44 - Politics and Policy in Obama's Washington - January 2, 2011

Gabrielle Giffords's last tweet before shooting

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords posted a message to Twitter promoting the "Congress on Your Corner" eventmoments before she was shot and critically wounded in Tucson, Arizona.

By Emi Kolawole | January 8, 2011; 6:58 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency
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Jared Loughner alleged to be shooter, sources say

Federal law enforcement officials identified the gunman who shot Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and killed six others at a campaign event in Tucson Saturday as Jared Loughner, who appears to have left a trail of Internet postings, including some that express convoluted observations about government.

By Sari Horwitz | January 8, 2011; 5:46 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (187)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency
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Ariz. tea party activists voice shock at shooting

Trent Humphries was headed to the local Safeway for some milk when he was stopped...

By Sandhya Somashekhar | January 8, 2011; 5:21 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (256)

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Slain federal judge John Roll was at the center of Arizona's immigration debate

John. M. Roll, the federal judge killed Saturday in the Tucson shooting that critically wounded Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), has been at the center of the state's complicated political battle over immigration.

By Jerry Markon | January 8, 2011; 5:18 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (73)
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White House, lawmakers react to attack on Rep. Gabrielle Giffords

The White House, lawmakers and others react to the news of Saturday's attack on Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.):

By Felicia Sonmez and Aaron Blake | January 8, 2011; 5:03 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (16)
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Witness: 'He was just firing'

A moment later, Rayle said, he saw a young man wearing sneakers and what appeared to be navy blue sweats approach Gifford with a semi-automatic handgun raised. The man shot Giffords once in the face, he said.

By David A. Fahrenthold | January 8, 2011; 4:48 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (74)
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Giffords reacts to vandalism of her office in 2010

Giffords's district office was vandalized during a rash of violence against lawmakers in March.

By Emi Kolawole | January 8, 2011; 4:19 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (18)
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House clears way for health-care repeal vote

On a largely party-line vote, the House on Friday cleared the way for debate on legislation that would repeal the national health care overhaul, setting up a repeal vote next week.

By Felicia Sonmez | January 7, 2011; 12:03 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (120)
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Tim Pawlenty's new book cover looks familiar

Outgoing Minnesota governor and potential 2012 presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty (R) is releasing the obligatory pre-campaign book. But something about it looks awfully familiar.

By Karen Tumulty and Matt DeLong | January 7, 2011; 9:58 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (10)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency, Eye on 2012, Tim Pawlenty
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Votes of GOP lawmakers who missed swearing-in ruled invalid

House Rules Committee Chairman David Dreier (R-Calif.) said Thursday that the votes cast by two Republican lawmakers who skipped Wednesday's swearing-in ceremony will be invalidated.

By Felicia Sonmez | January 6, 2011; 5:14 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (40)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency
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William Daley: Positive and negative reaction

President Obama's announcement that William Daley will be his new chief of staff got mixed reviews that cut across party lines. Some praised the former commerce secretary and current Midwest chairman of J.P. Morgan Chase as an experienced and skillful public servant. Others argued that Daley is too beholden to big business and that his Wall Street ties are a conflict of interest.

By Rachel Weiner | January 6, 2011; 5:05 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency, Barack Obama
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Reid: Democrats prepared to go it alone on filibuster reform

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Thursday said that Democrats will push ahead with a plan to reform the Senate rules, with or without Republican support.

By Felicia Sonmez | January 6, 2011; 4:38 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (10)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency
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Bill O'Reilly to interview Obama for Fox Super Bowl pre-game

By Al Kamen | January 6, 2011; 4:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (45)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency, In the Loop
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House passes budget cut for committees and legislative offices

The House on Thursday passed a measure that would cut committee and legislative office budgets by five percent or more, making good on a pledge by House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) to cut as much as $35 million from Congress' total operating budget.

By Felicia Sonmez | January 6, 2011; 2:26 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (32)
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Senate Democrats contend Republicans adding $1 trillion to deficit

A trio of Senate Democrats on Thursday argued that House Republicans are piling more than $1 trillion onto the federal deficit through a new rules package approved on the first day of the new Congress.

By Felicia Sonmez | January 6, 2011; 1:46 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
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Boehner: Budget office "entitled to their opinion" on health care repeal's deficit impact

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) on Thursday defended House Republicans' efforts to repeal the national health care law, disputing the accuracy of a preliminary Congressional Budget Office estimate that a repeal of the law would add $230 billion to the national debt through 2021.

By Felicia Sonmez | January 6, 2011; 12:59 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (38)
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Joe Biden gives girls dating advice (video)

While swearing in new senators on Wednesday, Vice President Joe Biden welcomed their daughters with his favorite piece of advice. Over, and over, and over. "Just remember, no dates til you're 30," Biden told young female relatives of Sen. Barbara Mikulski, (D-Md.), Sen. Michael Bennet, (D-Colo.), Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), among others. ABC News has compiled a video:

By Rachel Weiner | January 6, 2011; 12:02 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (32)
Categories: 2010 Election, 44 The Obama Presidency
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Obama chooses William Daley as chief of staff

President Obama has chosen former commerce secretary William Daley to serve as his chief of staff, replacing interim chief of staff Pete Rouse.

By Emi Kolawole | January 6, 2011; 11:50 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (18)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency
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Constitution Day: House holds first-ever floor reading of founding document

The new 112th Congress has already made a little bit of history, but on Thursday it looks to make some more with the first-ever reading of the U.S. Constitution on the House floor.

By Felicia Sonmez | January 6, 2011; 11:45 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (168)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency
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#Constitution - What you're saying on Twitter

House lawmakers read the Constitution Thursday morning, aloud and word-for-word. Members of both parties participated in the reading, which started with freshly-minted Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) followed by the new Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

By Emi Kolawole | January 6, 2011; 11:29 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (9)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency, Capitol Briefing
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House passes new rules package

The House wrapped up the first day of the 112th Congress on Wednesday by approving a new rules package that will enact some significant changes to matters ranging from the debt ceiling to members' voting rights.

By Felicia Sonmez | January 5, 2011; 8:29 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
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Snapshots of the new Senate

The House of Representatives soaked up most of the attention Wednesday, but 13 new senators also were sworn in at noon, a crop that includes familiar faces and numerous younger lawmakers.

By Shailagh Murray | January 5, 2011; 2:38 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency, Democratic Party, Joe Biden, Marco Rubio, Republican Party
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Obama: Gibbs has been making 'relatively modest pay'

President Obama spoke to The New York Times on Wednesday about White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs' impending departure. In the interview, while he said Gibbs will remain a close adviser, Obama suggested money was a factor in Gibbs' decision to leave the administration.

By Matt DeLong | January 5, 2011; 2:15 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency, Barack Obama
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In speaker vote, 19 House Democrats withhold support from Pelosi

Nineteen Democrats voted for someone other than Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) for speaker of the House on the first day of the 112th Congress, an indication of the still-simmering discontent among the caucus following November's midterm shellacking.

By Felicia Sonmez | January 5, 2011; 2:12 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (96)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency
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Sworn in, members join the club they love to hate

For some Republican freshmen in the House, Wednesday's swearing-in was a bit of an odd moment: After winning elections by calling Washington a cesspool, they brought spouses, children, aunts and uncles to watch them officially dive in.

By David A. Fahrenthold | January 5, 2011; 1:22 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (16)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency, Capitol Briefing
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10 Boehner siblings attend swearing-in

The new Congress convenes for the first time Wednesday with a full schedule of events....

By Rachel Weiner | January 5, 2011; 12:25 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency
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Tina Tchen announced as Michelle Obama's new chief of staff

It's official --first lady Michelle Obama has a new chief of staff, the White House...

By Nia-Malika Henderson | January 5, 2011; 12:22 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (10)
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Allen West becomes first Republican since 1990s to join Congressional Black Caucus

Florida Republican Rep. Allen West on Wednesday officially joined the Congressional Black Caucus, becoming the first Republican to join the group since Rep. Gary Franks (R-Conn.) was defeated in 1996.

By Felicia Sonmez | January 5, 2011; 11:47 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (7)
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Prayer service opens day for new Congress

Before the day's swearings-in, gavel-passing and speech-making, lawmakers gathered Wednesday morning for a bipartisan prayer service that some described as an emotional prelude to the opening of the 112th Congress.

By Philip Rucker | January 5, 2011; 10:51 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: 2010 Election, 44 The Obama Presidency, Democratic Party
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John Boehner's speech: Advance excerpts

Excerpts from the opening speech by Speaker-designate John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) during the first day of the 112th Congress

By Emi Kolawole | January 5, 2011; 10:03 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency, Capitol Briefing
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Robert Gibbs leaving the White House

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs has just told staffers he is moving on.

By Rachel Weiner | January 5, 2011; 9:58 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (25)
Categories: 2010 Election, 44 The Obama Presidency
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Busy first day ahead for 112th Congress

The 112th Congress has a busy first day ahead, including some time-honored traditions as well as some new milestones.

By Felicia Sonmez | January 5, 2011; 9:52 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency
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A preview of the first day of the 112th Congress

Wednesday marks the first day of the 112th Congress. Here's a rough sketch of what the new members have in store.

By Felicia Sonmez | January 5, 2011; 9:48 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (35)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency
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#CONGRESSWATCH: Tracking the new members of the 112th Congress

The new 112th Congress is due to be sworn in on Wednesday January 5, with...

By Katie Rogers | January 4, 2011; 5:08 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency
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Lawrence Summers to return to Harvard in January

Lawrence Summers, President Obama's former top economic adviser, is returning to Harvard University this month to resume his teaching and academic research, the university announced Tuesday.

By Felicia Sonmez | January 4, 2011; 4:08 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (8)
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Cantor defends House Republicans' effort to repeal health-care law

Incoming House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) on Tuesday defended House Republicans' plans to hold a vote next week repealing the national health care overhaul amid criticism from Democrats that the GOP is pressing forward with a repeal vote without opening up the process to the minority party.

By Felicia Sonmez | January 4, 2011; 3:43 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (30)
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William Daley passes out (video)

William Daley, the former commerce secretary and brother of outgoing Chicago mayor Richard Daley, passed out -- literally fainted -- during his last personnel announcement in 1996.

By Emi Kolawole | January 4, 2011; 9:54 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency
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Scalia: Constitution does not protect women against discrimination

Justice Antonin Scalia has weighed in on the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, leaving women's rights activists seething yet again.

By Emi Kolawole | January 4, 2011; 9:08 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (225)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency
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Your 2011 State of the Union: Share your stories (video)

On January 25, President Obama will give his second State of the Union address. With a struggling economy, two ongoing wars, and a new Republican majority in the House, the president is under pressure to outline a compelling vision for the nation.

By Amanda Zamora | January 4, 2011; 9:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency, Barack Obama
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Obamas leave Hawaii after vacation

The time for shave ice is over. President Obama and his family departed for Washington late Monday night Hawaii time, concluding a 12-day vacation in which the president remained almost completely out of public view.

By Perry Bacon Jr. | January 4, 2011; 4:07 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Barack Obama, Vacation Time
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Another top Reid staffer set to depart

Another top aide to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) announced Monday that he is leaving Reid's team, marking the latest in a series of departures since Democrats' losses in the November midterms.

By Felicia Sonmez | January 3, 2011; 4:33 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: 44 The Obama Presidency
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John Wheeler, former Bush administration aide, found dead in landfill

Police in Delaware are investigating the slaying of a man who served in several GOP presidential administrations whose body was found at a landfill near Wilmington. The body of 66-year-old John Wheeler III of New Castle was discovered on New Year's Eve as a garbage truck emptied its contents at the Cherry Island landfill. His death has been ruled a homicide.

By AP/Post Editor | January 3, 2011; 2:44 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)
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44: January 2, 2011 - January 8, 2011