Ohio 2nd Blog

Congresswoman Jean Schmidt yesterday signed on as a cosponsor to Rep Tom Price’s (GA-6) Protecting Our Children Act of 2005 (H.R.3860).

Josh Marshall recommends the Washington Post’s profile of the new House Majority Leader.

AP:

The number of Iraqi battalions capable of combat without U.S. support has dropped from three to one, the top American commander in Iraq told Congress Thursday, prompting Republicans to question whether U.S. troops will be able to withdraw next year.

Gen. George Casey, softening his previous comments that a “fairly substantial” pullout could begin next spring and summer, told lawmakers that troops might begin coming home from Iraq next year depending on conditions during and after the upcoming elections there.

(via War and Peace)

John Atcheson has written a damning essay on how things work in Washington today under Republican control.

Excellent behind the scenes overview of yesterday’s House leadership change by Eamon Javers @ BusinessWeek online.

Interesting speculation by Walt Starr over @ DKos.

Rep. Jeb Bradley (R-NH) will return $15,000 in campaign funds from Tom DeLay’s political action committee.

“His federal election PAC, ARMPAC (Americans for a Republican Majority), which has contributed to my campaign, is not under investigation. However, to remove any questions that may arise about his contributions, I will be returning these funds from his federal PAC.”

(via AP (via TPM))

From Today’s New York Times:

Republican members of Congress say there are signs that the Defense Department may be carrying out new intelligence activities through programs intended to escape oversight from Congress and the new director of national intelligence. (more…)

September 28, 2005; page H8485 of the Congressional Record:

(more…)

Meet Jean Schmidt’s new leader

(via Talking Points Memo)