2chambers - Breaking news and analysis from Capitol Hill.

Posted at 04:17 PM ET, 03/30/2011

Pelosi: Health-care defunding provision will not be signed into law

By Felicia Sonmez

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi says Democrats and President Obama will block proposals to defund the health-care law.

By Felicia Sonmez | 04:17 PM ET, 03/30/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:47 PM ET, 03/30/2011

House Republican freshmen call on Senate to pass government funding bill

By Felicia Sonmez

House GOP freshmen delivered a letter to Senate Democratic leaders urging them to pass a funding measure.

By Felicia Sonmez | 01:47 PM ET, 03/30/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:50 PM ET, 03/30/2011

Reid: ‘The country doesn’t care much about the tea party’

By Felicia Sonmez

Citing a poll, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid argues that House GOP leaders “can’t let the tea party call the shots.”

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:50 PM ET, 03/30/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:20 PM ET, 03/30/2011

House Republicans plan symbolic bill to pressure Senate on shutdown

By Felicia Sonmez

House Republican leaders announced that they plan to vote Friday on a bill to what they call the “Government Shutdown Prevention Act.”

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:20 PM ET, 03/30/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:10 PM ET, 03/29/2011

Administration to brief senators Wednesday on Libya

By Felicia Sonmez

Officials including the secretaries of State and Defense will brief senators Wednesday regarding the U.S. involvement in Libya, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) announced Tuesday.

By Felicia Sonmez | 06:10 PM ET, 03/29/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:33 PM ET, 03/29/2011

Policy riders continue to trip up budget talks as deadline looms

By Felicia Sonmez

House and Senate leaders continued to spar over federal spending Tuesday, the first day both chambers were back in Washington after a week-long recess, with the issue of policy riders remaining a key hurdle

By Felicia Sonmez | 05:33 PM ET, 03/29/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:00 PM ET, 03/29/2011

Dick Durbin’s hearing on the civil rights of American Muslims (full coverage)

By Felicia Sonmez

The Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights convened Tuesday morning for a hearing on “Protecting the Civil Rights of American Muslims.”

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:00 PM ET, 03/29/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:16 AM ET, 03/29/2011

Hoyer: Odds of government shutdown have increased over past two weeks

By Felicia Sonmez

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) on Tuesday said that he was “very concerned” about the status of negotiations on keeping the federal government funded past an April 8 deadline, saying that prospects for a government shutdown have increased since two weeks ago.

By Felicia Sonmez | 09:16 AM ET, 03/29/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:58 PM ET, 03/28/2011

President Obama’s Libya speech: The reaction from Capitol Hill

By Felicia Sonmez

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill – many of whom have been sharply critical of Obama’s handling of the Libyan conflict – weighed in on the president’s remarks Monday, with some releasing pre-buttals even before Obama had delivered his address.

By Felicia Sonmez | 06:58 PM ET, 03/28/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:00 PM ET, 03/28/2011

Kansas Republican senator becomes first official ‘no’ vote on raising debt ceiling

By Felicia Sonmez

Kansas Republican Sen. Jerry Moran has announced his opposition to raising the country’s $14.3 trillion debt ceiling, becoming the first official “no” vote on the issue.

By Felicia Sonmez | 05:00 PM ET, 03/28/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:44 PM ET, 03/28/2011

Mitch McConnell: Obama ‘has failed to explain’ next steps on Libya

By Felicia Sonmez

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) weighed in Monday on the U.S. involvement in Libya, hours before President Obama is set to deliver an address on the crisis at 7:30 p.m.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:44 PM ET, 03/28/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:42 PM ET, 03/28/2011

Previewing Dick Durbin’s hearing on the rights of American Muslims

By Michelle Boorstein and Felicia Sonmez

By Michelle Boorstein and Felicia Sonmez | 01:42 PM ET, 03/28/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:57 AM ET, 03/28/2011

The week ahead on the Hill: Budget battles, Libya, Japan and more Muslim hearings

By Felicia Sonmez

Our preview of the week ahead on the Hill.

By Felicia Sonmez | 10:57 AM ET, 03/28/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:50 PM ET, 03/25/2011

Obama updates members of Congress on Libya

By Felicia Sonmez

President Obama and senior administration officials held an hour-long meeting and conference call with more than 20 top members of Congress on Friday in which they updated lawmakers on the crisis in Libya and fielded questions on the extent of U.S. involvement in the operation, which is in its seventh day

By Felicia Sonmez | 06:50 PM ET, 03/25/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:38 PM ET, 03/25/2011

Previewing next week’s govt. funding debate

By Felicia Sonmez

The House and Senate return early next week to resume their negotiations on keeping the government funded through the end of the fiscal year in September.

By Felicia Sonmez | 02:38 PM ET, 03/25/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:34 PM ET, 03/25/2011

Senate Armed Services Committee to hold hearing on Libya next week

By Felicia Sonmez

The Senate Armed Services Committee will hold a hearing next week on the crisis in Libya

By Felicia Sonmez | 02:34 PM ET, 03/25/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:30 PM ET, 03/25/2011

What’s the future of the Defense of Marriage Act?

By Felicia Sonmez

Democrats in the House and Senate last week introduced legislation aimed at repealing the Defense of Marriage Act, the 1996 law that bars federal recognition of same-sex marriage.

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:30 PM ET, 03/25/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:10 PM ET, 03/24/2011

White House to hold classified briefing on Libya for Congress members next week

By Felicia Sonmez

Four Obama administration officials will hold a bipartisan, classified briefing for members of Congress next week on U.S. policies and military operations in Libya.

By Felicia Sonmez | 05:10 PM ET, 03/24/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:00 PM ET, 03/24/2011

State Dept.’s Steinberg to testify at House committee hearing on Libya

By Felicia Sonmez

Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg will testify at a House Committee on Foreign Affairs hearing on the conflict in Libya next week, the panel announced Thursday.

By Felicia Sonmez | 04:00 PM ET, 03/24/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:00 PM ET, 03/24/2011

Republican lawmaker calls Obama’s action on Libya ‘unlawful and unconstitutional’, another to introduce legislation to defund the mission

By Felicia Sonmez

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:00 PM ET, 03/24/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:14 PM ET, 03/24/2011

As health-care law turns one year old, some lawmakers keep quiet

By Felicia Sonmez

Democrats and Republicans marked the occasion of the national health-care overhaul’s one-year anniversary on Wednesday with a bombardment of press releases, conference calls and events defending or critiquing the law. But one group was noticeably silent.

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:14 PM ET, 03/24/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:22 PM ET, 03/23/2011

House foreign affairs committee invites Clinton to testify about Libya

By Felicia Sonmez

The House Committee on Foreign Affairs will hold a hearing next week on the U.S. role in the Libyan conflict, it announced Wednesday.

By Felicia Sonmez | 08:22 PM ET, 03/23/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:50 PM ET, 03/23/2011

Boehner questions Obama on Libya, while Pelosi issues cautious support

By Felicia Sonmez

By Felicia Sonmez | 04:50 PM ET, 03/23/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:35 PM ET, 03/23/2011

Three top Democratic senators back Obama on Libya; Pelosi calls for continued consultation with Congress

By Felicia Sonmez

Although some members of Congress have heightened their criticism of the U.S. involvement in Libya, a trio of senior Democratic senators on Wednesday defended President Obama’s action on the conflict and suggested that any congressional efforts to halt U.S. involvement are not likely to get far.

By Felicia Sonmez | 04:35 PM ET, 03/23/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:10 PM ET, 03/23/2011

Government reform groups call on ethics committee to resume Maxine Waters probe

By Felicia Sonmez and Dan Eggen

Six government reform organizations are calling on the House Committee on Ethics to resume its work on an investigation into Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) that has been stalled since late last year.

By Felicia Sonmez and Dan Eggen | 02:10 PM ET, 03/23/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:33 PM ET, 03/23/2011

Republican prediction: Supreme Court will find health-care law unconstitutional by next spring

By Felicia Sonmez

A House Republican who plays a leading role on health issues predicted Wednesday that the Supreme Court will rule the new federal health-care law unconstitutional by the spring of 2012.

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:33 PM ET, 03/23/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:24 PM ET, 03/22/2011

Senate Judiciary panel sets hearing for next week on protecting Muslims’ civil rights

By Felicia Sonmez

A Senate Judiciary subcommittee is planning to hold a hearing next week examining the issue of American Muslims’ civil rights, less than three weeks after a House committee hearing led by Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) on the radicalization of American Muslims drew widespread controversy.

By Felicia Sonmez | 05:24 PM ET, 03/22/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:08 PM ET, 03/22/2011

Sen. Scott Brown: I oppose defunding Planned Parenthood

By Felicia Sonmez

Massachusetts Republican Sen. Scott Brown on Tuesday came out against the federal funding cuts to Planned Parenthood that were included in a funding resolution that Brown himself backed two weeks ago.

By Felicia Sonmez | 04:08 PM ET, 03/22/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:50 PM ET, 03/22/2011

As gas prices rise, Democrats link Commodity Futures Trading Commission cuts to higher costs

By Felicia Sonmez

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:50 PM ET, 03/22/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:05 AM ET, 03/22/2011

Kucinich fundraising appeal takes aim at Obama on Libya

By Felicia Sonmez

Days after saying that President Obama’s authorization of U.S. intervention in Libya is an “impeachable offense,” Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) is now using his criticism of the president in a fundraising appeal.

By Felicia Sonmez | 11:05 AM ET, 03/22/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:14 PM ET, 03/21/2011

Two Senate Foreign Relations members criticize Obama on Libya

By Felicia Sonmez

Sens. Richard G. Lugar (R-Ind.) and James Webb (D-Va.) call on the administration to give Congress more information about the U.S. mission in Libya.

By Felicia Sonmez | 08:14 PM ET, 03/21/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:05 PM ET, 03/21/2011

Democrats, Republicans echo each other’s rhetoric on innovation, regulation

By Felicia Sonmez

Republicans and Democrats don’t see eye-to-eye on most economic issues, but those with a keen ear on Monday may have heard an unusual instance of leaders of both parties echoing each others’ rhetoric.

By Felicia Sonmez | 06:05 PM ET, 03/21/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:45 PM ET, 03/21/2011

Memo to House members outlines do’s and don’ts of soliciting donations for Japan

By Felicia Sonmez

The Committee on House Administration and the Committee on Ethics detail in the memo the ways in which lawmakers may or may not use their official offices to assist with relief efforts in Japan.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:45 PM ET, 03/21/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:49 PM ET, 03/21/2011

Rep. Mike Honda: U.S. action in Libya sends message that American democracy ‘is deeply dysfunctional’

By Felicia Sonmez

By Felicia Sonmez | 01:49 PM ET, 03/21/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:57 AM ET, 03/21/2011

Nancy Pelosi briefly hospitalized in Rome

By Felicia Sonmez and Chris Cillizza

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) was hospitalized briefly on Monday during a visit to Rome.

By Felicia Sonmez and Chris Cillizza | 11:57 AM ET, 03/21/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:45 AM ET, 03/21/2011

The week ahead on the Hill: Spring recess

By Felicia Sonmez

Both chambers are in recess this week, with the Senate set to return on March 28 and the House due to come back on March 29. Still, with the U.S. involvement in the crisis in Libya as well as continuing negotiations over funding the government past April 8, there will be plenty to keep an eye on.

By Felicia Sonmez | 11:45 AM ET, 03/21/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:44 AM ET, 03/21/2011

Report: Nancy Pelosi briefly hospitalized in Rome

By

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has been hospitalized and released on Monday during a visit to Rome.

By | 10:44 AM ET, 03/21/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:16 PM ET, 03/19/2011

U.S. action in Libya sparks concern among some lawmakers over Congress’s role

By Felicia Sonmez

Several lawmakers are pushing for a greater debate on the U.S. military role there, with some saying they feel the White House overstepped its bounds by not seeking formal congressional approval of military action.

By Felicia Sonmez | 08:16 PM ET, 03/19/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:12 PM ET, 03/19/2011

Nancy Pelosi arrives in Afghanistan on unannounced visit

By Felicia Sonmez

The House minority leader and four other House members are visiting troops and meeting with top officials there.

By Felicia Sonmez | 04:12 PM ET, 03/19/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:42 PM ET, 03/18/2011

Balanced-budget amendment delayed by Senate until after recess

By Felicia Sonmez

Senate Republicans pushing the measure reportedly agreed to postpone the public unveiling of the legislation until all Senate Republicans had signed onto it.

By Felicia Sonmez | 07:42 PM ET, 03/18/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:15 PM ET, 03/18/2011

Obama consults with congressional leaders on Libya

By Felicia Sonmez

President Obama held a closed-door consultation with congressional leaders on the crisis in Libya on Friday afternoon.

By Felicia Sonmez | 02:15 PM ET, 03/18/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:28 AM ET, 03/18/2011

Nancy Pelosi leads delegation to Italy

By Felicia Sonmez

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is leading a congressional delegation to Italy, the Democratic leader’s office announced Friday morning.

By Felicia Sonmez | 11:28 AM ET, 03/18/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:53 AM ET, 03/18/2011

2chambers: House rejects bid to end Afghan war

By Felicia Sonmez

The symbolic measure, sponsored by Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), called on President Obama to withdraw all U.S. forces from Afghanistan by the end of the year. It drew more votes of support in the House than did a similar effort last year.

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:53 AM ET, 03/18/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:52 PM ET, 03/17/2011

Harry Reid supports United Nations action on Libya

By Felicia Sonmez

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) weighed in Thursday on the crisis in Libya, expressing support for a United Nations resolution authorizing intervention in the country and describing himself as “very impressed” with the Arab League’s endorsement last week of a no-fly zone.

By Felicia Sonmez | 04:52 PM ET, 03/17/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:35 PM ET, 03/17/2011

House votes to defund NPR

By Felicia Sonmez

The proposal, sponsored by Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.), passed the House on a 228-to-192 vote, with one Republican voting present. All but seven Republicans voted for the measure, and all Democrats present voted against it.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:35 PM ET, 03/17/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:27 PM ET, 03/17/2011

Rand Paul opposes U.S. military involvement in Libya

By Felicia Sonmez

Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul said Thursday that he is opposed to any U.S. military intervention in Libya as the Obama administration has been pushing for greater United Nations involvement in the conflict.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:27 PM ET, 03/17/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:25 PM ET, 03/16/2011

Dems, GOP battle over Republican jobs forum

By Felicia Sonmez

Two influential Democratic representatives on Wednesday took aim at House Republicans’ forum on job creation, maintaining that Republicans still have not presented a jobs plan despite their efforts to promote their “cut-and-grow” agenda. Republicans immediately fired back that one of the Democrats had no right to criticize an event she had not watched.

By Felicia Sonmez | 04:25 PM ET, 03/16/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:22 PM ET, 03/16/2011

Cantor: Next step on government funding debate is up to Senate

By Felicia Sonmez

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) said that when it comes to figuring out the federal budget for next year, the ball is in Senate Democrats’ court.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:22 PM ET, 03/16/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:23 PM ET, 03/16/2011

McConnell, McCain will block future stopgap bills unless they include long-term defense funding

By Felicia Sonmez

The Senate Republican leader and a leading GOP voice on defense issues said Wednesday that they will block any short-term bills funding the federal government after the one being considered this week unless they are accompanied by a resolution funding the Defense Department through the end of the fiscal year in September.

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:23 PM ET, 03/16/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:25 AM ET, 03/16/2011

House Republicans step up focus on jobs

By Felicia Sonmez

As the debate over keeping the federal government funded continues to dominate the agenda in Washington, House Republicans are redoubling their efforts to make sure that job creation does not get lost in the mix.

By Felicia Sonmez | 11:25 AM ET, 03/16/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:40 PM ET, 03/15/2011

By the numbers: House passes three-week funding measure

By Felicia Sonmez

Here’s a more detailed look at how members voted on a three-week stopgap spending bill to keep the federal government open.

By Felicia Sonmez | 05:40 PM ET, 03/15/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:20 PM ET, 03/15/2011

House approves three-week government funding measure, sending it on to Senate

By Felicia Sonmez

Senate vote expected shortly before the measure currently keeping the government running is set to expire on Friday.

By Felicia Sonmez | 04:20 PM ET, 03/15/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:09 PM ET, 03/15/2011

Who moves next on federal budget? Depends on who you ask

By Felicia Sonmez

Congressional leaders can’t see eye-to-eye on keeping the government funded for the next three weeks, let alone the next six months – and now, they can’t even agree on who ought to move next in the ongoing budget battle.

By Felicia Sonmez | 01:09 PM ET, 03/15/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:22 AM ET, 03/15/2011

Conservative opposition to stopgap spending measure grows; Pence, Chaffetz latest to announce ‘no’ votes

By Felicia Sonmez

By Felicia Sonmez | 11:22 AM ET, 03/15/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:09 PM ET, 03/14/2011

Republican Study Committee chairman joins in opposition to stopgap spending measure

By Felicia Sonmez

The head of the conservative Republican Study Committee on Monday became the highest-profile House Republican to oppose a stopgap measure that would keep the government funded through April 8, calling for “swift action” on a longer-term funding measure.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:09 PM ET, 03/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:11 PM ET, 03/14/2011

Freshman House Republican criticizes tea party conservatives over stopgap funding measure

By Felicia Sonmez

As tea party-aligned groups and other conservative organizations are pressuring lawmakers to vote against Congress’ latest short-term funding measure, a member of the House Republican freshman class is pushing back, arguing that conservatives are “making a big mistake.”

By Felicia Sonmez | 02:11 PM ET, 03/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:58 PM ET, 03/14/2011

Discontent brewing over stopgap funding measures

By Felicia Sonmez

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:58 PM ET, 03/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:31 AM ET, 03/14/2011

Virginia tea partiers ‘disappointed’ with Cantor

By Aaron Wiener

For some tea partiers, the House majority leader’s vote against deep spending cuts was heresy.

By Aaron Wiener | 11:31 AM ET, 03/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:24 AM ET, 03/14/2011

The week ahead on the Hill: New stopgap funding measure on the floor as Friday deadline looms

By Felicia Sonmez

By Felicia Sonmez | 08:24 AM ET, 03/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:59 AM ET, 03/11/2011

2chambers recesses (briefly)

By Felicia Sonmez

2chambers is taking a brief hiatus today — but don’t worry, we’ll be back before you know it.

By Felicia Sonmez | 09:59 AM ET, 03/11/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:05 PM ET, 03/10/2011

The Peter King hearings on radical Islam (live blog)

By Felicia Sonmez and Michelle Boorstein

The hearings, called by chairman Peter King (R-N.Y.), feature a series of witnesses addressing the topic. We are covering the hearing live here.

By Felicia Sonmez and Michelle Boorstein | 07:05 PM ET, 03/10/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:39 PM ET, 03/10/2011

House votes to end foreclosure-assistance program

By Felicia Sonmez

The House on Thursday voted to end the Federal Housing Administration Refinance Program, one of two federal foreclosure-assistance programs on the chopping block this week.

By Felicia Sonmez | 05:39 PM ET, 03/10/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:15 PM ET, 03/10/2011

It’s the economy (and the deficit, and the gas prices), stupid

By Felicia Sonmez

A Gallup poll released Thursday shows that the number of Americans citing economic issues as the country’s most important problem has reached a 12-month high, with the percentages of Americans concerned about the federal deficit and gas prices also spiking.

By Felicia Sonmez | 04:15 PM ET, 03/10/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:23 PM ET, 03/09/2011

House to defend the Defense of Marriage Act in court

By Felicia Sonmez

After a split vote, Republican leaders push forward with a legal defense of the law barring federal recognition of same-sex marriage.

By Felicia Sonmez | 07:23 PM ET, 03/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:22 PM ET, 03/09/2011

Previewing Peter King’s hearing on radical Islam

By Felicia Sonmez

By Felicia Sonmez | 05:22 PM ET, 03/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:58 PM ET, 03/09/2011

Senate rejects two long-term funding bills, sending leaders back to negotiating table

By Felicia Sonmez and Lori Montgomery

By Felicia Sonmez and Lori Montgomery | 03:58 PM ET, 03/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:31 PM ET, 03/09/2011

Obama repeats veto threat against House Republicans’ funding measure

By Felicia Sonmez

The White House has restated its veto threat against the government funding measure passed by the House last month ahead of a Senate test vote on the measure Wednesday afternoon.

By Felicia Sonmez | 01:31 PM ET, 03/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:04 PM ET, 03/09/2011

Lawmakers threaten to hold up Korea trade deal

By Felicia Sonmez

By Felicia Sonmez | 01:04 PM ET, 03/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:19 AM ET, 03/09/2011

Obama to meet today with Senate Democrats on budget

By Felicia Sonmez and Perry Bacon Jr.

Top House Republicans on Wednesday criticized the White House on its negotiations with congressional leaders on keeping the federal government funded through September, arguing that the talks have been held up due to Vice President Joe Biden’s travel abroad and that another stopgap measure might be necessary to keep the government running past a March 18 deadline.

By Felicia Sonmez and Perry Bacon Jr. | 11:19 AM ET, 03/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:21 PM ET, 03/08/2011

Rand Paul to vote against both Republican and Democratic funding resolutions

By Felicia Sonmez

Freshman senator from Kentucky cites size of federal deficit in both plans as prompting his opposition.

By Felicia Sonmez | 07:21 PM ET, 03/08/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:50 PM ET, 03/08/2011

Rep. Eric Cantor defends Rep. Peter King’s hearings on radical Islam

By Felicia Sonmez

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) on Tuesday backed House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Peter King’s (R-N.Y.) planned hearing on Islamic radicalism, chiding the press for having “become sort of fascinated” with it.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:50 PM ET, 03/08/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:01 PM ET, 03/08/2011

Simpson, Bowles kick off campaign to focus on longer-term deficit reduction

By Felicia Sonmez

Former senators Erskine Bowles (D-N.C.) and Alan Simpson (R-Wyo.), the co-chairmen of President Obama’s National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, are kicking off a campaign on Tuesday to promote the commission’s final report as well as the efforts of a bipartisan group of senators working to tackle long-term deficit reduction.

By Felicia Sonmez | 02:01 PM ET, 03/08/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:40 PM ET, 03/08/2011

Manchin slams Obama’s leadership on funding resolution

By Felicia Sonmez

West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin (D) criticized President Obama in a floor speech Tuesday, taking issue with the president’s leadership in negotiations on keeping the federal government funded through September.

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:40 PM ET, 03/08/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:01 PM ET, 03/07/2011

Harry Reid says ‘tea party’ spending plan will cost U.S. jobs

By Felicia Sonmez

Senate will vote on two budget proposals Tuesday, but majority leader predicts both will be defeated, prompting a return ‘to square one.’

By Felicia Sonmez | 07:01 PM ET, 03/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:18 PM ET, 03/07/2011

Florida Democratic congressman faces allegation of sexual harassment

By Felicia Sonmez

The conservative legal group Judicial Watch announced Monday that it has filed a lawsuit against Rep. Alcee Hastings.

By Felicia Sonmez | 04:18 PM ET, 03/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:30 PM ET, 03/07/2011

House to vote this week on cutting foreclosure-assistance programs

By Felicia Sonmez

The House this week is expected to take up two measures that would end federal foreclosure aid.

By Felicia Sonmez | 01:30 PM ET, 03/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:22 AM ET, 03/07/2011

The week ahead on the Hill: Two test votes and more budget wrangling

By Felicia Sonmez

A federal shutdown has been averted – temporarily, at least – after the House and Senate passed a stopgap measure last week to keep the government funded through March 18. But the real budget battle is yet to come.

By Felicia Sonmez | 10:22 AM ET, 03/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:07 PM ET, 03/04/2011

Senate Democrats take aim at House Republican spending bill, state-by-state

By Felicia Sonmez

Senate Democrats on Friday unveiled their latest critique of House Republicans’ spending plan, breaking down what they contend would be the state-by-state impact of the GOP spending cuts in an interactive map.

By Felicia Sonmez | 06:07 PM ET, 03/04/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:27 PM ET, 03/04/2011

House Republicans take action to defend Defense of Marriage Act

By Felicia Sonmez and Ben Pershing

By Felicia Sonmez and Ben Pershing | 03:27 PM ET, 03/04/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:09 PM ET, 03/04/2011

Senate Democrats release government funding proposal; votes likely next week

By Felicia Sonmez

Senate Democrats on Friday introduced their plan for keeping the federal government funded through September, with a vote on the measure as well as a House-passed proposal expected to come as early as next Tuesday.

By Felicia Sonmez | 02:09 PM ET, 03/04/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:22 AM ET, 03/04/2011

Mitch McConnell: White House spending proposal ‘unacceptable’

By Felicia Sonmez

In his first public remarks since Thursday’s bipartisan, bicameral meeting between congressional leaders and the White House, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) took aim at the administration’s proposed $6.5 billion in spending cuts as unacceptable to congressional Republicans.

By Felicia Sonmez | 11:22 AM ET, 03/04/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:05 PM ET, 03/03/2011

House Republicans: We’ll cut $2 billion a week until Democrats propose spending plan

By Felicia Sonmez

By Felicia Sonmez | 06:05 PM ET, 03/03/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:15 PM ET, 03/03/2011

House votes to repeal ‘1099’ tax reporting requirement in health-care law

By Felicia Sonmez

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:15 PM ET, 03/03/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:23 PM ET, 03/03/2011

House Democrats mum on spending cuts; Republicans say more stopgap measures possible

By Felicia Sonmez

By Felicia Sonmez | 02:23 PM ET, 03/03/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: House

Posted at 11:36 AM ET, 03/03/2011

Ten Senate Democrats back balanced budget measure

By Felicia Sonmez

An amendment offered by Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) that would have “expressed the sense of the Senate” in support of a balanced budget amendment fell just short of passage on Tuesday, but it garnered the backing of nearly a dozen members of the Senate Democratic caucus, many of whom are up for reelection in 2012.

By Felicia Sonmez | 11:36 AM ET, 03/03/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:19 AM ET, 03/03/2011

Biden to talk spending with congressional leaders today

By Felicia Sonmez

Vice President Biden will meet with congressional leaders from both parties Thursday afternoon to discuss the way forward on keeping the government funded through the end of the fiscal year, Senate aides from both parties said Thursday.

By Felicia Sonmez | 11:19 AM ET, 03/03/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:59 AM ET, 03/03/2011

House budget chairman Ryan: More stopgap spending measures possible

By Felicia Sonmez

House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said Thursday that it’s possible that Congress will take up more stopgap government funding measures instead of a longer-term one when a resolution keeping the government running expires later this month.

By Felicia Sonmez | 10:59 AM ET, 03/03/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:57 PM ET, 03/02/2011

Obama signs two-week government funding resolution into law

By Felicia Sonmez

President Obama has signed a stopgap measure to keep the government funded through mid-March, averting a federal shutdown -- at least for the time being.

By Felicia Sonmez | 05:57 PM ET, 03/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:54 PM ET, 03/02/2011

George W. Bush, Dick Cheney visit the Capitol for Bill Frist portrait unveiling

By Felicia Sonmez

Former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) was in the Capitol Wednesday for the unveiling of his official portrait. Former President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney were also on hand for the event. Below is our pool report on the gathering, which took place in the Old Senate Chamber, the chamber in which the Senate used to meet from 1810 to 1859 but which is now used mostly for ceremonial events.

By Felicia Sonmez | 05:54 PM ET, 03/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:53 PM ET, 03/02/2011

House to test reusable dishware

By Felicia Sonmez

A pilot program that would test the feasibility of using reusable dishware is in the works in one of the House cafeterias.

By Felicia Sonmez | 02:53 PM ET, 03/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:15 PM ET, 03/02/2011

Senate vote averting federal shutdown for now; Obama calls for long-term budget negotiations

By Felicia Sonmez

The Senate on Wednesday approved a stopgap measure that would keep the federal government funded through March 18, sending the bill on to President Obama for his signature.

By Felicia Sonmez | 01:15 PM ET, 03/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:18 AM ET, 03/02/2011

Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee to vote against stopgap government funding plan

By Felicia Sonmez

Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee announced Wednesday morning that he will vote against a stopgap measure to keep the government funded through March 18 because it does not make deep enough cuts to federal spending.

By Felicia Sonmez | 10:18 AM ET, 03/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:34 PM ET, 03/01/2011

Senate passes Libya resolution

By Felicia Sonmez

The Senate on Tuesday passed a resolution calling for the resignation of Moammar Gaddafi as well as new steps against the Libyan leader, including the possible establishment of a no-fly zone over Libyan territory.

By Felicia Sonmez | 07:34 PM ET, 03/01/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:23 PM ET, 03/01/2011

Senate moves to prohibit lawmakers and president from getting paid during shutdowns

By Felicia Sonmez

The Senate on Tuesday approved a measure that would prevent the president and members of Congress from receiving their salaries during government shutdowns.

By Felicia Sonmez | 07:23 PM ET, 03/01/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:40 PM ET, 03/01/2011

House passes stopgap funding to avert federal shutdown

By Felicia Sonmez

The House on Tuesday approved a stopgap measure that would keep the federal government funded through March 18 and cut $4 billion in spending by targeting programs that President Obama has already marked for elimination.

By Felicia Sonmez | 04:40 PM ET, 03/01/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:05 PM ET, 03/01/2011

Reid: Senate Democrats will approve stopgap funding, sidestepping federal shutdown

By Felicia Sonmez

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) announced Tuesday that Senate Democrats will agree to a measure that would keep the federal government funded for two weeks while enacting $4 billion in cuts, a move likely to avert a government shutdown this Friday.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:05 PM ET, 03/01/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:46 PM ET, 03/01/2011

Bernanke: House GOP spending plan would have minimal effect on economic growth

By Felicia Sonmez

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Tuesday that the House Republican plan to cut $61 billion across federal agencies through the end of September would have only a slightly negative impact on the country's economic growth, lowering gross domestic product by one- to two-tenths of a percentage point this year.

By Felicia Sonmez | 01:46 PM ET, 03/01/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:40 PM ET, 03/01/2011

Boehner: White House late to weigh in on government funding to avert shutdown

By Felicia Sonmez

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) said Tuesday that if the White House had weighed in earlier on a short-term proposal to keep the government funded past Friday, it might have been possible to reach an agreement with House Republicans.

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:40 PM ET, 03/01/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:36 PM ET, 03/01/2011

Hoyer: 'Premature' to speculate whether Rep. David Wu should resign

By Felicia Sonmez

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said Tuesday that it is "not appropriate at this time" to discuss whether Rep. David Wu (D-Ore.) should resign in the wake of a stream of reports detailing the seven-term congressman's erratic behavior in the run-up to the November midterms.

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:36 PM ET, 03/01/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:00 AM ET, 03/01/2011

House Democrats split on two-week government funding measure

By Felicia Sonmez

House Democratic leaders are at odds over a Republican-sponsored measure that would keep the government funded for two weeks while enacting $4 billion in cuts, many of which are favored by President Obama.

By Felicia Sonmez | 10:00 AM ET, 03/01/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

2chambers: March, 2011