Congress

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GOP Closes Wallet on NC Rep. Hayes
GOP Closes Wallet on NC Rep. Hayes
Oct 24, 2008 4:38 PM CDT

GOP Closes Wallet on NC Rep. Hayes

Remark that 'liberals hate real Americans' bites back in close race

(Newser) - Rep. Robin Hayes is still struggling to get out from under a comment he made last weekend that “liberals hate real Americans,” and the Republican National Committee has cancelled plans to help in a tight re-election fight with an ad buy in his North Carolina district, the Charlotte ...

From Sickbed, Kennedy Crafts Health Plan

Bipartisan effort includes industry; goal is universal coverage

(Newser) - Even as he undergoes cancer treatment, Ted Kennedy is coordinating bipartisan meetings with colleagues and lobbyists in an effort to produce health care legislation that includes universal coverage, the Washington Times reports. The meetings—involving labor unions, insurers, drug companies, and hospitals—“are a testament to how people feel...

Congress' Big Auto Bailout Mired in Red Tape

Money coming later rather than sooner

(Newser) - Detroit's $25 billion loan is sitting in Washington, the Washington Post reports, and may take more than a year to distribute, despite the auto industry's increasing desperation for the cash. The Energy Department, which was tasked with doling out the money, says various legal and administrative requirements will drag the...

Stevens Testimony Ends Bitterly

Senator's third day on stand includes usual measure of barbed encounters

(Newser) - The prosecution got tough, and Ted Stevens testy, on the senator’s last day of testimony in his Washington corruption trial, the Hill reports. The prosecution challenged Stevens with emails that seemed to undercut assertions he knew nothing of gifts allegedly given to him by oil boss Bill Allen. At...

Bernanke Backs New Stimulus
 Bernanke Backs New Stimulus 
Oct 20, 2008 10:24 AM CDT

Bernanke Backs New Stimulus

But Fed chief says new measure must include access to credit

(Newser) - Ben Bernanke gave his blessing to a new economic stimulus package today, the New York Times reports, saying the slowdown warrants another boost but hedging his approval with conditions that would discourage the sort of package Democrats are pushing. “If the Congress proceeds with a fiscal package, it should...

Lobbyists Lavish Gifts on Lawmakers' Fave Charities

More than $13M donated to charities and nonprofits in name of House, Senate members

(Newser) - New congressional ethics rules are showing the public for the first time how much money lobbyists and companies are donating to charities and nonprofits to woo lawmakers, the New York Times reports. Companies and interest groups donated more than $13 million to such groups associated with more than 200 House...

Best Members of Congress
 Best Members of Congress 
opinion
Oct 18, 2008 4:22 AM CDT

Best Members of Congress

There are "public servants." Then there are people who actually serve.

(Newser) - It's easy, and usually fun, to bash members of Congress. But what about those who deserve praise? Esquire picks some favorites, starting with Rep. Henry Waxman of California; the Democrat has long been the sole member not only criticizing the Bush team's missteps but actually investigating them. Then there's principled...

Worst Members of Congress
 Worst Members of Congress 
OPINION
Oct 18, 2008 3:33 AM CDT

Worst Members of Congress

Esquire lists the public servants most wasting your money today

(Newser) - The competition for the worst member of Congress title was more like a marathon, Esquire reports; a wide field of people worked over long periods of time to stake their places in this list. Below, the worst of the worst:
  • Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn: Since being defeated in 2006 (and
...

Dems Wield Cash in Battle for Southern Senate Seats

Unseating McConnell, Dole, others possible with funds high, GOP popularity low

(Newser) - With a huge fund-raising edge allowing for wide advertising blitzes, Democrats are pushing hard for Senate seats in red states even recently thought unwinnable, Alexander Bolton writes in the Hill. In North Carolina, Dems see a chance to unseat Elizabeth Dole; in Georgia, Saxby Chambliss; in Mississippi, Roger Wicker; and...

Stevens' Wife Denies Impropriety

Catherine Stevens says she thought oil workers were part of construction crew

(Newser) - Ted Stevens’ wife, testifying at the Alaska senator’s Washington corruption trial today, said she didn’t know that two men working on a home renovation were oil-company employees, the Anchorage Daily News reports. Catherine Stevens, herself a lawyer, often spoke directly to the jury as the defense pushed its...

Pork or Stimulus? Wrangling Sharpens Over 2nd Bailout

Partisan battle lines already being drawn as economic slump appears to worsen

(Newser) - Congress’ partisan battle over the Wall Street bailout could look amateur compared to what lies ahead, the Los Angeles Times reports, as lawmakers consider a second stimulus package to keep the nation out of a steep recession. Republicans want tax cuts, while Democrats are pushing infrastructure projects and other federal...

Rove Used Federal Coin to Help GOP in '06

Officials traveled, gave out grants to help incumbents: report

(Newser) - Karl Rove helped direct federal officials and funds to 99 congressional districts where Republican candidates were threatened in the 2006 elections, the Washington Post reports. Many presidents, including Bill Clinton, have briefed cabinet members before reelection efforts, but the “gross abuse” of public White House funds for at least...

Friend of Stevens Bullied Contractor Into Eating $13K Bill

'Think of it as a political contribution,' pal said

(Newser) - An Alaska oil exec told a carpenter working on renovations to Sen. Ted Stevens home that he would have to “eat” a final $13,393 bill, the Anchorage Daily News reports. The carpenter, Augie Paone, took the stand in Stevens’ corruption trial today in Washington, telling the court that...

Stevens May Testify Tomorrow
 Stevens May Testify Tomorrow 
Oct 14, 2008 2:29 PM CDT

Stevens May Testify Tomorrow

Wife could also take stand in senator's corruption trial

(Newser) - Sen. Ted Stevens appears likely to testify tomorrow as part of his defense against corruption charges, Reuters reports. The Alaska Republican, charged with failing to disclose $250,000 gifts from oil firms, told a Washington court today he understood he was not legally required to testify. Stevens’ wife, Catherine, may...

Dems Pitch $300B Plan to Jump-Start Economy

But it may have to wait until January

(Newser) - House Democrats are mulling a huge infusion of public cash to kick start economic growth, the New York Times reports. The proposal, announced after a meeting with top economists, would use up to $300 billion to create jobs in new public works projects, and boost food stamp and unemployment insurance...

Mistress Got Hush Money From 'More Moral' Fla. Rep.

Foley's successor ponied up $121K

(Newser) - Maybe it’s Florida? Two years have passed since Mark Foley, Palm Beach’s Republican Congressman, was forced to resign after sending lewd messages to male pages. His successor, Democrat Tim Mahoney, who ran on a ticket of “restoring America’s values,” gave a former mistress $121,000...

We Need 2nd Stimulus Bill: Pelosi

Struggling economy requires a $150 billion plug, Speaker says

(Newser) - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says a second economic stimulus plan is needed now because of the faltering economy, and she puts the price at $150 billion. President Bush, however, has promised a veto. The House passed a $61 billion economic aid proposal last month before lawmakers left Capitol Hill ahead...

Stevens Jurors Hear Tape of Plot to Hide Free Work

(Newser) - Two close friends of Sen. Ted Stevens schemed to conceal the fact that one was paying for extensive work done at the senator's cabin in Alaska, according to FBI audiotapes played today at Stevens' corruption trial. The pair, Bill Allen and Bob Persons, are heard on tape fretting in February...

AIG Execs Took Spa Week After $85B Bailout

Former CEOs appear before skeptical House to defend spending

(Newser) - After being bailed out by Washington, AIG executives engaged in some conspicuous consumption, and it’s still going on, Portfolio reports. Two former CEOs of the insurance giant testified before the House today, and lawmakers took them to task for reckless compensation and an executive retreat at a California spa...

How Much Will Wall Street Pay Itself Now?
How Much Will Wall Street Pay Itself Now?
OPINION
Oct 7, 2008 12:07 PM CDT

How Much Will Wall Street Pay Itself Now?

The banker bonus culture encourages CEOs to take big risks

(Newser) - Richard Fuld has made roughly $480 million since 2000 as he piloted Lehman Brothers to total ruin, according to one congressman at his testimony yesterday. “I have a very basic question,” he said. “Is this fair?” Many shareholders are wondering the same thing, writes Andrew Ross Sorkin...

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