u s house of representatives

• News

U.S. House approves increased funding for Chesapeake Bay cleanup, but Senate support uncertain

The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday voted to increase federal funding for multistate Chesapeake Bay cleanup efforts from $73 million to $85 million.

By Scott Dance

Jun 25, 2019

• Politics

Congress approves back pay for federal workers as Maryland unemployment insurance requests top 2,500

The U.S. House of Representatives has overwhelmingly approved legislation to guarantee back pay for federal employees affected by a partial government shutdown. The measure has already cleared the U.S. Senate, where it was sponsored by Maryland Democrats Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen.

By Jeff Barker

Jan 11, 2019

• Politics

Maryland congressmen Hoyer, Cummings could play key roles in new Democratic House

Maryland Rep. Steny Hoyer will seek majority leader spot — not speaker, sources say. Elijah Cummings, who won his 13th term, was expected to become chairman of Oversight and Government Reform

By Jeff Barker

Nov 7, 2018

• Politics

Maryland's Elijah Cummings could become chief Trump investigator if Democrats win the House

If Democrats win control of the U.S. House of Representatives in November, Elijah Cummings is in line to ascend to the chairmanship of a committee with the authority — so far untapped — to demand documents related to Donald Trump’s personal finances and policies, as well as possible agency abuses.

By Jeff Barker

Oct 15, 2018

• Opinion

Rodricks: On taxes and deficits, Andy Harris wants it both ways

The Maryland congressman voted for the GOP tax overhaul, which is expected to increase the federal budget deficit, while supporting a balanced-budget amendment.

• Opinion

Democrats can't 'play fair' on redistricting

It's not helpful if Maryland Democrats don't gerrymander while all the GOP states continue to do so

• Opinion

U.S. Senate to retirees: Let them eat dog food

Republicans in Congress have decided that state's rights don't apply to retiree savings

• Opinion

Beyond Citizens United

Few are satisfied with the present state of American politics: a polarized House of Representatives, and state legislatures, a presidential race in which vast sums from unidentified sources are being spent, candidates distinguished by inexperience and extreme views, and a politicized judiciary. Some blame this state of affairs on the Citizens United decision and on Republican gerrymandering of legislatures, but the situation is largely the work of "reformers."

• Opinion

Another budget deadline

Capitol Hill is back on the budgetary brink thanks to the usual suspect — a bunch of highly partisan, deal-breaking riders

• Maryland

Szeliga, House GOP whip in Annapolis, announces for U.S. Senate

Kathy Szeliga, the minority whip of the House of Delegates, jumped into the race for the Republican nomination to succeed retiring Democratic U.S. Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski Tuesday.

By Michael Dresser

Nov 10, 2015

• Politics

Kathy Szeliga joins Senate race, seeking Mikulski's seat

Kathy Szeliga, the minority whip of the House of Delegates, jumped into the race for the Republican nomination to succeed retiring Democratic U.S. Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski Tuesday.

By Michael Dresser

Nov 10, 2015

• Opinion

Obama's economy versus The Gipper's

Friday, the Labor Department will issue another mediocre jobs report, and the White House will spin it into a sign that the economy is doing quite well with a Democrat in the White House. But is it? A comparison of Obama's results and Reagan's.

• Opinion

Cummings to Ryan: Don't be Boehner

Rep. Paul Ryan should seize this opportunity as speaker to clean the slate by shutting down the wasteful Benghazi Committee, eliminating the indefensible Planned Parenthood panel and sending the ridiculous IRS impeachment resolution to the dustbin of history. These are all remnants of Speaker Boehner's legacy — not Speaker Ryan's.

• Opinion

'Cleaning the barn,' John Boehner dumps on GOP renegades

John Boehner once again outsmarted conservative politicians convinced government is Public Enemy No. 1.

• Crime

Touring rehab, Obama calls for 2nd chances after prison

President Barack Obama toured a drug rehab and met with former inmates Monday in the rough-and-tumble city of Newark, N.J., calling on the nation to ensure those regaining their freedom get a second chance instead of a return ticket to prison. Although his visit boosted his campaign for a criminal justice overhaul, it also pulled the president into a war of words with presidential candidate and GOP Gov. Chris Christie.

• Opinion

Make room for daddy

Don't lambaste Paul Ryan for failing to support paid family leave, use him as an example of how work-family balance is changing

• Opinion

Budget agreement: A small victory

Bipartisan budget deal could end the threat of a government shutdown but don't expect Congress to make rational behavior a regular thing

• Opinion

In Benghazi hearing, Republicans hand Clinton a gift

Republicans overplayed their hand on Benghazi.

• Opinion

Hillary Clinton's enabler-in-chief

Meet Sidney Blumenthal, Hillary Clinton's indispensable man.

• Politics

Franchot tacks toward party mainstream with praise for Clinton

Franchot praises Clinton, condemns House Republicans

By Michael Dresser

Oct 23, 2015

• Politics

Republicans grill Clinton during all-day hearing on Benghazi attacks

WASHINGTON — Republicans on the House Benghazi committee put Hillary Rodham Clinton through an all-day test of political skill and physical endurance Thursday, but ultimately struggled to define a coherent case for their long-running inquiry.

• Politics

Rep. Andy Harris will back Paul Ryan for House Speaker

By John Fritze

Oct 22, 2015

• Opinion

U.S. needs transportation leadership

Raise the federal gas tax or face the even more costly alternative of bad roads and worsening traffic congestion

• Opinion

The reluctant Mr. Ryan

Ways and Means chairman offers House Republicans their best chance to bring order out of chaos

• Opinion

The blame game

Laying blame for 9/11 on George W. Bush is misguided — and much like blaming Hillary Clinton for Benghazi attacks

• Opinion

Ryan reluctant to take charge of Capitol Hill hornets' nest

If Paul Ryan took one for the team and became House speaker, he would be the party hero, says Jules Witcover.

• Politics

Edwards raises $639,000 in Q3

A look at the third quarter campaign finance reports from Maryland candidates for Congress.

By John Fritze

Oct 14, 2015

• Opinion

Kanye West and Ben Carson: a GOP dream team?

The hip-hop mogul Kanye West has recently expressed his admiration for Republican presidential contender Ben Carson, and the two men have reportedly had several telephone conversations in which they have discussed America's political culture. Set against Mr. West's own presidential aspirations, a relationship between Mr. West and Dr. Carson has tantalizing prospects for a political realignment between African-Americans and the GOP.

• Maryland

Zirpoli: Next House Speaker shouldn't bend to spoiled Brat Brigade

Effective parents understand that when you give in to temper tantrums you ensure that your children will continue to have more temper tantrums. House Republican leaders have reinforced temper tantrums from a small minority of its members, known as the Freedom Caucus, since the election of President Barack Obama. But now these unruly members are not just disrespectful to our president, but of their own House leadership.

• Opinion

Next House speaker must prioritize, govern

The turmoil over who will be the next speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives is only the latest sign of an institution noted for arguing instead of governing. But the political fights that are becoming a regular occurrence in Congress in recent years, most notably whether to shut down the government, are because of process, not personalities.

• Opinion

GOP radicals set the House leadership adrift

Nnothing could be more damaging to Paul Ryan's White House aspirations than being House speaker at this point in his party's history, says David Horsey.

• Maryland

Politics is a comedy of errors

First John Boehner shocked his colleagues by announcing his retirement from the Speakership of the U.S. House of Representatives, effective at the end of October.

• Opinion

Biggest economic threat: Congress

Republican struggles to find a House speaker could raise odds of an eventual government shutdown

• Maryland

More money wasted on defense budgets

While Congress is keen on the idea of ignoring spending limits for the benefit of the Pentagon, it can't seem to find a way to fund domestic spending on such items as roads, bridges, education and health care. Any extra spending in those areas require cuts in other areas according to Republicans; a rule they ignored for defense spending.

• Opinion

Raw politics drives GOP probes of Benghazi, Planned Parenthood

Like Benghazi, the GOP's Planned Parenthood hearings are just another political gambit, says David Horsey.

• Politics

Lawmakers push for tougher U.S. stance in cyberspace

As Sen. Angus King pressed national security officials to open up about their ability to wage war over the Internet, he turned not to some think tank white paper to make his point, but a 5-decade-old film about the dangers of nuclear brinkmanship.

By Ian Duncan

Oct 3, 2015

• Opinion

To replace Boehner, why not Newt Gingrich for speaker?

There is nothing in the Constitution that says the speaker must be an elected member of the House. The House could pick anyone from Carrot Top to Oprah as speaker. Those options don't make any sense (though Oprah would probably place some wonderful gifts under members' seats). But there is one nonmember who might bring the skills the moment requires: Newt Gingrich.

• Opinion

After John Boehner, whither the GOP?

The GOP is a headless horseman devoid of direction, tradition and a responsible leader, says Jules Witcover.

• Opinion

Abortion battle absurdity

Latest attacks on Planned Parenthood are false, highly partisan and hypocritical — and unworthy of serious discussion

• Maryland

Congress likely to avoid a shutdown — for now

Congress is expected to narrowly avoid a shutdown of the federal government on Wednesday — hours before the deadline — as lawmakers set up an even more intractable fight over spending at the end of the year.

By John Fritze

Sep 29, 2015

• Politics

Ruppersberger won't run for Senate

Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger said Tuesday he will run for reelection rather than seek the Democratic nomination for Senate in Maryland, all but assuring his party will not have a Baltimore-based candidate in the race for Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski¿s seat next year.

By John Fritze

Sep 29, 2015

• Opinion

Pope's worldview not black and white enough for congressional zealot

Pope Francis may not have had American politics in mind, but a passage in his address spoke directly to the dangers of extreme political division, says David Horsey.

• Maryland

Boehner turning tables on GOP

The right wing crazies will have finally run House Speaker John Boehner out of office, but he has more than a month to operate free of the Hastert rule, free of blind party loyalty, and free of concerns about his own re-election as speaker.

• Politics

Edwards focuses on shutdown in web video

Rep. Donna Edwards' campaign for Senate is launching a web video Monday that chastises Congress for its latest budget brinksmanship, and also criticizes her opponent for "gaming out a partisan advantage" on the issue.

By John Fritze

Sep 28, 2015

• Opinion

Boehner's last bow

House speaker's surprise resignation in the midst of Planned Parenthood dispute underscores GOP-controlled chamber's chaotic, self-destructive nature

• Opinion

What should our political leaders take away from Pope Francis' visit?

Pope Francis may speak to the political issues of the day, but his conclusions of faith cannot be substituted for secular conclusions of law.

• Maryland

No time for bigotry in U.S., White House

• Opinion

Iran as the new Obamacare

The political gridlock in the House and Senate means Congress may end up not voting at all on Obama administration's most important foreign policy initiative

• Politics

Baltimore pastor Jamal Bryant will run for Congress

The Rev. Jamal H. Bryant, an influential pastor of a Baltimore mega-church, said Monday he will run for the House seat currently held by Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, arguing that the city needs new leadership in Washington.

By John Fritze

Sep 14, 2015

• Politics

Rep. Delaney, last Md. delegate to vote, in favor of Iran deal

Rep. John Delaney, the last member of Maryland's congressional delegation to offer a position on the Iran deal, voted for the measure on Friday.

By John Fritze

Sep 11, 2015