Kitty Felde

Turkeys on Capitol Hill

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:52:34 -0800

No, not the Congressmen.

Spotted this turkey handing out caramels outside the Capitol building. His point? That the health care bill is a "real turkey."

Sarah Palin's role in the GOP

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:30:59 -0800

Here's a provocative thought:

Sarah Palin is the Jesse Jackson of the GOP.

That's the conclusion of pollster Peter Brown at a breakfast for political reporters.

Palin emotionally juices up folks on the far right who feel they've been ignored by the party as a whole. That's the same role played by Jesse Jackson for folks on the left.

They may not win, but they bring voters to the polls.

Hell no, we won't show up

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:46:21 -0800

Tomorrow, Barbara Boxer's Senate Environment Committee is supposed to begin debate (or "markup") the climate change bill. The only problem? GOP senators say they aren't coming.

So what to do?

In about half an hour, the Democratic junior Senator from California is speaking to the press.

Stay tuned.

Taking your work home can get you fired

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 07:16:25 -0800

News broke late last night that a pair of southern California Congresswomen are under investigation by the House ethics committee. The Congresswomen are both Democrats - Laura Richardson of Long Beach and Maxine Waters of Los Angeles. The allegations aren't new: Richardson is accused of getting preferential treatment related to a foreclosure; Waters is accused of using her political clout for personal gain in the bank meltdown.

What is news is how we all found out about it.

Ethics investigations are notoriously secret. Committee members take an oath promising not to reveal anything about its investigations. Complaints weren't even taken up by the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct unless they came from another member of Congress. That's why House Speaker Nancy Pelosi set up a second ethics committee, the Office of Congressional Ethics, which does take complaints from citizens, interest groups, etc. Those complaints are now considered by the primary ethics committee.

There is a reason for the secrecy: it's an investigation, not a pronouncement of guilt. News of investigations usually break when those back in the district being questioned about the allegations start talking. Not this time.

The news about Richardson and Waters and seven members on the House Appropriations Committee came to light because a junior staffer on the Standards of Official Conduct was working from home and apparently put the 22 page committee report on a publicly accessible computer network. Somebody spotted it and sent a copy to the Washington Post. Before the Yankees-Phillies game was over Thursday night, staffers for the accused Congresswomen were sending out statements.

Meanwhile, the ethics committee is looking at its practices and procedures.

The staffer was fired.

Football

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:20:07 -0800

After living in a city that hasn't had an NFL team in almost a generation, it's very odd to end up in a town that's football mad. And mad at its football team.

The Redskins are awful. You'd think you were living with Cubs fans the way Washingtonians tear their hair out and publicly lament about the state of their 'Skins. On this first day of the World Series, the sports pages are covered with nothing but football news.

Even Capitol Hill got into the act.

Last night was the annual flag football matchup between the Capitol Police and Congress. Unlike the annual baseball game where California Congresswoman Linda Sanchez usually plays, this is a boys' game. (House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was allowed to preside over the coin toss.) A bipartisan squad of more than a dozen Congressmen - including Republican Duncan Hunter of San Diego - took the game into overtime. And won for the first time. Final score: 32-26.

It wasn't really fair. The Congressional team was full of ringers: former NFL players were allowed to join the squad. But nobody complained. It was all for charity.

And both the Capitol Police and the Congressional members played better than the Redskins this week.

Want Ads Are More Fun Out Here

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:00:00 -0800

It's a lot more fun reading want ads out here. Especially when you have no interest in looking for a job. It's kind of like reading the dating column even though you've been married nearly two decades.

So here's the latest one to catch my eye:

"US Treasury International Economic Crimes Advisors." The job title itself conjures a TNT drama starring Chris Noth or Mark Harmon. And it gets better:

"Treasury is seeking candidates who possess expertise in the detection, investigation and prosecution of federal white collar, organized crime and corruption cases." They're particularly looking for folks with an expertise in money laundering, terrorist financing, fraud, and forensic accounting.

Before you sign up, you should know the posting isn't in Italy or even Moscow. It's for the Economic Crimes Program in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan.

Perhaps it's more of a George Clooney movie.

If you're still interested, check out the website: www.treasuryota.us.

Nina and the Fox

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:14:08 -0800

Washington is a very small town.

And fall is an absolutely gorgeous time of year here!

It's sweater weather - clear and cloudless and just enough of a nip in the air to remind you that you aren't in California anymore. And everywhere you look, trees are showing off. Red leaves, orange leaves, brilliant yellow leaves. Vines all sport berries in blue, red, and purple. Sunday was the kind of day that demanded you get out and explore. So we did.

Remember studying the canals in American History class? I never could figure out why they were important - a technology that lasted a few years before being overshadowed by the railroads. Why the heck were kids in California learning about an outdated technology that kids in California would never even see? (Imagine if you will, canal boats floating down the LA River...)

George Washington tried building a canal here. And went broke. So did the builders of the C&O Canal that runs from Georgetown to Maryland. I think they made a profit just three years. The good news is that a Supreme Court Justice lobbied to save the old canals which left Washingtonians with a wonderful place to hike and bike. More than a hundred miles of tow path run alongside the canals, past those trees showing off in the autumn sunlight.

So in the middle of nowhere, walking on that towpath, who do you run into? NPR's Supreme Court guru Nina Totenberg. Out for a walk herself. A very small town indeed.

But the highlight of the afternoon came at twilight.

In Los Angeles, if you take a hike in Griffith Park or Temescal Canyon at dusk, you're likely to encounter a coyote. And that's what he looked like - a small, skinny dog-like creature. But with a red tail tipped in white. And a face that could be nothing else but a fox. He looked up and jogged away, over a bridge, and into the gloaming. Enjoying the perfect end to a perfect autumn day.

Harbor City Fire

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 17:26:57 -0800

There's a brush fire burning not 200 feet away from oil storage tanks in Harbor City off Vermont. Fire helicopters are chasing away water fowl to suck up water from the lake in Harbor Park. Families are gathered along the lake edge to watch.

The Supremes

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:43:15 -0800

Sitting in on oral arguments before the US Supreme Court is some of the best theatre in Washington. The only problem: most of the press is stuck off to one side, peering around heavy red velvet curtains (trimmed in even heavier gold tassels) and marble columns and even bronze gates to see the action. A secret service type sits next to you and makes faces if you try to rise to see which Justice is speaking.

The arguments include a lot of legal discussion which can put even the hardiest of law school professors to sleep.

But then there's the exchanges that showcase the personalities of the justices! High drama indeed!

Like Chief Justice Roberts brushing aside the hypotheticals to ask everyone to take a look at the case itself and judge it on its merits. And later dissing Southern California's Mojave National Reserve by asking why anyone would put a cross "in the middle of nowhere?!?!".

Justice Alito drew guffaws when he suggested a cross also honored Jewish war veterans.

The newest Justice, Sonia Sotomayor, asked questions in the same calm monotone that she answered them in her confirmation hearings.

There was even spectacle outside the Court where Betsy Ross faced off with old men in VFW uniforms. And then the wind picked up and covered the white marble steps and everything else with autumn leaves.

Deep Thoughts

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 07:12:02 -0800

The schedule of hearings on Capitol Hill looked like the usual stuff: missile defense, the Afghan elections, an update on the stimulus package...and then there's this item:

The Science and Technology Subcommittee will consider "the nature of matter, energy, space, and time."

Hmm.

Who says Congress doesn't tackle the big issues of our day?

Where's the Bill?

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:02:19 -0800

After an hour of standing on the lawn outside the Capitol, listening to a parade of Senators pat each other on the back over coming to an agreement on a climate change bill, there was only one thing missing: a copy of the actual bill.

Nearly two hours later, we're still waiting...

Energy Snafus

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:45:15 -0800

Ironic that the press conference where California Senator Barbara Boxer introduced the Senate climate change bill experienced its own energy crisis.

The event was held on the east lawn of the Capitol. Which some bright soul decided was necessary to thoroughly water just minutes before the press conference. Which turned the lawn into a swamp. Which meant the tech guys couldn't lay electrical power lines. Which meant they ran the power system on batteries. Which created a buzz on the line.

So when you hear the story later today, listen carefully. You'll hear the enegy gremlins laughing in the background. Buzz, buzz, buzz.

Just a preview of the other challenges ahead as Democrats try to get their energy bill passed by the Senate.

Flu Grandstanding

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:25:51 -0800

Swine flu - or H1N1 - was the topic at a House hearing, but the overall health care debate temporarily took over the room.

LA Democrat Diane Watson asked those who want the government out of health care, "if the flu epidemic got worse, what would happen if the government wasn't there?"

Republican Congressman Darrel Issa of Temecula was concerned about malpractice lawsuits - something the GOP wants in a health care package. He pointed out that the VA is currently protected from such suits (though a fellow House member has introduced a bill to change that) but private providers are quite vulnerable - particularly with the H1N1 vaccine. "There will always be 2 schools," he said, "those who will rightfully sue us or threaten us if we don't respond and we don't prepare and we don't have a vaccine. And those who will respond in protest and sue if we do."

Dodgers Squash the Nats

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 07:26:35 -0800

Attending Tuesday's unveiling of Tommy Lasorda's portrait at the Smithsonian was current manager Joe Torre. I asked whether he was going to be kind to the Nats. The lowly Washington Nationals are the worst team in baseball; the Dodgers are the best team in the National League.

"Oh, I hope not," he said. "We have work to do."

Final score last night: Dodgers 14, Nats 2.

It was the 99th loss of the season for the team across the freeway from the Capitol. They played like a little league team: errors, a veteran pitcher lit up like a Christmas tree, even one of the Nats mascots was on the disabled list.

During the 5th inning at Nats games, giant headed Presidents run a relay race around the outfield. Abe Lincoln usually wins. Last night, George Washington came in first. But missing in action was Theodore Roosevelt. Pulled hamstring, apparently. But then again, he never seems to win. Some wags say the Nats' prospects will turn around when they let "Teddy" win the relay race.

Or when they can build a team they won't trade away halfway through the season.

Or perhaps when they hire Bobby Valentine as their manager.

Just wait until next year!

That's All for Tonight

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:23:19 -0800

Democrats appear to have rustled up a few more members. The final vote on officially disapproving of Congressman Joe Wilson's catcall of President Obama? 240 yeas (including 7 Republicans) and 179 nays (including 12 Democrats) Five members stayed out of it. They voted "present."

The vote doesn't mean much. Joe Wilson keeps his job, doesn't pay a fine, doesn't even have to issue an official apology on the House floor. Democrats got it out of their system. Republicans got to point out what a waste of everyone's afternoon this was.

And who's the ultimate victor in this kerfuffle? Fundraisers for both Joe Wilson and his Democratic opponent in that South Carolina Congressional race. Both candidates have raised more than a million dollars since the "liar" line was spoken.

More Joe Wilson

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:13:13 -0800

The nearly vacant floor filled up pretty quickly as they announced a vote on whether they disapproved of the behavior of the Representative from South Carolina. (Here's the exact language of House Resolution 744:

111TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION H. RES. ll
Raising a question of the privileges of the House.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
RESOLUTION
Raising a question of the privileges of the House.
Whereas on September 9, 2009, during the joint session of
Congress convened pursuant to House Concurrent Resolution
179, the President of the United States, speaking
at the invitation of the House and Senate, had his remarks
interrupted by the Representative from South
Carolina, Mr. Wilson; and
Whereas the conduct of the Representative from South Carolina
was a breach of decorum and degraded the proceedings
of the joint session, to the discredit of the
House: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives
disapproves of the behavior of the Representative from South
Carolina, Mr. Wilson, during the joint session of Congress
2 held on September 9, 2009.)

Down on the floor, it's pretty relaxed - Republicans surrounding the Congressman from South Carolina, Democrats chatting each other up on their side of the room.

The vote looks close... 71 yea to 66 nay at this point with three minutes remaining...

Joe Wilson

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:31:17 -0800

It's late afternoon here on the Hill and just a handful of Congressional members showed up to see whether Joe Wilson will apologize. LA Democrat Diane Watson is there. So is Sacramento Republican Dan Lungren.

Republicans say we've got more important things to do. Democrats wax poetic about the decorum of the House.

The Gallery was just politely told to shut up.

Stay tuned.

swayze

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:44:31 -0800

The US Capitol Police offered their own tribute to actor Patrick Swayze. As folks passed through the metal detector, one of the chattier officers quizzed visitors about their favorite Swayze role. "Admit it," he said to a beefy House staffer, " you cried in 'Ghost.'"

Busy Day

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 05:58:45 -0800

It's going to be a lively day on Capitol Hill. Bright and early, the Speaker and the Chairs of the three House committees tackling health care are meeting for a special forum on the topic.

Outside all the House office buildings, anti-abortion protestors are on every block, some wearing grim reaper costumes, others using bullhorns, all holding up posters of fetuses.

Later today, South Carolina Republican Joe Wilson is scheduled to be called out on the House floor for his "liar" remark.

Throw in a discussion on swine flu preparation, a religious vigil for immigration reform, and introduction of a bill to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act.

Fall on Capitol Hill.

Sitting in the Gallery

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:49:14 -0800

It's a completely different ballgame, sitting in the House Gallery watching the President make a speech to Congress. It's louder, for one thing. You sit about 30 feet above the action, where the "whispering" among members is really distracting. You can't hear what they're saying, but it's distracting enough that you forget what the President is saying.

And it's odd to sit 20 feet away from Michelle Obama where you could see that unfortunate pink suit up close. Giant bejeweled bow on the jacket over a tulip skirt. Of course, California's lady lawmakers had their own twist on the traditional red, white and blue: fuschia, winter white, or turquoise blue blazers were popular choices.

Members sit together in little cliques. Usually, the Congressional Black Caucus members are lumped together over on the Democratic side. They were spread out all over the place last night. Laura Richardson positioned herself by the back door where she could press the flesh with every Senator, cabinet member, or leader of the free world who walked past. Senators had to find empty spaces here and there. Barbara Boxer was in the back -- where she sits in the Senate chamber, actually, because of her level of seniority. Mary Bono Mack sat next to her husband over on the Republican side. He's a Congressman from Florida.

It was a bit raucus. Last night resembled the old fashioned Fridays in the Canadian Parliament. That's the day the Prime Minister shows up and takes questions from grumbly members. President Obama didn't take questions, but there was plenty of grumbling.

It's the job of the President's party to applaud. A lot. Often at odd times. It's the job of the "other" party to sit on their hands during most of the speech and frown a lot.

Last night, Republican applause petered out about the time President Obama suggested health insurance should be required like auto insurance. When he got to the line about talks how hosts with what he called "bogus claims," there was a lot of soto voce "read the bill!" going on. And then South Carolina Congressman Joe Wilson uttered his now famous "you lie!" when President Obama said illegal immigrants wouldn't be covered. All around the Gallery, heads turned to see who said that. No one could believe it was a member. Next came the waving of "bills" - proposals the GOP wants the President to consider. And more grumbling. Republicans reacted most positively to the only real bone the President threw to them: a willingness to consider tort reform.

There was a real silence in the House when Ted Kennedy was mentioned. One of my radio colleagues called it "playing the 'K' card." For six long minutes, there was no applause, no grumbling, no checking of blackberries. Senator Kennedy died while Congress was recessed, so members never really had an opportunity to say goodbye to their colleague. Six minutes is a long time to be silent in Congress. Perhaps it's the best tribute fellow members could give.