President Turns to an Insider to Negotiate on Dismissals
Fred F. Fielding, the new White House counsel, turned up Wednesday afternoon on Capitol Hill. He had come to negotiate with Democrats, who are investigating whether politics played a role in the dismissal of eight federal prosecutors and demanding testimony from Karl Rove and other top aides to President Bush. But Mr. Fieldingâs real task is even bigger and more delicate: to serve as the point man for the White House as it decides the future of Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, a longtime Texas friend and confidant of Mr. Bush.” (New York Times)
Shaikh Mohammed Confessions May Aid Other Qaeda Defendants
“The admissions made by the mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks illuminated and transformed the cases against him and the 13 other Qaeda leaders transferred last year from C.I.A. prisons to the Navy base at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. His statement, released on Wednesday by the Pentagon, may complicate the prosecution of his former colleagues.” (New York Times)
Earmark Lives, but Dares Not Speak Its Name
“Vowing to reform after a spate of scandals, the House adopted new rules in January requiring the disclosure of all earmarks and the names of their sponsors. And so on Thursday, when the House Appropriations Committee approved a $124 billion emergency war-spending package that included money for the space center, the spinach growers and the peanut farmers, it declared the bill to be free of any earmarks.” (New York Times)
Two Senators Secretly Flew to Cuba for Alleged 9/11 Mastermind’s Hearing
“Two key congressional leaders secretly flew to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, on Saturday to observe the closed military hearing for al-Qaeda leader Khalid Sheik Mohammed, according to Capitol Hill staff members and Pentagon officials. Sen. Carl M. Levin (D-Mich.), chairman of the Armed Services Committee, and Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.), a committee member, watched the proceedings over closed-circuit television from an adjacent room.” (Washington Post)
Chiquita to Pay $25M Fine in Terror Case
“Banana company Chiquita Brands International said Wednesday it has agreed to a $25 million fine after admitting it paid terrorists for protection in a volatile farming region of Colombia. On Wednesday, federal prosecutors said the Cincinnati-based company and several unnamed high-ranking corporate officers paid about $1.7 million between 1997 and 2004 to the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia.” (Associated Press)
Reformers Want PACs ID’d
“PAcs, which are not covered by the âpersonal useâ restrictions on re-election committees, have recently been tapped to cover expenses, including meals for the lawmakers behind them and thank-you gifts for big donors. So far these actions are permissible and lawmakers can engage in them without public disclosure, but some voices on and off Capitol Hill are calling for a change.” (Roll Call)
Oversight is Set for Beleaguered US Reading Progam
“Under attack for improprieties uncovered in its showcase literacy program for low-income children, the Department of Education will convene an outside advisory committee to oversee the program, known as Reading First, Education Secretary Margaret Spellings said Wednesday. In about a half dozen reports in recent months, the departmentâs inspector general has detailed irregularities in the program, which awards $1 billion a year in grants to states to buy reading materials and teacher training.”(New York Times)
