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Wall Street Journal
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Apr 24, 08 2:39 AM CDT
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Lawmakers have backed a $15 billion aid package for municipalities so they can buy and fix up foreclosed homes, the Wall Street Journal reports. A House panel voted 38-26 for the measure, which would be split evenly between loans and grants. States could use the money to get vacated homes in shape and filled quickly. It's part of a larger relief measure making its way through the House.
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Politico
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Apr 17, 08 6:15 PM CDT
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Four months after its Senate counterpart held Karl Rove in contempt for refusing to testify, the House Judiciary Committee demanded today that the ex-Bush strategist testify about potential political motives for a prosecution. A committee report found “troublesome facts” in the case of a former Alabama governor, saying the probe was closing down before high-level Bushies insisted it be re-opened.
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The Hill
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Apr 16, 08 1:08 PM CDT
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Former Democrat Joe Lieberman could cross the aisle in primetime to give a speech in support of John McCain at September's Republican National Convention, the Hill reports. The Connecticut Independent hasn't been tapped yet, but told reporters, “If Sen. McCain, who I support so strongly, asked me to do it, if he thinks it will help him, I will."
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New York Times
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Apr 16, 08 9:54 AM CDT
(Newser) -
The bill was rushed through the Senate to come to the aid of homeowners facing foreclosure, but it turns out that some of its biggest beneficiaries are automakers, airlines and energy producers. The Senate’s housing bill is packed with billions in corporate tax cuts, the New York Times reports. With populist fervor behind the bill, lobbyists from a host of industries hit the Hill. And while the bill would help homebuilders and homebuyers, there’s little to actually prevent foreclosures.
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Denver Post
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Apr 10, 08 6:20 PM CDT
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A Republican vying for Colorado's open Senate seat has said the Mariana Islands’ guest worker program—infamous for reports of forced abortion, slavery and child prostitution—should be a “model” for national immigration overhaul. Bob Schaffer’s support dates from a 1999 trip arranged by disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, the Denver Post reports, where the then-congressman stayed on a beach resort, parasailing between factory visits.
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Reuters
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Apr 10, 08 3:49 PM CDT
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Lobbyists made a record-breaking $2.79 billion on Capitol Hill last year, beating 2006’s record by $200 million. The healthcare industry led the way, spending $227 million on attempts to influence legislators, up 25% from the year previous. The insurance and real-estate sectors were right behind, Reuters reports. The biggest single spender was the Chamber of Commerce, followed by General Electric.
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Politico
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Apr 10, 08 11:37 AM CDT
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Democratic Rep. Barney Frank has become an unlikely power player in Washington’s “new economic trio” with Ben Bernanke and Henry Paulson, writes David Rogers in Politico. His pet plan—a “humongous housing deal” to steady an ailing market—might be a tough sell to the White House, but it’s “moving in our direction,” says the head of the House Financial Services Committee.
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New York Times
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Apr 9, 08 6:58 PM CDT
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Congressional Democrats thumbed their noses today at Bush's renewed efforts to pass a free-trade pact with Colombia. Bush sent the bill over Monday, mandating Congress to vote yea or nay within 90 days. Or so he thought. Nancy Pelosi is changing the House rules and won't allow a vote until the White House attends to more pressing domestic issues, the New York Times reports.
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Washington Post
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Apr 9, 08 12:22 PM CDT
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A site posting the financial records of highly paid Congressional staffers is coming under fire on Capitol Hill. LegiStorm publishes salaries, travel logs, and personal data on aides with six-figure federal incomes—a matter of public record, the Washington Post reports. But some charge the site crossed the line when it started publishing financial disclosure forms, which can carry Social Security numbers and other private info.
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Washington Post
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Apr 9, 08 7:09 AM CDT
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David Petraeus and Ryan Crocker head back to Capitol Hill this morning after a grueling day of testimony that was short on substance and clear goals, writes the Washington Post . Pressed repeatedly yesterday to describe what "conditions" they would like to see before recommending a troop withdrawal, the general and ambassador parried for 8 straight hours, offering bromides like "battlefield geometry" and "political-military calculus."
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Washington Post
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Apr 8, 08 12:00 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Congressional Democrats are questioning the cozy relationship between the FBI and telecom companies, the Washington Post reports. Thanks to a 1994 law, all telecom firms have “Quantico circuits”—little-known electronic lines straight to the FBI technology office in Virginia. Telecom technicians can instantly send data over those lines, telling investigators who’s calling whom and from where.
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Associated Press
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Apr 8, 08 11:42 AM CDT
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The campaign trail ran through a scheduled Senate Armed Service Committee appearance by David Petraeus and Ryan Crocker today, as John McCain and Hillary Clinton helped grill the general and ambassador on Iraq. McCain zeroed in on the the widespread Iraqi defections in Basra last week, saying, “It was a disappointment.” "It was, although it is not over yet, Senator," Petraeus countered.
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Washington Post
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Apr 8, 08 10:38 AM CDT
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Congress is redoubling its efforts to get info from the Justice Department, the Washington Post reports. Requests for classified documents have languished for as long as 3 years, and the contretemps between Congress and Alberto Gonzales over their disclosure has improved little under the new AG, Michael Mukasey. "We agree that there is always room for improvement in our effort to be responsive to Congress," said a DoJ spokesman.
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Washington Post
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Apr 7, 08 7:51 PM CDT
(Newser) -
President Bush said today he is handing Congress a much-disputed Colombia free trade pact, the Washington Post reports. But with both Democratic presidential candidates and many lawmakers opposing it, the bill has little chance of passing. Democrats have long blasted Colombia for failing to protect labor advocates and curb violence. "Workers are routinely murdered for seeking to exercise their most basic economic rights," Sen. Harry Reid said.
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New York Times
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Apr 2, 08 5:14 PM CDT