Earache. Earlier today, the Labor-HHS Appropriations Act, the spending bill that funds the Labor Department and Health & Human Services Department went down in a stunning defeat 224-209. The reason, Republican leaders stripped all "earmarks." Every Democrat and 22 Republicans voted NO…cause they want their pork. See the Roll Call and find out how your member of Congress voted.
Morrow. Senator Bill Morrow continues to staff up in preparation for his run for the 50th 
Congressional District seat currently held by Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham. Cynthia Determan, a native of Oceanside, has joined Morrow’s office to handle press and coalitions. Determan comes most immediately from Red Gate Communications, a Studio City-based public affairs firm founded by Fionna Hutton. Determan is a graduate of UCLA and handled press and coaltions on Jeanne Patterson’s race for Congress in Missouri in 2004.
Royce. Julianne Lignelli Smith, Communications Director for Rep. Ed Royce, is leaving Royce’s Washington office to become Special Advisor for Public Affairs at the National Nuclear Security Administration. Royce’s previous director, Bryan Wilkes, is also at NNSA as Senior Manager.
Deficit Reduction. After weeks of false starts on a $50 billion deficit reduction package that House GOP leaders have been struggling to get past GOP moderates, temporary Majority Leader Roy Blunt has vowed to keep the House in session this week until the House votes, win or lose. Moderates have forced concessions such as the removal of ANWR and off-shore drilling 213 miles off the Florida coastline but still haven’t reached the magic 218 needed to pass. Stay tuned.