KPCC: Stories by Kitty Felde

Behind the scenes at House ethics committees

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0800

Last month, the committee that serves as the "ethics cop" for the House of Representatives launched new investigations.

It's checking into several members of Congress - including Long Beach's Laura Richardson and L.A.'s Maxine Waters. The Richardson case involves a house that was in foreclosure. The Waters case involves federal bailout money and an L.A. bank.

KPCC's Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde closes her series on ethics in Congress with a look at the secretive committee that will decide whether Richardson and Waters broke any rules.

Consequences for ethical lapses on Capitol Hill

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0800

Last month, a congressional committee voted to open ethics investigations into nearly a dozen members of the House of Representatives. Among those under scrutiny for possible ethics violations are L.A.'s Maxine Waters and Long Beach's Laura Richardson.

"Unethical" is not the same as "illegal" - and the penalty isn't anything close to jail. But if you're guilty, the sentence is something no one in Congress wants to face.

KPCC's Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde has the third part in her series on congressional ethics.

House and Senate fight over transportation funding

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:03:38 -0800

The U.S. House and Senate are fighting over a transportation bill that hasn’t even been introduced yet. Today, California Senator Barbara Boxer upped the ante by asking federal transportation officials to intervene on her behalf.

Republicans don't want Guantanamo prisoners on US soil

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:32:01 -0800

The top Republican on the U.S. House Armed Services Committee wants President Obama to keep Guantanamo detainees out of the United States.

Congresswoman Maxine Waters faces ethics probe

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0800

Last month, the committee that serves as the “ethics cop” for the House of Representatives launched new investigations.

It’s looking into several members of Congress, including Long Beach’s Laura Richardson and L.A.’s Maxine Waters. The Richardson case involves a house that was in foreclosure. The Waters case involves the Treasury Department, federal bailout money, and a bank in L.A.

In the second part of her series on congressional ethics, KPCC’s Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde examines the Maxine Waters case.

House health care bill includes federal money for Medi-Cal

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:05:03 -0800

There's money for California in the House health care bill. The measure passed by the House contains cash to help California and other states pay for health care for the poor. The extra dollars offset some of the cost of insuring more people.

Congresswoman Laura Richardson faces ethics probe

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0800

Last month, a House panel that polices congressional ethics added a pair of local names to its investigation list.

It’ll see if L.A. Congresswoman Maxine Waters overstepped her bounds when she called a meeting between Treasury Department officials and black-owned banks. The committee will also examine a foreclosure problem that involved Long Beach Congresswoman Laura Richardson.

This week, KPCC’s Kitty Felde looks at what both women may have done – and what could happen if they’re found guilty of violating congressional ethics. We start with Democrat Laura Richardson.

California's strategy for federal high speed rail money

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:07:27 -0800

When California put in its transit bid for federal stimulus money, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger put high speed rail at the top of the list. One transit expert says the odds are good that the governor’s bullet train request will hit the target.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano calls on Congress to pass immigration reform

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:27:46 -0800

Congress is already busy with health care and climate change legislation. But the Obama Administration is pushing lawmakers to tackle another difficult issue: immigration. The White House wants Congress to begin the debate early next year.

Campaign contributions influence transportation funding

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:28:44 -0800

A government watchdog group says campaign contributions steer federal transportation dollars toward new roads instead of repairs for crumbling bridges.

John Garamendi sworn in as congressman

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:25:31 -0800

California’s newest member of Congress, former lieutenant governor John Garamendi, took the oath of office the floor of the U.S. House today.

New congressman John Garamendi joins health care debate

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:52:53 -0800

California’s newest congressman is heading to Washington today to join the health care debate.

GOP boycotts climate change debate

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:28:57 -0800

When you’re in the minority in Washington, you often have to get creative to make your point. Tuesday in the House of Representatives, Republicans will take turns reading the entire health care bill out loud. GOP senators are trying a different tactic with the climate change bill. They’re staging a boycott.

3 more California representatives under House ethics investigations

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 07:48:42 -0800

Three more Californians are mentioned in that leaked report from the House ethics committee.

Congresswomen Maxine Waters and Laura Richardson under investigation by House Ethics Committee

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:25:05 -0800

Two southern California congresswomen are under investigation by the House Ethics Committee.

Governor Schwarzenegger doesn't join GOP criticism of House health care bill

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:33:44 -0800

House Democrats unveiled the health care bill they plan to take to the floor next week. No Republicans are expected to vote for it, but one prominent California Republican does support health care reform.

House Democrats roll out health care bill

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:55:11 -0800

This morning, House Democrats unveiled the health care bill they will take to the floor for a vote.

Something else to worry about in a pandemic - Internet overload

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:49:26 -0800

Doctors advise people who suspect they have the flu to stay home. But a congressional subcommittee wondered whether that advice could lead to an unintended online crisis.

Senator Barbara Boxer answers GOP on climate change

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:04:31 -0800

There were heated words over climate change on Capitol Hill today. Republicans accused the Democrats of rushing the bill and ignoring GOP concerns.

Climate change hearings begin in US Senate

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:19:52 -0800

It's a rainy day outside the U.S. Capitol, but inside a Senate hearing room, the topic is global warming. The latest from inside the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.