Mike Lillis

No cake walk for victorious Democrats

In the wake of Tuesday’s elections — which swept a Democrat into the White House and widened the party’s margins in the Senate and the House — it’s tempting to conclude that the Democrats’ legislative challenges just eased, that the days of GOP obstructionism are over and that the party’s congressional leaders will have their way next year on Capitol Hill.

It would also be misleading.

Conventions highlight gaps in ethics laws

It was one of the chief vows of the Democratic Party as it took control of both congressional chambers in 2007: to sever the cozy relationships between lobbyists and lawmakers brought to light by the Jack Abramoff scandals.

Palin on earmarks: ‘We did well!!!’

Digging through Wasilla’s municipal records is a lesson in the very essence of tedium. You’ve got pages of proposals to rename streets, assess sewers, build skateboard parks, buy lawnmowers, rent “pop” machines, carve snowmobile trails, congratulate high school football teams — the kind of stuff that makes small towns run, but leaves you glad that someone else is running them.

Every once in awhile, though, something pops up and grabs your attention.

What about energy? Democrats tailor their answer as the debate shifts

In a rambunctious press conference that could forecast the tone of the energy debate to come, House Democratic leaders clashed with Republican supporters in Denver Tuesday over each party’s approach to offshore oil drilling.

Congress debates flawed, outdated poverty formula

In January of 1964, in his first State of the Union Address, President Lyndon B. Johnson presented Congress with a formidable challenge. "This administration today, here and now, declares unconditional war on poverty in America," Johnson proclaimed. "Our aim is not only to relieve the symptom of poverty, but to cure it and, above all, [...]

Energy debate excludes conservation

As Congress and the White House joust over the proposed expansion of offshore drilling for oil and gas, the debate has hinged on 68 million acres where the petroleum industry is permitted to explore but hasn’t produced a saleable thing.

For Democrats, the figure is evidence that the companies aren’t doing enough to develop the access [...]

Telecom donations allegedly tied to FISA vote

When scores of House Democrats joined Republicans last week to reauthorize a controversial White House spying program, many critics attributed that support to election-year jitters. But as liberal voters continue to bash Democrats on the issue, some campaign finance reformers charge that political contributions from the telecom industry, which benefited handsomely under the bill, probably [...]