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Heard on the Hill: Members Remember ‘the Boss’

There was no shortage of Congressional tributes Tuesday to New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner after his death from a heart attack.

Sen. Charles Schumer quickly drew up a resolution honoring Steinbrenner, and in a statement released almost immediately after news of the death was announced, he called the man known as “the Boss” a “true New York icon.”

“When he bought the Yankees in 1973 the franchise was moribund and he quickly restored them to greatness,” the New York Democrat said.

Fellow New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D) also paid tribute, saying in a statement that “George’s single-minded drive in the pursuit of excellence and his devotion to family inspired people far beyond the baseball diamond.”

In the House, Rep. José Serrano said Steinbrenner now “joins the other Yankee legends in heaven. In recent years, Steinbrenner also made the right decision to keep the Yankees in the Bronx.”

“Many communities around the region would have given anything to lure the Yankees away, but Steinbrenner realized that the Bronx Bombers were more than just a team — they were the embodiment of a New York spirit,” the New York Democrat said.

Weiner: No Dog Days This Summer

Rep. Anthony Weiner is on a roll. The Wall Street Journal noted in a Tuesday story that the New York Democrat is relishing an impressive string of accomplishments.

Among the fodder for his incredible “What I Did on My Summer Vacation” essay are Weiner’s recent nuptials to Huma Abedin, the couture-wearing aide to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. (Oh, and some guy named former President Bill Clinton officiated at the ceremony. Ever heard of him?)

Then there’s his fundraising prowess — Weiner’s leading the pack among potential New York mayoral candidates, the paper notes.

And Weiner’s not just a smooth operator with both attractive women and deep-pocketed donors, he’s also a star athlete: The WSJ made mention of the highlight-reel moment in the Roll Call Congressional Baseball Game last month that landed Weiner on ESPN.

“Weiner made a dramatic over-the-shoulder catch to help the Democratic team beat the Republicans 13-5,” the story recalls. “After throwing the ball in, Weiner pointed his index finger like a gun and feigned blowing smoke off the tip of his finger.”

Sounds a little like hot-dogging to us.

And Baby Makes Seven …

Rep. Frank Kratovil and his wife, Kim, aren’t new at the whole parenting thing … but their latest arrival is a little different.

The couple welcomed their fifth child (but first daughter!) Sunday night, when Mom gave birth to Ayden Lee Kratovil, who weighed 6 pounds, 7 ounces and measured 19.75 inches.

Ayden joins big brothers Frankie, Jackson, Cole and Nate, and the four boys are taking great care of their new little sister, HOH hears.

Knowledge Is Power, and Beer Is Delicious

Most Capitol Hill denizens will come up with any excuse to visit their beloved neighborhood bar, but here’s one we don’t hear very often: You might learn something.

The United States Capitol Historical Society is sponsoring a pub tour of House-side taverns next month, offering participants the chance to learn about the history of their favorite watering holes while enjoying an alcoholic beverage or two.

Guests will stop by pubs such as the Hawk ‘n’ Dove, Capitol Lounge and Tortilla Coast, while society guide Steve Livengood shares stories about the neighborhood, including a mysterious murder, the riots of 1968, a pig farm and the namesake of Jenkins Hill (which is what Capitol Hill was once called).

And don’t worry — there won’t be a bar exam. (Ba-dum-bum!)

The tour is set for Aug. 4; tickets cost $20 for society members and $25 for nonmembers. Beverages aren’t included, but drink specials, snacks and prizes will be available at the participating bars.

And sorry, interns — the tour is only for people 21 and older.

Overheard on the Hill

“We have a message for our elected officials: When you waste taxpayer money, you’d better waste it on something that seriously kicks ass.”

— A faux activist, quoted in an Onion story in which the public overwhelmingly supports spending tax dollars on “awesome” projects like “the manufacture and grilling of the world’s largest Polish sausage,” an “elaborate pyrotechnic display” and a “huge f***ing laser cannon that we can take turns shooting.”

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