Senate Filibuster Changes: More Evolution Than Revolution
After threatening to gut the rule that lets a single senator bring the Senate to a virtual halt, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has agreed to tweak rather than transform the practice. Under the accord, Democrats would gain the ability to skip a procedural step to begin debate on a bill.» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
A Gun Owner From The Left, Sen. Leahy Leads The Debate
He’s voted to allow guns in national parks and Amtrak trains, but Sen. Patrick Leahy rejects suggestions that he’ll slow-walk gun control efforts through Congress. Leahy chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, which begins hearings on the issue at the end of this month.» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
Farm Bill Becomes Fodder In ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Wrangling
Farm-state lawmakers are urging leaders to include a farm bill as part of any budget deal to avert year-end tax increases and spending cuts. But others argue that Congress shouldn’t toss the farm bill into a giant package because it would very likely stifle debate and amendments.» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
The 3 Unofficial GOP Rules That Are Making A Deficit Deal Even Harder
Three rules adopted by House GOP leaders in recent years are leaving Speaker John Boehner little room to maneuver. To reach an agreement to avoid the fiscal cliff, he may have to break at least one of them, analysts say.» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
Geography, Not Gerrymandering, May Explain GOP’s Hold On House
Some analysts are saying that Republicans appear to have the long-range advantage over Democrats when it comes to winning enough seats to control the House, not so much because of redistricting but because of the clustering of Democratic voters in fewer congressional districts.» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
Meet The New GOP, Same As The Old GOP?
There has been no dearth of post-election Republican self-flagellation. But the party is still sorting out solutions, wrangling over whether its problems lie in its positions on issues ranging from immigration to women’s reproductive health, or simply in its sales job with the voting public.» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
Maine Independent Angus King To Caucus With Senate Democrats
Sen.-elect Angus King of Maine, who cruised to victory last week running as an independent, said Wednesday that he will caucus with Senate Democrats, giving them in effect a 55-45 seat advantage next year.» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
A Week Later, Pollster Says: ‘I Was Drinking That Republican Kool-Aid’
If voters were surprised to watch TV networks call the election for President Obama over Republican Mitt Romney minutes after polls closed in California last week, perhaps it was because of earlier statements from some pollsters confident in a Romney romp. A few are now acknowledging mistakes.» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
Senate Win In Wis. A ‘Turning Point’ For Gay Rights
Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin is the first openly gay candidate to be elected to the U.S. Senate. But advocates say the fact that her sexual orientation wasn’t part of the campaign is the real signal of change.» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
