Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) will meet with House Republicans at the weekly Conference meeting on Wednesday, a GOP source said.

[IMGCAP(1)]“Sen. McCain’s staff reached out and the plan is for him to address Members on Wednesday,” said a Republican aide, who asked not to be identified.

Republicans will gather at the Capitol Hill Club to hear from the GOP presidential frontrunner, but specific details, including the format of the exchange, have yet to be decided.

It is unclear whether House Republicans expect a similar visit from former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who remains in the hunt for the Republican nomination.

But the GOP aide said: “There is a standing invitation to candidates” to address the Conference.

Debate Team. Dissatisfied with deliberations on the House floor, Democratic Caucus and Republican Conference leaders announced Friday a series of off-campus debates.

The events, organized by the Democratic Leadership Council and the Congressional Institute, will address current events, including the lagging economy and potential stimulus plans.

“These debates will enable Republicans and Democrats to discuss our differences without being disagreeable, and our policy differences without being partisan. I look forward to the battle of ideas, not insults,” Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel (Ill.) said.

Republican Conference Chairman Adam Putnam (Fla.) stated: “These debates present a unique opportunity for the American people to see an extension of the healthy exchange of ideas that occurs every day on the floor of the House of Representatives.”

The first debate is scheduled for Feb. 25 on the George Washington University campus and will be moderated by National Journal columnist Ron Brownstein.

In addition to Emanuel and Putnam, Reps. Rob Andrews (D-N.J.), Eric Cantor (R-Va.), Artur Davis (D-Ala.), Steve Israel (D-N.Y.), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) and Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) will discuss the economy.

A New Hire. The Capitol Police have brought on a Government Accountability Office veteran to head the department’s administrative efforts.

Gloria Jarmon began work as the department’s chief administrative officer on Feb. 4. Prior to joining the department, Jarmon served for six years as managing director of Congressional relations for the GAO, according to a Capitol Police spokeswoman.

Jarmon also has more than 25 years of experience as a certified public accountant. Her arrival comes about four months after the departure of CAO Tony Stamilio and Maryjean Buhler, who headed of the Office of Financial Management.

The duo stepped down during a time when the department was undertaking a major effort to improve the management of its finances. Richard Braddock, who served as acting CAO since October, did a “tremendous job” and is expected to work on Jarmon’s team, the spokeswoman said.

— Jennifer Yachnin and Elizabeth Brotherton