New GOP lawmaker hardly a political outsider
Washington (CNN) - The freshmen class of House Republicans may be filled with political outsiders, but the young new Member representing Arizona's 3rd congressional district isn't one of them.
Ben Quayle spent his early youth in the halls of Congress with his famous father, Dan.
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Obama staff shakeup imminent, may come as early as Friday
Washington (CNN) - President Barack Obama has narrowed the list of candidates for White House chief of staff down to two - current interim boss Pete Rouse and former Clinton Commerce Secretary William Daley - according to two senior Democratic sources close to the process.
The president wants to move quickly on naming the next full time chief of staff, the sources said, noting that a slew of staff moves could be announced as early as Friday.
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Some Senate Democrats to try to change filibuster rules in new Congress
Washington (CNN) - Senate Democrats, anxious to reign in what they consider abuse of the filibuster by Senate Republicans, will formally propose changes Wednesday to how and when senators can use the stalling tactic. However, Senate leaders – using their own procedural smoke and mirrors - will postpone votes on the proposals until late January at the earliest as they negotiate possible compromises to the politically contentious issue, according to Senate leadership aides from both parties.
Frustrated by Republicans' escalating use of the filibuster, to stall even routine legislation and nominations, a group of Senate Democrats, led, in part, by first-term Sen. Tom Udall of New Mexico, is trying to build support for a wide-range of proposed Senate rule changes that would curb the use of filibusters but not ban them entirely.
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House freshmen kick off terms with star-studded fundraiser
Washington (CNN) - On the night before they get sworn in, a dozen incoming freshman House members celebrated their election with a fundraiser at the swanky W Hotel in Washington, drawing criticism from a watchdog organization.
"They haven't yet begun their official duties, but they already have their hands out for money," said Nancy Watzman of the Sunlight Foundation, which posted online a copy of an invitation. The invite, which she said was obtained from a lobbyist who had received it, lists country singer LeAnn Rimes as the featured entertainer.
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Lieberman hints at Senate future
Washington (CNN) - Independent Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman hasn't made much noise about running for re-election in 2012, but according to a new interview, if he does run, he won't be returning to his Democratic roots. Instead, he says he'll "likely" run as an independent.
Speaking to CNN affiliate WFSB in Hartford, CT in an interview for the weekly Sunday show "Face the State," Lieberman told host Dennis House that he thinks he could win re-election to the U.S. Senate, but that it would be a difficult race.
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Emanuel clears final hurdle
Washington (CNN) - Rahm Emanuel appears to have cleared the final hurdle in his effort to become a legal candidate in the Chicago mayoral race.
Cook County Judge Mark Ballard ruled Tuesday there was sufficient evidence that the former top Obama aide meets the residency standards required to mount a bid. The judgment comes on the heels of a similar finding from the Board of Elections last month.
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Is Pence's schedule a tip on political future?
Washington (CNN) - Call it reading the tea leaves, but until Republican Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana announces whether he'll make a bid for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination, or whether he'll run for governor in his home state, it's all we can do.
So here's the latest. Sources in Indiana confirm to CNN that Pence is scheduling to attend Lincoln Day dinners across his home state next month. The story was first reported Monday in Howey Politics Indiana.
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Boehner to livestream opening day of new Congress on Facebook
Washington (CNN) - Incoming House Speaker John Boehner wants all his friends to see him get sworn in on Wednesday - Facebook friends that is.
For the first time ever, Congress will be broadcast live on Facebook. Boehner is announcing Tuesday that beginning at noon on Wednesday people can go on the popular social media website for live coverage of the first day's floor proceedings and his first speech as Speaker of the House.
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Freshman Rep. pledges to forgo federal health insurance
Washington (CNN) - As House Republicans prepare to introduce a repeal of the health care reform bill, one new GOP congressman said he is standing by his pledge to forgo federal health insurance despite a potentially expensive personal impact.
Rep.-elect Joe Walsh, R-Illinois, told CNN's Jim Acosta that he and his wife will not accept the insurance offered to members of Congress because he made a pledge during the campaign last January.
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Boehner working behind-the-scenes for RNC candidate
Washington (CNN) - The next chairman of the Republican National Committee will be chosen by the 168 party activists who make up the party organization, and no one else.
But with with just 10 days left until next Friday's election, the candidates are using every tool at their disposal to curry favor with the RNC membership - including leveraging their friendships with powerful allies on Capitol Hill.
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