The Daily Muck

Sen. David Vitter (R-LA), come on down! Vitter is the most recent name to appear in the phone records of the notorious D.C. Madam. (Associated Press)

Here is a short Q&A to help explain the concept of contempt of Congress. (Associated Press)

Senator John Kerry (D-MA) is joining Senator Specter (R-PA) on a bill meant to challenge President Bush’s habit of using signing statements to selectively enforce legislation. (Boston Globe)

Rep David Scott (D-GA) is facing charges from a former aide that the lawmaker made his staff work for his campaign during their time on his congressional payroll. (The Politico)

A sweet deal between Rep. William Jefferson and Baton Rouge-based Arkel Sugar may have taken place in 2001, according to The Advocate, which discovered that Arkel Sugar was looking to finance a sugar plant in Nigeria and met with Export-Import Bank and Jefferson on Feb. 13 and May 1 in 2001. Jefferson’s indictment does not name company names but does say the President of Company E and Export-Import Bank met with Jefferson to discuss a sugar plant on those exact same dates. (The Advocate)

Despite clamor from Democrats about ethics reform, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) is now leading the charge on earmark reform. DeMint is working to push through rules that would requires the Appropriations Committee to connect lawmakers with their requested earmarks, but his intransigence might force lawmakers to forgo their August break, and might even jeopardize other ethics reforms. (Roll Call)

Just over one hundred Iraqi refugees have been let into the United States in the past nine months, compared to the Administration’s promise to accept 7,000 by the end of September. (Associated Press)

Congress is finally returning to the issues of labor and immigration laws for the Mariana Islands. The U.S. Commonwealth has faced a steady stream of complaints from rights critics, but any discussion has stalled since the arrest of Jack Abramoff, who lobbied against reform on behalf of the island chain’s government. (Roll Call)

In response to the student loan scandal, the Department of Education is sending a stern letter to colleges and universities who provide at least 80 percent of their loans through a single lender. The letter reminds the schools of the value of competition, as well as the consequences of violating conflict-of-interest rules. (Chicago Tribune)

Former Rep. Tom Anderson, a Republican in the Alaskan legislature, has been found guilty on seven counts, including conspiracy and bribery. (Anchorage Daily News)