Charles Rangel D-NY has asked permission to temporarily step down from his Way and Means chairmanship. Ever vigilant of the propriety of the House, Newt Gingrich R-GA and Tom Delay R-TX not withstanding. The Republican Caucus will now have to deal with Pete Stark D-CA.

Former baseball pitchers not  withstanding, jobless benefits were finally extend and the law was signed. Perhaps some senators would like the experience of being unemployed. I apologize to the states offended.

Eric Massa D-NY is not going resign. He voted absinthe against the health care reform. Before this the number to pass the Senate bill has been lowered to 216 with he departure of Robert Wexler D-FL, the death of John Murtha D-PA, the departure of Neal Abecrombie D-HI and the sudden resgination of Nathan Dela R-GA. When Massa leaves the number is down to 215.

Pres. Obama made a speech this afternoon. Stayed tuned to Conrad Watch. Oh, and Frumin Watch.

Stayed tuned for tomorrow. Another table of the nominations on the executive calendar is planned. I would like to think the previous one was a small contribution to Sen. Shelby shame. It may turn into a regule monthly feature, not a bug.

The Most Important News Of the Day ^TM is of course the Presidents' Socialist Agenda. That is why a food safety bill is stalled in the Senate of course, to protect the American citizens from, umm, stuff. [I really have to get off these third party Washington Times mailing lists]

So what's news on Article I in your neck of the woods?