Capitol Briefing - News and Analysis From the Hill - January 20, 2008

House GOP Backs Away From Real Earmark Moratorium

House Republicans wrap up their three-day retreat at the Greenbrier resort today having taken only modest steps toward their biggest goal for the gathering -- a bold, consensus earmark reform plan that the party can use to invigorate its disillusioned base and paint Democrats as soft on the issue. Coming...

By Ben Pershing | January 26, 2008; 11:40 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (10)
Categories: GOP Leaders , Purse Strings
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Bush Presses for Action on Stimulus, Surveillance

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. - President Bush today gave House Republicans a brief preview of Monday's State of the Union speech by stressing the importance of the administration's two biggest congressional priorities: an economic stimulus package and passage of an electronic surveillance law. Speaking to members assembled here at the...

By Ben Pershing | January 25, 2008; 4:05 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Agenda
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A Note From Our (Lobbyist) Sponsors

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. -- After a brief welcome speech that reporters were allowed to watch, President Bush fielded questions behind closed doors from House Republicans. You'll get an update a bit later on Bush's speech and members' reaction to it. But first, a note on this retreat's sponsor. As...

By Ben Pershing | January 25, 2008; 3:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Ethics and Rules
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Republicans Look Ahead to November

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. -- Before their big banquet dinner and showing of "Bee Movie" last night here at the Greenbrier resort, House Republicans got a pair of briefings on the electoral landscape and how they can shape their message now to make gains in November. According to sources who...

By Ben Pershing | January 25, 2008; 11:25 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: 2008 Campaign
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Events Move Forward as GOP 'Retreats'

LEWISBURG, W.Va. -- Greetings from snowy Lewisburg, one town over from where House Republicans are gathering at the Greenbrier resort for their annual retreat. While members (and reporters) were traveling here today, two important things happened back in D.C. that will affect the retreat agenda -- a stimulus deal and...

By Ben Pershing | January 24, 2008; 4:51 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: 2008 Campaign , Agenda , GOP Leaders , Purse Strings
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Getaway Day for the GOP

Today is a travel day for Capitol Briefing as he journeys to White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., to cover the House GOP's annual retreat at the lovely Greenbrier resort. The event will run from today through Saturday. These gatherings allow members to relax a bit -- many bring their families along...

By Ben Pershing | January 24, 2008; 7:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: 2008 Campaign , Agenda , GOP Leaders , House
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On the Hill, a Presidential Campaign Preview

In advance of what is expected to be the legacy-burnishing exercise of President Bush's final State of the Union address next Monday, House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel (Ill.) today offered a preview of the Democrats' counter-message. The gist of that message, illustrated by a chart full of pretty colors,...

By Ben Pershing | January 23, 2008; 3:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: 2008 Campaign
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Will Bush Have to Buck His Own Party on the Stimulus?

As Capitol Briefing wrote yesterday, some conservatives weren't thrilled with all the happy talk about a bi-partisan stimulus package. Today the conservative Republican Study Committee unveiled its own stimulus package in hopes of influencing the current debate in a direction more amenable to the right. The plan, dubbed the Economic...

By Ben Pershing | January 23, 2008; 1:44 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Agenda , GOP Leaders , Purse Strings
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Will Stimulus Train Leave Conservatives Behind?

Listening to the continued bipartisan rhetoric coming from both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue, it would be easy to think that Congress and President Bush are on the glide path toward agreeing on an economic stimulus package that will pass both chambers with nary a dissenting voice. But listen a little...

By Ben Pershing | January 22, 2008; 5:45 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (21)
Categories: Agenda , GOP Leaders , Purse Strings
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Congress on the Clock for Stimulus

The Federal Reserve can apparently turn on a dime, cutting a key interest rate as stock markets around the world go into the tank. Don't expect such quick action from Congress. House and Senate leaders are holding a meeting-fest this week, scheduling all manner of discussions, briefings, and sit-downs with...

By Ben Pershing | January 22, 2008; 1:45 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Agenda , Branch vs. Branch , Purse Strings
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Despite Blog Support, Flake Bid a Long-shot

Every so often, the liberal or conservative blogospheres will get excited and mobilized to make something happen that probably never will. Such is the case with the growing movement to get Arizona Rep. Jeff Flake (R) onto the House Appropriations Committee. Flake -- the House's best known scourge of spending...

By Ben Pershing | January 21, 2008; 7:40 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: GOP Leaders , House , Purse Strings
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Capitol Briefing: January 20, 2008 - January 26, 2008