April 27, 2013

Weekly News Highlights

Perez Approval Stalled
"Before considering Perez’s nomination further, committee Republicans want access to two witnesses involved in the quid pro quo case and copies of e-mails about government affairs that Perez sent from his personal e-mail account. They also want transcripts of conversations used for a Department of Justice inspector-general report on how the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division’s voting section, which Perez headed, behaved on certain cases. Perez’s record on voting laws during his tenure at DOJ has come under fire from both senators David Vitter (R., Louisiana) and Tim Scott (R., S.C.)."
Read Full Article 

Gun Registry Fails to Gain Traction
The Legislation championed by Senators Manchin (D-W.VA.) and Toomey (R-PA) failed to gain the necessary votes to clear the Senate, further illustrating President Obama's inability to pass his agenda. 
"Maureen Dowd, meanwhile, believes Heitkamp’s vote is the president’s fault. “Even House Republicans who had no intention of voting for the gun bill marveled privately that the president could not muster 60 votes in a Senate that his party controls,” she confides."
Read Full Article 
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT)

Senator Mike Lee, Mr. Conservative
"We conservatives are not against government. The free market and civil society depend on a just, transparent, and accountable government to enforce the rule of law."
Read Full Article 

Obama Administration Avoids Drone Hearing 
"Senators expressed disappointment that, even after the hearing was postponed for one week to accommodate the administration it refused to send someone."