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Welcome Back Congress

January 22, 2008

Changes of ’07 Did Not Include a Bipartisan Revival

Despite promises to bring about a new bipartisan atmosphere in Washington, majority Democrats have had little success in improving the comity of Congress since assuming power a year ago.

In 2008, Learning How to Live With New Rules

Ethics reforms topped the Congressional agenda in 2007, including earmark reforms, new lobby disclosure requirements and a proposal to overhaul the Congressional ethics process.

Scandals of Recent Years Are Still Hanging Over Capitol Hill

Jack Abramoff may be in jail, but the ethics woes of Republicans are hardly locked away with him.

Parties Ready Competing Messages of Change

A change would do you good, as songstress Sheryl Crow put it.
Both Democratic and Republican strategists concur that the 2008 elections are shaping up to be a battle over which party can “out-change” the other in their pitch to a frustrated electorate.

Tactical Skirmishes Intensified in 110th Congress

Since returning to power in the 110th Congress, Democrats have grappled not only with hyper-partisan gridlock on Capitol Hill — and a Republican minority adept at winning tactical advantages. They also have struggled to find consensus among themselves in the slog to move legislation to the president’s desk.

The Roll Call Fabulous Fifty

The movers and shakers behind the scenes on Capitol Hill

House Leaders, Chairs on Same Page for 2008

One year after Democrats regained control of the House and the coveted committee gavels that accompany majority status, Members and aides describe a more collaborative process between panel chairmen and the leadership, with a greater emphasis on unity than in their previous tenure running the chamber.

A Democratic Congress Spells Change on K Street

The lobbying landscape has been jolted by a pair of tectonic shifts over the past year: the 2006 election temblor that knocked Republicans from power in Congress and the Democratic-driven lobbying reform that followed.

Restored Subcommittee Takes On Capitol Hill

Of all the changes that transformed daily life on Capitol Hill in 2007, perhaps no Member played a bigger role than a second-term Congresswoman from Florida.

The People Who Connect People on Capitol Hill

Move over, GOP old guard. There’s a posse of new socializing sheriffs in town.