2chambers - Breaking news and analysis from Capitol Hill.

Posted at 04:25 PM ET, 09/28/2011

Norton: Replace House pages with unpaid interns

By Ben Pershing

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton wants to replace the now-defunct House Page Program with a new crop of unpaid interns.

By Ben Pershing | 04:25 PM ET, 09/28/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:25 PM ET, 09/27/2011

Leading House conservative still reviewing budget deal

By Rosalind S. Helderman

A conservative House member who last week led the fight from the right against a temporary spending measure designed to keep government running through mid-November is not committing to backing a deal reached Monday intended to resolve the dispute.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 03:25 PM ET, 09/27/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:24 PM ET, 09/27/2011

Senate will take up Chinese currency measure before jobs bill

By Rosalind S. Helderman

“I don’t think there’s anything more important for a jobs measure than China trade,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 02:24 PM ET, 09/27/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:30 PM ET, 09/26/2011

Senate may not pass spending bill, but FEMA may be the solution

By Rosalind S. Helderman

Yet a new possible resolution emerged Monday as the Federal Emergency Management Agency indicated for the first time that its disaster relief fund may not go broke until Friday.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 02:30 PM ET, 09/26/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:31 AM ET, 09/24/2011

2chambers recesses

By Felicia Sonmez

By Felicia Sonmez | 07:31 AM ET, 09/24/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: 2chambers

Posted at 03:26 PM ET, 09/23/2011

Breaking down the House and Senate funding votes

By Felicia Sonmez

With no resolution on the horizon over keeping the government running and providing for additional disaster relief funding, here’s a look at the numbers.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:26 PM ET, 09/23/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:23 PM ET, 09/23/2011

Lawmakers accuse Solyndra execs of ripping off taxpayers

By Carol D. Leonnig and Joe Stephens

Lawmakers accuse officials of shuttered solar company of lying to Congress after receiving White House backing and a big federal loan.

By Carol D. Leonnig and Joe Stephens | 12:23 PM ET, 09/23/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:49 PM ET, 09/22/2011

Senate passes Trade Adjustment Assistance extension, paving way for trade deals

By Felicia Sonmez

The Senate on Thursday passed a measure renewing an aid and retraining program for workers who lost their jobs due to outsourcing, a move that clears the way for congressional passage of three long-stalled trade deals.

By Felicia Sonmez | 08:49 PM ET, 09/22/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:00 PM ET, 09/22/2011

Pelosi: Democrats will not support any disaster relief offset

By Felicia Sonmez

House minority leader’s proclamation puts pressure on House Republicans to rework their funding resolution.

By Felicia Sonmez | 04:00 PM ET, 09/22/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:17 PM ET, 09/22/2011

Bipartisan members introduce regulatory reform bill

By Felicia Sonmez

A small group of lawmakers from both parties and both chambers has drafted a measure they say would streamline and bring transparency to the regulatory process.

By Felicia Sonmez | 02:17 PM ET, 09/22/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:48 PM ET, 09/22/2011

Democrats push for ‘clean’ funding bill after House rejects GOP measure

By Felicia Sonmez

Democratic leaders on Thursday continued to press for a bill that would fund the government at the level agreed to in last month’s debt-ceiling deal.

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:48 PM ET, 09/22/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:56 PM ET, 09/21/2011

Democrats criticize GOP letter to Federal Reserve board on interest rates

By Felicia Sonmez

Senate Democratic leaders responded with sharp criticism Wednesday to a letter from congressional Republican leaders to the Fed board urging the panel not to lower interest rates.

By Felicia Sonmez | 01:56 PM ET, 09/21/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:18 PM ET, 09/21/2011

House Democratic leaders urge members to vote ‘no’ on stopgap funding bill

By Felicia Sonmez

A partisan dispute over disaster relief funds escalated Wednesday as Democratic House leaders urged rank-and-file members to oppose a resolution to keep the government funded beyond Sept. 30.

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:18 PM ET, 09/21/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:52 PM ET, 09/20/2011

Johnson to run for Senate GOP leadership spot

By Felicia Sonmez

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) announced Tuesday that he plans to run for the position of vice-chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, becoming the first member of the 2010 freshman class to make a bid for his party’s No. 5 ranking position in the chamber.

By Felicia Sonmez | 07:52 PM ET, 09/20/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:48 PM ET, 09/20/2011

Supercommittee ‘made progress’ in second closed-door meeting, co-chairs say

By Felicia Sonmez

Co-chairs Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-Tex.) said only that the 12-member group was making progress.

By Felicia Sonmez | 06:48 PM ET, 09/20/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:57 PM ET, 09/20/2011

House won’t pass Reid’s version of funding bill, GOP leaders say

By Felicia Sonmez

House Republican leaders maintain that disaster-relief monies included in a government funding bill must be offset by additional cuts elsewhere in the budget.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:57 PM ET, 09/20/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:44 PM ET, 09/20/2011

Shutdown threat looms again as parties spar over disaster relief

By Felicia Sonmez

House Democrats may not support a stopgap government funding measure if includes a GOP-backed offset of disaster relief monies, raising the specter of a government shutdown.

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:44 PM ET, 09/20/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:05 AM ET, 09/20/2011

Senate to try to force confrontation with House over FEMA dollars

By Rosalind S. Helderman

Senate Democrats plan to add billions of dollars for disaster relief to a Republican-authored measure to fund government when the fiscal year ends at the end of September.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 11:05 AM ET, 09/20/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:29 AM ET, 09/20/2011

Lamar Alexander to resign from Senate leadership in January

By Felicia Sonmez and Paul Kane

The third-ranking Republican in the Senate said he plans to run for re-election in 2014.

By Felicia Sonmez and Paul Kane | 10:29 AM ET, 09/20/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:10 AM ET, 09/20/2011

Defense cuts could lead to military draft, House Armed Services chairman says

By Felicia Sonmez

House Armed Services chairman also expressed concern about effect across-the-board cuts would have on military pensions and other benefits.

By Felicia Sonmez | 09:10 AM ET, 09/20/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:38 PM ET, 09/19/2011

Some moderate Democrats lukewarm on Obama’s deficit-reduction plan

By Felicia Sonmez

Some moderate Democrats declined Monday to immediately weigh in on the deficit-reduction plan unveiled by President Obama at a Rose Garden news conference earlier in the day.

By Felicia Sonmez | 06:38 PM ET, 09/19/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:19 PM ET, 09/19/2011

Boehner on Obama debt plan: ‘I don’t think I would describe class warfare as leadership’

By Felicia Sonmez

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) sharply criticized President Obama’s deficit-reduction plan Monday, calling the proposal to raise $1.5 trillion in new revenue a failure of leadership.

By Felicia Sonmez | 02:19 PM ET, 09/19/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:45 PM ET, 09/19/2011

Obama’s deficit-reduction plan: Reactions from Capitol Hill

By Felicia Sonmez

The proposal, which comes as the bipartisan, bicameral debt-reduction committee gears up for its third public hearing Thursday, drew sharply different reactions from members.

By Felicia Sonmez | 01:45 PM ET, 09/19/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:00 PM ET, 09/19/2011

The week ahead on the Hill: Trade deals near passage; supercommittee meets again

By Felicia Sonmez

A look at the week ahead on Capitol Hill.

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:00 PM ET, 09/19/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:40 PM ET, 09/16/2011

House GOP expresses concern about Obama payroll tax cut plan

By Rosalind S. Helderman

Republican House leaders expressed new skepticism about a payroll tax cuts that are a key part of President Obama’s jobs bill.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 05:40 PM ET, 09/16/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:29 PM ET, 09/16/2011

Bachmann misses debt disapproval vote

By Felicia Sonmez

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) was not present this week when the House voted to disapprove of the raising of the federal debt ceiling.

By Felicia Sonmez | 05:29 PM ET, 09/16/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:10 PM ET, 09/16/2011

Five things to watch on the Hill next week

By Felicia Sonmez

Our rundown of the five things to keep your eye on when lawmakers back next week before heading out for the rest of the month on their September recess.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:10 PM ET, 09/16/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:15 PM ET, 09/16/2011

Debt supercommittee to hold third public meeting next Thursday

By Felicia Sonmez

The bipartisan debt-reduction “supercommittee” will hold its third public hearing next week, the panel’s co-chairs have announced.

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:15 PM ET, 09/16/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:07 PM ET, 09/15/2011

Democrats press Europeans on Palestinian statehood bid

By David A. Fahrenthold

Top House Democrats sent a letter urging European heads of state not to support a Palestinian bid for statehood recognition at the U.N.

By David A. Fahrenthold | 07:07 PM ET, 09/15/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:49 PM ET, 09/15/2011

Over GOP objections, Senate passes $7 billion FEMA bill

By Rosalind S. Helderman

The Senate voted Thursday to spend $7 billion on emergency disaster relief over the next year, setting up a showdown with the House on disaster funding.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 06:49 PM ET, 09/15/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:16 PM ET, 09/15/2011

House passes bill to limit NLRB authority, in battle over Boeing ruling

By Felicia Sonmez

The House on Thursday approved a bill that would limit the authority of the National Labor Relations Board, the latest salvo in a battle over Boeing.

By Felicia Sonmez | 05:16 PM ET, 09/15/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:13 PM ET, 09/15/2011

White House seeks to reassure Senate Democrats on jobs plan

By Rosalind S. Helderman and Paul Kane

The White House sent senior officials Thursday to brief the party’s Senate caucus about President Obama’s $447 billion jobs package.

By Rosalind S. Helderman and Paul Kane | 04:13 PM ET, 09/15/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:58 PM ET, 09/15/2011

Dems support Obama’s jobs plan, Pelosi says

By Felicia Sonmez

The House minority leader said Thursday that Democrats are enthusiastic about the proposal, even as some are expressing hesitation about aspects of the $447 billion package.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:58 PM ET, 09/15/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:44 PM ET, 09/15/2011

Bipartisan group of senators urges Super Committee to go big

By Rosalind S. Helderman

A bipartisan group of 36 senators urged the joint committee on deficit reduction Thursday to exceed its mandate and cut the deficit by as much as $4 trillion.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 01:44 PM ET, 09/15/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:55 PM ET, 09/15/2011

Boehner lays out GOP position on Obama’s jobs plan

By Natalie Jennings

By Natalie Jennings | 12:55 PM ET, 09/15/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:15 AM ET, 09/15/2011

Boehner: Tax increases off the table for debt supercommittee

By Felicia Sonmez

In a speech today, House Speaker John Boehner will outline the House GOP’s position on bringing down the country’s unemployment rate and reining in debt.

By Felicia Sonmez | 10:15 AM ET, 09/15/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:12 PM ET, 09/14/2011

New York race may ‘send a message’ to Obama on Israel, Engel says

By Felicia Sonmez

Democrats’ loss in Tuesday’s special election for the seat formerly held by Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) may “send a message” to President Obama when it comes to his administration’s stance on Israel, Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.) said Wednesday.

By Felicia Sonmez | 08:12 PM ET, 09/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:15 PM ET, 09/14/2011

Heller ‘disappointed’ by debt supercommittee private meeting

By Felicia Sonmez

The bipartisan debt-reduction supercommittee is holding its first private meeting Thursday – and not everyone is pleased about it.

By Felicia Sonmez | 06:15 PM ET, 09/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:50 PM ET, 09/14/2011

House votes to formally disapprove of debt ceiling hike

By Rosalind S. Helderman

The House voted 232 to 186 Wednesday to formally disapprove of President Obama’s recent action to raise the nation’s debt ceiling by $500 billion.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 04:50 PM ET, 09/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:19 PM ET, 09/14/2011

Democrats vow to pursue Medicare message after N.Y. and Nevada losses

By Felicia Sonmez and Paul Kane

“They can call it whatever they want -- ‘Sortacare,’ ‘Maybecare,’ ‘Idontcare,’” said Illinois Dem Rep. Jan Schakowsky. “But their proposal was not Medicare. It was not a program with guaranteed benefits. And so, I think this continues to be a very powerful issue.”

By Felicia Sonmez and Paul Kane | 02:19 PM ET, 09/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:35 PM ET, 09/13/2011

Senate proceeds with $7 billion FEMA funding measure

By Rosalind S. Helderman

The Senate has agreed to proceed with consideration of a bill designed to provide billions in additional funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster relief fund.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 06:35 PM ET, 09/13/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:47 PM ET, 09/13/2011

House passes FAA, ground transportation funding bill

By Felicia Sonmez

The House has passed a compromise measure that would fund the Federal Aviation Administration and federal highway programs for several months.

By Felicia Sonmez | 05:47 PM ET, 09/13/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:05 PM ET, 09/13/2011

Obama jobs proposal won’t pass in one piece, Kerry says

By Felicia Sonmez

Massachusetts Democratic Sen. John Kerry said Tuesday that he doesn’t expect President Obama’s jobs proposal to pass Congress all in one piece.

By Felicia Sonmez | 04:05 PM ET, 09/13/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:32 PM ET, 09/13/2011

Hoyer, McConnell spar over Obama jobs proposal

By Felicia Sonmez

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell had some sharp criticism Tuesday morning for the president’s jobs package and the No. 2 Democrat in the House, Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, in turn had some strong words for McConnell.

By Felicia Sonmez | 01:32 PM ET, 09/13/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:13 PM ET, 09/13/2011

CBO head predicts slower economic growth before supercommittee

By Rosalind S. Helderman

The Congressional Budget Office is projecting that the nation’s unemployment rate will remain near 9 percent through 2012.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 12:13 PM ET, 09/13/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:42 AM ET, 09/13/2011

Boehner on N.Y. special election: Republicans don’t have ‘any right to think that we can win’

By Felicia Sonmez

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) tamped down on expectations Tuesday that Republicans will win a special election for the seat held by former Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.), saying Republicans don’t have “any right to think that we can win.”

By Felicia Sonmez | 11:42 AM ET, 09/13/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:00 PM ET, 09/12/2011

Business, government leaders urge debt supercommittee to ‘go big’

By Felicia Sonmez

Five dozen prominent former lawmakers, officials and business executives call for more than $1.5 trillion in debt reduction.

By Felicia Sonmez | 06:00 PM ET, 09/12/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:41 PM ET, 09/12/2011

In emphasizing cooperation, Republicans cast White House as all-or-nothing on jobs

By Felicia Sonmez

Not long ago, it was Democrats who were accusing Republicans of taking an uncompromising approach when it comes to the economy. Now, it appears the tables have turned.

By Felicia Sonmez | 02:41 PM ET, 09/12/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:47 PM ET, 09/12/2011

Cantor confident government shutdown can be avoided

By Rosalind S. Helderman

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor expressed confidence that Democrats and Republicans can avoid a government shutdown.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 01:47 PM ET, 09/12/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:02 PM ET, 09/12/2011

Jim Manley to Quinn Gillespie

By Al Kamen

The former longtime spokesman for Sen. Harry Reid is headed to Quinn Gillespie, the public affairs and lobbying shop.

By Al Kamen | 01:02 PM ET, 09/12/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:58 AM ET, 09/12/2011

The week ahead on the Hill: Boehner’s jobs speech, and the supercommittee meets again

By Felicia Sonmez

A look at the week ahead on Capitol Hill.

By Felicia Sonmez | 11:58 AM ET, 09/12/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:26 PM ET, 09/09/2011

White House requests $5.1 billion for disaster relief

By Rosalind S. Helderman

The White House formally requested $5.1 billion in supplemental funds for the Federal Emergency Management Administration’s disaster relief fund Friday.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 06:26 PM ET, 09/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

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

Five things to watch on the Hill next week

By Felicia Sonmez

Our rundown of the top five things to keep your eye on next week.

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

Posted at 04:54 PM ET, 09/09/2011

House GOP leaders request Obama jobs plan details

By Felicia Sonmez

The top four House Republican leaders on Friday requested the specifics of President Obama’s jobs plan, broadly outlined in an address before a joint session of Congress.

By Felicia Sonmez | 04:54 PM ET, 09/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

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

House passes Sept. 11 resolution

By Felicia Sonmez

As the 10-year anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001 nears, the House on Friday unanimously approved a resolution honoring the victims of the terror attacks.

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

Posted at 01:55 PM ET, 09/09/2011

Pelosi urges Boehner to support quick action on Obama jobs plan

By Felicia Sonmez

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi on Friday urged House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) to back swift action on the Obama jobs measure.

By Felicia Sonmez | 01:55 PM ET, 09/09/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

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

Obama’s jobs speech: The view from inside the chamber

By Felicia Sonmez

Here are some of our observations from within the House chamber during Obama’s speech Thursday night.

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

Posted at 06:23 PM ET, 09/08/2011

McConnell: Obama speech ‘isn’t a jobs plan; it’s a reelection plan’

By Felicia Sonmez

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) had strong words for President Obama ahead of the president’s highly anticipated jobs speech Thursday.

By Felicia Sonmez | 06:23 PM ET, 09/08/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:43 PM ET, 09/08/2011

Kyl says he couldn’t go along with ‘supercommittee’ defense cuts

By Rosalind S. Helderman

A key member of a new bipartisan panel charged with cutting the deficit said he’d walk away from the group’s work if the process results in deeper cuts to the military.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 03:43 PM ET, 09/08/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:15 PM ET, 09/08/2011

Boehner encourages members to attend Obama speech

By Felicia Sonmez

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) said that he has encouraged House Republicans to attend President Obama’s jobs speech tonight.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:15 PM ET, 09/08/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:55 PM ET, 09/08/2011

Bipartisan coalition to push for more FEMA funding

By Rosalind S. Helderman

A new bipartisan coalition has formed in the House to push for additional funds for FEMA to address damage caused by Hurricane Irene.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 02:55 PM ET, 09/08/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:10 PM ET, 09/08/2011

Deficit reduction panel opens work with optimism

By Rosalind S. Helderman

Successfully reducing the deficit by $1.2 trillion to $1.5 trillion over the next 10 years would help create jobs, members of the new bipartisan “supercommittee” said at the panel’s first meeting.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 01:10 PM ET, 09/08/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:49 PM ET, 09/08/2011

Reid turns tables on Obama speech-skippers by setting Thursday-night debt vote

By Felicia Sonmez

The handful of Republican members who had planned on skipping President Obama’s jobs address to a joint session Thursday night might have to think again.

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:49 PM ET, 09/08/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 09/08/2011

Leaders set high expectations for debt supercommittee

By Felicia Sonmez

Usually, the expectations game in Washington is governed by a simple mantra: Underpromise and overdeliver. But when it comes to the bipartisan debt supercommittee, the opposite appears to be true.

By Felicia Sonmez | 06:00 AM ET, 09/08/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:43 PM ET, 09/07/2011

Debt supercommittee taps Bloomquist as general counsel

By Felicia Sonmez and Al Kamen

The bipartisan supercommittee tasked with tackling the country’s debt has made its latest staff hire.

By Felicia Sonmez and Al Kamen | 09:43 PM ET, 09/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:10 PM ET, 09/07/2011

Boehner, McConnell meet with GOP supercommittee members

By Felicia Sonmez

House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell met Wednesday with the six Republican members of the debt supercommittee, one day before the bipartisan panel is set to hold its first public meeting.

By Felicia Sonmez | 05:10 PM ET, 09/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:00 PM ET, 09/07/2011

FEMA funding could get quick action in Congress

By Rosalind S. Helderman

Comments by Sen. Harry Reid and Rep. Eric Cantor suggest Congress may find a rare area of bipartisan agreement in coming days to refill the stressed disaster relief fund.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 05:00 PM ET, 09/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:20 PM ET, 09/07/2011

Some Republican lawmakers plan to skip Obama’s jobs speech

By Felicia Sonmez

Several GOP lawmakers say that they don’t plan to be in the House chamber when Obama delivers his jobs address to a joint session of Congress.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:20 PM ET, 09/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:33 PM ET, 09/07/2011

Federal government funding vote coming up in House the week of Sept. 19

By Felicia Sonmez

The House will act during the week of Sept. 19 on a resolution to keep the federal government funded through the fall.

By Felicia Sonmez | 02:33 PM ET, 09/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:56 PM ET, 09/06/2011

Iraq drawdown to 3,000 troops would be ‘a mistake,’ Feinstein says

By Felicia Sonmez

The chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee said Tuesday that she would oppose any move by the Obama administration to draw down troops in Iraq to 3,000 by the end of the year.

By Felicia Sonmez | 07:56 PM ET, 09/06/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:58 PM ET, 09/06/2011

House Dems: Job growth will contribute to deficit reduction

By Felicia Sonmez

House Democratic leaders contended Tuesday that in order to reduce the deficit, it’s necessary to first create jobs.

By Felicia Sonmez | 05:58 PM ET, 09/06/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:24 PM ET, 09/06/2011

Boehner, Cantor call on Obama for bipartisan meeting on jobs

By Felicia Sonmez

House Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor on Tuesday penned a letter to President Obama proposing a meeting between the White House and bipartisan congressional leaders ahead of the president’s Thursday jobs speech.

By Felicia Sonmez | 02:24 PM ET, 09/06/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:47 AM ET, 09/06/2011

McCaul, Issa top list of wealthiest members of Congress

By Felicia Sonmez

Two Republican House members are at the top of the list of the 50 richest members of Congress.

By Felicia Sonmez | 11:47 AM ET, 09/06/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:41 PM ET, 09/05/2011

The week ahead on the Hill: A high-stakes jobs battle on the horizon

By Felicia Sonmez

A look at the week ahead on Capitol Hill.

By Felicia Sonmez | 01:41 PM ET, 09/05/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

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

Debt supercommittee to hold first meeting next week

By Felicia Sonmez

The bipartisan “supercommittee” tasked with identifying $1.5 trillion in deficit savings will hold its first meeting on the day of President Obama’s jobs speech.

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

Posted at 01:39 PM ET, 09/02/2011

House to send delegations to Sept. 11 memorial services

By Felicia Sonmez

The House will send bipartisan delegations to memorial services in New York City, Arlington and Shanksville, Pa., next Sunday to mark the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

By Felicia Sonmez | 01:39 PM ET, 09/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:17 PM ET, 09/02/2011

Rep. Raul Grijalva is chatting with readers on Wednesday. Submit your questions in the comments

By Washington Post editors

The Q&A will be the first of The Post’s new “Congress Calls” weekly chat series with members of Congress.

By Washington Post editors | 12:17 PM ET, 09/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:11 PM ET, 09/02/2011

Five things to watch when Congress comes back

By Felicia Sonmez

2CHAMBERS | Here are five things to keep an eye on as both chambers return to Washington next week.

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:11 PM ET, 09/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:45 AM ET, 09/02/2011

Dems, retirees to rally against entitlement cuts at conference next week

By Felicia Sonmez

The Alliance for Retired Americans is holding a conference at the Washington Hilton Sept. 6-9 to rally against any entitlement cuts in a debt-reduction deal.

By Felicia Sonmez | 09:45 AM ET, 09/02/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

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

Obama’s jobs speech: Another joint session, another bipartisan seating plan?

By Felicia Sonmez

Will lawmakers of both parties sit side-by-side as they did during the president’s last address, which came three weeks after Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) was shot in Tucson?

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

Posted at 12:07 PM ET, 09/01/2011

Boehner to give speech on jobs, economy at Economic Club of Washington this month

By Felicia Sonmez

House Speaker John Boehner will deliver an address on jobs and the economy later this month, exactly one week after President Obama delivers an address on jobs before a joint session of Congress.

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:07 PM ET, 09/01/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:21 AM ET, 09/01/2011

With speech debate, Congress renews partisan rancor

By Rosalind S. Helderman

A partisan clash over when President Obama will deliver a speech, of all things, shows just how little Washington has moved on from the intractable slights and fights that were widely panned before Congress left for its August recess.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 10:21 AM ET, 09/01/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:45 PM ET, 08/31/2011

Rep. Allen West considers leaving Congressional Black Caucus after Carson remarks

By Felicia Sonmez

The sole GOP member of the Congressional Black Caucus says he is considering leaving the group after reports of inflammatory remarks made by another member.

By Felicia Sonmez | 05:45 PM ET, 08/31/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

2chambers: September, 2011