Anything important is never left to the vote of the people. We only get to vote on some man; we never get to vote on what he is to do. — Will Rogers
Every good little dictator sweeps clean with a communist broom…
The Hill: Obama to offer a package of sweeping restrictions on firearms
By Mike Lillis, Justin Sink and Jordy Yager
President Obama on Wednesday will offer sweeping new gun restrictions — including a proposed ban on assault weapons — that herald a fierce battle with gun-rights advocates on Capitol Hill.
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Socialist party wakes up, smells unintended consequences.
The Hill: Obama gun-control push poses 2014 challenge for House Democrats
By Cameron Joseph
President Obama’s decision to make gun control a priority could complicate the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s (DCCC) recruiting efforts for the 2014 midterm elections.
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That’s all it takes…
The Hill: Hagel picks up support after offering apology for ‘Jewish lobby’ remark
By Jeremy Herb
Former Sen. Chuck Hagel’s (R-Neb.) path to confirmation as the next secretary of Defense took a significant step forward on Tuesday when Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said he would vote for President Obama’s nominee to lead the Pentagon.
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Afoul you say? Afoul???
The Hill: Obama runs afoul of Dem base
By Amie Parnes
President Obama has angered his base on a wide range of issues over the last month, even as he rides a political high after his victory over congressional Republicans in the fiscal-cliff fight.
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Amid the haze of expensive cigars and fine cognac…
The Hill: House GOP to decide debt-limit strategy at its annual retreat
By Russell Berman
House Republican leaders are weighing several options for legislation that would combine an increase in the debt ceiling with cuts to federal spending.
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Care for some pork to go with those beans?
The Hill: $50 billion Sandy bill splits Republicans but clears the House
By Pete Kasperowicz
The House approved a $50 billion Sandy relief bill Tuesday evening, after several hours of contentious debate in which scores of Republicans tried unsuccessfully to cut the size of the bill and offset a portion of it with spending cuts.
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Hangin’ up his cowboy hat. Will keep the spurs.
The Hill: Interior Secretary Salazar to step down
By Ben Geman
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar plans to step down at the end of March.
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Those darned pesky activists…
The Hill: Conservatives shift focus away from Senate Republican incumbents
By Alexander Bolton
The threat of conservative primary challengers against incumbent Republican senators has begun to subside as activists who want to remake the upper chamber are turning their attention to Democratic-held seat
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Congress: Day late, dollar short…
The Hill: Lawmakers slam DOJ prosecution of Swartz as ‘ridiculous, absurd’
By Brendan Sasso and Jennifer Martinez
House lawmakers blasted federal prosecutors on Tuesday for pushing aggressive hacking charges against Internet activist Aaron Swartz, who killed himself on Friday.
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Will the REAL Mrs. Obama please step forward…
The Hill: Take two for Michelle
By Emily Goodin
Michelle Obama is expected to spend her second term in the White House as a champion of the same issues she advocated for in her first, but with an added twist — the first lady could become the most prominent female figure in her husband’s administration.
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And they huffed, and they puffed…
Reuters: Republicans push alternative to default in debt-ceiling battle
By Kim Dixon and Rachelle Younglai
Republican lawmakers are preparing to introduce legislation to direct the U.S. Treasury to make interest payments on U.S. bonds first and then prioritize other government outlays in case Congress does not raise the debt ceiling.
There ought to be one day – just one – when there is open season on senators. — Will Rogers
