The Senate unanimously cleared two judicial nominees and lined up floor votes on two more in a continued effort to clear the backlog of names still pending on the executive calendar. Senate Democrats made little headway Friday on how or whether to change Senate rules to make it easier to move legislation through the chamber next year, and it was becoming clear that major changes to filibuster rules do not have the support to prevail. LOBBYING Labor leaders who have been among President Barack Obama’s most reliable — but recently alienated — supporters went to the White House on Friday to air their grievances and discuss future fiscal policy. POLITICS Every candidate for chairman of the Republican National Committee in an increasingly crowded field is arguing he or she can raise large amounts of money. But it’s Maria Cino who has given her own money to a number of Congressional candidates over the past two election cycles, more than any of her rivals for the RNC spot. Almost a year after Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office said that a formal House diversity initiative was in the works, the House Administration Committee announced that the key component of the plan will be unveiled Monday. LOBBYING House Majority Whip-designate Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) on Friday announced that Hill veteran Tim Berry, now a top lobbyist at Time Warner Inc., will join his office as chief of staff. | Photo of the Day | December 15, 2010
Speaker-designate John Boehner leaves a closed-door meeting of the House Republican Conference on Dec. 15. The House is expected to vote Dec. 16 on a tax cut extension passed by the Senate the previous day.Launch Slideshow Featuring more than 80 pages of analysis, this essential issue provides election results and detailed profiles of the new Members — giving you the insight you need on the new Congress before any other source. By Roll Call Staff
Roll Call takes a look at the highlights and lowlights of the past two years on Capitol Hill, as a Congress bookended by historic change featured passionate debates and notable departures. POLITICS Sen. Joe Lieberman said Friday afternoon that his central role in the push to repeal the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy banning openly gay service members would not preclude him from running as a Republican in 2012. POLITICS Christine Pelosi was named interim executive director of the Young Democrats of America on Friday. |