Congresspedia's "Congress in the News" updates, Feb. 2-Feb. 8

by Conor Kenny — February 26, 2007 - 3:12pm

Topics: Congresspedia News Updates, U.S. Congress, Democracy, U.S. Government

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Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) called for Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to appoint former U.S. Attorney Carol Lam as outside counsel so she can continue investigating the corruption case against former Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham (R-Calif.), who is now in prison. (The Hill story)
After various reports stated that the FBI is looking into his land deals, Rep. Gary Miller (R-Calif.) continued to deny any wrongdoing and implored his innocence to GOP colleagues in a closed-door conference. (The Hill story)
Rep. Charlie Norwood (R-Ga.) has decided to forgo further treatment for lung cancer which has now spread to his liver. He is leaving Washington immediately to receive hospice care at his home in Georgia. (AP story)
The FEC will decide on Thursday whether or not to grant the Green Senatorial Campaign Committee (GSCC) the same status as it's Democratic and Republican counterparts. (Politico story)
Democratic leadership in the House will introduce a non-binding resolution on Iraq new week. The resolution is being crafted by Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Tom Lantos (D-Calif.) and Armed Services Committee Chair Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) with the hopes of having "near unanimity" among Democrats. (Roll Call story)
Democratic presidential hopeful and chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform's Subcommittee on Domestic Policy Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) has announced an initiative to create a Department of Peace and Nonviolence. (The Hill story)
Republican Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), and John Ensign (R-Nev.) voted against the confirmation of General George Casey as the chief of staff of the Army in the Senate Committee on Armed Services. (The Hill story)
Debate on a non-binding resolution opposing an increase in troop levels in Iraq was blocked yesterday when Senate Democrats failed to win enough GOP support to allow debate to proceed. (The Hill story)
After a three-week impasse, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell (D-Mich.) have reached a consensus on the parameters of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. (The Hill story)
Rep. Gary Miller’s (R-Calif.) recent land deals are not the first of his transactions to be scrutinized by government officials. In 1992, the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) imposed a $1,750 fine against Covina City Councilman Christopher Lancaster for accepting $8,000 from Miller prior to voting in favor of a resolution Miller sponsored. (The Hill story)
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has filed a statement of candidacy with the FEC. (Hill News story)
Former Rep. Curt Weldon (R-Pa.) has accepted a position as chief strategic officer for a Pennsylvania defense contractor. He remains under federal investigation for allegedly trading his political influence for lobbying and consulting contracts for his daughter. (Philadelphia Inquirer story)
After a top-secret briefing regarding the events surrounding the extraordinary rendition of Maher Arar, the Canadian citizen deported to Syria for interrogation, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) called the incident "a black mark" on the U.S. and promised further oversight into the matter. (Globe and Mail story)
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) announced the creation of a task force to consider the implementation of an outside ethics body to oversee Congress. (Hill News story)
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) stated that House Democrats would attempt to stop a possible U.S. invasion of Iran through legislation. ( TPM Cafe story)
House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) released a memo encouraging Republicans to cite Sen. Joe Lieberman's (D-Conn.) comments in support of President Bush's new Iraq plan. (The Hill story)
Sens. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) and Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) threatened to oppose the newest draft of the Senate (anti-surge" resolution concerning Iraq, claiming the language to be "weak." (The Hill story)
Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) continues to recover from brain surgery. According to doctors, he is now able to read and speak in limited sentences. (TPM Cafe story)
Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is being criticized for a land purchase he made in 2002 at a drastically lower value than the land was worth. (LA Times story)
Comedian Al Franken has decided to run in the 2008 U.S. Senate race in Minnesota. Should he win the Democratic primary, he will challenge Republican Sen. Norm Coleman. (Houston Chronicle story)
Sens. John Warner (R-Va.) and Carl Levin (D-Mich.) have agreed on language for a non-binding resolution opposing President Bush's plan for a troop "surge" in Iraq. (Washington Post story)
Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) has introduced a bill seeking to criminalize "voter suppression and deceptive electoral tactics," most notably addressing robo-calls and fraudulent flyers. (Hill News story)

Congresspedia's "Congress in the News" updates, Feb. 2-Feb. 8

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