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Dem Lobbyists Hired To Align With New Congress
“Washington’s $2.3 billion lobbying industry is undergoing one of its periodic adjustments to shifts in government power — the first since the White House changed hands in 2001.

“Accustomed to dealing with Republicans and at times discouraged by Republican lawmakers from hiring Democrats, lobbying firms and business groups are now filling their ranks with policy experts and lobbyists more closely aligned with the new leadership on Capitol Hill.

“‘Nobody on our side is telling them fire the Republicans, but they certainly understand they need to have a bipartisan team if they want to get anything done,’ said Steve Elmendorf, a top adviser to former Rep. Richard Gephardt, D-Mo., who took up lobbying with Bryan Cave Strategies last year and opened his own shop after the election.” (AP)

Conyers Promises To Do Better
“The incoming Democratic chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, under pressure from a congressional ethics committee, has agreed to ensure that his staff does not engage in improper political activities.

“In a report issued just before Democrats take control of Congress on Thursday, the bipartisan committee said Rep. John Conyers of Michigan has acknowledged ‘a lack of clarity’ in communications with aides about their duties.

“The panel’s three-year inquiry came amid newspaper reports that Conyers assigned congressional staffers to work in Michigan political campaigns.” (Reuters)

Electronic Voting Led to Errors, Report Says

“Electronic voting machines meant to streamline the Election Day process have resulted in late poll openings, data-retrieval errors and widespread machine failures, according to a new report about last year’s midterm election.

“The report, from three advocacy groups that have been critical of electronic voting, focuses on 1,022 complaints regarding electronic voting equipment from 314 counties in 36 states.

“‘The evidence presented indicates that electronic voting in its current form is systematically flawed and will require significant corrective measures to remedy the problems that have been exposed,’ concludes the 23-page report issued by Voter Action, VotersUnite.Org and VoteTrustUSA.” (Houston Chronicle)

Katrina Police Arrested In Killings — But Supporters Cheer
“Seven New Orleans police officers charged in the shooting deaths of two people and wounding of four others in the chaotic days after Hurricane Katrina turned themselves in at the city jail on Tuesday amid cheers from their supporters.

“Four of the officers were indicted on Thursday for murder and three others for attempted murder in the September 4, 2005 incident that came to symbolize the lawlessness in the streets after Katrina struck and left tens of thousands stranded in the flooded city.

“One of the officers, Michael Hunter, charged with attempted murder, was released on bail late in the day, but the others remained behind bars, said Michael Glasser, president of the Police Association of New Orleans union.

“A bail hearing and possible arraignment were scheduled for Friday, he told Reuters.

“The shootings took place after police responded to reports of sniper fire from the Danziger Bridge in eastern New Orleans. They found two groups of pedestrians and said a gunfight ensued.

“An internal investigation cleared the officers, but survivors and family members say the victims were unarmed and ambushed.” (Reuters)

FBI Documents Detail Alleged Detainee Abuse
“Documents released Tuesday by the FBI offered new details about the harsh interrogation practices used by military officials and contractors when questioning so-called enemy combatants.

“The reports describe a female guard who detainees said handled their genitals and wiped menstrual blood on their face. Another interrogator reportedly bragged to an FBI agent about dressing as a Catholic priest and ‘baptizing’ a prisoner.

“Some military officials and contractors told FBI agents that the interrogation techniques had been approved by the Defense Department, including directly by former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld.

“The documents were released in response to a public records request by the American Civil Liberties Union, which is suing Rumsfeld and others on behalf of former military detainees who say they were abused. Many of the incidents in the FBI documents have already been reported and are summarized in the ACLU’s lawsuit.” (AP)

Dems Finalize New House Rules
“House Democrats hurried yesterday to put the finishing touches on ethics reforms that would ban lawmakers and staffers from accepting trips, gifts and meals from lobbyists and prevent the new majority from holding votes open to change the outcome.

“Democrats will adopt and then amend the House Rules package tomorrow to ban all travel paid for by lobbyists or organizations that employ lobbyists, require the ethics committee to pre-approve travel paid for by outside groups, enact a total gift ban, and require lawmakers to pay the market cost of flying on a corporate jet, said Democratic staffers and officials with government watchdog groups.

“And, because they feel they lost the 2003 Medicare prescription drug benefit vote because GOP leaders held it open for three hours, during which they flipped opponents into the ‘yes’ column, Democrats will include a provision in the rules to prevent any sort of repetition, said aides to incoming Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

“Democrats also will eliminate the practices of changing conference reports after members have signed them and excluding elected members from conference committees.” (The Hill)

Wage Bill To Undo Abramoff-Era Mariana Islands Loophole
“House Democrats led by Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman George Miller (D-Calif.) are aiming to undo a controversial vestige of the Jack Abramoff era in the first 100 hours of the 110th Congress. Miller plans to include language raising wages in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in a broader bill increasing the U.S. minimum wage.

“In the past few years as the scandal involving Abramoff has unfolded, former Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) and Rep. John Doolittle (R-Calif.) have been scrutinized for their ties to Abramoff and their alleged efforts to block legislation aimed at raising labor and immigration standards in the islands.

“The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) hired Abramoff in 1994 to work with GOP leaders to prevent the extension of the federal minimum-wage and immigration laws to the islands. The government canceled its lobbying contract with Abramoff in 2002 amid over-billing concerns.

“The Marianas economy relies heavily on garment factories where laborers, many from China and the Philippines, are paid far less than the U.S. minimum wage to make clothing eligible to carry a ‘Made in the U.S.’ label.” (The Hill)

McGreevey Portrait Unveiled With No Celebration
“More than two years after announcing that he was gay and would resign, former Gov. James McGreevey returned to the Statehouse for the unveiling of his official portrait Tuesday in an event devoid of the usual fanfare.

“It was McGreevey’s first visit to the Capitol since he stepped down. He said Tuesday’s unveiling helped close a chapter of his life.

“‘It represents a final obligation,’ said McGreevey, 49.

“Unveilings of governor’s portraits are usually well-attended affairs open to the public. But this was a private event. No formal invitations were issued, Gov. Jon Corzine’ss office did not announce it in advance, and no refreshments were served.

“McGreevey said he did not want to publicize the event.” (AP)

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