The Gavel

Frank Critical Of Bush On Suits Carrie Johnson, Washington Post – June 14, 2007 The chairman of the House Financial Services Committee yesterday said he was “troubled” by disclosures that President Bush had expressed policy views that prompted administration lawyers not to… Continue

Senate Committee Approves D.C. Voting Rights Bill Mary Beth Sheridan, Washington Post – June 13, 2007 The D.C. voting rights bill has won another victory. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved the legislation this morning by a vote of… Continue

This afternoon the House passed HR 2640, the National Instant Criminal Background System (NICS) Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 by voice vote. It marks the first gun violence prevention legislation passed in the House in over a decade. Specifically, the bill: Enforces… Continue

UPDATE: The bill has passed out of committee, 30-16. The Education and Labor Committee is currently holding a markup of the “College Cost Reduction Act of 2007.” The bill would be the single largest investment in college financial aid since the GI… Continue

Speaker Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid today sent the following letter to President Bush calling on him to reconsider his opposition to Congressional proposals that would limit the U.S. mission in Iraq, begin the phased redeployment of U.S. forces, and… Continue

From the Judiciary Committee: Judiciary Chairmen Conyers, Leahy Issues Subpoenas For White House Officials, Documents …Senate, House Judiciary Panels Compel Former White House Officials To Provide Testimony, Information In Connection With Investigations Of U.S. Attorney Firings And Politicization Within Dept. Of Justice… Continue

The Oversight and Government Reform Committee is currently holding a hearing, “Continuing Allegations of Misconduct at General Services Administration.” The hearing will examine statements made by GSA Administrator Lurita Doan that impugn the reputation of federal officials who cooperated with a Committee… Continue

Last week, Speaker Pelosi stated that any proposal that affects California's landmark efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or eliminate the EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions will not have her support. In April, a Supreme Court decision affirmed the authority… Continue

Highlights of today’s hearing with Lilly Ledbetter as well as the press conference that followed, courtesy of the Education and Labor Committee: Lilly Ledbetter: “The Supreme Court said that this did not count as illegal discrimination, but it sure feels like discrimination… Continue

Exclusive: FBI Data Mining Program Raises Eyebrows in Congress Justin Rood, ABC News – June 5, 2007 Lawmakers are questioning whether a proposed FBI anti-terrorist program is worth the price, both in taxpayer dollars and the possible loss of Americans’ privacy. The… Continue