Simulation Roles

For simulation purposes, we have added some senators who do not sit on the actual committee. Note also that there are two Lamar Alexanders: both will vote in committee and on the floor. We refer to such roles as "doppelgangers."

Environment and Public Works

Issue: climate change.

James M. Inhofe (OK) -- ranking minority member

George V. Voinovich (OH)

David Vitter (LA)

John Barrasso (WY)

Mike Crapo (ID)

Christopher S. Bond (MO)

Lamar Alexander (TN)

Mitch McConnell (KY)* -- minority leader

Olympia Snowe (ME)*

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

Issue: No Child Left Behind.

Michael B. Enzi (WY) -- ranking minority member
Judd Gregg (NH)
Lamar Alexander (TN)
Richard Burr (NC)
Johnny Isakson (GA)
John McCain (AZ)
Orrin G. Hatch (UT)
Lisa Murkowski (AK)
Tom Coburn, M.D. (OK)
Pat Roberts (KS)

Lobbying the Black Caucus, Legally

The NY Times has published a long, analytical piece explaining how the Black Caucus has "taken advantage of political finance laws" to amass large sums of money from corporations and labor unions. By donating not to the caucus' PAC but to its network of associated non-profits and charities, interest groups have garnered much political clout masked in philanthropy.

Interestingly, the caucus has spent more money on fancy galas, during which "lobbyists and executives who give to caucus charities get to mingle with lawmakers," than on scholarships for African-American children and young adults.

The article goes into extensive detail about specific interactions between caucus members and corporations. It is worth reading; it supplements our readings about campaign finance and primes our discussion on Congress and interest groups.

Congressional Committees

Committee List

House Committee Jurisdictions

Senate Committee Jurisdictions

Investigative Hearing on Walter Reed




Ledbetter Hearing



Markup

Reactions to Evan Bayh's Retirement

Politco's Arena section has a great range of responses to Sen. Evan Bayh's retirement. The bottom line? Everyone's surprised and all agree this means Dems are one step closer to losing their majority in the 2010 election.

My favorite reaction:

Martin Frost Attorney, former Democratic congressman :

re Evan Bayh:

The sky is officially falling.

How Harry Reid - and Democrats - Might Avoid Losing

Politico reports that Harry Reid may have a third party challenger: a group calling themselves the Tea Partiers have qualified for the November ballot in Nevada and are close to nominating a candidate for US Senate.

Right now Reid is trailing any of three GOP challengers by about 10 points, garnering slightly more than 40% of the vote. Until this morning, I would have bet large sums of money that he would lose his seat.

But if the Tea Party challenger and the GOP challenger split the conservative vote, Harry Reid can win. If Tea Partiers put up third party candidates in a handful of close races, Democrats could stave off disaster.

EDIT: just saw that Evan Bayh is retiring. Interesting considering that he was crushing opponents in polls, but he's pretty fed up with Congress. So that's another Democratic seat that, like North Dakota, is probably flipping with the incumbent out.

The sad decline of the Kennedy Family

HEYO. Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), son of the late Teddy, has announced that he will not seek reelection and will retire at the end of the year.

According to Politico, a number of factors added up to this decision, including his drunk driving problems, his father's death, Scott Brown's election, and a strong Republican contender. Possibly taking his seat for the Dems? Providence mayor Buddy Cianci, who just got out of a five-year stint in federal prison for a corruption conviction. Oddly enough, a Mafia figure is probably more fitting for Rhode Island than a Kennedy.

Hill Style and Leadership

Senator Jon Tester posts his daily schedule.

Current House leadership

Current Senate leadership

Party leaders are not always in sync with their presidents: