City Desk » Senate

Our Morning Roundup: New Neighbors Edition

Caroline Jones — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:00:30 +0000

Good Morning, City Desk Readers! It's the first day of July and the forecast doesn't call for 90 degree temperatures so it's already looking like a good one. On the news front, the nation's capital is expecting some new residents that are already getting attention before moving in.

Minnesota has finally come to its senses and decided that Al Franken will be its second senator. It only took the ballot counters and lawyers eight months to figure that out. The former Saturday Night Live writer will take his seat following the July 4th recess. Franken will be the 60th Democrat in the Senate, making it possible for the party to break a Republican filibuster but he wants everyone to know that he's not looking to block legislation on a regular basis.

An FDA advisory panel is trying to make life more painful for patients. Literally. They recommended a ban on Vicodin and Percocet because the high levels of acetaminophen can negatively affect the liver. The panel also wants a decrease in daily dosages of acetaminophen, as well as the dosage per pill and the number of pills per container. The active pain-relieving ingredient in medicines such as NyQuil, Tylenol, and Excedrin, acetaminophen might kill your liver but the pain might make it worth it.

Brightest Young Things spotted the first Real World cast members walking through town today. How? The two girls were followed by five camera people. Way to blend in, MTV, way to blend in.

We Love DC apparently still loves the city, even after reporting on a supposed dognapping outside the P Street Whole Foods on Sunday night. Molly, a 4 year old Vizla, was tied up outside and when her owner came back, she was gone. Normally, this would be the cause for posters and neighborhood email lists, but ever since NBC4 picked it up on their website, Molly has become Logan Circle's cause. I think this is what Arianna Huffington was referring to when she referred to "citizen journalism."

And just when she thought we forgot about her, Sarah Palin has returned to the news with another audacious claim. This time, she thinks she can beat President Obama in a foot race. "I betcha I'd have more endurance," the killa from Wasilla told Runner's World magazine. The White House is not commenting, but perhaps a pit bull would be a better opponent for the former vice-presidential nominee. The president is a little bit busy trying to pull troops out of Baghdad and push gay people into the military.

The House Just Passed “Historic” Climate Legislation

Christine MacDonald — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:59:01 +0000

The House of Representatives just passed cap and trade legislation to combat global warming.

The final tally - webcast live on C-SPAN - was 219 to 212, largely along party lines, though more than three-dozen Democrats defected to vote against the legislation.

The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 comes three years after the world scientific community warned the planet was on the brink of dire climate changes. The bill has been flogged in the press as a “historic” first step by the United States to show leadership in combating global warming.

But it is not without serious critics. House Republicans spent hours today railing against the legislation. They say it'll cost the country jobs and destroy the economy. That's a big contrast with the picture presented by President Barack Obama and the Democratic leadership, who say the legislation will create jobs and spark a whole new "green" economy. At the same time, many environmentalists charge that the bill has been watered down with so many concessions to corporate polluters that it will do little to stave off the worst impacts of climate change.

Anyway, it goes to the Senate next, where it's expected to face even more opposition.

It’s All About The Guns

Jason Cherkis — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 14:30:48 +0000

So yesterday, the Senate passed a bill that would give us a vote in the House. Real Representation. But there's a catch---a gun amendment that would strip the District of its gun laws. The Post writes:

"Some D.C. officials said it was ironic that the Senate bill granted the city full representation in the House while also overruling the District's decisions on a key local issue."

With that in mind, the D.C. Police did something unusual yesterday evening. The department started reporting on weapons officers recovered.

The department issued a press release:

"Shortly after 8:00 pm, on Wednesday, February 25, 2009, members assigned to the department’s Sixth District were executing a search warrant in the 3500 block of East Capitol Street, SE. During the execution of this search warrant, two suspects were apprehended without incident and a 9mm semi-automatic handgun with several live rounds of ammunition were recovered. Both suspects in this case were charged with 'Carrying a Pistol Without a License,' among other charges.

At approximately 9:13 pm, on Wednesday, February 25, 2009, members assigned to the department’s Sixth District were conducting a traffic stop in the 4200 block of Edson Place, NE. During the course of their investigation they recovered an assault weapon with several live rounds of ammunition. The suspects in this case were arrested and charged with 'Carrying a Pistol Without a License.'"

Is the D.C. Police trying to send a message to congress?

Our Historic Roundup: Senate Passes D.C. Voting Rights Bill

Jule Banville — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:52:54 +0000

Today D.C. found it has 61 friends in the U.S. Senate, more than ever before. The approval of the D.C. House Voting Rights Act cleared its biggest hurdle and, barring some conceivable glitches regarding the pro-gun amendment attached to it today, this baby's going to Obama. Here's the roundup:

* DCist, which has been liveblogging, gets some knowledgeable commenters who outline what's next. One of them kindly includes the full text of the amendment "the NRA gave DC residents."

* WaPo's coverage includes a photo of proud-as-punch Eleanor Holmes Norton. You've still got to run, EHN!

* AP includes a timeline of the push for the vote, delineating that the Organic Act of 1801 can now suck it.

* The Economist breaks with its nature and leads with funnies: Stephen Colbert's takedown of EHN.

* Time.com goes big, leading with the idea that without the vote, D.C.ers don't even exist. Whoa! Somebody sure loves his license plate...