Here is Mondays look at transparency-related news items, the weeks congressional committee hearings, transparency-related bills introduced in Congress, and transparency-related events.
News Roundup:
- Representative Charlie Rangel’s ethics trial kicked off with spectacle. (The Hill)(National Journal)($)
- Blue Dog Democrat Heath Shuler says he’ll run for minority leader if Nancy Pelosi does not step aside. (The Hill)
- Republican lobbyists are on the rise again, and Congress is courting many for new staff positions. (Politico)(Roll Call)($)
- House Republicans are talking reform, but maintaining the Office of Congressional Ethics may not be part of the plan. (National Journal)($)
- House Democrats have created a new leadership role to keep both Representatives Clyburn and Hoyer in office. (National Journal)($)
- Conservative Senators are clashing over the subject of a Republican moratorium on earmarks. (Politico)
- Senate Minority Leader McConnell says he now backs a conference-wide earmark ban. (Washington Times)
- Junior Democrats want to change Senate procedures, including reforming the filibuster. (Washington Post)
- Harry Reid will announce his pick to lead the DSCC on Tuesday. (Roll Call)($)
- Successful lobbying by high-tech companies brought about the use of full-body scanners in airports. (Washington Examiner)
- What issues will Oversight Committee chairman-to-be Darrell Issa investigate? (New York Times)
- A look at Politico Pro, a for-pay reporting service that will launch in February 2011. (Politico)
- The FEC asks Sarah Palin to explain some of SarahPAC’s spending. (Roll Call)($)
- Republicans who won in the midterm elections spent less per vote than their Democrat opponents. (Roll Call)($)
- Liberal donors are gathering to plan their funding strategy for 2012. (New York Times)
Relevant committee hearings scheduled for 11/15-11/19:
- Rangel Ethics Trial, House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct AdjudicatorySubcommittee, 11/15, 9:00am, 1310 Longworth House Office Building.
- Judicial/Executive Nominations, Senate Committee on the Judiciary, 11/17, 2:30pm, 226 Dirksen Senate Building, livestream.
- Dodaro Nomination Hearing, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, 11/18, 2:00pm, 342 Dirksen Senate Building, livestream.
- Afghanistan Reconstruction Contracts Oversight, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, 11/18, 3:30pm, 342 Dirksen Senate Building, livestream.
Relevant bills introduced:
- None
Transparency events scheduled for 11/5 11/19:
- The Role of Minority Parties in Congress, Woodrow Wilson Center, 11/15, 4:00pm – 6:00pm, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, 5th Floor Conference Room.
- Scoops and Scandals: Two Centuries of Presidents and the Press, National Press Club, 11/15, 8:00pm, 529 14th Street NW.
- Is Taxpayer Financing of Campaigns Constitutional?, Cato Institute, 11/17, 12:00pm, 1000 Massachusetts Avenue NW.
- What’s Next for Technology: How Washington Will Act on Key Policy Issues in 2011, Politico, 11/18, 8:00am – 11:00am, Union Station – Columbus Club, 40 Massachusetts Avenue NE.
