Introducing D.C. Highlights

We're debuting a new feature on the Official Blog which is rather similar to our "In Brief" series of posts. It's called D.C. Highlights, and it will feature tidbits from our nation's capitol.

We intend to present it near daily whenever Congress is not in recess. Rather than summarizing what the traditional media's take is on the top stories, NPI writers will be looking for items of interest to you, our readers, as well as developments that affect the Pacific Northwest. (For example, a bill concerning the Wild Sky Wilderness, which is free to move forward with Richard Pombo out of the House and Republicans out of power).

Here is the first D.C. Highlights, recapping the first two days of session:

• Nancy Pelosi, to no one's surprise, became the first woman elected Speaker of the House in American history. During the opening ceremonies, she was handed the gavel by John Boehner, who is now the Minority Leader. Pelosi, since officially becoming Speaker, has stressed that congressional Democrats won't support Bush's attempt to escalate the war in Iraq and are ending the administration's free ride.


• Several Washington Democrats moved up the ladder as Congress convened last Thursday, including Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell. (Murray is now the fourth highest ranking Democrat in the caucus, while Cantwell has received a seat on the Finance Committee). Meanwhile, half of the Democratic members in the U.S. House delegation are or are likely to become chairmen (Representatives Smith, Dicks, McDermott).


• Representative Jay Inslee of NPI's home district flew back from the District of Columbia yesterday to deliver the keynote speech at the Priorities for a Healthy Washington legislative workshop. Inslee mentioned that he's working on a new book (Apollo’s Fire: America’s Quest for Clean Energy) and promised to continue championing the goals of the Apollo Alliance. Inslee also talked about recent developments in solar and other alternative energy technologies. He floated the idea of a revenue neutral tax shift - creating a carbon tax but reducing the payroll tax to create an incentive for lower emissions. Inslee was upbeat, cheerful, and well received.


• A photo slideshow of some of the welcoming parties for the 110th Congress is available here from the folks at MyDD. Of course, it wasn't all parties and ceremonies. Congress also got down to serious business. The House passed a package of rules that sets the operating guidelines for the 110th Congress. Items of importance? Ethics reform, efforts to ensure civility, cracking down on arm twisting, and a return to fiscal responsibility (PAYGO).

Finally, what can we expect in the days ahead? A January preview:

H.R. 1: Implementing 9/11 Commission Recommendations (Jan 9th)
H.R. 2: Raising the Minimum Wage (Jan 10th)
H.R. 3: Stem Cell Research (Jan 11th)
H.R. 4: Prescription Drug Negotiating Authority (Jan 12th)

Pelosi has specifically reserved all the bill numbers up until number 10, so there's likely several more pieces of legislation in store as well. All of this does have to make it through the Senate before it reaches Bush's desk, but at least the House will be working for the American people for once.