Booze and a Boat Breed Bipartisanship

Nothing brings Democratic and Republican senators together like some time alone on a yacht, says Sen. Mark S. Kirk.

Speaking to reporters about his work on firearm background checks and other gun-related legislation, the Illinois Republican told a gaggle of reporters that credit for bipartisan efforts in the Senate are in part thanks to visits to the Black Tie, a vessel that is partially owned by Sen. Joe Manchin III, D-W.Va.

“You guys really ought to go out to National Harbor and see the Black Tie, which has been much of the reason for much of the bipartisan cooperation around here,” Kirk said.

Kirk said Sens. Kay Hagan, a North Carolina Democrat and Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican, are frequent visitors. Asked about the menu at the gatherings, Kirk didn’t say much, though he indicated some booze might be consumed.

“Sometimes alcoholic beverages might be served and ties might … get loosened,” Kirk said.

Manchin and Kirk are best of friends in the Senate, in both their work and personal lives. Manchin flew to Chicago to visit Kirk in January 2012, not long after the junior Illinois senator suffered a stroke that kept him away from the chamber for a year.

As HOH has previously reported, Kirk has called the West Virginian “My Main Man Manch;” while Manchin’s called his pal an “Energizer Bunny.”

Immigration Reformers Swarm Capitol Hill

What better way to spend an unsettlingly hot sprummer day than to turn the heat up on Congress to do something, anything on the immigration reform front?

This seemingly endless sea of predominantly Latino humanity appeared determined to do just that, chanting and cheering their way from Union Station towards the larger rally already amassing Wednesday on the sun-splashed West Lawn of the Capitol.

For anyone who might have nodded off during high school Spanish class, that last group was yelling, “Obama, escucha/Estamos en la lucha!” (That’s “Listen up, Obama/We’re in this fight together!”)

Wrong, So Wrong: Your Afternoon LULZ, Courtesy of MSNBC

One eagle-eyed HOH reader sent us this quick shot of the “gang of eight” in the House of Representatives as it flashed across MSNBC.

Can you pick out what’s wrong with this picture?

Well, my dears, the eight lawmakers pictured above are not, in fact, senators. They are members of the House of Representatives. Mostly, they stick with the “Rep.” prefix.

Further, take a good look at “Sen. Diaz-Balart.” This is not Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla. This a picture of the congressman’s brother, Jose, who is an anchor on Telemundo.

Softball: Member-Vs.-Member Senate Race Brewing on Women’s Team

One of the few respites from partisanship in Washington is the Congressional Women’s Softball team. That could all change in June.

Earlier Wednesday, our friends over at CQ Roll Call’s “At The Races” blog reported that Rep. Renee Ellmers, R-N.C., will spend from now until June contemplating a run for Senate.

Here’s the rub: Ellmers is set to play on the bipartisan softball team. If she runs, it will be a challenge against Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C., a perennial player. Full story

Making Friends on Budget Day

Giddy to get in a good shot at President Barack Obama, Lone Star State Republican Rep. Pete Olson fired off this flippant non-read of the newly released White House budget:

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But his constituent Justin Kugler didn’t seem terribly impressed:

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Best of luck patching things up before 2014!

Hirsute Presidents Get Their Due

(Courtesy Littleton Coin Co.)

The Littleton Coin Co. of Littleton, N.H., has done a great service, offering 2012 presidential dollars that feature three of the more obscure leaders who just happened to sport some of the most interesting chief-executive facial hair: Chester A. Arthur, Grover Cleveland, Benjamin Harrison and Grover Cleveland again, from his second, nonconsecutive term.

But presidential-history nuts should act fast because these coins “will never be minted again,” a Littleton Coin ad declares.

The ad, with the leaders’ visages in gold splendor, sent us tumbling down a presidential rabbit hole.

What if the coins are these presidents’ last, best chance at being remembered?
Full story

Reichert to Discuss Green River Killer

Fans of true crime will gather Wednesday evening to hear the real story behind the capture of the infamous Green River Killer, which so happens to star a current member of Congress.

The event, to be held at the Naval Heritage Center at the U.S. Navy Memorial, is titled “The Hunt for the Green River Killer” and will feature several of the law enforcement professionals — retired King County Sheriff and now-Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Wash., retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent Jana D. Monroe and the chief criminal investigator for Washington state, Robert Keppel — who helped to apprehend the serial killer of at least 48 women.
Full story

Dissecting Priebus’ Pieplomacy

In an effort to shame President Barack Obama into a little belt tightening ahead of Wednesday night’s dinner summit with GOP lawmakers, Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus has offered to spring for pizza for the hush-hush sit-down.

“Instead of eating out as the president and senators did last month, I suggest they eat in. With their budgets tight in the struggling economy, many families are doing exactly that,” Priebus chided in a release.
Full story

Overheard on the Hill

“I know I didn’t have anything to do with it.”

— Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, on the possible bugging of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s campaign office.

Even Senators Have to Call Their Parents

Think members of Congress aren’t subject to the same stuff as us mortals? Think again.

Even senators have to call their parents!

Check out the following Tuesday photos of Sen. Christopher S. Murphy, D-Conn., who is seen clutching his daily schedule. The one item in bold? “Call Your Dad.” Despite being a member of the world’s greatest deliberative body, no one gets off easy on the homefront.

Murphy clutches his daily schedule. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call.)

“Call Your Dad” (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Quorans Clueless About Congress

Because we are nothing if not dedicated to civic journalism, HOH will field some of the burning questions about our elected officials currently piling up on existentialistic clearinghouse Quora:

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Depends on who gets more camera time. Also, Kentucky Republican Mitch McConnell MIGHT have a different succession plan in mind.

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Crazy fun? The maniacally outraged James A. Traficant Jr.

Crazy mean? Pete Stark was quite the curmudgeon.

Crazy hot? We’ll defer to POTUS on this one. Full story

Taste the Plain? Not on Our Watch

With the NCAA crown on the line, House Democratic Reps. John D. Dingell and John Yarmuth contributed to “March Madness” by pinning their boozy hopes and ravenous dreams on the Michigan Wolverines and Louisville Cardinals, respectively.

As usual, the winner is expected to feast on regional specialties culled from the loser’s district. Which, at least in this case, includes fast food.

Because of the lack of specificity from both sides, HOH felt obligated to help sweeten the potential pot.
Full story

Take Five

It’s Tuesday, which means it’s time for Take Five, HOH’s chance to get to know a member better through five fun questions. This week, Rep. James P. Moran, D-Va., talks about the Rolling Stones, dogs in the office and his heroes.
Full story

In Washington, the Bard’s the Thing

The Shakespeare Theatre Company is gearing up for its spring season with its annual Will on the Hill event, which provides members of Congress and the journalists who cover them the chance to perform. The D.C. theater’s spring season might be one of its best yet, with its exploration of the intersection of Washington drama and the dramatic arts. And it aims to raise a little money in the process.
Full story

Will Reid and McConnell Road-Trip To Springfield?

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid wants a piece of his Republican counterpart’s basketball action.

HOH already reported that Kentuckian Mitch McConnell, Minority Leader and the Senate’s No. 1 Louisville Cardinals fan, will be in Atlanta for tonight’s national championship game against the University of Michigan. But Reid had his own cause for basketball celebration with Monday’s confirmation that Jerry Tarkanian, the former coach of the University of Nevada Las Vegas Runnin’ Rebels, would be inducted in the Basketball Hall of Fame.

“Nobody has brought more recognition to Nevada athletics and UNLV than Coach Tarkanian. Jerry is a legendary coach and he was a mentor to so many individuals over the years,” Reid said in a statement. “By bringing the best out of his players on and off the court, Jerry built a first-rate basketball program that Nevadans are fiercely proud of.”

When the coach’s son Danny Tarkanian ran for the House last year as a Republican, Reid took a swing at the younger Tarkanian’s financial woes but also highlighted his own role in helping the elder Tarkanian deal with repeated NCAA inquiries. Full story