In the Loop - Afflicting official Washington since 1993

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 06/13/2013

Whiplash alert: WH withdraws Avril Haines’ nomination for State, appoints her to CIA post

By Emily Heil

White House lawyer Avril Haines was heading to the State Department — until she got a job at the CIA.

By Emily Heil | 08:00 AM ET, 06/13/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 06/12/2013

Senate women’s restroom expanding to accommodate historic numbers

By Emily Heil

The ladies’ room off the Senate floor is being remodeled to accommodate the historic number of women.

By Emily Heil | 08:00 AM ET, 06/12/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 06/11/2013

TSA Knife Fight loss not inevitable

By Al Kamen

A couple of serious blunders likely helped doom lifting ban on pocket knives on board.

By Al Kamen | 08:00 AM ET, 06/11/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: TSA, Knives, Victorinox, leatherman, Pistole, Kip Hawley, Star Wars, Chewbacca, Peter Mayhew, Wookiee, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 06/10/2013

Think tank wants to see EPA nominee’s texts

By Emily Heil

A think tank is suing to see messages sent by EPA nominee Gina McCarthy during Hill hearings.

By Emily Heil | 08:00 AM ET, 05/30/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 05/29/2013

Full house at the D.C. federal appeals court?

By Al Kamen

White House says Obama may soon nominate three for remaining openings.

By Al Kamen | 08:00 AM ET, 05/29/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Obama, judges, court of appeals, sri srinivasan, Will Smith, Mark Wahlberg, Brad Pitt, Thelma and Louise, Mike Tyson, Clarence Thomas, George H.W. Bush, Thurgood Marshall, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 05/22/2013

The case of the Army’s ‘invisible’ plane

By Al Kamen

Defense inspector general report cites “confusion” over who was to oversee a C-12 aircraft.

By Al Kamen | 08:00 AM ET, 05/22/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 05/21/2013

At the Park Service, a DIY approach to trash hauling

By Emily Heil

In a victory for the small-government types, the Park Service is outsourcing trash removal at some local sites — to visitors.

By Emily Heil | 08:00 AM ET, 05/21/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 05/16/2013

Obama’s books earn big bucks. Biden’s, well . . .

By Al Kamen

It’s hard to beat the audience for presidential memoirs.

By Al Kamen | 08:00 AM ET, 05/16/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Promises to Keep, Audacity of Hope, Dreams from My Father, royalties, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 05/15/2013

Asian Americans looking to up administration jobs

By Al Kamen

Groups urge Obama to boost numbers in senior posts.

By Al Kamen | 08:00 AM ET, 05/15/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Asian Americans, Obama, appointees, Valerie Jarrett, Cecilia Munoz, Tina Chen, Paulette Aniskoff, Obama cabinet, Pacific Islanders, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, Intheloop

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 05/14/2013

New State Department briefer on the podium

By Al Kamen

Former White House aide Jen Psaki tries levity with State Department reporters

By Al Kamen | 08:00 AM ET, 05/14/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Psaki, State Department, spokeswoman, briefing, joke, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 05/13/2013

Dodd-Frank reform act: how it happened

By Al Kamen

A new book, Act of Congress, tells how Congress responded to the Great Crash of 2008.

By Al Kamen | 08:00 AM ET, 05/13/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Act of Congress, Dodd-Frank, Robert Kaiser, Dodd, Frank, financial reform, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 12:00 PM ET, 05/10/2013

Loop Quiz! Name Obama 2009 Cabinet withdrawals

By Al Kamen

Quick Loop Quiz: which three Cabinet nominees withdrew in 2009?

By Al Kamen | 12:00 PM ET, 05/10/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Obama, Cabinet, nominees, withdrawal, quiz, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 05/10/2013

Key Cabinet jobs still open

By Al Kamen

While most of the Cabinet jobs are filled or have nominees, nearly half the deputy slots are open.

By Al Kamen | 08:00 AM ET, 05/10/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: transition, washingtonintransition

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 05/09/2013

DOI official overspent on Washington detail, IG says

By Emily Heil

An inspector general’s report paints an unflattering picture of Jeanette Hanna, an Interior department official detailed to Washington.

By Emily Heil | 08:00 AM ET, 05/09/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 05/08/2013

TSA knife rule: would an airborne fistfight been worse?

By Al Kamen

A fistfight on an American Airlines flight sparked concerns about a move to allow small knives on planes.

By Al Kamen | 08:00 AM ET, 05/08/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 05/07/2013

Intelligence reform: Why it’s 1945 all over again

By Emily Heil

The presidential memo that presaged the current debate over “stovepipes.”

By Emily Heil | 08:00 AM ET, 05/07/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:00 AM ET, 05/03/2013

Beirne lands a West Wing office

By Al Kamen

Katie Beirne, a top Senate aide, is moving in as White House deputy communications director.

By Al Kamen | 09:00 AM ET, 05/03/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Transition, washingtonintransition

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 05/03/2013

Inboxes at VA overflow from ‘reply all’ storm

By Emily Heil

E-mail inboxes clog up with responses to a test e-mail that range from irate to smart-alecky.

By Emily Heil | 08:00 AM ET, 05/03/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 05/02/2013

State Department public diplomacy post still unfilled

By Al Kamen

Sources said Charles Rivkin was likely pick for job — State Department says not happening.

By Al Kamen | 08:00 AM ET, 05/02/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: transition, washingtonintransition

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 05/01/2013

Feingold headed to State Department?

By Al Kamen

Former three-term Sen. Russ Feingold may be named special envoy to troubled Central African region.

By Al Kamen | 08:00 AM ET, 05/01/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: transition, Washingtonintransition

Posted at 11:00 AM ET, 04/30/2013

DOI’s number two David Hayes stepping down

By Emily Heil

The department’s energy guru and number-two guy is heading to the west coast for a gig at Stanford Law.

By Emily Heil | 11:00 AM ET, 04/30/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 04/30/2013

Lugar’s got one medal, one’s on the way . . .

By Al Kamen

Former Indiana lawmaker knighted by the Brits, gets Grand Cross from Germans, French can’t be far off.

By Al Kamen | 08:00 AM ET, 04/30/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Lugal, Dick Lugar, knighted, British, Westmacott, Queen Elizabeth, Grand Cross of the Order of Merit, Germany, Guido Westerwelle, Peter Ammon, Legion of Honor, NATO, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 04/25/2013

More Cabinet members cut pay as furloughs hit

By Al Kamen

An updated list of who’s donating and who’s not.

By Al Kamen | 08:00 AM ET, 04/25/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: sequester, furloughs, Obama, cabinet, donate, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 04/24/2013

Is the immigration bill a long read? Shorter than most Harry Potter novels

By Emily Heil

While Sen. Cruz moans that it’s a lengthy tome, it’s really no longer than most Harry Potter novels.

By Emily Heil | 08:00 AM ET, 04/24/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 04/23/2013

Bush library event brings back 1,000+ alums

By Al Kamen

Dedication in Dallas includes ex-presidents and Bush White House staff.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 04/23/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Bush, library, dedication, Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Obama, Dick Cheney, Don Rumsfeld, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 04/22/2013

Elvis impersonators all shook up over accused ricin letter-sender

By Emily Heil

Performers fear the man accused of sending poison-laced letters — who did impersonations of the King — will give them all a bad name.

By Emily Heil | 08:00 AM ET, 04/22/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 04/19/2013

BACKGROUND CHECK: Meet Interior’s David Hayes

By Emily Heil

The Deputy Interior Secretary opens up about how he’s celebrating Earth Day and his love for ‘Veep’ sitcom.

By Emily Heil | 08:00 AM ET, 04/19/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 04/16/2013

Cohen’s Lauper presser hardly the first of its kind

By Emily Heil

The tweeting congressman isn’t the only lawmaker to hold a bizarre or awkward news conference.

By Emily Heil | 08:00 AM ET, 04/16/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 04/12/2013

Nixon, Gestapo and... the Mitch McConnell camp maxes out on rhetorical scale

By Emily Heil

When an audiotape of a campaign staff talk leaked, they leaped from Nixon references to the Gestapo.

By Emily Heil | 08:00 AM ET, 04/12/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 04/11/2013

Survey shows huge gap between federal leaders and workers

By Al Kamen

Where senior officals at agencies see merit promotion, lower-level employees see favoritism.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 04/11/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Federal workers, survey, Senior Executive Service, Partnership for Public Service, Max Stier, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 04/09/2013

Obama’s Cabinet sacrifices salaries in the sequester — but don’t worry, they’ll be okay

By Emily Heil

Salary sacrifices a trend among President Obama’s secretaries — but it’s pocket change for most.

By Emily Heil | 08:00 AM ET, 04/09/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 04/03/2013

Obama’s pick of Caroline Kennedy for ambassador has Nixon precedent

By Emily Heil

Secret tapes show Nixon tried to recruit FDR’s kids into the diplomatic corps, too.

By Emily Heil | 08:00 AM ET, 04/03/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 04/01/2013

Caroline Kennedy to be ambassador to Japan

By Emily Heil

Camelot goes Far East as Kennedy plans to take diplomatic post in Tokyo.

By Emily Heil | 08:00 AM ET, 04/01/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 03/26/2013

Senate-White House deal: no recess appointments

By Emily Heil

White House and Senate agree there will be no recess appointments over two-week break.

By Emily Heil | 08:00 AM ET, 03/26/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 03/19/2013

Senate moving fast on Obama’s second-term Cabinet

By Emily Heil

President Obama is working at a slower pace on nominations than previous administrations, while confirmations are coming more quickly.

By Emily Heil | 08:00 AM ET, 03/19/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 03/15/2013

Justice Department ‘wins’ award for secrecy

By Emily Heil

The National Archives gives the Justice Department an honor named after Nixon’s tape-erasing secretary.

By Emily Heil | 08:00 AM ET, 03/15/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 03/14/2013

Government furloughs — time to get buff?

By Al Kamen

An area physical fitness promo targets furloughed employees, restaurants may also be offering discounts.

By Al Kamen | 08:00 AM ET, 03/14/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Forecasts | Tags: spending cuts, sequester, federal budget cuts, federal agency cuts, automatic spending cuts, cliff, sequester news, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 03/13/2013

CIA’s Brennan identifies with hostages

By Al Kamen

In Senate testimony, Brennan denies knowledge of the tussle over secret drone documents.

By Al Kamen | 08:00 AM ET, 03/13/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: John Brennan, CIA, drone strikes, Senate, Intelligence, Jay Rockefeller, hostages, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 03/12/2013

Psaki still in training for State Department job

By Al Kamen

Diplomacy requires fluency in diplospeak and perhaps land-mine sensors

By Al Kamen | 08:00 AM ET, 03/12/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: transition, washingtonintransition

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 03/08/2013

Obama’s West Wing: the seating chart

By Al Kamen

IN THE LOOP | Proximity to power is power, in any administration.

By Al Kamen | 08:00 AM ET, 03/08/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: transition, washingtonintransition

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 03/07/2013

Sequester requires tight rein on travel

By Al Kamen

Looking for savings in California wine country

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 03/07/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: spending cuts, sequester, federal budget cuts, federal agency cuts, automatic spending cuts, fiscal cliff, delay sequester, delay spending cuts, budget deal, what’s in the budget deal, whats in fiscal cliff deal, fiscal cliff wiki, fiscal cliff news, sequester news, Tom Vilsack, Tom Coburn, wine, California, conferences, Agriculture, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the loop

Posted at 11:30 AM ET, 03/05/2013

Goolsbee wins a dubious award

By Al Kamen

The former White House Council of Economic Advisers chairman creates most horrible new word for 2013.

By Al Kamen | 11:30 AM ET, 03/05/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Austan Goolsbee, Michael Boskin, Council of Economic Advisers, dreadfulize, horrible word, Joint Economic Committee, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 03/05/2013

Kerry gives the boot to his British counterpart

By Emily Heil

John Kerry gets off on the right foot by presenting his British counterpart with a pair of Western-style boots.

By Emily Heil | 08:00 AM ET, 03/05/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 02/28/2013

Team Hagel starting to assemble at Pentagon

By Al Kamen

A former Leon Panetta aide, two former Hagel Senate staffers are in the mix.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 02/28/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: transition, washingtonintransition

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 02/27/2013

Army assault ladders — headed to Afghanistan soon

By Al Kamen

The Army needs them pronto to continue operations against the Taliban.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 02/27/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Joint special operations task force, afghanistan, bagram, ladders, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 02/26/2013

Hillary Clinton memoir titles — Loop contest winners

By Al Kamen

Loop Fans suggest titles for the former secretary of state’s new memoir.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 02/26/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Hillary Clinton, memoir, title, contest, Laurence Haim, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 02/22/2013

John Kerry, a ‘recovering politician’

By Al Kamen

He’s now backing foreign aid. Back when he was running for president, not such a big fan.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 02/22/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: John Kerry , Baghdad, George W. Bush, fire houses, foreign aid, Charlottesville, University of Virginia, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 02/21/2013

Another woman for the Cabinet, but fewer chances for diversity

By Emily Heil

As President Obama prepares to announce another female Cabinet nominee, the chances for racial diversity among his top advisers are narrowing.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 02/21/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Politics | Tags: transition, washingtonintransition

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 02/20/2013

Karzai’s dig at Menendez?

By Al Kamen

Afghan president calls for “sincere” U.S. effort to fight corruption during Sen. Bob Menendez visit to Kabul.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 02/20/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Bob Menendez, Hamid Karzai, Salomon Melgen, Kabul, Dominican Republic, corruption, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 02/19/2013

Obama’s senior-staff turnover: typical but challenging

By Emily Heil

Departures of President Obama’s senior staff are typical for second terms, but they can create headaches for the White House, a new study finds.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 02/19/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:30 AM ET, 02/16/2013

Veteran Kerry aide to head policy planning at State

By Al Kamen

David McKean takes over a plum position at the State Department.

By Al Kamen | 07:30 AM ET, 02/16/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: transition, washingtonintransition

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 02/15/2013

DNC chief likely pick as ambassador to South Africa

By Al Kamen

Democratic National Committee executive director and former Obama White House aide said to be in line for the Pretoria job.

By Al Kamen | 08:00 AM ET, 02/15/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: transition, washingtonintransition

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 02/15/2013

Judicial confirmations inch forward in the Senate

By Al Kamen

The Senate confirmed its first Obama-nominated judge for 2013.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 02/15/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Judges, judicial nomiinees, confirmations, Obama, Clinton, Bush, Kayatta, Halligan, Patty Shwartz, Lindsay Graham, Jay Carney, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 02/14/2013

Justice Department spokeswoman heading out

By Al Kamen

Tracy Schmaler, who led the public affairs operation at Justice for the past four years, departs in March.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 02/14/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: transition, washingtonintransition

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 02/07/2013

Top Clinton aide headed to Georgetown University

By Al Kamen

Ambassador for women’s issues Melanne Verveer to run Institute on Women, Peace and Security.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 02/07/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: washington, washingtonin transition

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 02/06/2013

Gloria Allred is now a D.C. attorney

By Emily Heil

The super-attorney, famous for representing women wronged by powerful men, was sworn into the D.C. bar.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 02/06/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 02/01/2013

Agency for International Development’s general counsel resigns

By Al Kamen

Lisa Gomer had been ‘reassigned’ pending an internal investigation over possible contract-rigging.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 02/01/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Agency for International Development, Lisa Gomer, Inspector general, contract, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 01/30/2013

Hillary Clinton only secretary since Nixon years to skip the Vatican

By Al Kamen

Loop fix: The historical record didn’t note that Warren Christopher visited Pope John Paul II with Bill Clinton.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 01/30/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Hillary Clinton, travel, countries, Warren Christopher, Vatican, Pope John Paul II, Ray Flynn, Bill Clinton, Rome, Vatican, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 01/25/2013

For Kerry nomination, a procedural hiccup

By Emily Heil

The Senate Foreign Relations committee can’t technically vote on John Kerry’s nomination ... yet.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 01/25/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 01/24/2013

Hundreds of Hill staffers may get pink slips

By Emily Heil

Hundreds of Senate Republican aides could lose their jobs, thanks to switcheroos in committee leadership.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 01/24/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 01/22/2013

Broadcasting Board ‘dysfunctional,’ IG says

By Al Kamen

State Department inspector general’s scathing report on international broadcast board

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 01/22/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: BBG, Broadcasting Board of Governors, report, inspector general, IG, Voice of America, Radio Free Europe, Radio Marti, TV Marti, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 01/18/2013

Kerry, if confirmed as secretary of state, will have scores of top jobs to fill

By Al Kamen

Nearly 200 State Department jobs could be up for grabs.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 01/18/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: John Kerry, Obama, Senate, Hillary Clinton, State Department, David Wade, Bill Danvers, Frank Lowenstein, Tom Nides, Bill Burns, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop, washingtonintransition

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 01/15/2013

‘Cliff’ drops into political vocabulary

By Emily Heil

Like “-gate” and “occupy,” the word has spread from its original usage.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 01/15/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:10 AM ET, 01/11/2013

Obama taking heavy fire from women’s groups over cabinet nominations

By Al Kamen and Emily Heil

IN THE LOOP | The lack of a woman or minority in the first three nominations has raised concerns.

By Al Kamen and Emily Heil | 06:10 AM ET, 01/11/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: transition, washingtonintransition

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 01/10/2013

Hillary Clintonophiles take note

By Al Kamen

IN THE LOOP | She’s only saying she’s “off the very fast track for a little while.”

By Al Kamen | 06:00 AM ET, 01/10/2013 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: transition, washingtonintransition

Posted at 02:00 PM ET, 12/20/2012

Bork-inspired video bill gets update

By Emily Heil

The former Supreme Court nominee coincides with work on a video-rental bill for which he was the inspiration.

By Emily Heil | 02:00 PM ET, 12/20/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 12/20/2012

In the Loop’s presidential election contest winners

By Al Kamen

IN THE LOOP | The winning predictions for President Obama’s popular vote percentage.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 12/20/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Forecasts | Tags: Cook Political Report, David Wasserman, Nate Silver, contest, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 12/19/2012

EPA administrator eyes ivory tower

By Emily Heil

The EPA administrator is mulling a move from the Cabinet into the ivory tower.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 12/19/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 12/18/2012

Lawmakers’ trip to hit Thailand, Cambodia, China

By Emily Heil

IN THE LOOP | Rep. Frelinghuysen is leading a jaunt to Thailand and Hong Kong — with some time for sightseeing!

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 12/18/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 12/11/2012

Washington’s peculiar ways confound visitors

By Peter Finn

A visiting federal judge from New York meets the CIA’s litigation style.

By Peter Finn | 07:00 AM ET, 12/11/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: CIA, lawsuit, Justice Department, Judge, Frederick Scullin Jr., Marcia Cowles, Mark S. Zaid, Anthony Moses, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 12/07/2012

No more points for diplos in Yemen

By Ernesto Londoño

IN THE LOOP | Sheraton turns hotel over to State Department in unstable country.

By Ernesto Londoño | 07:00 AM ET, 12/07/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Yemen, State Department, Sheraton, Starwood, Ali Abdullah Saleh, Westin, Sanaa, points, Ernesto Lodono, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 12/06/2012

Rice nomination and White House musical chairs

By Al Kamen

IN THE LOOP| A Susan Rice move to the State Department could spark other moves at the White House

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 12/06/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Susan Rice, nominations, secretary of state, U.N. ambassador, Tom Donilon, Denis McDonough, Jack Lew, Rwanda, Samantha Power, Valerie Jarrett, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 12/05/2012

State Dept. mulling new rules on employees’ social media, other speech

By Emily Heil

The agency is reportedly considering requiring reviews for workers’ tweets, blogs, and other speech.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 12/05/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 12/04/2012

Lugar trips were no junkets, Obama recalls

By Al Kamen

IN THE LOOP | Obama says that foreign travel with “a rock star,” was hard work.

By Al Kamen | 06:00 AM ET, 12/04/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Obama, Lugar: National Defense University, nuclear weapons, Soviet Union, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, junket, rock star, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 11/30/2012

With women leaving Cabinet, advocates want even more top jobs

By Emily Heil

IN THE LOOP | With female Cabinet members poised to leave, advocates want even more women in top jobs.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 11/30/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Fairfax City | Tags: Transition, washingtonintransition

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 11/21/2012

Rep. Curson, short-timer, hires full staff

By Emily Heil

The Michigan Democrat hires a full slate of staffers for a six-week stint in Congress.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 11/21/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 11/16/2012

EPA chief Lisa Jackson may be moving on

By Al Kamen

Jackson joked recently about candidates to succeed her.

By Al Kamen | 06:00 AM ET, 11/16/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Lisa Jackson, Environmental protection agency, EPA, Brad Campbell, Jeff Holmstead, Mitt Romney, Barack Obama, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 11/06/2012

Grassley knows how to pick winners

By Al Kamen

Two Grassley staffers have been champions on Jeopardy!

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 11/06/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Jeopardy!, Grassley, Iowa, Tom Walsh, Paul Nelson, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 11/02/2012

Campaign cash frenzy never ends

By Al Kamen

Candidates already working for the 2014 campaign.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 11/02/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: campaign fundraising, 2014 elections, Kay Hagan, Mark Warner, Jim Inhofe, Jim risch, John Hoeven, Roy Blunt, Bill Huizenga, Tom Reed, Disneyworld, Universal Studios, Obama, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 11/01/2012

Axelrod’s ‘stache wager an anomaly in political bets

By Emily Heil

Unlike David Axelrod’s offer to shave his mustache, most political wagers are low-stakes affairs.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 11/01/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:20 AM ET, 10/26/2012

Election-watchers warned: don’t mess with Texas

By Emily Heil

European election watchers aren’t welcome in the Lone Star State, the state AG makes clear — but they promise to behave.

By Emily Heil | 06:20 AM ET, 10/26/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 10/25/2012

13 Italians die, 33 wounded during hunting season

By Al Kamen

Activists call for hunting ban.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 10/25/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Italy, Italians, hunting, hunting season, hunters, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 10/24/2012

Is Eric Holder staying or going at Justice Dept.?

By Al Kamen

The attorney general might want to stick around a while longer in a possible second Obama term.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 10/24/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 10/23/2012

Filibuster or bust? Reformers see a (small) window

By Emily Heil

Reformers who want to tweak the procedure see a window — but it’s a small one.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 10/23/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 10/19/2012

How safe is our man in Beijing?

By Al Kamen

Confusion reigned when protesters surrounded Ambassador Gary Locke’s car

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 10/19/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: U.S. embassy, Japan, China, disputed island, protestors, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 10/17/2012

Pentagon Channel: Emmys and then pink slips

By Al Kamen

Defense contractors won five Emmys for their work on the Pentagon Channel, and then got squeezed out in budget cuts.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 10/17/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Defense Department, The Pentagon Channel, Emmy Awards, budget cuts, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 10/15/2012

Tommy Thompson, forgetful homeowner, was a house flipper in Washington

By Emily Heil

The former property flipper should be forgiven for forgetting how many homes he owns.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 10/15/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 10/10/2012

Smithsonian’s exploding trinkets

By Al Kamen

A suspicious package near L’Enfant Plaza that led to evacuations turned out to be tied to a museum’s upcoming exhibit.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 10/10/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Smithsonian, bomb scare, trinkets, bomb squad, suspcious package, Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 01:57 PM ET, 10/09/2012

Dutch and Danish, punching above their weight: a Loop correction

By Al Kamen

A Loop Correction

By Al Kamen | 01:57 PM ET, 10/09/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Obama, Danish, Dutch, punch, weight, correctiion, Glenn Kessler, Washington Post, fact checker, Pinocchio, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 10/09/2012

Star Wars robot joins the Navy?

By Al Kamen

The Naval Research Laboratory is working with Virginia Tech to develop a fire-fighting robot.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 10/09/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Navy, Star Wars, robots, 3-CPO, Virginia Tech, Dennis Hong, RoboCup, firefighting robot, ASH, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 10/04/2012

Supreme Court reminder: No basketball or weight lifting while the high court’s in session

By Emily Heil

Supreme Court newsletter reminds staff to keep down the gym noise while court’s in session.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 10/04/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 10/03/2012

Buyer lobbies for smokeless tobacco

By Al Kamen

The former Indiana congressman is still battling restrictions on chewing tobacco and snuff

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 10/03/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Steve Buyer, smoking, tobacco, smokeless tobacco, Indiana health commission, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 09/28/2012

Army chief McHugh rehabs pelvic fracture

By Al Kamen

The Army secretary injured his pelvis in a biking accident in Northern Virginia on Monday.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 09/28/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Army Secretary, John McHugh, Walter Reed, bike accident, pelvis, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 09/27/2012

Meet 2012’s quirkiest congressional candidates, including a wrestler, a beer baron and a rent-a-Santa

By Emily Heil

A wrestler, a beer baron and a rent-a-Santa are among the characters who could liven up Congress.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 09/27/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 09/26/2012

Pentagon warns on former Seal’s Osama book

By Al Kamen

Defense security official issues guidelines on reading new book.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 09/26/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Osama bin Laden, Navy Seals, Seal Team 6, Book, Matt Bissonnette, Pentagon, Defense Department, Obama mission, No Easy Day, Dutton Books, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 09/20/2012

Loop pick the president: Contest deadline looms!

By Al Kamen

Time is getting shorter to enter the Loop’s quadrennial Pick the President Contest.

By Al Kamen | 06:00 AM ET, 09/20/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Obama, Romney, contest, deadline, Loop contest, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 12:02 PM ET, 09/13/2012

Romney’s bad patch doesn’t mean it’s over (Loop contest)

By Al Kamen

Recent polls and criticism of Romney’s attack on Obama as kowtowing to anti-American Muslims can be overcome. The race is open and so is the Loop Contest to pick the winner.

By Al Kamen | 12:02 PM ET, 09/13/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Obama, Romney, polls, election, Muslims, Reagan, Bush, John McCain, Ed Rogers, Jimmy Carter, Iranian hostages, contest, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 04:57 PM ET, 09/12/2012

HHS chief Sebelius runs into Hatch Act trouble; special counsel reminds fed workers of restrictions

By Emily Heil

Sebelius goes off script and makes political remarks; White House Office of Special Counsel says it’s a chance to remind federal workers of the law.

By Emily Heil | 04:57 PM ET, 09/12/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:50 AM ET, 09/12/2012

David Aguilar’s term as acting border chief is over

By Emily Heil

The term expires for the acting head of Customs and Border Protection. Nobody has been nominated to take over.

By Emily Heil | 06:50 AM ET, 09/12/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 09/07/2012

Washington is #1 . . . in vacations

By Al Kamen

Based on a 10-city survey, Washingtonians vacation more than anyone.

By Al Kamen | 08:00 AM ET, 09/07/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 09/07/2012

Rep. Diaz-Balert throws meat-and-greet fundraiser

By Emily Heil

Rep. Diaz-Balart throws an all-you-can-eat meat fundraiser.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 09/07/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 09/05/2012

State Department offers prizes for arms-control ideas

By Al Kamen

You can win $10,000 in prizes for coming up with ways for new technologies to catch cheaters and proliferators.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 09/05/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: State Department, arms control, challenge, Facebook, Twitter, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 08/17/2012

Faux Thomas Jefferson quote cited by Rep. Ted Poe

By Emily Heil

Rep. Ted Poe cites a “spurious” quote attributed to the third president.

By Emily Heil | 08:00 AM ET, 08/17/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 08/15/2012

Congress scours the globe in search of facts

By Al Kamen

IN THE LOOP | Retiring lawmakers make swan-song journeys before they leave office.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 08/15/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Lame duck travel, codels, congressional travel, lame duck, Kent Conrad, Olympia Snowe, Dennis Cardoza, Richard Lugar, Devin Nunes, European Command, Bonjardim, Praca dos Restauradores, Pasteis de Belem, Jack Kingston, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 08/14/2012

Did Romney ensure a great Olympics?

By Al Kamen

IN THE LOOP | Could Romney’s musing before the Games have pushed the Brits to do their best?

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 08/14/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: British, Olympics, British Olympics, David Cameron, Boris Johnson, Olympic games, President Obama, medals, China, Russia, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 08/13/2012

Romney’s Ryan pick surprises pundits — and that’s no surprise

By Al Kamen

The media cognoscenti don’t have particularly sparkling track records when it comes to predicting vice presidential selections, especially GOP candidates.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 08/13/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Mitt Romney, Rob Portman, Tim Pawlenty, vice president, Walter Mondale, Lloyd Bentsen, Al Gore, John Edwards, Geraldine Ferraro, Joe Biden, Joe Lieberman, Dianne Feinstein, Sarah Palin, Dick Cheney, Jack Kemp, Dan Quayle, George H.W. Bush, Gerald Ford, Bob Dole, John Kerry, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 08/10/2012

Gitmo prisoners prefer Fresh Prince to Harry Potter

By Emily Heil

Why the ‘90s sitcom is a big hit with Guantanamo Bay prisoners.

By Emily Heil | 08:00 AM ET, 08/10/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 08/09/2012

Clinton’s back-up dancers need practice

By Al Kamen

The secretary of state showed her dance moves at a dinner in South Africa. Other officials may want to take a lesson from her.

By Al Kamen | 08:00 AM ET, 08/09/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Hillary Clinton, Dancing, dancing video, Judith Sephuma, South Africa, Robert Hormats, Fred Hochberg, Donald Gips, Ann Harrap, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 08/08/2012

State Department spokesman utters name of Russian punk band to reporters’ giggles

By Emily Heil

A State Department spokesman finally says the naughty-sounding name of the Russian punk band on trial in Moscow.

By Emily Heil | 08:00 AM ET, 08/08/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 08/07/2012

Senate ‘pro formas’ to be held down the street

By Al Kamen

The Senate Chamber is getting a facelift, so the “pro forma” sessions will be in the Hart Senate office building.

By Al Kamen | 08:00 AM ET, 08/07/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Harry Reid, Senate, Senate recess, Senate pro forma, Senate chamber, pro forma sessions, Senate Judiciary Committee, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the loop

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 08/03/2012

Iraq invasion: Greatest strategic decision?

By Al Kamen

Former Pentagon intelligence chief says decision may be greatest of first half of 21st century.

By Al Kamen | 08:00 AM ET, 08/03/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Iraq, U.S. invasion, Donald Rumsfeld, Stephen Cambone, Pentagon, Aspen Security Forum, Noah Schachtman, Wired, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 08/02/2012

Dan Burton does Bahrain; trip skirts ethics reforms

By Emily Heil

An international trip was OK under ethics rules, but a report says it skirts lobbying reforms.

By Emily Heil | 08:00 AM ET, 08/02/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:12 PM ET, 08/01/2012

Judicial wannabes’ chances — slim to none

By Al Kamen

The climate these days is stacked against Obama judicial nominees getting confirmed.

By Al Kamen | 12:12 PM ET, 08/01/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Obama judges, judicial appointments, Bill Clinton, George Bush, Al Gore, Pat Leahy, Senate Judicarry Committee, judicial vacancies, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 09:18 AM ET, 07/31/2012

Mitt Romney’s overseas jaunt v. Obama’s 2008 voyage: What a difference staffing makes

By Emily Heil

Compared to President Obama’s 2008 overseas trip, Mitt Romney brought along far fewer staffers and advisors on his foreign jaunt.

By Emily Heil | 09:18 AM ET, 07/31/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 07/27/2012

Graham Spanier’s gig as a federal worker is a mystery

By Emily Heil

Ousted Penn State president Graham Spanier is working as a part-time consultant to a “top-secret” government agency.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 07/27/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:00 AM ET, 07/05/2012

BACKGROUND CHECK: National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis

By Emily Heil

The Loop chats with National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis.

By Emily Heil | 09:00 AM ET, 07/05/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:16 PM ET, 06/27/2012

Air Force may reward those who can stand the cold

By Al Kamen

The Air Force is looking for medals and ribbons and some can go to civilians.

By Al Kamen | 02:16 PM ET, 06/27/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Air Force, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Medal of Honor, Vietnam, Korea, World War II, U.N., NATO, Andmiral Byrd, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 12:06 PM ET, 06/26/2012

Obama vacation? Loop contest reminder

By Al Kamen

Don’t forget to enter the In the Loop contest to advise on the best vacation spot this summer for the Obamas.

By Al Kamen | 12:06 PM ET, 06/26/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: President Obama, Obama vacation, Martha's Vineyard, GOP convention, Bush, Clinton, Lake Erie, Cedar Point, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the loop

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 06/26/2012

50 things you didn’t know about women lawmakers

By Emily Heil

Players in the Congressional Women’s Softball Game gave interesting tidbits about themselves to the game’s announcers.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 06/26/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 06/22/2012

Federal officials beware! Lobbying for unsavory governments may be banned

By Al Kamen

A House Appropriations Committee-passed bill includes a provision banning

By Al Kamen | 06:00 AM ET, 06/22/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:49 PM ET, 06/20/2012

Eric Holder’s contempt vote: He’s hardly the first

By Al Kamen

Attorney General Eric Holder would be joining a long list of well-known officials from prior administrations who lost committee — or even full House or Senate — contempt votes.

By Al Kamen | 02:49 PM ET, 06/20/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: fast and furious, eric holder, eric holder contempt, atf, atf fast furious, attorney eric holder, attorney general, eric holder news, darrell issa, rep issa, eric holder furious, eric holder scandal, eric holder guns, eric holder contempt of congress, atf scandal, Al Kamen, emily heil, in the loop

Posted at 12:00 PM ET, 06/18/2012

Loop Missile Contest Winners!

By Al Kamen

The winners of the In the Loop contest to pick the best sites for a House-passed East Coast missile interceptor system are. . .

By Al Kamen | 12:00 PM ET, 06/18/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Missile Defense, East Coast, Interceptors, House of Representatives, Iran, North Korea, Fenway Park, Nationals Park, Yankees, Snookie, Jersey Shore, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, In the Loop

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 06/14/2012

Army orders ‘hot pink’ burqas for Afghanistan

By Al Kamen

The Army has issued a solicitation for various Afghan national police and army uniforms as well as scarves and burqas in various colors for women.

By Al Kamen | 06:00 AM ET, 06/14/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:00 PM ET, 05/04/2012

The Bush 2003 “Jobs Tour”: the “real” story?

By Al Kamen

The Wikipedia bio entry for former Treasury Secretary John W. Snow contains a truly strange citation.

By Al Kamen | 12:00 PM ET, 05/04/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: President Bush, Wikipedia, The Daily Show, John Stewart, Elaine Chao, John Snow, Donald Evans, Sacha Baron Cohen, Al Kamen, In the Loop, Emily Heil

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 05/04/2012

Senator or representative absent? Look abroad

By Al Kamen

Could be you elected lawmakers have left the country over the recent recess, looking for those elusive facts overseas.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 05/04/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: congressional travel, Nancy Pelosi, Jim McDermott, Tom Harkin, Mike Enzi, Roger Wicker, Kent Conrad, Dianne Feinstein, Saxby Chambliss, Mike Rogers, Dutch Ruppersberger, John McCain, Joe Lieberman, John Kerry, In the Loop, Al Kamen, Emily Heil, Namibia, Malawi, South Africa, Botswana, Morocco, Cote D’Ivoire, Afghanistan, Lithuania, Syria, Israel, Lebanon, Qatar, Al Kamen, In the Loop, Emily Heil

Posted at 06:06 AM ET, 05/02/2012

Zombies meet endangered species in Arlington

By Al Kamen

Fish and Wildlife Service employees can learn how to dance Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” dance.

By Al Kamen | 06:06 AM ET, 05/02/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 05/01/2012

Vito Fossella: Back in the House someday?

By Al Kamen

Former Staten Island Republican Rep.Vito Fossella, who quit in 2008 amid news he had fathered a child out of wedlock, is saying “not now,” but “not never” to a comeback bid.

By Al Kamen | 06:00 AM ET, 05/01/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Catching up with, Vito Fossella, Alfonse D'Amato, Park Strategies, House of Representatives, Al Kamen, In the Loop, Emily Heil

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 04/27/2012

Tim Geithner’s dollar-bill dilemma

By Emily Heil

The treasury secretary says he had to watch his penmanship on the dollar bill.

By Emily Heil | 08:00 AM ET, 04/27/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 04/26/2012

Obama, Japan’s prime minister to meet

By Al Kamen

Next week’s meeting between President Obama and Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda should prove more productive than the last time a prime minister from Japan was in town.

By Al Kamen | 08:00 AM ET, 04/26/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Japan prime minister, Yoshihiko Noda, Obama, Senate Armed Service Committee, Yukio Hatoyama, Okinawa, Al Kamen, In the Loop, Emily Heil

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 04/25/2012

Foreign Service pets score big

By Al Kamen

United Airlines has told the State Department and the foreign service association that it will extend the military waiver for transporting pets overseas to Foreign Service pets as well.

By Al Kamen | 08:00 AM ET, 04/25/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: State Department, American Foreign Service Association, United Airlines, AFSA, pets, military pet travel, Gary Locke, China, Patrick Kennedy, Susan Johnson, Chris Van Hollen, Jim Moran, Gerry Connolly, Donna Edwards, Nita Lowey, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Al Kamen, In the Loop, Emily Heil

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 04/25/2012

Baltimore law school gets new dean

By Al Kamen

Assistant attorney general Ron Weich, former counsel to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Edward M. Kennedy, will become dean of the University of Baltimore School of Law in July.

By Al Kamen | 06:00 AM ET, 04/25/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Ron Weich, Harry Reid, Edward M. Kennedy, University of Baltimore School of Law, Al Kamen, In the Loop, Emily Heil

Posted at 12:29 PM ET, 04/23/2012

Romney’s pick for veep? A Loop Contest

By Al Kamen

Some are secretly hoping GOP candidate Mitt Romney will pick them as his running-mate. Readers can weigh in with their guess and maybe win an In the Loop T-shirt.

By Al Kamen | 12:29 PM ET, 04/23/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Condoleezza Rice, vice president, CNN/ORC, poll, Romney vice president, Rick Santorum, Rick Rubio, Chris Christie, Paul Ryan, Bobby Jindal, Bob McDonnell, Rob Portman, Mitch Danies, Sarah Palin, Michele Bachmann, Allen West, John Thune, In the Loop Contest, Veep contest, Al Kamen, In the Loop, Emily Heil

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 04/19/2012

Fawn Hall: from WHCD to book store (Catching Up With...)

By Emily Heil

Where’s the star of the 1987 WHCD these days?

By Emily Heil | 08:00 AM ET, 04/19/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Catching up with

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 04/18/2012

Foreign service officers have claws out for United

By Emily Heil

Foreign Service officers want the same pet-transport discount that the military gets.

By Emily Heil | 08:00 AM ET, 04/18/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:30 PM ET, 04/17/2012

Google’s teensy FCC fine

By Al Kamen

The microscopic $25,000 fine on Google for impeding a federal investigation has some lawmakers talking about enhanced penalties.

By Al Kamen | 12:30 PM ET, 04/17/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Federal Communications Commission, FCC, fines, Google, privacy, slap on wrist, pro publica, Al Kamen, In the Loop, Emily Heil

Posted at 11:00 AM ET, 04/06/2012

David Vitter hosts Derby fundraiser — mint julep alert!

By Emily Heil

Sen. David Vitter asks donors to pony up for a Derby weekend extravaganza.

By Emily Heil | 11:00 AM ET, 04/06/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 03/28/2012

A diplomat’s sexy blog irks ousted State Department employee

By Emily Heil

A blogger says the State Department “selectively” bans employee blogs.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 03/28/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Peter Van Buren

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 03/23/2012

Super PAC names veer from aggressive patriotism to wackiness

By Emily Heil

Some super PAC monikers pack a punch.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 03/23/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 03/14/2012

Cuban ‘embassy’ bar serving mint-muddled diplomacy

By Emily Heil

At the Cuban Interests Section, communism is served on the rocks.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 03/14/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 03/09/2012

Harry Reid to push for judges

By Al Kamen

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid plans to push next week for Senate confirmation of about a dozen judicial nominees stalled in the Senate.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 03/09/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 03/08/2012

Rep. John Mica’s gambit for FTC’s headquarters all about arts and letters

By Emily Heil

House transportation committee Chairman John Mica opens a new salvo in his quest to use the FTC’s headquarters for the National Gallery.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 03/08/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 02/22/2012

Gen. Clapper channels Westmoreland?

By Al Kamen

Intel chief James Clapper raised an eyebrow by comparing optimistic views on Afghanistan to those of Vietnam days.

By Al Kamen | 06:00 AM ET, 02/22/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Afghanistan, National Intelligence Estimate, Gen. John Allen, Ryan Crocker, Gen. James Mattis, Adm. James Stavrides, Carl Levin, Emily Heil, Al Kamen, In the Loop, Gen. William Westmoreland, Vietnam

Posted at 02:00 PM ET, 02/10/2012

Baghdad embassy ideas include Trump hotel, car dealership (Loop contest)

By Emily Heil

The entries to the Loop’s “embassy for sale” contest are pouring in.

By Emily Heil | 02:00 PM ET, 02/10/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:30 PM ET, 02/03/2012

Senate Democrats to Nationals Park for retreat

By Emily Heil

Senate Democrats plan a more-exciting-than-usual retreat at Nationals Park.

By Emily Heil | 02:30 PM ET, 02/03/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 02/03/2012

Judicial Nominees: Beware the Thurmond Rule

By Al Kamen

The Senate may approve some judges in early 2012 but then comes the Thurmond Rule.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 02/03/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 02/01/2012

Davos forum: a truly motley crowd

By Al Kamen and Emily Heil

The annual World Economic Forum drew dignitaries — and topless Ukrainian feminists.

By Al Kamen and Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 02/01/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Davos, Tim Giethner

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 01/31/2012

NLRB and U.N. worker heads to the slammer

By Al Kamen

Jeffrey K. Armstrong of South Riding, Va., was sentenced Friday to 18 months in federal prison for his fraudulent endeavors.

By Al Kamen | 08:00 AM ET, 01/31/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 01/27/2012

Newt Gingrich’s animal attraction resurfaces

By Al Kamen

Gingrich’s past support for endangered species comes back to haunt him.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 01/27/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Endangered Species Act

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 01/25/2012

National Security Agency: Declare foreign sex

By Al Kamen

NSA instructs its overseas staff to report contact with foreigners — including the intimate kind.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 01/25/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 01/20/2012

George W. Bush in the GOP debates: a taboo topic

By Emily Heil

During the endless parade of GOP debates, the candidates barely mentioned the last Republican president.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 01/20/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 01/13/2012

Specter’s TV show premiere: a highlights reel

By Emily Heil

We watch the former senator’s talk-show debut... so you don’t have to.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 01/13/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:00 AM ET, 01/12/2012

President Obama’s got sons?

By Al Kamen

Sons? What sons? How many? Where? Names? Do the girls know?

By Al Kamen | 11:00 AM ET, 01/12/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 01/11/2012

Eric Cantor’s travelogue, interrupted

By Emily Heil

A staffer narrates a lawmakers’ jaunt to the Middle East.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 01/11/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 01/06/2012

Travel ban clouds Hawaii airline industry retreat

By Al Kamen

An airline industry gathering takes a hit, as federal workers’ travel budgets tighten.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 01/06/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Travel and Leisure, hawaii, government travel

Posted at 09:00 AM ET, 12/23/2011

Dictator Obiang collects an award once given to Clinton, Bush

By Emily Heil

Equatorial Guinea “President” Teodoro Obiang Nguema drops by to to pick up a prestigious award — never mind those pesky accusations of corruption.

By Emily Heil | 09:00 AM ET, 12/23/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:00 AM ET, 12/20/2011

Spending bill bars the czars

By Emily Heil

Congress defunds White House policy “czars”... again.

By Emily Heil | 09:00 AM ET, 12/20/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:01 AM ET, 12/20/2011

Romney’s got the most presidential family tree

By Emily Heil

The White House is in the genes for Mitt Romney: Ancestry.com says he’s related to six former commanders-in-chief.

By Emily Heil | 12:01 AM ET, 12/20/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 12/14/2011

GOP freshmen fish for dollars at ritzy retreat

By Al Kamen

A group of Republican freshman are holding a weekend fundraiser at a posh Florida resort.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 12/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Travel and Leisure

Posted at 07:05 AM ET, 12/09/2011

Recess appointments: Nobody did them like Teddy

By Al Kamen

This week marks an anniversary in recess-appointment history.

By Al Kamen | 07:05 AM ET, 12/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 12/09/2011

Obama ambassadorial nominees face a ticking clock

By Al Kamen

For Obama’s would-be ambassadors, Congress’ clock is ticking.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 12/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:00 PM ET, 12/02/2011

Smokey Bear up in smoke? House GOP takes aim

By Emily Heil

House Republicans nominate kid’s education programs for budget cuts. Can the cuddly mascot survive?

By Emily Heil | 02:00 PM ET, 12/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 11/30/2011

CIA party’s no posh affair

By Al Kamen

Government belt-tightening claims another victim: the CIA holiday soiree.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 11/30/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:00 AM ET, 11/28/2011

State Department gets ahead of itself

By Al Kamen

Agency releases news of past happenings that are yet to be.

By Al Kamen | 11:00 AM ET, 11/28/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:00 PM ET, 11/23/2011

A very loopy Thanksgiving

By Emily Heil

In the Loop is taking a break for the holiday. Happy Thanksgiving!

By Emily Heil | 02:00 PM ET, 11/23/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:00 PM ET, 11/23/2011

Frank, Steele dispute ends (for now) with a thank-you note

By Emily Heil

The former RNC chair thanks Frank for setting the record straight.

By Emily Heil | 12:00 PM ET, 11/23/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 11/23/2011

Obama’s agency holiday parties go lite (no $16 muffins)

By Al Kamen

Holiday gatherings appear to be slimming down in this season of tough economic times.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 11/23/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 11/18/2011

Harry Reid’s pricey China trip

By Al Kamen

New Senate records now reveal how much a trip to China by 10 senators cost taxpayers.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 11/18/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:30 AM ET, 11/16/2011

Cabinet secretaries as bosses: Hillary Clinton’s tops

By Al Kamen

Who are the best Cabinet secretaries to work for?

By Al Kamen | 11:30 AM ET, 11/16/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 11/15/2011

Baird: getting Congress to reject insider trading is no piece of cake (quote of the week)

By Emily Heil

A former congressman says that in Congress, pie is more popular than restraint.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 11/15/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Quote of the Week

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 11/14/2011

Congressional fundraisers grab their guns

By Emily Heil

With hunting season on, lawmakers are putting small animals (and big dollars) in their crosshairs.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 11/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: RSVP

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 11/11/2011

Is Ray LaHood the new Grinch?

By Al Kamen

DOT’s Ray LaHood is pressing to meet a deadline during the holidays.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 11/11/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 11/10/2011

Senate to American people: Go to the zoo

By Emily Heil

The august body has a great idea for Americans.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 11/10/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:00 PM ET, 11/09/2011

EPA guilty of the ‘Friday news dump’ phenomenon

By Emily Heil

The agency knows just when to take out the trash.

By Emily Heil | 02:00 PM ET, 11/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 11/09/2011

The curse of the Cabinet

By Al Kamen

Mama, don’t let your babies grow up to be cabinet secretaries.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 11/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 11/08/2011

Kosher Senate fare no treif-ling matter

By Emily Heil

Senate eateries to offer kosher fare.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 11/08/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:40 PM ET, 11/07/2011

Cain accuser brings Capitol Hilton into the D.C. scandal fold

By Emily Heil

The Mayflower, the Vista, and the Jefferson have company.

By Emily Heil | 03:40 PM ET, 11/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:00 PM ET, 11/07/2011

Washington’s dog days (RSVP)

By Emily Heil

Two events today celebrate a politician's only real friend.

By Emily Heil | 12:00 PM ET, 11/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:50 AM ET, 11/07/2011

Defense Secretary to-be? (Read-this roundup)

By Emily Heil

Michele Flournoy, the Pentagon’s highest-ranking woman, almost took a much different path. Plus, other news from this morning.

By Emily Heil | 09:50 AM ET, 11/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 11/07/2011

Toilets no longer a threat, a relieved Congress hears

By Emily Heil

Johns no longer keep company with nukes, chemical weapons and guns.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 11/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:00 AM ET, 11/04/2011

McCaskill’s naughty tweet vs. the world (user poll)

By Emily Heil

Help us pick the week’s best line.

By Emily Heil | 09:00 AM ET, 11/04/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 11/04/2011

South Korea’s Lee wants the Hu treatment

By Al Kamen

South Koreans are miffed that Lee didn’t get the VIP treatment.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 11/04/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:13 PM ET, 11/03/2011

Quotes of the week: McCaskill’s naughty typo, Restaurant Association wants to ‘delight’ and Solis’s double-entendre

By Emily Heil

Herman Cain’s alma mater, the National Restaurant Association, aims to ‘delight.’

By Emily Heil | 03:13 PM ET, 11/03/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:05 PM ET, 11/03/2011

The State Department: Creating good American jobs

By Al Kamen

Federal agencies are rightly worried about their budget these days. The State Department has come up with what appears to be a winning strategy.

By Al Kamen | 12:05 PM ET, 11/03/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:00 AM ET, 11/03/2011

Obama’s quotes: Win those free T-shirts (Loop contest update)

By Emily Heil

Time’s ticking to win a coveted T-shirt.

By Emily Heil | 09:00 AM ET, 11/03/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 11/03/2011

White Castle birthday feted in Congress

By Emily Heil

The little burgers get a lot of love... from a congressman.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 11/03/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:00 PM ET, 11/02/2011

Cal Ripken to be our man in Japan

By Emily Heil

Cal Ripken, diplomat, heads overseas.

By Emily Heil | 02:00 PM ET, 11/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Travel and Leisure

Posted at 09:00 AM ET, 11/02/2011

GSA head’s stomach-stapling and the FDA’s scatological alert (quote of the week)

By Emily Heil

It’s only Wednesday, but loopy quotes are plentiful.

By Emily Heil | 09:00 AM ET, 11/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 11/02/2011

Senate classified briefing: can they be trusted not to spill the beans?

By Emily Heil

Faced with TV cameras, our elected leaders can’t be trusted not to disclose top-secret information.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 11/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:00 PM ET, 11/01/2011

Interior Department’s idea of belt-tightening: skinny venti mochas

By Emily Heil

Despite shrinking budgets, the Interior Department debuts a fancy cafe.

By Emily Heil | 12:00 PM ET, 11/01/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:00 AM ET, 11/01/2011

Fed conferences are less exotic these days

By Al Kamen

The days of Fed conferences at resort locales are over.

By Al Kamen | 09:00 AM ET, 11/01/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 11/01/2011

DNC fundraising site kicks...er, posterior

By Emily Heil

IN THE LOOP | A Democratic Web site has a racy url.

By Emily Heil | 07:00 AM ET, 11/01/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:10 PM ET, 10/31/2011

House waves the red, white and blue (RSVP)

By Emily Heil

The House is waving the red, white and blue this week.

By Emily Heil | 02:10 PM ET, 10/31/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:00 AM ET, 10/31/2011

Gingrich works the Tiffany’s angle

By Al Kamen

Gingrich, as no one else can, deftly spun the “issue” into a brilliant 90-second attack on President Obama.

By Al Kamen | 09:00 AM ET, 10/31/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 10/31/2011

Welcome, Loop fans!

By Al Kamen

My column, In the Loop, has been afflicting official Washington since 1993 in the pages of The Washington Post. Today we launch the In the Loop blog to intensify the pain.

By Al Kamen | 07:00 AM ET, 10/31/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)