Topic: Blue Dog Coalition
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Senate freshmen: What the 14 new members bring to Capitol Hill
A freshman Senate class was sworn in Jan. 3, bringing diverse skills and experience – not to mention agendas – to the legislative body. Whether the 14 newest senators help break partisan gridlock, or refuse to work across the aisle, will be the test for the 113th Congress.Twelve were elected on Nov. 6, including three Republicans, eight Democrats, and an independent. In addition, a Republican and a Democrat were appointed to vacant seats after the election. Here is a look at the 14 and what they bring to the Senate:
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Michele Bachmann, Rand Paul, and 8 others shaking up the new Congress
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Midterm elections: 12 House races to watch to judge size of a GOP 'wave'
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Senate freshmen: What the 14 new members bring to Capitol Hill
A freshman Senate class was sworn in Jan. 3, bringing diverse skills and experience – not to mention agendas – to the legislative body. Whether the 14 newest senators help break partisan gridlock, or refuse to work across the aisle, will be the test for the 113th Congress.Twelve were elected on Nov. 6, including three Republicans, eight Democrats, and an independent. In addition, a Republican and a Democrat were appointed to vacant seats after the election. Here is a look at the 14 and what they bring to the Senate:
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Rep. Scott Rigell: Maverick GOP freshman in the eye of a political storm
Obama is hitting Virginia Beach, Va., Thursday for a reason: It's one of the hottest political ad markets in the country. Its congressman, Scott Rigell, is out to change Washington's 'toxic mix of partisanship, no facts, weak ideas.'
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Super Bowl ad makes New York Mayor Bloomberg gun control king
The gun control movement has faltered in recent years. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has vowed to spend his own fortune to buck that trend, most notably with a Super Bowl ad.
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Despite Ron Paul surge, tea party hopes on the ropes in Iowa
As tea party support splinters along more traditional political lines, polls show that hopes for nominating a conservative outsider who embodies constitutional ideals have withered. The question now is whether tea partiers will embrace a more conventional presidential nominee.
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Congress gives first inklings of compromise in budget stalemate
In several subtle ways, congressional leaders gave signs Thursday that they were moving toward a compromise on federal spending to avoid a government shutdown April 8.
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Republicans vs. Republicans: When are federal budget cuts too deep?
House Republican leadership wants to rein in the federal budget by $32 billion from current spending levels. But some of the rank-and-file want $100 billion in cuts – or more.
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Rep. Jane Harman resigns, thinning ranks of Democrats' Blue Dogs
The Blue Dogs, conservative-leaning Democrats, were hit hard in Election 2010. The resignation of Rep. Jane Harman now deprives them of an influential member.
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Michele Bachmann, Rand Paul, and 8 others shaking up the new Congress
With the Republican takeover of the House, the shortlist of lawmakers on the rise in both houses of Congress flips, too. Notable is the number of younger members to watch, especially those swept into prominence by the tea party surge. Because this House freshman class - 96 strong, including 87 Republicans - is the largest since 1992, those who speak for them, or claim to, have a leg up. So do those Democrats nimble enough to engage them. Here are ten to watch.
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Opinion: Why most Americans are both liberal and conservative
Ideologically, we favor small government. But practically, we defend big-government programs.
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Aftermath of Arizona shooting: More guns in more hands?
Despite gun control efforts in Congress in the wake of the Arizona shooting, it's unlikely that America will see more gun control laws. In fact, the opposite may happen, at least in Arizona.
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Will Harry Reid keep the Senate in session through Christmas?
Senate majority leader Harry Reid wants to take up a slew of important issues after the tax deal is passed – from a $1.2 trillion budget bill to a repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell.'
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Opinion: US debt: We can run, but we can't hide (Obama tax deal or not)
Tackling the $13.8 trillion federal debt isn't a partisan issue. It's a matter of America's future prosperity. Extending Bush-era tax cuts may make economic sense now, but President Obama and Congress must come together and make tough decisions to cut spending and raise revenue.
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Why Nancy Pelosi remains leader of House Democrats despite huge loss
Nancy Pelosi wins her bid to remain leader of the House Democrats, as leadership on both sides of the aisle remains largely the same – despite Election 2010's mandate for change.
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Ex-football pro Heath Shuler hopes to sack Nancy Pelosi
Rep. Heath Shuler of North Carolina is sounding out a challenge to Nancy Pelosi as Democratic leader in the House. It's a long-shot effort, but reflects some party members' unease with Pelosi.
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Amid big Republican gains, House gets more polarized
Moderate and conservative Democrats were hit particularly hard on election night, despite the fact that many opposed Obama administration initiatives.
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Midterm elections: 12 House races to watch to judge size of a GOP 'wave'
Midterm elections upon us, most observers expect Republicans to take over the House of Representatives, though projections vary widely as to how many seats they’ll gain, and a massive number of races – more than 100 – are close enough to go either way. The magic number Republicans need to gain to take control: 39. So how can an Election Night observer get a sense of the big picture amid the many returns coming in? Rather than zeroing in on any individual race, look for trends in those expected to be closest. Here are a handful of races to keep an eye on in the states with early-closing polls.
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Arkansas: last bastion of the Southern Democrat poised to fall
Polls suggest that Arkansas' House contingent could flip from three Democrats to three Republicans Tuesday. One of the seats has been Democratic since Reconstruction.
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Extending the Bush tax cuts and the myth of the thrifty rich
New research shows that the wealthy tend to spend when offered tax relief, making some question if ending the Bush tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans will hurt the recovery.
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Nancy Pelosi puts her stamp on the House
Nancy Pelosi is a master tactician and the most powerful speaker in a half century. Behind her personal brand of power politics – and whether she will still be speaker after the midterm elections.
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Deficit hawks are killing the recovery
Instead of standing up to deficit hawks, Democrats in Congress shrank the scope of a much needed jobs bill.
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Arkansas primary a crucible for Blanche Lincoln, centrist politics
The Arkansas primary on Tuesday is a test for the centrist stance of incumbent Sen. Blanche Lincoln, a Democrat. Runoffs may be needed in both the Democratic and Republican contests.
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Sen. Blanche Lincoln fights for her political life
As a 'Blue Dog' Democrat, Sen. Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas has often sided with Republicans. But that's left Democrats grumbling and the GOP thinking she's an easy target in the 2010 elections.
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Can the GOP and 'tea party' activists get along?
They've clashed in some places. But in Arkansas the old guard GOP and the tea party are united, so far, in a bid to oust Sen. Blanche Lincoln.
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House poised to vote on overhaul of financial regulation
The bill gives government new powers to rein in 'too big to fail' companies and to protect consumers. The House is set to vote on the financial-regulation measures Friday.
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Healthcare reform effort grinds slowly in the House
Healthcare reform vote Saturday may be delayed as Democratic leaders work to make sure they have the necessary 218 votes - including more conservative members of their own party.
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