylvania’s state primary. More»

(NEWSER) - House leaders are slashing their $550 million order for eight new executive jets for use by senior government officials, caving to pressure from fellow lawmakers and the Pentagon, Politico reports. John Murtha’s Defense Appropriations Subcommittee had more than doubled the Pentagon’s original request for $220 million to buy four new jets. Now, Murtha says he’ll nix that extra spending if the Pentagon agrees. More»

Eric Cantor takes out provisions that Senate passed unanimously

(NEWSER) - House legislators are almost sure to pass a bill officially banning them from insider trading today, but it will be missing a few teeth compared to its Senate counterpart. Eric Cantor has pulled out a provision that would have required K Street consultants who sell Congress' inside tips to Wall Street to disclose their activities like lobbyists do, the Washington Post reports. He also pulled out an amendment restoring parts of an anti-corruption law that the Supreme Court voided last year—even though it passed the Senate unanimously. More»

'Washington Post' finds 16 members of Congress engaging in practice

(NEWSER) - A Washington Post investigation finds that 16 members of Congress have sent tax dollars, sometimes in the millions, to companies or other organizations with links to their family trees. Through direct funding or earmarking, these lawmakers have boosted the budgets of Pentagon programs, environmental groups, schools, and other places where their spouses, children, or parents have been employed, sat on the board, or worked as lobbyists. In interviews, the lawmakers insist the actions were meant to assist organizations that, in turn, help residents of their districts. Indeed, congressional committees have found that such practices are fine as long as the money doesn't directly or solely benefit the lawmakers' relatives. More»

Well 'spit it out,' retorts Newt

(NEWSER) - Nancy Pelosi is again dropping cryptic hints about some apparent dirt she has on Newt Gingrich. Asked by CNN's John King yesterday about the prospect of him becoming president, she said flatly: "He's not going to be president of the United States. That's not going to happen. Let me just make my prediction and stand by it. It isn't going to happen." Why so sure? "There is something I know," she said, according to the Huffington Post . "The Republicans, if they choose to nominate him, that's their prerogative. I don't even think that's going to happen." More»