Here is Tuesday’s look at transparency-related news items, congressional committee hearings, transparency-related bills introduced in Congress, and transparency-related events.
News Roundup:
- A proposed Senate earmark ban failed this morning by a vote of 56 to 39, with eight Republicans voting against it. (Politico)(National Journal)($)
- The House is expected to take up a censure resolution against Representative Charlie Rangel for his ethics violations. (The Hill)
- Representative Rangel has been circulating a letter to his colleagues making the case against his censure. (The Hill)
- The House could still issue a reprimand forRepresentativeRangel instead of censure. (Roll Call)($)
- Vice President Biden will meet with Representative Darrell Issa to discuss the tracking of stimulus spending. (Politico)
- House Republicans are discussing thepossibilityof term limits for leadership positions. (Roll Call)($)
- Representative Pete Roskam will serve as Chief Deputy Whip, traditionally a stepping stone for higher office in GOP leadership. (Politico)
- WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange could be charged under the Espionage Act for his group’s release of sensitive government documents. (Washington Post)
- Countering the release of sensitive data, as in the WikiLeaks case, could stifle crucial information sharing. (NextGov)
- The Department of Justice’s Inspector General has announced he will resign. (Legal Times)
- No agenda has been set for the lame duck session. (Roll Call)($)
- The Supreme Court has agreed to hear two legal challenges to Arizona’s public financing of election campaigns. (Washington Post)
- A member of the Republican National Committee’s top panel plans to call for an investigation of RNC Chairman Michael Steele’s spending. (Washington Times)
Relevant committee hearings scheduled for 11/30:
- None
Relevant bills introduced:
- None
Transparency events scheduled for 11/30:
- The Future of E-Rulemaking: Promoting Public Participation and Efficiency, Brookings Institution, 11/30, 9:30am 12:00pm, 1775 Massachusetts Avenue NW.
