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Congress

Started by D Lim; Last updated by D Lim

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Congress

"Congress consists of one-third, more or less, scoundrels; two-thirds, more or less, idiots; and three-thirds, more or less, poltroons." -H.L. Mencken

Stories

Stories 61 - 80 of 924

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May 2009
- Pelosi's CIA Charges Hardly Jibe With Obama Talk Points
  
  Washington Post | May 14, 09 2:44 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Nancy Pelosi’s accusation that the CIA lied to Congress about waterboarding will likely have broad political consequences, Chris Cillizza writes in the Washington Post . In the short term, Pelosi has stolen President Obama’s thunder on credit-card reform and could force the early announcement of a Supreme Court nominee as a distraction. It could also ignite a debate on Bush-era torture that Obama had sought to avoid. More »
- Democrats Lose Patience Over Wars, Gitmo
  
  New York Times | May 14, 09 9:41 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Democrats are having misgivings about the war in Afghanistan and the shuttering of Guantanamo Bay, particularly in the more liberal House, the New York Times reports. Though Congress is sure to approve another $96.7 billion in war funding, the House took out $80 million to close Guantanamo, saying the White House must provide more details. If Afghanistan worsens, President Obama could find himself on a short leash. More »
- Anti-Torture Memo May Embarrass Bush Camp
  
  Talking Points Memo | May 13, 09 4:52 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Probably the most newsworthy item out of today’s Senate hearing into alleged torture techniques is that a memo written by a former State Department counselor who questioned their legality has been located and may be released, writes Zachary Roth for Talking Points Memo. Philip Zelikow’s memo, which he says the Bush administration tried to destroy, is being reviewed for declassification and “figures to be a hot item,” writes Roth. More »
- It's a Boy for Rep. Sanchez
  
  CNN | May 13, 09 2:12 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - California Rep. Linda Sanchez gave birth to a boy today, the eighth lawmaker to do so while in office, CNN reports. “Mother and baby are both happy and healthy,” her husband said in a statement. Two other congresswomen have had babies in the past year, the AP notes; Sanchez looked like she would be Congress’ first single mom when she announced her pregnancy in November, the Washington Post adds, but she married last month. More »
- Obama Wants Health Care Bill by Year's End
  
  Wall Street Journal | May 13, 09 12:31 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - President Obama today called on lawmakers to send him a health care reform bill before the end of the year, the Wall Street Journal reports. “We've got to get it done this year,” the president said in a meeting with House Democrats. “We don't have any excuses, the stars are aligned.” He also applauded Nancy Pelosi’s pledge that the House will introduce legislation before the August recess. More »
- GOP Blasts Pelosi as Dems Rip CIA Over Torture
  
  Politico | May 13, 09 11:10 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Republicans are slamming Nancy Pelosi for saying she felt she had no recourse when informed of harsh interrogation tactics in 2003, Politico reports. “If she felt it was wrong, she should have acted,” John McCain said. Some critics suggest the House speaker could have written a letter or requested a meeting with the president. A Pelosi aide said, “We were not in a position to change the policy.” More »
- Murtha Aide Threatened Me: GOP Opponent
  
  Politico | May 13, 09 10:46 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - John Murtha's 2008 Republican challenger has accused an aide to the Pennsylvania congressman of threatening to recall him to active military service so the Army could court-martial him, Politico reports. Participating in elective politics while on active duty is against military policy. Russell, who retired from the Army Reserves during the campaign, says John Hugya issued the threat in March, after saying something similar to Russell's commanding officer in January. More »
- Specter to Dem Donors: Show Me the Money
  
  Politico | May 12, 09 9:18 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Arlen Specter may have brought his years of experience in the Senate across the aisle with him, but that doesn’t mean all his donors will follow. And the timing—it’s 2010 campaign season—complicates matters, Jeanne Cummings notes for Politico. “He’s not the world’s most humble person, even for a US senator, and it’s going to be a humbling experience,” warns the campaign manager for another party-switcher. More »
- Gender Gap in GOP Is Striking, Problematic
  
  Politico | May 11, 09 12:15 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Women may make up the majority of America, but they comprise just 10% of the GOP House and Senate—compared to about 23% for Dems—and that gender gap "could make the Republicans’ climb back to power even steeper," writes Erika Lovely in Politico. It's not that the four Republican women in the Senate and 17 in the House haven't been welcomed, says political professor Laurel Elder. The party just isn't courting others to join them. More »
- GOP: Torture Probe Must Include Pelosi
  
  Politico | May 11, 09 9:42 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - As calls continue for an investigation of Bush administration officials over torture, Republicans think they may have an ace in the hole: Nancy Pelosi, they say, knew waterboarding had taken place but didn’t try to stop it. Some Republicans think threatening the House Speaker will make her and fellow Democrats reluctant to press the issue, Politico reports. More »
- Dem Lawmakers Cry Foul on Obama Budget Cuts
  
  Washington Post | May 8, 09 9:22 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - To make an omelet, you’ve got to break some eggs. But some of the eggs President Obama broke in the list of budget cuts unveiled yesterday were golden eggs for lawmakers, and even members of his own party wasted no time in protesting, the Washington Post reports. Dems who said they plan to fight for favorite programs include Nancy Pelosi, who's asked members to come up with their own alternate list. More »
- CIA Told Pelosi About Waterboarding: Report
  
  Los Angeles Times | May 8, 09 6:16 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Nancy Pelosi and other Congressional leaders received multiple briefings on the CIA's use of waterboarding and other harsh interrogation techniques, according to new information released by the Obama administration. Records suggest that Pelosi learned of the CIA's interrogation of Abu Zubaydah in a September 2002 briefing that covered the "particular" methods employed. He had been waterboarded 83 times the previous month, but the speaker has repeatedly said she was never told that waterboarding was used. More »
- Ridge Won't Challenge Specter for Seat
  
  The Hill | May 7, 09 1:00 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Former Pennsylvania governor and Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge will not seek the Republican nomination for senator from that state, the Hill reports. Party leaders had urged him to run against newly minted Democrat Arlen Specter. Ridge was in a good position to run, polling just 3 points behind Specter. “After careful consideration,” he said, “I have decided not to seek the Republican nomination.” More »
- After Seniority Flap, Specter Lands Plum Gig
  
  Politico | May 7, 09 12:09 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Dick Durbin has yielded his seat atop the Senate Judiciary Committee's subcommittee on crime and drugs to Arlen Specter, a consolation prize after Democrats stripped their new colleague of his seniority, Politico reports. In exchange, Durbin will take the helm of a newly reconstituted human-rights subcommittee. The move should help convince Pennsylvania voters that Specter still wields influence despite having been stripped of his seniority. More »
- GOP Looks to Centrists for 2010
  
  Politico | May 7, 09 10:29 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - As the GOP eyes 2010, it’s turning to centrist candidates to restore its health—despite a “good riddance” attitude to the departure of moderate Arlen Specter, Politico reports. “I’m absolutely committed to recruiting candidates around the country that fit their states,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee head John Cornyn. It’s “a recipe for permanent minority status and irrelevance if we don’t pay attention to the arithmetic.” More »
- Dems Promised Me Seniority: Demoted Specter
  
  CNN | May 6, 09 1:34 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Arlen Specter, demoted to junior spots on Senate committees after switching to the Democratic Party, thought things would be different, he told CNN today. Majority Leader Harry Reid “said that I would maintain my committee assignments,” Specter said, “and that my seniority would be established as if I’d been elected in 1980 as a Democrat.” Specter’s demotion could hurt him on the campaign trail, where he’s touted his influence. More »
- Obama Seeks $27B to Clamp Down on Border
  
  Los Angeles Times | May 6, 09 10:32 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - In the budget he’ll hand to Congress tomorrow, President Obama is seeking $27 billion for border and transportation security as he focuses on immigration enforcement and battling the flow of US arms to Mexico. The 8% increase over this year’s budget allows for an expansion of border teams, a security boosts at airports and seaports, and immigrant screening programs, the Los Angeles Times reports. More »
- For Sessions, Confirmation Hearings May Feel Familiar
  
  Time | May 6, 09 10:20 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Even if Al Franken is seated, President Obama's Supreme Court nominee isn't guaranteed an easy confirmation process. The reason is Jeff Sessions, the Alabama Republican who inherited Arlen Specter's seat on the Senate Judiciary Committee. The fiery Sessions knows the committee well: It blocked his bid to become a federal judge 23 years ago, Time reports. More »
- Hoyer and Pelosi: Unlikely Allies
  
  Politico | May 6, 09 9:47 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer are about as different as Democrats get; he’s an affable Blue Dog budget hawk, she’s the pugilistic progressive poster girl. When Hoyer ran for House majority leader, Pelosi backed the other guy. But these days, the two are thick as thieves, Politico reports, using ideological differences to their advantage. On big votes, each is able to corral a different portion of the party. More »
- Dems Stoked Over GOP's Judiciary Pick
  
  Politico | May 6, 09 8:44 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Democrats are hoping Arlen Specter’s replacement on the Senate Judiciary Committee, a white Southerner with a history of racial provocation, will help paint the Republican image into a corner, Politico reports. As the GOP’s chief questioner of President Obama’s first Supreme Court nominee, Jeff Sessions will “help galvanize and crystallize why we need a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate,” says a Democratic senator. More »

Stories 61 - 80 of 924

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Reflection

Reflection ((c) Poldavo (Alex))

Congress Column

Congress Column ((c) ricardo.martins)

DC 027.jpg

DC 027.jpg ((c) clyderob)

Congreso Entrance

Congreso Entrance ((c) puroticorico)

Congreso Facade

Congreso Facade ((c) puroticorico)

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Background

United States Congress
Wikipedia

The United States Congress is the legislature of the U.S. federal government. It is bicameral, comprising the House of Representatives and Senate. The House of Representatives has 435 voting members, each representing a congressional district and serving a two-year term. House seats are apportioned...

» Read more about United States Congress at Wikipedia

Recommended Reading

Government

United States House of Representatives
U.S. House of Representatives

United States Senate
U.S. Senate

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