Lawmaker News

Arizona has been in the national spotlight for several years now. The Tucson shooting catapulted us back into the limelight, this time for a shocking tragedy none of us could have even imagined. While it’s clear to me that no one is responsible for this horrific tragedy save the alleged shooter, this tragic episode of violence has provided an opportunity for reflection on politics in Arizona and our country.

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), like many of us in Arizona politics, has been calling for a return to civility, an increase in civil discourse, for several years.  We’ve all watched as politics in Arizona and the U.S. has become increasingly divisive and vitriolic.

Personally, I think the 24 hour news cycle has contributed to this increasingly hostile climate. With a taste for the outrageous, media seeks out the most radical, divisive, and eye-popping comments and behaviors in order to make headlines and attract ratings. Meanwhile, the ability for lawmakers on differing sides of the aisle to forge common cause, to maintain friendships, and to enjoy dinner together after a day of healthy debate has dwindled.

On Tuesday night, President Obama stood in the United States House of Representatives and delivered a speech calling for fiscal responsibility, deficit reduction and a government focused on freeing the private sector to create the good jobs our citizens need. The general philosophy advocated in the speech was hard for many to find disagreement with, and post-speech polling bore that out. A positive, upbeat speech extolling the merits of lower taxes, good jobs and optimism in America is what our citizens want to hear. But governing is about getting results, and Americans need to see action that matches the rhetoric.

As Governor of Virginia, I have worked with Republicans and Democrats to help navigate our state through these treacherous economic times. We have made progress. We cut $6 billion out of our last two budgets, reduced state spending to 2006 levels, and now have a $403 million surplus. We rejected tax increase proposals, cut spending, and focused our government on its core functions.

"My primary concern was the timing of it relative to Chairman Paul Ryan’s (R-Wis.) official response," Chaffetz writes.

For over an unprecedented four Congresses over the past 7 years, Rep. Mike Honda (D-Calif.) has chaired the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), a congressional caucus that is dedicated to promoting the well-being of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities.  Since 1994, CAPAC has been addressing the needs of the AAPI community in all areas of American life. This bicameral, multiracial, and multiethnic caucus currently boasts 30 Members of Congress, including 12 Asian American and Pacific Islander Members of Congress. 

This week, Rep. Honda will be hosting a reception celebrating CAPAC’s 17 years and welcoming incoming CAPAC Chairwoman Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) and the newly elected AAPI Members of Congress. The celebration will bring together top congressional leaders, Administration officials, and community advocates to reflect on all of the caucus accomplishments and look ahead for what’s next. The success of CAPAC for the past seven years is a testament to the strength of the community.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid  (D-Nev.) made the following remarks today on the Senate floor.

In the two weeks we were away from Washington, all of us absorbed a numbing tragedy – the horrific attack in Arizona.  The nation mourned the lost, thanked the heroes and waited anxiously by a brave Congresswoman’s hospital bedside. We continue to wish the victims a full and speedy recovery, and continue to keep their families in our thoughts.

In the days since the Senate last convened, the nation also resumed a debate over the words, the tone and the metaphors we use here in the Senate, as well as along the campaign trail, on the Internet and over the airwaves.

The national conversation about our national conversation is not new. It happens every year. Candidates promise it every election. But since the shooting in Tucson, calls for more careful language have multiplied and amplified.

Usually the news that a Member of Congress is seeking $30 contributions would be received as good news – evidence that there is a role for average Americans in the multi-million dollar campaign game.  But last week’s debacle involving, Members skipping their own swearing in and fundraising in the United States Capitol reflects horribly on the institution.  The situation highlights the poisoned atmosphere in Washington where for all too many Members the never-ending campaign threatens to trump their constitutional role of legislating.  

Unfortunately for Rep. Mike Fitzgerald (R-PA), the fundraising scheme that he and his team put together, highlighted by a party in the Capitol to celebrate his swearing-in, has landed him in hot water.  Turns out that the invite to the event clearly asked for a contribution to Fitzpatrick’s campaign committee.  Fundraising in the Capitol complex is a big no-no, prohibited by both laws and House rules.  The law allows Members to hold swearing-in receptions in House offices, paid for by campaign contributions, but not fundraisers.

The tragedy in Tucson has put a focus on the overheated partisan debate and commentary that plagues America.  The assumption is that such a polarized political and media environment may have contributed to the shootings and deaths. It is too early to tell whether Jared Loughner’s inner demons were the sole reason he chose to shoot and kill or whether the political climate  played any role.  That is something we may never truly know. But we do know that words have consequences, that those prone to violence can be inspired by incendiary words and that hate speech has real world effects, including physical harm to people.
 
Largely overlooked in the discussion of over-the-top rhetoric, however, is how the Internet has become a massive vehicle for violence-inducing hate speech and that it also may have played a role.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) delivered the following remarks honoring Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) today on the floor of the U.S. Senate:

Mr. President, I want to say a few words about a friend and colleague, whom I will miss very much when he leaves the Senate after we adjourn.  Without intending it as a commentary on his successor, I have to confess I think the Senate will be a much poorer place without Russ Feingold in it.  I know that in my next term I will experience fewer occasions of inspiration because of the departure of Russ Feingold, a man whose courage and dedication to the principles that guided his Senate service often inspired me.

Well, good afternoon.  Do we have enough room in here?  I want to take a moment to discuss the recent news reports of classified documents that were illegally provided from United States government computers.  In my conversations with counterparts from around the world over the past few days, and in my meeting earlier today with Foreign Minister Davutoglu of Turkey, I have had very productive discussions on this issue.

Some of the nation's top political commentators, legislators and intellectuals offer insight into the biggest questions burning up the blogosphere today.

Today's question:

Should the House approve the recommended censure of Rep. Charles Rangel?