2chambers - Breaking news and analysis from Capitol Hill.

Posted at 04:10 PM ET, 05/29/2011

Rep. Weiner says lewd Twitter photo was sent by hacker; recipient tells of ‘outlandish’ backlash

By Felicia Sonmez

Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.)has become the latest member of Congress to run into Twitter trouble after a lewd photo was sent from his account on the microblogging site Friday night.

By Felicia Sonmez | 04:10 PM ET, 05/29/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:49 PM ET, 05/27/2011

Pence: 2012 GOP presidential field will grow

By Felicia Sonmez

By Felicia Sonmez | 09:49 PM ET, 05/27/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:50 PM ET, 05/27/2011

House to vote next week on ending U.S. involvement in Libya

By Felicia Sonmez

The already-contentious congressional debate over the U.S. intervention in Libya is about to get even more heated.

By Felicia Sonmez | 06:50 PM ET, 05/27/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:28 PM ET, 05/27/2011

House Democrats, Republicans to meet separately with Obama next week

By Felicia Sonmez

The White House is planning separate meetings with House Republicans and Democrats next week to discuss the federal budget, a source with knowledge of the talks said Friday.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:28 PM ET, 05/27/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:40 PM ET, 05/27/2011

Lawmaker questions White House use of ‘autopen’

By Felicia Sonmez

A GOP House member wonders whether the White House violated the Constitution when it used an “autopen” to affix President Obama’s signature to legislation extending the Patriot Act.

By Felicia Sonmez | 01:40 PM ET, 05/27/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:57 PM ET, 05/27/2011

McConnell: ‘Significant’ Medicare reform will happen before 2012 election

By Felicia Sonmez

“I think we will have done something significant to alter the trajectory long term on Medicare well before the election,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) told reporters Friday.

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:57 PM ET, 05/27/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:10 AM ET, 05/27/2011

The Patriot Act flippers

By Felicia Sonmez

A closer look at some of the lawmakers who recently shifted their positions on the issue sheds some light on what may be in store for future battles over the legislation.

By Felicia Sonmez | 11:10 AM ET, 05/27/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:57 PM ET, 05/26/2011

House approves Pentagon authorization bill with Libya amendments

By David A. Fahrenthold and Felicia Sonmez

The House on Thursday approved a Pentagon authorization bill that includes three amendments aimed at the ongoing military operation in Libya.

By David A. Fahrenthold and Felicia Sonmez | 04:57 PM ET, 05/26/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:45 PM ET, 05/26/2011

What Rand Paul’s Patriot Act victory says about the tea party

By Felicia Sonmez

The score late Thursday afternoon following Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) announcement on the Patriot Act: Tea party 1, establishment 0.

By Felicia Sonmez | 04:45 PM ET, 05/26/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:16 PM ET, 05/26/2011

Tom Coburn, on role in Ensign case: ‘I am proud of what I did’

By Felicia Sonmez

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), a close ally of former senator John Ensign (R-Nev.), on Thursday defended his actions related to the scandal that prompted Ensign to resign his seat.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:16 PM ET, 05/26/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:24 PM ET, 05/26/2011

Boehner: Medicare played ‘small part’ in N.Y. defeat

By Felicia Sonmez

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) Thursdayacknowledged that Republicans’ proposal to overhaul Medicare played a role in his party’s defeat in NY-26.

By Felicia Sonmez | 01:24 PM ET, 05/26/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:12 AM ET, 05/26/2011

As deadline looms, Senate votes (again) to end debate on Patriot Act extension

By Felicia Sonmez

The Senate on Thursday voted to end debate on a measure extending three key provisions of the Patriot Act, with less than 14 hours remaining until the law currently extending the provisions of the counterterrorism surveillance law is set to expire.

By Felicia Sonmez | 11:12 AM ET, 05/26/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:58 PM ET, 05/25/2011

Senate rejects GOP budget plan that would overhaul Medicare

By Felicia Sonmez

One day after Republicans lost a special election that was dominated by debate over their 2012 budget proposal, the Senate on Wednesday rejected the House Republican budget blueprint.

By Felicia Sonmez | 05:58 PM ET, 05/25/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:44 PM ET, 05/25/2011

Harry Reid, Rand Paul spar over Patriot Act on Senate floor

By Felicia Sonmez

Tensions between Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Sen. Rand Paul over the renewal of the Patriot Act spilled out onto the Senate floor Wednesday.

By Felicia Sonmez | 04:44 PM ET, 05/25/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:06 PM ET, 05/25/2011

Ryan says Democrats have ‘lied to’ voters about his budget plan

By Felicia Sonmez

The House Budget Committee chairman said Wednesday that Democrats have “lied to” voters about Republicans’ proposed changes to Medicare.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:06 PM ET, 05/25/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:36 PM ET, 05/25/2011

Vote on Patriot Act extension delayed as Rand Paul pushes for amendment on gun rights

By Felicia Sonmez

A measure that would extend key provisions of the Patriot Act has hit a speed bump after an impasse between Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Senate leaders over gun rights.

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:36 PM ET, 05/25/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:28 PM ET, 05/24/2011

Reid: Vote on raising debt limit without conditions ‘sends a terrible message’ to financial markets

By Felicia Sonmez

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Tuesday that he opposes the idea of a planned House vote next week to raise the debt ceiling without any conditions, noting that House Republican leaders have said they expect the measure to fail and suggesting that international financial markets may respond negatively to the vote.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:28 PM ET, 05/24/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:47 PM ET, 05/24/2011

House to vote next week on raising debt limit without conditions

By Felicia Sonmez

The House will vote next week on a measure that would raise the country’s $14.3 trillion debt limit without any conditions.

By Felicia Sonmez | 01:47 PM ET, 05/24/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:07 PM ET, 05/24/2011

House Democrats say New York special election a referendum on Medicare -- if Democrats win

By Felicia Sonmez

Will today’s special election in upstate New York will be a make-or-break test for Republicans’ plans to overhaul Medicare?

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:07 PM ET, 05/24/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:04 PM ET, 05/23/2011

Senate votes to proceed on four-year reauthorization of key Patriot Act provisions

By Felicia Sonmez

The Senate voted Monday to end debate on a measure that would extend key provisions of the Patriot Act until June 1, 2015, setting up a final-passage vote on the counterterrorism surveillance law for as soon as Wednesday.

By Felicia Sonmez | 07:04 PM ET, 05/23/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:38 PM ET, 05/23/2011

At least three Senate Republicans to oppose Ryan budget plan

By Felicia Sonmez

Hours after Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) announced that he will oppose the House Republican budget plan when it comes up for a Senate vote later this week, two other Senate Republicans are indicating that they, too, will vote against the measure.

By Felicia Sonmez | 06:38 PM ET, 05/23/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:10 PM ET, 05/23/2011

Senators introduce resolution to support use of force in Libya

By David A. Fahrenthold

Seven senators have formally introduced a resolution that would support “the limited use of military force” by President Obama in Libya.

By David A. Fahrenthold | 06:10 PM ET, 05/23/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:12 PM ET, 05/23/2011

Sessions threatens to hold up Memorial Day recess until Senate Democrats produce a budget

By Felicia Sonmez

Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, the top Republican on the Senate Budget Committee, pledged Monday to hold up the Senate’s upcoming Memorial Day recess until Democrats produce a budget proposal.

By Felicia Sonmez | 05:12 PM ET, 05/23/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:43 PM ET, 05/23/2011

Reid seizes on remarks by Newt Gingrich, Scott Brown on Medicare

By Felicia Sonmez

The Senate majority leader alluded to comments by Newt Gingrich and Sen. Scott Brown in arguing against the House Republicans’ budget.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:43 PM ET, 05/23/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:38 PM ET, 05/23/2011

Domenici: Geithner made a ‘gigantic misstatement’ on debt limit

By Felicia Sonmez

The former senator from New Mexico says the Treasury secretary made a “gigantic misstatement” about the debt limit.

By Felicia Sonmez | 01:38 PM ET, 05/23/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:19 AM ET, 05/23/2011

The week ahead on the Hill: Biden resumes talks; Netanyahu goes to Congress; Patriot Act time (again)

By Felicia Sonmez

2chambers | A look at the week ahead on the Hill.

By Felicia Sonmez | 06:19 AM ET, 05/23/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:46 PM ET, 05/20/2011

Pickens, Koch spar over natural gas subsidies

By Felicia Sonmez

Two titans of the energy industry are locking horns over a measure aimed at providing federal tax incentives for vehicles powered by natural gas.

By Felicia Sonmez | 05:46 PM ET, 05/20/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:21 PM ET, 05/20/2011

Biden to resume debt limit talks with congressional leaders Tuesday

By Felicia Sonmez

Vice President Biden will hold his next meeting with congressional leaders on working out a comprehensive debt-reduction plan Tuesday.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:21 PM ET, 05/20/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:09 PM ET, 05/20/2011

Cantor: Democrats have no plan to save Medicare

By Felicia Sonmez

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) fired back on Friday at Democrats over Medicare, one day after Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said that House Democrats would consider “no benefits cuts” to the program in the course of White House-led negotiations on a long-term deficit-reduction plan.

By Felicia Sonmez | 01:09 PM ET, 05/20/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:59 AM ET, 05/20/2011

Previewing next week’s Patriot Act debate

By Felicia Sonmez

The news that congressional leaders have forged a plan for a four-year extension of key Patriot Act provisions means that half of the battle over renewing the counterterrorism surveillance law has been resolved. The other half – rounding up enough votes next week to pass the measure before both chambers recess for Memorial Day weekend – may be the tougher fight.

By Felicia Sonmez | 10:59 AM ET, 05/20/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:10 PM ET, 05/19/2011

Leaders forge deal on four-year extension of Patriot Act provisions

By Felicia Sonmez

Congressional leaders have worked out a deal for a four-year extension of several key provisions of the Patriot Act, with a little over a week remaining until the current measure extending the counterterrorism surveillance law is set to expire.

By Felicia Sonmez | 06:10 PM ET, 05/19/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:01 PM ET, 05/19/2011

Sebelius, Democrats say House Republican budget would affect seniors ‘on Day One’

By Felicia Sonmez

The House Republican budget blueprint would affect seniors from the start, Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius and a group of Senate Democrats contended Thursday.

By Felicia Sonmez | 05:01 PM ET, 05/19/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:41 PM ET, 05/19/2011

Libya conflict sparks War Powers debate in Senate

By Felicia Sonmez

A group of senators is pressing President Obama on whether he plans to comply with the War Powers Act as the U.S. approaches the 60-day mark the Libyan conflict.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:41 PM ET, 05/19/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:43 AM ET, 05/19/2011

Senate Democrats use oil subsidy vote in fundraising effort

By Felicia Sonmez

Two days after the Senate blocked a Democratic measure that would have repealed $21 billion in tax subsidies for the biggest oil companies, the vote has found its way into a Democratic fundraising missive – as well as President Obama’s stump speech.

By Felicia Sonmez | 11:43 AM ET, 05/19/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:28 AM ET, 05/19/2011

Five senators to watch in today’s Goodwin Liu vote

By Felicia Sonmez

Today’s vote may be the end of the fight over Goodwin Liu, but it also represents a turning point in the broader battle over judicial nominations.

By Felicia Sonmez | 09:28 AM ET, 05/19/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:53 PM ET, 05/18/2011

Feinstein: Goodwin Liu faces ‘very tight’ judicial confirmation vote

By Felicia Sonmez

Berkeley law professor Goodwin Liu, President Obama’s nominee for the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, will face a “very tight” vote before the Senate Thursday, Sen. Dianne Feinstein predicted.

By Felicia Sonmez | 04:53 PM ET, 05/18/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:32 PM ET, 05/18/2011

Senate blocks Republican drilling measure

By Felicia Sonmez

The Senate on Wednesday blocked a Republican bill aimed at increasing lease sales for oil and gas drilling, one day after it rejected another energy-related measure proposed by Democrats.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:32 PM ET, 05/18/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:36 PM ET, 05/18/2011

In dismissing risk of default, conservatives retool GOP strategy from government shutdown debate

By Felicia Sonmez

Republican Sen. Pat Toomey delivered an address at the American Enterprise Institute on Wednesday in which he doubled down on his claim that the country will not go into default if Congress fails to raise the federal borrowing limit by Aug. 2.

By Felicia Sonmez | 01:36 PM ET, 05/18/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:07 PM ET, 05/18/2011

Cantor is latest Republican to dismiss importance of debt-ceiling deadline for financial markets

By Rosalind S. Helderman

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor said Wednesday that financial markets are looking to see progress on cutting spending in Washington rather than a resolution of negotiations by any deadline.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 01:07 PM ET, 05/18/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:49 AM ET, 05/18/2011

The ‘Gang of Six’ falls apart: Is compromise impossible?

By Felicia Sonmez

Does the “Gang of Six” stalemate mean that bipartisan cooperation is out of reach?

By Felicia Sonmez | 08:49 AM ET, 05/18/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:32 PM ET, 05/17/2011

Senate rejects measure to end subsidies for big oil companies

By Felicia Sonmez

A Democratic measure that would have repealed tax subsidies for the five biggest oil companies failed to clear the Senate on Tuesday, falling short of the 60-vote threshold needed to advance in a near-party-line vote.

By Felicia Sonmez | 07:32 PM ET, 05/17/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:48 PM ET, 05/17/2011

Reid: Debt-limit deal will include repeal of oil company subsidies

By Felicia Sonmez

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Tuesday that he is “confident” that a final deal on raising debt limit will include a repeal of tax subsidies for the top five oil companies.

By Felicia Sonmez | 04:48 PM ET, 05/17/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:14 PM ET, 05/17/2011

Rep. Peter King to hold hearing on homeland security implications of bin Laden’s death

By Felicia Sonmez

The House Homeland Security Committee chaired by Rep. Peter King will hold a hearing next week examining the implications of Osama bin Laden’s death on U.S. homeland security.

By Felicia Sonmez | 02:14 PM ET, 05/17/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:11 AM ET, 05/17/2011

Senate to vote today on ending tax subsidies for oil companies

By Felicia Sonmez

Democratic measure would eliminate $21 billion in subsidies for top five oil companies over next decade.

By Felicia Sonmez | 11:11 AM ET, 05/17/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:03 PM ET, 05/16/2011

Pelosi: Medicare is on the table in debt-limit talks

By Felicia Sonmez

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said Monday that Democrats are open to including reforms of entitlement programs such as Medicare in the deficit-reduction talks, but oppose the sweeping changes proposed by the GOP.

By Felicia Sonmez | 06:03 PM ET, 05/16/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:36 PM ET, 05/16/2011

Rep. Jordan: U.S. won’t default if debt ceiling isn’t raised

By Felicia Sonmez

A leading House Republican on Monday challenged the notion that the U.S. will go into default if Congress fails to raise the country’s debt ceiling.

By Felicia Sonmez | 05:36 PM ET, 05/16/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:07 PM ET, 05/16/2011

McConnell blasts Obama for holding up trade deals over aid for displaced workers

By Felicia Sonmez

The Senate minority leader slammed the Obama administration for holding up trade deals over aid to displaced workers.

By Felicia Sonmez | 04:07 PM ET, 05/16/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:38 PM ET, 05/16/2011

Republicans, tea party less likely to see potential U.S. default as ‘disastrous’

By Felicia Sonmez

On the same day that the U.S. reached its official debt limit, a Politico-George Washington University Battleground Poll released Monday shows that Republicans and “strong” tea-party supporters are less likely than Democrats and independents to view the result of a potential U.S. default on its debt as “disastrous.”

By Felicia Sonmez | 01:38 PM ET, 05/16/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:35 PM ET, 05/16/2011

The week ahead on the Hill: The House on the road, the Senate takes up oil subsidies, and the U.S. hits its debt ceiling

By Felicia Sonmez

The House is on the road, the Senate takes up oil subsidies, and the nation hits its debt ceiling.

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:35 PM ET, 05/16/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:33 PM ET, 05/13/2011

McCain, Lieberman, Rubio call on Obama to expand sanctions against Syria

By Felicia Sonmez

Three senators on Friday called for the Obama administration to take immediate action against the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

By Felicia Sonmez | 05:33 PM ET, 05/13/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:48 PM ET, 05/13/2011

Medicare and Social Security Trustees report: Capitol Hill reaction

By Felicia Sonmez

Members of Congress weighed in Friday on a report by the Medicare and Social Security Trustees projecting that the federal entitlement programs could become insolvent sooner than expected.

By Felicia Sonmez | 04:48 PM ET, 05/13/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:15 PM ET, 05/13/2011

‘NAT GAS Act’ draws opposition from two conservative House freshmen

By Felicia Sonmez

A bipartisan measure that would provide federal tax incentives for vehicles powered by natural gas drew two unlikely opponents Friday — freshman Reps. Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.) and Raul Labrador (R-Idaho).

By Felicia Sonmez | 04:15 PM ET, 05/13/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:22 PM ET, 05/13/2011

Hatch: Entitlement reforms should be on table in debt-limit talks

By Felicia Sonmez

Utah Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch, who faces a competitive re-election race in 2012, said Friday that a new report by the Medicare and Social Security Trustees underscores the need for entitlement reform to be addressed in the current debt-limit talks.

By Felicia Sonmez | 02:22 PM ET, 05/13/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:19 PM ET, 05/13/2011

House progressives, conservatives weigh in on debt-limit fight

By Felicia Sonmez

As the White House-led negotiations with congressional leaders on a deficit-reduction plan continue, House members on the left and right are trying to influence the outcome.

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:19 PM ET, 05/13/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:17 PM ET, 05/12/2011

House Democrats trade paper for iPads in counting votes

By Felicia Sonmez

The century-old process of rounding up votes on the House floor is about to get a makeover.

By Felicia Sonmez | 05:17 PM ET, 05/12/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:10 PM ET, 05/12/2011

Big oil CEOs gave big to Republicans

By Felicia Sonmez and T.W. Farnam

Three of the five big oil company CEOs testifying before the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday made significant political contributions to Republicans, according to a Washington Post analysis.

By Felicia Sonmez and T.W. Farnam | 03:10 PM ET, 05/12/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:29 PM ET, 05/12/2011

Boehner: Democratic response to debt limit speech shows ‘panic and hysteria’

By Felicia Sonmez

House Speaker John Boehner on Thursday said the Democrats are responding to his pledge that the GOP will not give the White House “a blank check” on raising the debt ceiling with ‘panic and hysteria.’

By Felicia Sonmez | 02:29 PM ET, 05/12/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:31 AM ET, 05/12/2011

Pelosi agrees with White House on requiring contractors to reveal political donations

By Felicia Sonmez

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that she supports the Obama administration’s proposal to require companies bidding for federal contracts to reveal their political donations.

By Felicia Sonmez | 11:31 AM ET, 05/12/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:01 PM ET, 05/11/2011

House passes bill to accelerate Gulf of Mexico drilling permit process

By Felicia Sonmez

The House on Wednesday passed a bill that would give the Interior Department a 30-day deadline for deciding on oil and gas drilling applications in the Gulf of Mexico.

By Felicia Sonmez | 06:01 PM ET, 05/11/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:20 PM ET, 05/11/2011

Lieberman leads senators on resolution critical of Syrian president

By David A. Fahrenthold

Joseph Lieberman and 14 other senators have introduced a resolution calling on President Obama to tighten sanctions against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

By David A. Fahrenthold | 04:20 PM ET, 05/11/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:20 PM ET, 05/11/2011

House Republicans announce second phase of ‘YouCut’ program

By Felicia Sonmez

House Republican leaders on Wednesday announced the second phase of their “YouCut” program aimed at letting voters decide which federal programs they’d like to see nixed.

By Felicia Sonmez | 04:20 PM ET, 05/11/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:07 PM ET, 05/11/2011

House GOP freshmen accuse Democrats of using scare tactics on Medicare

By Felicia Sonmez

A group of House GOP freshmen is urging the White House to refrain from using the Meicare overhaul issue as a political tool and hold a “fact-based conversation immediately.”

By Felicia Sonmez | 02:07 PM ET, 05/11/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:35 PM ET, 05/11/2011

After subpoena threat, White House budget official to testify on contractor contribution disclosure

By Felicia Sonmez

A White House budget official will testify at a House hearing on the Obama administration’s plan to require companies seeking federal contracts to disclose political contributions.

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:35 PM ET, 05/11/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:50 AM ET, 05/11/2011

Rogers: U.S. should ramp up intelligence spending in wake of bin Laden’s death

By David A. Fahrenthold

The death of Osama bin Laden creates a need to ramp up spending on U.S. intelligence, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) said in a speech Wednesday.

By David A. Fahrenthold | 09:50 AM ET, 05/11/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:36 PM ET, 05/10/2011

Harder discussions in deficit talks are yet to come, Van Hollen says

By Felicia Sonmez

Negotiators in the White House-led talks on reaching a bipartisan deficit-reduction deal made progress at their second meeting, but they have yet to address the toughest issues, one of the Democratic participants in the negotiations said Tuesday evening.

By Felicia Sonmez | 08:36 PM ET, 05/10/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

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

House will not take up bin Laden resolution

By Felicia Sonmez

The House will not vote on a resolution honoring U.S. troops and the intelligence community on the mission that killed Osama bin Laden, under new rules prohibiting commemorative measures.

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

Posted at 04:29 PM ET, 05/10/2011

McConnell: Gang of Six not likely to produce results on debt ceiling

By Felicia Sonmez

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said that the bipartisan “Gang of Six” is less likely to produce a viable debt-ceiling compromise than congressional leaders and the White House.

By Felicia Sonmez | 04:29 PM ET, 05/10/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:28 PM ET, 05/10/2011

Hoyer splits with White House on requiring federal contractors to reveal political donations

By Felicia Sonmez

The Maryland House member opposes requiring federal contractors to disclose political contributions.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:28 PM ET, 05/10/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:04 PM ET, 05/10/2011

Heritage Foundation releases debt-reduction plan

By Felicia Sonmez

The conservative Heritage Foundation released its proposal for addressing the country’s long-term debt problem Tuesday morning, one day after House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) called for trillions of dollars in spending cuts in exchange for lifting the debt ceiling.

By Felicia Sonmez | 01:04 PM ET, 05/10/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:46 AM ET, 05/10/2011

Boehner’s debt-limit speech: Reactions from the Hill

By Felicia Sonmez

Republicans cast Boehner’s address as a common-sense solution to the country’s debt-limit problem, while Democrats reacted with skepticism.

By Felicia Sonmez | 10:46 AM ET, 05/10/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:32 PM ET, 05/09/2011

Kent Conrad: Short-term debt-limit increase may be necessary

By Felicia Sonmez

The chairman of the Senate Budget Committee suggested that Congress needs more time to work out a comprehensive deficit-reduction plan.

By Felicia Sonmez | 07:32 PM ET, 05/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:33 PM ET, 05/09/2011

Shirtless Rep. Aaron Schock graces ‘Men’s Health’ June cover

By Felicia Sonmez

Illinois Republican Rep. Aaron Schock on Monday made his way onto the cover of “Men’s Health,” posing shirtless and showing off his six-pack for the magazine’s June 2011 issue.

By Felicia Sonmez | 05:33 PM ET, 05/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:31 PM ET, 05/09/2011

Republican Dean Heller sworn in as Nevada’s new senator

By Felicia Sonmez

Former Rep. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) was sworn in on Monday afternoon to become the Senate’s newest member, succeeding former Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.), who resigned last week amid an ethics committee investigation into his handling of an affair with a former staffer.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:31 PM ET, 05/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:39 PM ET, 05/09/2011

Obama to hold new deficit-reduction meetings with Democratic, Republican senators

By Felicia Sonmez

President Obama will hold two separate meetings later this week with all Democratic and all Republican senators to talk about deficit reduction, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney announced Monday.

By Felicia Sonmez | 01:39 PM ET, 05/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:20 PM ET, 05/09/2011

Lawmakers write letter to Obama on Afghanistan withdrawal

By Felicia Sonmez

A letter to President Obama from eight lawmakers urges a speedy departure from the Afghan war now that Osama bin Laden is dead.

By Felicia Sonmez | 01:20 PM ET, 05/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:43 PM ET, 05/09/2011

GOP’s Medicare message to get first test in New York special election

By Felicia Sonmez

The proposal to overhaul entitlement programs is set to encounter its first big campaign test in an election in Upstate New York.

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:43 PM ET, 05/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 05/09/2011

The week ahead on the Hill: Boehner to give debt ceiling speech; deficit talks, Round Two; Senate gets a new member

By Felicia Sonmez

A detailed look at the week ahead on Capitol Hill.

By Felicia Sonmez | 06:00 AM ET, 05/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:22 PM ET, 05/07/2011

Nancy Pelosi leads delegation to Baghdad

By Felicia Sonmez

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and eight other House members arrived in Baghdad on Saturday morning.

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:22 PM ET, 05/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:39 PM ET, 05/06/2011

Two House Democrats switch their Planned Parenthood votes

By Felicia Sonmez

A pair of Democrats – Reps. Mark Critz (Pa.) and Silvestre Reyes (Texas) — flipped their votes on the two separate occasions this year that the House voted to bar federal funding of Planned Parenthood.

By Felicia Sonmez | 05:39 PM ET, 05/06/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:25 PM ET, 05/06/2011

Conservative GOP group to unveil conditions for debt-limit vote

By Felicia Sonmez

The Republican Study Committee plans to release a set of guidelines for a vote on raising the country’s debt ceiling.

By Felicia Sonmez | 04:25 PM ET, 05/06/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:46 PM ET, 05/06/2011

Nancy Pelosi leads delegation to Qatar

By Felicia Sonmez

The House minority leader and nine other members of Congress have met with U.S. troops.

By Felicia Sonmez | 02:46 PM ET, 05/06/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:42 PM ET, 05/06/2011

Second Catholic priest appointed to serve as House chaplain

By Felicia Sonmez

Speaker John Boehner on Friday announced that the Rev. Patrick J. Conroy will be the 60th chaplain of the House, the second Catholic priest to serve in that post.

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:42 PM ET, 05/06/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:55 AM ET, 05/06/2011

April unemployment numbers: Reactions from Capitol Hill

By Felicia Sonmez

Congressional leaders reacted Friday to the news that the economy added 244,000 jobs in April – the highest number in five years -- even as the unemployment rate ticked upward.

By Felicia Sonmez | 11:55 AM ET, 05/06/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:19 PM ET, 05/05/2011

Amid rising prices at the pump, House passes measure on offshore oil and gas lease sales

By Felicia Sonmez

As gas prices nationally approach $4 a gallon, the House passed Thursday a measure that would require the Interior Department to conduct four offshore oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and off the coast of Virginia.

By Felicia Sonmez | 07:19 PM ET, 05/05/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:29 PM ET, 05/05/2011

White House to hold second round of deficit-reduction talks next week

By Felicia Sonmez

The White House sounded a positive note after its first round of deficit-reduction talks with bipartisan, bicameral congressional leaders on Thursday, and the group is planning to meet again Tuesday.

By Felicia Sonmez | 04:29 PM ET, 05/05/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:00 PM ET, 05/05/2011

House leaders considering bin Laden resolution

By Felicia Sonmez

The House may vote on a resolution honoring the military and intelligence community on the mission that killed Osama bin Laden, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) said Thursday.

By Felicia Sonmez | 01:00 PM ET, 05/05/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:40 PM ET, 05/05/2011

Boehner optimistic about White House deficit-reduction talks

By Felicia Sonmez

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) struck a positive note Thursday when asked about the deficit-reduction talks currently underway at Blair House.

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:40 PM ET, 05/05/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:04 PM ET, 05/04/2011

Trio of senators fooled by false bin Laden photo

By Felicia Sonmez

At least three senators who said Wednesday that they had seen an official postmortem photo of Osama bin Laden corrected themselves later, saying that they were duped.

By Felicia Sonmez | 08:04 PM ET, 05/04/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:54 PM ET, 05/04/2011

House Democrats re-launch ‘Make It in America’ manufacturing jobs agenda

By Felicia Sonmez

House Democratic leaders unveiled Wednesday the latest version of their “Make It In America” agenda, aimed at creating manufacturing jobs and boosting the economy.

By Felicia Sonmez | 06:54 PM ET, 05/04/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:28 PM ET, 05/04/2011

House approves ban on tax funding for abortions

By Felicia Sonmez

By Felicia Sonmez | 06:28 PM ET, 05/04/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:46 PM ET, 05/04/2011

House proceeds with vote on abortion funding

By Felicia Sonmez

Lawmakers on Wednesday sparred publicly on one of the most hotly contested issues of the 112th Congress – taxpayer funding of abortion – ahead of a vote scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.

By Felicia Sonmez | 01:46 PM ET, 05/04/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:55 AM ET, 05/04/2011

Cantor, Kyl want more info from White House on debt ceiling

By Felicia Sonmez

The no. 2 Republicans in the House and Senate are set to huddle with Vice President Biden on a deficit-reduction plan.

By Felicia Sonmez | 11:55 AM ET, 05/04/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:51 PM ET, 05/03/2011

Senate approves bin Laden resolution

By Felicia Sonmez

The Senate on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a resolution commending members of the military and intelligence community for the mission that killed Osama bin Laden at his Pakistan compound on Sunday.

By Felicia Sonmez | 07:51 PM ET, 05/03/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:41 PM ET, 05/03/2011

Panetta: Bin Laden photo may be eventually released, but White House makes final call

By Felicia Sonmez

2chambers | CIA Director Leon Panetta said Tuesday evening that he believes the Obama administration will ultimately release to the public photographs of Osama bin Laden taken after the al-Qaeda leader was killed by U.S. forces at his compound in Pakistan, but that “the White House makes that final decision.”

By Felicia Sonmez | 07:41 PM ET, 05/03/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:37 PM ET, 05/03/2011

Pelosi calls former presidents Bush, Clinton following bin Laden raid

By Felicia Sonmez

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said Tuesday that she had called former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton to congratulate them on the raid that killed Osama bin Laden.

By Felicia Sonmez | 05:37 PM ET, 05/03/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:56 PM ET, 05/03/2011

Senate Republicans unveil jobs plan

By Felicia Sonmez

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:56 PM ET, 05/03/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:14 PM ET, 05/03/2011

Senate to vote today on Osama bin Laden resolution

By Felicia Sonmez

The Senate will vote Tuesday afternoon on a bipartisan resolution praising U.S. troops and the intelligence community on the raid that killed Osama bin Laden.

By Felicia Sonmez | 02:14 PM ET, 05/03/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:34 PM ET, 05/03/2011

Congressional leaders call for answers from Pakistan on bin Laden

By Felicia Sonmez

Members of Congress are asking the administration pressure the Pakistani government to tell how much it knew about Osama bin Laden’s whereabouts.

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:34 PM ET, 05/03/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:57 PM ET, 05/02/2011

Embattled House ethics panel hires top lawyer, filling four-month vacancy

By Felicia Sonmez

By Felicia Sonmez | 07:57 PM ET, 05/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:11 PM ET, 05/02/2011

In farewell speech to Senate, resigning Ensign apologizes for ‘arrogance’

By Felicia Sonmez

On a day when most on Capitol Hill were consumed with the news that Osama bin Laden had been killed, Nevada Republican John Ensign delivered the final speech of his decade-long Senate career — to a nearly empty chamber.

By Felicia Sonmez | 07:11 PM ET, 05/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:06 PM ET, 05/02/2011

Lieberman, Collins say administration should release bin Laden photos

By Felicia Sonmez

The top members of the Senate Homeland Security Committee said Monday that the Obama administration should release photos of the body of Osama bin Laden.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:06 PM ET, 05/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:28 PM ET, 05/02/2011

Rep. Mike Rogers: Key piece of intel on bin Laden surfaced in 2007

By Felicia Sonmez

A key piece of intelligence on Osama bin Laden was discovered in 2007, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee said Monday.

By Felicia Sonmez | 02:28 PM ET, 05/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:33 PM ET, 05/02/2011

Senate Armed Services chairman: ‘The myth of bin Laden has been punctured’

By Felicia Sonmez

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) held a Capitol news conference Monday morning to discuss their outlook on the way forward following the death of Osama bin Laden.

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:33 PM ET, 05/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:57 AM ET, 05/02/2011

The week ahead on the Hill: Lawmakers return to Washington – and to a post-bin Laden world

By Felicia Sonmez

The week ahead on Capitol Hill.

By Felicia Sonmez | 09:57 AM ET, 05/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:31 AM ET, 05/02/2011

Osama bin Laden is killed: Reactions from Capitol Hill

By Felicia Sonmez and Paul Kane

Lawmakers reacted Monday morning to the news that Osama bin Laden had been killed in a CIA operation in Pakistan.

By Felicia Sonmez and Paul Kane | 06:31 AM ET, 05/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:13 AM ET, 05/02/2011

Osama bin Laden is killed: Reactions from Capitol Hill

By Felicia Sonmez and Paul Kane

Lawmakers reacted Monday morning to the news that Osama bin Laden had been killed in a CIA operation in Pakistan.

By Felicia Sonmez and Paul Kane | 03:13 AM ET, 05/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

2chambers: May, 2011