Bester News

Two days into what locals are dubbing “The Great Minnesota Recount,” Democratic challenger Al Franken has narrowed his vote deficit against Republican Sen. Norm Coleman.

California’s clout in Congress keeps growing.

The newly elected House Republican freshmen on Thursday selected Rep.-elect Steve Austria of Ohio to be president of their class in the 111th Congress.

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For the second week in a row, Federal Election Commission Chairman Donald F. McGahn II has intervened to lighten a potential penalty against a Democratic organization for allegedly violating campaign finance laws. Last week, McGahn, who happens to be a Republican, stepped in to question an audit finding against former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards’ 2004 campaign. As a result, the FEC penalty against Edwards involving violations of contribution limits was lowered from $681,000 to $173,000.

The potential appointment of Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano to lead the Homeland Security Department could signal a shift in focus away from the war on terror and toward domestic concerns, especially immigration.

Rep. Edolphus Towns of New York emerged Thursday as the leading candidate to take the chairmanship of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

Rank and file House Democrats differed on whether the ouster of legendary Michigan Democrat John D. Dingell as Energy and Commerce Committee chairman dealt a body blow to the time-honored seniority system, or was merely a one-time insurrection intended to provide momentum for the agenda of President-elect Barack Obama.

It was an unusual announcement — in a column today on the op-ed page of the Los Angeles Times. But it is true. Rep. Linda T. Sánchez is expecting a baby in May.

Democratic leaders of Congress slammed the brakes on efforts by Rust Belt senators to push an auto industry loan through Congress this week, saying they first need to see a plan to make the industry viable going forward.