Did Obama tell Coburn he had a “scruffy beard?”
President Barack Obama and U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Muskogee, who shared a hug after last year’s State of the Union speech, met up again Tuesday night before the annual speech in the House chamber, where the president commented to Coburn that he had shaved his beard. Coburn had for the last several weeks been sporting his traditional winter beard but returned to Washington this week clean shaven. The microphone picked up Obama telling Coburn something that sounded like the beard …
Read the rest of Did Obama tell Coburn he had a “scruffy beard?”
Our Sputnik Moment — Excerpts from the President’s SOTU Speech
The White House just released these excerpts from the State of the Union address that President Barack Obama is scheduled to deliver tonight.
As Prepared for Delivery-
“With their votes, the American people determined that governing will now be a shared responsibility between parties. New laws will only pass with support from Democrats and Republicans. We will move forward together, or not at all – for the challenges we face are bigger than party, and bigger than politics.
“At stake …
Read the rest of Our Sputnik Moment — Excerpts from the President’s SOTU Speech
Rep. Paul Ryan’s Oklahoma Connection
U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, the Wisconsin Republican who will give the GOP response tonight to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address, is a rising political star in Washington whose work on budget issues is widely cited by friends and foes alike.
Ryan is the chairman of the House Budget Committee.
He’s also the husband of Janna Little, a native Oklahoman who is a first cousin to U.S. Rep. Dan Boren.
Janna Little’s father is Dan Little, the prominent …
Read the rest of Rep. Paul Ryan’s Oklahoma Connection
An early look at transparency bills in the 2011 Oklahoma Legislature
The bill filing deadline for the Legislature was last week, so those who follow state government are wading through the more than 2,000 bills or resolutions filed. The session kicks off at noon Feb. 7. As is the case every session, expect these initial bills to be changed significantly along the way. Some will die [...]
Read the rest of An early look at transparency bills in the 2011 Oklahoma Legislature
Senator Jim Inhofe a Candidate for Porker of the Year
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe’s opposition late last year to banning earmarks earned him and fellow Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski, of Alaska, the award for December Porker of the Month from Citizens Against Government Waste. Now, the group has put Inhofe, R-Tulsa, and Murkowski up for Porker of the Year.
Inhofe was the most outspoken opponent of an earmark ban approved by Senate Republicans, arguing that it would give more power to the executive branch. Inhofe said lawmakers have the constitutional …
Read the rest of Senator Jim Inhofe a Candidate for Porker of the Year
Rep. John Sullivan to Lead House Group on Addiction
U.S. Rep. John Sullivan, R-Tulsa, who checked himself into the Betty Ford Clinic in 2009 for treatment of alcoholism, will help lead an internal House group called the Congressional Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus.
Ohio Democrat Tim Ryan will be the co-chairman.
According to a news release, the caucus will be “dedicated to educating and raising awareness among lawmakers about addiction issues in hopes of increasing legislative support for expanding access to treatment.”
Said Sullivan, “This is an important caucus …
Read the rest of Rep. John Sullivan to Lead House Group on Addiction
Rep. James Lankford Heading to White House Tonight
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are hosting a reception for freshman House members tonight. As of Monday afternoon, Rep. James Lankford, R-Oklahoma City, was planning to go.
The reception is scheduled the night before Obama is set to give his second State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress. It will be Lankford’s first time to sit the House chamber for the nationally-televised event, which has been a thrill for other Oklahoma newcomers, regardless …
Read the rest of Rep. James Lankford Heading to White House Tonight
Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett to Attend White House Meeting
Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett and other mayors will meet with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday to talk about jobs and the economy, according to Steve Hill, Cornett’s chief of staff. Cornett and mayors from around the country are in Washington for a meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
Last year, when Cornett was in town for the meeting, a session with first lady Michelle Obama about the nation’s obesity led to an invitation …
Read the rest of Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett to Attend White House Meeting
White House Guest List for State Dinner
Here is the White House list of expected guests at tonight’s state dinner for Chinese President Hu Jintao:
THE PRESIDENT and MRS. OBAMA
HIS EXCELLENCY HU JINTAO
The Honorable Madeleine Albright, Washington, D.C.
Ms. Alice Albright
Ms. Christiane Amanpour, ABC News, New York, NY
Mr. James Rubin
The Honorable David Axelrod, Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor
Mrs. Susan Axelrod
Mr. Jeffrey Bader, National Security Council
Ms. Rohini Talalla
The Honorable Elizabeth Bagley, Washington, D.C.
Mr. Kevin Frawley
Mr. …
Read the rest of White House Guest List for State Dinner
Sen. Jim Inhofe to take Joe Biden’s old office
Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa, who has had the same office space in Washington since 1994, when he took over for former Sen. David Boren, said today that he’s moving to office space once occupied by former senator and now Vice President Joe Biden.
Inhofe’s office is now in 453 of the Russell Office Building. He’s moving to 205 in the same building.
“This new space provides better reception and meeting areas for visiting constituents,” Inhofe said. “The new location enables …
Read the rest of Sen. Jim Inhofe to take Joe Biden’s old office
