The Daily Muck

Nothing to see here. The House Democrats tabled a motion to reprimand Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) for threatening to remove another lawmaker’s future earmarks. Although the motion was tabled, Democrats had to stand up and vote not to consider whether one of their own violated a rule that came about as part the new Congress’ ethics reforms. Meanwhile, Dana Milbank has a good narration of the scene between Murtha and Rep. Rogers (R-MI). (Washington Post, NY Times)

The new Democratic Congress is struggling to pass comprehensive ethics reforms that were a keystone in 2006 midterm campaigns against a Republican party plagued by a “culture of corruption.” With Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) and other senior members bristling at change, Nancy Pelosi and her class of freshmen lawmakers are now worrying about their ability to pass a stripped down ethics bill in a vote this afternoon. (NY Times, Washington Post)

Lurita Doan, the chief of the General Services Administration who encouraged cooperation between her department and the White House, has violated the Hatch Act, according to the Office of Special Counsel. (Federal Times)

The sentencing of Jack Abramoff and his associate Michael Scanlon has been delayed again, since both men continue to cooperate with prosecutors. The Legal Times asks the obvious question: who else in Washington should be nervous? (The Hill)

Rep. William Jefferson’s (D-LA) battle with the FBI over the raids of his office is playing more than just a role of constitutional clarification. The legal question has stretched on long enough to push the original offense close to the statute of limitations. At this point, a new grand jury investigation of Jefferson would have to be launched before the constitutional issue would be decided, meaning the prosecution might not be able to base their case on evidence currently in their control. (New Orleans Times-Picayune)

Senators acknowledge that a vote of no-confidence on Attorney General Gonzales will likely be delayed until after the Memorial Day holiday, amid a heavy legislative schedule including immigration reform and Iraq war funding. (Roll Call)

Wyoming’s US Attorney Matthew Mead is confused why he was put on Kyle Sampson’s firing list. So are we. (Jackson Hole Star Tribune)

John McKay is out of the public sector, at least for now. The former US Attorney has agreed to a job as general counsel of Getty Images. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

Cheney is not in the phone records of the DC Madam. (Is he?) He can’t be. (Can he?) Roll Call doesn’t clear things up.