• Fri. May 16, 2008

Von Spakovsky Withdraws Nomination To FEC

Controversial FEC nominee Hans von Spavkosky, a former Justice Department official who never won Democratic support, today withdrew his name from consideration and President Bush "reluctantly" accepted it, the White House announced.



Pallone Supports Ban On New Physician-Owned Hospitals

House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Chairman Frank Pallone, D-N.J., has told CongressDaily he supports using a ban on new physician-owned specialty hospitals to fund a one-year delay of seven Medicaid regulations.

Groups Press White House To Reconsider Farm Bill Veto

North Dakota Republican Gov. John Hoeven and numerous groups today called on President Bush to reverse his plan to veto the farm bill conference report that overwhelmingly cleared both houses of Congress this week.

Markup Reports

House Armed Services Approves $601.4 Billion Defense Package

The House Armed Services Committee finally approved a $712 billion FY09 defense authorization bill after a marathon session that started Wednesday morning and wrapped up early Thursday.


Deal On Rival E911 Bills Hinges On Access To Databases

House and Senate negotiators are fine-tuning legislation that would make it easier for Internet-based telecom providers to offer "enhanced" 911 emergency service, but a dispute over customer databases could put the effort on hold.

Paulson Says Economic Growth Will Pick Up By Year's End

Treasury Secretary Paulson today sounded a strong note of optimism on the economy, saying the credit crisis had turned a corner and that economic growth would pick up by the end of the year. Paulson spoke today at The Washington Post 200 lunch, noting that progress will be long and gradual.


TechCentral: Today's Top News

• Telecommunications: Senate Says No To FCC Ownership Rules
• Intellectual Property: Senate Panel OKs 'Orphan Works' Bill
• Intellectual Property: Anti-Piracy Caucus Releases Watch List

Read CongressDaily's TechCentral, the latest on tech policy.

Superdelegates On Capitol Hill: The Latest Count

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama has pulled ahead of his archrival, New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, in the battle for the hearts and minds of members of the House and Senate who will be “superdelegates” at this year’s Democratic National Convention. For a detailed list of Capitol Hill endorsements for Clinton and Obama, along with other features providing news and background information in advance of this year’s congressional elections, click here to check our Campaigns 2008 page regularly.