Congress

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Indicted La. Rep Jefferson Loses to GOP Newbie

Victor becomes first Vietnamese-American in Congress

(Newser) - An election delay caused by Hurricane Gustav likely helped tip the vote away from scandal-plagued Louisiana Rep. William Jefferson, whose nine-term Congressional career came to an unexpected end yesterday, the Times-Picayune reports. Republican newbie Anh "Joseph" Cao unseated the 2nd district’s incumbent African-American Democrat in an election marked...

Democrats, White House Haggle Over 'Car Czar'

(Newser) - As White House and congressional negotiators work out the details of aid to the Big 3 automakers, they've hit a stumbling block over the need for a so-called "car czar," the Washington Post reports. The White House wants to appoint a powerful trustee from within the Commerce Department...

Dem Leaders Say OK to Auto Bailout Plan

Shocking jobs figures prompt lawmakers to support rescue

(Newser) - Democratic lawmakers will bail out the Big Three with billions of dollars in loans after all, the New York Times reports. Their change of heart, which comes after 2 days of auto exec hearings, was inspired by today's news that half a million Americans lost their jobs last month. Congress...

Minn. Recount Wraps Up; Review Begins

Coleman holds 192-vote lead; 5K ballots challenged

(Newser) - The Minnesota Senate recount is complete, but the state won't have a winner anytime soon. Not only are 133 ballots missing in Minneapolis, but the state canvassing board has yet to convene to review thousands of challenged ballots. The meeting is set for Dec. 16. Norm Coleman holds a provisional...

Auto Bailout Must Be Paid Back: Bush

Bush supports some aid, but it must be done his way, he warns Dems

(Newser) - Using the word "recession" for the first time to describe the US economy, President Bush today demanded that Congress adopt his approach to an auto bailout and require car companies to pay back any federal aid. But he displayed skepticism about the wisdom of new aid, saying he is...

Automaker Bankruptcy Would Be 'a Disaster': Frank

Debate rages on auto bailout

(Newser) - The CEOs of the Big Three are back on Capital Hill this morning testifying before the House Financial Services Committee, and Barney Frank at least seems sympathetic. The chairman said bankruptcy “would be a disaster,” given the current credit markets and today’s dire job report, adding that...

Lame-Duck Senators Could Swing Auto Vote

Ten ousted or retiring Republicans have potentially historic role

(Newser) - If the Senate votes next week on a $34 billion auto-industry bailout, 10 of the votes will come from lame-duck Republican senators—a potentially decisive margin. Having been ousted in November or planning to retire, they’ll have their say on a potentially historic bill without having to worry about...

Barney Frank: At the Center of the Storm

Mass. congressman "vilified," but sticks to his guns

(Newser) - At the center of Washington’s financial crisis, Barney Frank has been called a “left-wing zealot”—but the congressman, while he’s admitted mistakes, has long been canny and courageous in his positions, writes Maureen Tkacik in Boston magazine. Amid much talk of the “moral hazards” in...

Dodd Endorses Big 3 Bailout as CEOs Hit Hill Again

Senate Democrat enlisted to work on compromise package

(Newser) - Sen. Chris Dodd welcomed the Big Three CEOs back to the Senate Banking Committee today by declaring his support for an auto bailout, the AP reports. Chariman Dodd said inaction would be akin to playing “Russian Roulette with the economy.” He praised the automakers for making a better...

UAW Bends to Boost Bailout

Concessions meant to help Big Three win financial help from feds

(Newser) - The United Auto Workers agreed today to concessions that may help Detroit get $34 billion in federal assistance, the Detroit News reports. The union’s job bank—which pays eliminated employees 95% of their base salaries—will be suspended, and the UAW will delay billions in payments to its health...

Paulson May Hit Congress for 2nd $350B Next Week

Treasury Secretary will face a tough audience as skepticism mounts

(Newser) - Further erosion of the economy may send Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson back to Congress for the second half of the $700 billion federal bailout next week, reports the Wall Street Journal. But skepticism over how the initial $350 billion is being administered, conflicting views on how to best use the...

Saving Detroit: It's Now or Never
 Saving Detroit: 
 It's Now or Never 
OPINION
Dec 3, 2008 7:00 AM CST

Saving Detroit: It's Now or Never

Auto industry in danger of going under while lawmakers haggle over lifeline

(Newser) - If Congress is going to save America's auto industry it needs to quit the grandstanding and finger-pointing and take action right now, Tom Walsh writes in the Detroit Free Press. The Big Three have submitted their survival plans as requested, Walsh writes, and the figures show they aren't bluffing—they...

Automakers Raise Request to $34B

(Newser) - Automakers may be returning to Capitol Hill humbled into driving instead of flying, but that won't stop them from holding out their hands for even more money. Collectively, they told Congress today to be willing to shell out a total of $34 billion in loans and lines of credit—up...

GM Seeks $18B in Aid, Needs $4B Immediately

(Newser) - General Motors says it needs an immediate $4 billion loan from the government to get through the month, the Detroit Free Press reports. “Absent support, we can’t continue to operate,” the carmaker’s COO told Congress. GM is requesting a total of $18 billion in federal aid—...

$621M Hill Visitor Center Opens

Building will accommodate tourists visiting Capitol

(Newser) - Congressional leaders spoke today at the opening of the Capitol Visitor Center, the Hill reports. The center, which was heavily delayed throughout its 6 years construction and cost a well-over-budget $621 million, will be the first stop for visitors to the Capitol, who previously had to wait in long lines...

Fla. Sen. Martinez Won't Run in '10

Florida senator opens seat for fierce race

(Newser) - Florida's Sen. Mel Martinez won't be running for re-election in 2010, leaving open a senate seat that's sure to attract big money and fierce partisan competition. The first-term Republican was a sure Democrat target anyway, given that his constituency is split on whether he deserved another shot in Congress. Martinez...

Meet the NY Dems Who Want Clinton's Seat

Cuomo brings fundraising advantage, but should Paterson pick a woman?

(Newser) - Hillary Clinton’s secretary of state nomination has left New York Democrats jockeying for her New York senate seat—and gives Gov. David Paterson a little personal political leverage. Though he hasn’t indicated whom he will appoint, the Washington Post lists some key factors and candidates:
  • There is pressure
...

Parties Bring Out Big Guns for Georgia Run-Off Vote

Rap stars and the GOP's 'rock star' stump on eve of crucial Senate runoff election

(Newser) - Georgia decides its Senate race today and both sides are going all-out to secure a victory that could help determine the direction of the next Congress, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. The GOP has sent in Sarah Palin to stump for incumbent Sen. Saxby Chambliss, while Democratic challenger Jim Martin held...

To Succeed, Obama and Congress Must Stay Tight

Dems eager to make mark after GOP domination, but priorities could shred unity

(Newser) - Democrats in Congress and Barack Obama want to move quickly once he assumes office, but they must pull in the same direction to achieve anything, Naftali Bendavid writes in the Wall Street Journal. “Pent-up energy among House Democrats” could test Obama’s centrist leanings, one observer notes, and history...

In Franken's Run, Cautionary Tale for Matthews

MSNBC host's celebrity isn't all that, and Franken didn't exactly win, either

(Newser) - Chris Matthews seems determined to run for a Senate seat in Pennsylvania in 2010, but beating Republican Arlen Specter isn’t his only problem, Steve Kornacki writes in the New York Observer. The MSNBC host is a cipher to 60% of the electorate, and there are other qualified, ambitious Democrats...

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