Word on the Hill: Sasse Goes Junk Food-Free

‘Wait a minute, I’m under oath’

Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse accepted a challenge from his child. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)
Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse accepted a challenge from his child. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)
Posted January 11, 2017 at 5:00am

You may see Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., binging on chips and candy on Feb. 1.

He tweeted that one of his three kids challenged him to not eat junk food for the rest of January. And, he agreed.

So now, like most of us would be, Sasse said he’s angry.

More Sessions

Sen. Jeff Session’s, R-Ala., attorney general confirmation hearing continues today. First piece of advice is to arrive to work on the early side — the Senate press parking lot was full by 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. Another piece of advice: Email HOH@cqrollcall.com with any acts of protests or support you see around the Capitol.

On Tuesday, a mobile billboard made its way around Capitol Hill during the hearing, declaring, “Survivors of sexual assault can’t trust Jeff Sessions.” The online community group, UltraViolet, was behind the message.

Plan your D.C. weekend travels ahead of time

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day next Monday, the Metro will open at 5 a.m. and close at midnight. Trains will operate on a Saturday schedule, which is every 12 minutes, with no track work scheduled, WMATA announced on Tuesday. So, that’s great news for sightseeing, especially because it’s supposed to be a balmy 47 degrees.

Gutiérrez to miss Inauguration

Rep. Luis V. Gutiérrez, D-Ill., will not be attending President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration next week, but will be participating in the Women’s March on Washington the next day, he announced on the House floor Tuesday.

“I could not look at my wife, my daughters or my grandson in the eye if I sat there and attended as if everything that the candidate said about the women, about the Latinos, or the blacks, the Muslims, or any of the other things he said in those speeches and tweets — and that all of that is OK or erased from our collective memory,” he said.

Overheard

“I think they’re on the fence about Gitmo, but I’m not sure.”

— Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., after protesters interrupted the Sessions hearing following a question about the Guantanamo Bay detention facility.

“A good politician with a good crisis coach would tell you, ‘When you’re in a crisis, go create a bigger diversion.’”

— Rep. Cedric L. Richmond, D-La., on Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., taking down a controversial painting in the Capitol while facing an ethics investigation.

“Wait a minute, I’m under oath.”

— Sessions, correcting a joke during his confirmation hearing that he and his wife never have disagreements.

“We might just have to kick somebody’s a– to stop them.”

— Richmond, after the controversial police painting in the Capitol was taken down again on Tuesday.

Happy birthday to…

Rep. Michael R. Turner, R-Ohio, 57.

What’s going on?

Have any tips, announcements or Hill happenings? Send them to AlexGangitano@cqrollcall.com.

Eric Garcia contributed to this report.