The House of Representatives is not functioning

This is really scary.

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Waxman waxes Dingell

This morning Henry Waxman won a small majority in the Democratic Caucus to replace John dingell on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The news is at TPM.

This is a big win for environmentalists and also strikes a blow to the Democratic House seniority system.

And no, I couldn't resist that title.

The Monica Goodling testimony as reported by FDL

As is becoming usual, we have gotten liveblogging of the Monica Goodling testimony through the good graces of Firedoglake.

• Monica Goodling testimony, Part XIX
  by EmptyWheel.


• Monica Goodling testimony, Part VIII
  EmptyWheel


• Monica Goodling testimony, Part VII
  EmptyWheel


• Monica Goodling testimony, Part VI
  EmptyWheel


• Monica Goodling testimony, Part V
  EmptyWheel


• Monica Goodling testimony, Part IV
  Christy Hardin Smith


• Monica Goodling testimony, Part III
  Christy Hardin Smith


• Monica Goodling testimony, Part II
  Christy Hardin Smith


• Monica Goodling testimony, Part I
  Christy Hardin Smith

Barney Frank exposes the Republican despicable tactics

Barney Frank is well known as probably the smartest man in the the House of Representatives, and he is able to make his mind known when he wants to. This is good.



Thanks to Atrios.

Rep. Doolittle to step down from House Appropriations Committee.

Rep. John Doolittle has decided to step down from his position on the House Appropriations Committee. This action is clearly in response to the action by the FBI to search his home in Northern Virginia last Friday.

Although the decision to step down was made by Rep. Doolittle, "Roll Call" reports that the House Republican Leadership was prepared to remove him if he did not act himself.

Let me state the obvious. This investigation has been going on for quite a while, but it has been mostly under the radar. Now it has broken out into the public arena, and that suggests that the end-game is now in play. The FBI and the Public Corruption Unit of the DoJ wouldn't have let it get this far if they did not have a very good case for the Prosecution.

Bob Ney and Randy "Duke" Cunningham should be preparing a welcoming party for Rep. Doolittle at their federal prisons. It's time for them to plan the entertainment and order the party hats.