2chambers - Breaking news and analysis from Capitol Hill.

Posted at 03:27 PM ET, 11/30/2012

House Republicans will have one woman committee chair

By Ed O'Keefe

Only one woman will chair a House committee, but GOP counts a few women in other leadership positions.

By Ed O'Keefe | 03:27 PM ET, 11/30/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Candice Miller, Gregg Harper, House, House Administration Committee, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, John Boehner, Senate, women

Posted at 12:45 PM ET, 11/30/2012

2013 House, Senate calendars released

By Ed O'Keefe

House lawmakers will meet for slightly more days than this year -- but still enjoy week-long stretches back home.

By Ed O'Keefe | 12:45 PM ET, 11/30/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Eric Cantor, House, House calendar, Senate

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 11/30/2012

John Boehner: Potential Senate rules change designed to marginalize Senate Republicans'

By Ed O'Keefe

The House speaker has no formal say, but felt the need to weigh in anyway.

By Ed O'Keefe | 06:00 AM ET, 11/30/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:11 AM ET, 11/29/2012

Presidential Inauguration theme announced: Faith in America's Future'

By Ed O'Keefe

The inauguration coincides with the 150th anniversary of the capping of the U.S. Capitol Dome.

By Ed O'Keefe | 10:11 AM ET, 11/29/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Chuck Schumer, Inauguration, JCCIC, president obama

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 11/29/2012

Ron Paul, exit stage right

By Ed O'Keefe

WATCH | The retiring Texas lawmaker sits down for an interview as he gets ready to leave D.C.

By Ed O'Keefe | 06:00 AM ET, 11/29/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:06 PM ET, 11/28/2012

Susan Rice meets with more GOP critics

By Ed O'Keefe

2CHAMBERS | A second round of talks appears to do little to quell Republican criticism.

By Ed O'Keefe | 02:06 PM ET, 11/28/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Bob Corker, Libya, Senate, Susan Collins, Susan Rice

Posted at 11:22 AM ET, 11/28/2012

Bowles, key debt voice, remains pessimistic about a deal

By Rosalind S. Helderman

Erskine Bowles, a key voice on debt deal, says there is only a one in three chance the country will avoid going over the "fiscal cliff."

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 11:22 AM ET, 11/28/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 11/28/2012

What is the Gang of Eight' (and who's in it)?

By Ed O'Keefe

Lawmakers eager to tackle the nation's fiscal policy issue have ganged up to force a deal.

By Ed O'Keefe | 06:00 AM ET, 11/28/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:38 PM ET, 11/27/2012

Susan Rice, CIA director meet with GOP critics on Libya

By Ed O'Keefe

U.N. ambassador, deputy CIA director meet with her leading GOP critics to allay concerns.

By Ed O'Keefe | 04:38 PM ET, 11/27/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: John McCain, Kelly Ayotte, Libya, Lindsey Graham, Senate, Susan Rice

Posted at 03:03 PM ET, 11/27/2012

AIDS activists arrested after stripping in House speaker's office

By Peter Hermann

Three female AIDS activists protesting budget cuts threatened by the fiscal cliff were arrested Tuesday afternoon after they stripped in the outer office of House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), according to authorities.

By Peter Hermann | 03:03 PM ET, 11/27/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:33 PM ET, 11/27/2012

Filibuster fight reignites partisanship in Senate

By Ed O'Keefe

Back-and-forth could spoil the need to reach a compromise that averts more than $500 billion in annual automatic tax hikes and spending cuts.

By Ed O'Keefe | 02:33 PM ET, 11/27/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: filibuster, Harry Reid, Mitch McConnell, Senate

Posted at 02:28 PM ET, 11/27/2012

GOP introduces Dream Act alternative

By Ed O'Keefe

The plan includes no special path to citizenship for eligible immigrants.

By Ed O'Keefe | 02:28 PM ET, 11/27/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: immigration reform, John McCain, Jon Kyl, Kay Bailey Hutchison, Senate

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 11/27/2012

What is the Simpson-Bowles Commission? (and why does it still matter?)

By Ed O'Keefe

The bipartisan commission that set policymakers on the path to negotiations underway now.

By Ed O'Keefe | 06:00 AM ET, 11/27/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:57 PM ET, 11/26/2012

Susan Rice meets Tuesday with John McCain, Lindsey Graham, Kelly Ayotte

By Ed O'Keefe

The meeting comes after Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) signaled a willingness to hear her out on her justifications for the Libya attack.

By Ed O'Keefe | 06:57 PM ET, 11/26/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Benghazi, John McCain, Kelly Ayotte, Libya, Lindsey Graham, Senate, Susan Rice

Posted at 12:51 PM ET, 11/26/2012

House Ethics Committee investigating Rep. Michael Grimm

By Paul Kane

But the panel will defer to a Justice Department investigation into allegations that Grimm broke campaign finance laws.

By Paul Kane | 12:51 PM ET, 11/26/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: House, House Ethics Committee, Justice Department, Michael Grimm

Posted at 12:01 PM ET, 11/26/2012

What is the AMT? (Video)

By Ed O'Keefe

A look at why millions of Americans might need to pay more in taxes if Congress doesn't act -- and why it's all tied to the "fiscal cliff."

By Ed O'Keefe | 12:01 PM ET, 11/26/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: AMT, Edsplainer, taxes

Posted at 03:46 PM ET, 11/25/2012

Republicans willing to drop the ‘Norquist Pledge’ and hear out Susan Rice

By Ed O'Keefe

Republican lawmakers seemed conciliatory Sunday on taxes and President Obama's possible nominee to serve as secretary of state.

By Ed O'Keefe | 03:46 PM ET, 11/25/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Carl Levin, Dick Durbin, Joaquin Castro, John McCain, Libya, Lindsey Graham, Peter King, Susan Rice, The Sunday Scene

Posted at 03:01 PM ET, 11/21/2012

Jesse Jackson Jr. resigns: Read his resignation letter

By Ed O'Keefe

Read the congressman's resignation letter, in which he thanks his constituents for 17 years of service.

By Ed O'Keefe | 03:01 PM ET, 11/21/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: House, House Democrats, Illinois, Illinois politics, Jesse Jackson Jr., John Boehner

Posted at 11:39 AM ET, 11/20/2012

Warren Rudman's legacy laid groundwork for fiscal cliff' negotiations

By Ed O'Keefe

2CHAMBERS | The former senator will be remembered for many things -- but none more so than what he did to establish elements of the current fiscal debate.

By Ed O'Keefe | 11:39 AM ET, 11/20/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Bob Kerrey, Concord Coalition, fiscal cliff, president obama, Senate, Senate Democrats, Senate Republicans, Simpson-Bowles, Warren Rudman

Posted at 07:34 PM ET, 11/18/2012

Lawmakers react to Libya, Gaza, fiscal cliff' and Susan Rice

By Ed O'Keefe

Watch what members of the House and Senate had to say about Susan Rice, the growing conflict in the Middle East, the fallout from the attack on the U.S. consulate in Libya.

By Ed O'Keefe | 07:34 PM ET, 11/18/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Dianne Feinstein, fiscal cliff, Gloria Negrete, immigration reform, Joe Lieberman, John McCain, Libya, Lindsey Graham, Luis Guitierrez, Mike Rogers, Olympia Snowe, Saxby Chambliss, Susan Rice, The Sunday Scene, Tony Cardenas

Posted at 03:13 PM ET, 11/16/2012

Lawmakers on Petraeus hearing: We're learning a lot'

By Ed O'Keefe

With Petraeus focused squarely on his understanding of the Libya attack, lawmakers said he was instructive, but provided just one element of an ongoing probe.

By Ed O'Keefe | 03:13 PM ET, 11/16/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: David Petraeus, Dianne Feinstein, John McCain, Libya, Marco Rubio

Posted at 09:08 PM ET, 11/15/2012

Ami Bera defeats Dan Lungren in close California race

By Ed O'Keefe

The race was one of six unresolved House races as of Thursday.

By Ed O'Keefe | 09:08 PM ET, 11/15/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Ami Bera, California, Dan Lungren, House Administration Committee

Posted at 12:16 PM ET, 11/15/2012

Sen. Daniel Inouye visits hospital after a fall

By Ed O'Keefe

2CHAMBERS | He's the Senate's most-senior member and thus the third in line to the presidency.

By Ed O'Keefe | 12:16 PM ET, 11/15/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Senate

Posted at 04:29 PM ET, 11/14/2012

House Republicans reelect John Boehner, elevate Cathy McMorris Rodgers

By Rosalind S. Helderman

Party settles a contest for its fourth-ranking leader.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 04:29 PM ET, 11/14/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Cathy McMorris Rodgers, GOP, House, House Republicans, John Boehner, Paul Ryan, Tom Price

Posted at 03:27 PM ET, 11/14/2012

Amy Klobuchar talks about Senate's historic bathroom' moment

By Lyndsey Layton

"For the first time, there was a traffic jam in the Senate women's bathroom," said Sen. Amy Klobuchar.

By Lyndsey Layton | 03:27 PM ET, 11/14/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:28 PM ET, 11/14/2012

President Obama defends Susan Rice against criticism from John McCain, Lindsey Graham and Kelly Ayotte

By Ed O'Keefe

The trio of GOP senators says the U.N. ambassador was either ill-equipped or too misinformed to speak out about the attacks on a U.S. consulate in Libya.

By Ed O'Keefe | 01:28 PM ET, 11/14/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: John Kerry, John McCain, Kelly Ayotte, Lindsey Graham, president obama, Senate, Senate Armed Services Committee, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senate Intelligence Committee, Susan Rice

Posted at 10:49 AM ET, 11/14/2012

Nancy Pelosi staying put, criticizes Luke Russert for age question

By Ed O'Keefe

2CHAMBERS | The House minority leader announced her decision to colleagues Wednesday morning.

By Ed O'Keefe | 10:49 AM ET, 11/14/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: House, House Democrats, Nancy Pelosi

Posted at 10:44 AM ET, 11/14/2012

In speech, Angus King explains his decision to join with Senate Democrats

By Ed O'Keefe

The senator-elect explained his decision in a nuanced address worth reading.

By Ed O'Keefe | 10:44 AM ET, 11/14/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Angus King, Bernie Sanders, George Mitchell, Harry Reid, Joe Lieberman, Maine, Senate Democrats, Verbatim

Posted at 09:31 AM ET, 11/14/2012

Angus King to caucus with Democrats in Senate

By Ed O'Keefe

Angus King to caucus with Democrats in Senate

By Ed O'Keefe | 09:31 AM ET, 11/14/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Angus King, Maine, Senate, Senate Democrats, Senate Republicans

Posted at 05:31 AM ET, 11/14/2012

What to expect this week in Congress (Video)

By Ed O'Keefe

A quick video summary of what to expect this week on Capitol Hill, as it aired on "The Fold."

By Ed O'Keefe | 05:31 AM ET, 11/14/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Angus King, congress, fiscal cliff, Nancy Pelosi, The Fold, video

Posted at 05:31 PM ET, 11/13/2012

Scott Brown wont rule out run for Senate or governor

By Ed O'Keefe

The Bay State's outgoing senator hints that he's eager to help the GOP rebuild.

By Ed O'Keefe | 05:31 PM ET, 11/13/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Elizabeth Warren, Joe Lieberman, John Kerry, Kent Conrad, Olympia Snowe, Richard Lugar, Scott Brown, Senate, Senate Republicans, U.S. Senate

Posted at 03:08 PM ET, 11/13/2012

Paul Ryan takes sides in GOP leadership race

By Felicia Sonmez

Paul Ryan takes sides in GOP leadership race

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:08 PM ET, 11/13/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:27 PM ET, 11/13/2012

Pelosi to announce decision on minority leader run Wednesday

By Paul Kane

Rep. Nancy Pelosi said she would hold a 10 a.m. Wednesday press conference to announce whether she'll run again for minority leader.

By Paul Kane | 02:27 PM ET, 11/13/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:08 AM ET, 11/13/2012

Angus King may pick a party by Wednesday

By Ed O'Keefe

Angus King (I) appears to have moved up his timeline in order to participate in elections for majority leader.

By Ed O'Keefe | 11:08 AM ET, 11/13/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Categories: Quoted

Posted at 06:01 AM ET, 11/13/2012

5 things (other than the fiscal cliff) to watch during the lame-duck

By Ed O'Keefe

2CHAMBERS | There’s a few policy and political things to keep an eye on besides the ‘fiscal cliff.’

By Ed O'Keefe | 06:01 AM ET, 11/13/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:58 PM ET, 11/12/2012

House freshmen orientation begins, even with some races unresolved

By Ed O'Keefe

IAs the freshman learn the ropes, one new member will have direct on-the-job training from the man he defeated.

By Ed O'Keefe | 04:58 PM ET, 11/12/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Ami Bera, Bobby Jindal, Dalip Singh Saund, Dan Lungren, Gerry Connolly, Hispanics, House, House Administration Committee, Jason Chaffetz, Kyrsten Sinema, Mary Bono Mack, Mazie Hirono, Raul Ruiz, Tulsi Gabbard

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 11/12/2012

Fewer military veterans to serve in Congress next year

By Ed O'Keefe

At least nine men and women who served in Iraq and Afghanistan will be joining the U.S. House of Representatives.

By Ed O'Keefe | 06:00 AM ET, 11/12/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:17 PM ET, 11/11/2012

Lawmakers react to David Petraeus resignation, talk fiscal cliff and immigration compromises

By Ed O'Keefe

Watch what lawmakers had to say about CIA Director David Petraeus's resignation, the "fiscal cliff" negotiations and the possibility of striking a deal on immigration reform.

By Ed O'Keefe | 02:17 PM ET, 11/11/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Chuck Schumer, David Petraeus, David Rivera, Diane Feinstein, fiscal cliff, immigration reform, Joe Garcia, Mary Bono Mack, Patty Murray, Raul Ruiz, Saxby Chambliss, The Sunday Scene, Tom Coburn

Posted at 01:14 PM ET, 11/09/2012

Boehner details timeline for fiscal cliff negotiations

By Paul Kane

The House speaker provided a more detailed timeline of how he would like to implement any deal that averts the combination of more than $500 billion in automatic tax hikes and spending cuts

By Paul Kane | 01:14 PM ET, 11/09/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:22 PM ET, 11/08/2012

John Boehner: Raising tax rates is unacceptable

By Ed O'Keefe

House Speaker stands firm on GOP's opposition to raising tax rates on upper-income Americans, despite widespread support for doing so.

By Ed O'Keefe | 05:22 PM ET, 11/08/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: fiscal cliff, House, House Republicans, John Boehner, tax reform, taxes

Posted at 01:23 PM ET, 11/08/2012

Angus King, still undecided, doesnt rule out joining GOP

By Ed O'Keefe

Maine's independent senator-elect says he has two main criteria for picking with which party he plans to caucus.

By Ed O'Keefe | 01:23 PM ET, 11/08/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Angus King, Bob Corker, Chuck Schumer, Harry Reid, Maine, Mitch McConnell, Olympia Snowe, president obama, Roy Blunt, Senate, Senate Democrats, Senate Republicans, Susan Collins, Vice President Biden

Posted at 09:41 AM ET, 11/08/2012

Reports: Jesse Jackson Jr. in plea deal talks

By Ed O'Keefe

The Illinois congressman, who has checked himself back into rehab, is reportedly under investigation for campaign spending improprieties.

By Ed O'Keefe | 09:41 AM ET, 11/08/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: House, House Democrats, Jesse Jackson Jr.

Posted at 01:10 PM ET, 11/07/2012

How did #5in5 candidates fare?

By Ed O'Keefe

How did the House candidates in the 15 races we profiled this year match up on Tuesday night? Who's going back to Washington and who's going home?

By Ed O'Keefe | 01:10 PM ET, 11/07/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: #5in5, 2012 House races, Alan Grayson, allen west, Bill Foster, House Democrats, House Republicans, Judy Biggert, Steve King

Posted at 08:54 AM ET, 11/06/2012

Sen. Mark Kirk, recovering from stroke, records campaign robo-calls and videos

By Ed O'Keefe

The Land of Lincoln's junior senator emerges from his ongoing recovery from a stroke to help a fellow GOP congressional candidate.

By Ed O'Keefe | 08:54 AM ET, 11/06/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: House Republicans, Illinois, Jason Plummer, Mark Kirk, Senate

Posted at 05:00 AM ET, 11/05/2012

On final campaign weekend, John Boehner is home

By Ed O'Keefe

Boehner feels so confident about GOP holding the House that he's spending the final campaign weekend driving across Ohio.

By Ed O'Keefe | 05:00 AM ET, 11/05/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: 2012 House races, House, House Democrats, House Republicans, John Boehner, Nancy Pelosi, Ohio

Posted at 09:57 PM ET, 11/04/2012

Senate gets the 60 Minutes treatment

By Ed O'Keefe

Senate leaders agree to an interview with the nation's most-watched television news program. It was awkward, to say the least.

By Ed O'Keefe | 09:57 PM ET, 11/04/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Harry Reid, Mitch McConnell, Senate

Posted at 08:35 AM ET, 11/02/2012

How are unemployment numbers calculated? (Video)

By Ed O'Keefe

VIDEO | An 'edsplanation' of who prepares the numbers, how the jobs are counted -- and whether the numbers could be cooked.

By Ed O'Keefe | 08:35 AM ET, 11/02/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: economy, Edsplainer, video

Posted at 03:51 PM ET, 11/01/2012

Allen West and Alan Grayson: Florida’s bipartisan contribution to partisanship.

By Ed O'Keefe

The highly partisan Florida reps became iconic representations of their party’s fortunes in 2010 -- and may again this year.

By Ed O'Keefe | 03:51 PM ET, 11/01/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: 2012 House races, Alan Grayson, allen west, florida, florida politics, House, House Democrats, House Republicans

Posted at 12:09 PM ET, 07/17/2012

What is the sequester? (Video)

By Ed O'Keefe

Our first "Edsplainer" tackles the number-one issue facing Washington in the coming months.

By Ed O'Keefe | 12:09 PM ET, 07/17/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: Edsplainer, sequester, sequestration

2chambers: November, 2012