Congresspedia's "Congress in the News" updates, Dec. 1-Dec. 17
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- Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) announced that he will not seek the presidency in 2008. (NY Times story)
- Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) is in stable condition following brain surgery. (Washington Post story)
- House Majority Leader-elect Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) pledged to create a new Appropriations Commitee panel to oversee intelligence agencies and a task force to examine creating an independent ethics body. (Washington Post story)
- Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) is in critical condition after undergoing emergency brain surgery. (Washington Post story)
- Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) was rushed to the hospital after experiencing stroke-like symptoms. (CNN story).
- The Senate Ethics Committee cleared Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) of any wrongdoing in accepting boxing tickets from a Nevada state body. (Review-Journal story)
- Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) announced that he plans to introduce legislation aimed at providing Americans with universal health care. (NY Times story)
- House Democrats are considering creating an independent ethics body to enforce rules on lobbying, gifts, trips, and related matters. (NY Times story)
- Former Rep. Ciro Rodriguez (D) defeated Rep. Henry Bonilla (R-Texas) to capture the final contested seat for the 110th Congress. (Washington Post story)
- Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.) will not be re-assigned to his former seat on the House Committee on Ways and Means due to an ongoing federal bribery investigation. (AP story)
- Democrats plan to combine outstanding spending bills into a joint resolution, devoid of earmarks, to keep the federal government funded at current levels through the end of the fiscal year. (Washington Post story)
- Majority leader-elect Nancy Pelosi will introduce legislation at the beginning of the 110th Congress to reform oversight of the House page program. (Roll Call story)
- Outgoing Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-Ga.) filed legislation to impeach President Bush, accusing him of violating his oath of office to defend the Constitution and the nation's laws. (AP story)
- Embattled Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.) was reelected in a Saturday runoff by a 57% to 43% margin. (AP story)
- The Senate voted 80-11 to confirm Andrew C. von Eschenbach, whose nomination had been held up procedurally on five separate occasions, as commissioner of the FDA. (Washington Post story)
- The Senate voted 95-2 to confirm Robert Gates as Secretary of Defense. (AP story)
- Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) was chosen by his peers to head the conservative Republican Study Committee during the 110th Congress. (The Hill story)
- Majority Leader-elect Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) stated that House members will be expected to work five days a week during the 110th Congress, up from three in the 109th. (Washington Post story)
- House GOP leaders chose not to consider a bill granting Washington DC voting rights in Congress during this legislative session. (Washington Post story)
- The Senate Armed Services Committee unanimously recommended the confirmation of prospective Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates. (AP story)
- The White House has threatened to veto a multi-billion dollar disaster aid package for farmers and ranchers if it is approved by the Senate. (AP story)
- House Republicans pulled legislation opening new areas in the Gulf of Mexico to oil drilling after it became clear that it did not have the votes to pass. (AP story)
- The Senate Armed Services Committee opened its confirmation hearing on prospective Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates. (Washington Post story).
- Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-Ariz.) has asked the Federal Election Commission for permission to use campaign funds to pay for any legal bills related to the Mark Foley page scandal. (Roll Call story.
- Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) announced that he has formed an exploratory committee to examine a possible 2008 run for president. (AP story)
- Sens. Joe Biden (D-Del.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) have called for the United States to take a tougher line with Russian President Vladimir Putin. (AP story)
- Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) announced that he will form an exploratory committee to examine a 2008 presidential bid. (Reuters story)