“Under a deal to move forward with transportation legislation, the Senate will vote Thursday on measures to approve the Keystone XL oil pipeline and delay a major Environmental Protection Agency air regulation,” The Hill writes.
“Ohio Rep. Jean Schmidt had tough primaries before, but it’s obvious she didn’t see this one coming,” Roll Call notes. “Her unexpected loss serves as a warning for many Members seeking re-election on new turf after redistricting or facing even the smallest political challenge. More importantly, Schmidt’s loss signals a still-unsettled electorate looking for a reason — any reason — to boot an incumbent from office.”
“[T]he question of whom [Angus King would] caucus with remains a big one for King. Because of his unique brand and popularity, speculation was rampant, but his nascent campaign refused to disclose a preference,” Roll Call writes.
“Could Rep. Spencer Bachus (R) be the next Rep. Jean Schmidt?” Roll Call asks. “Alabama Republicans see a real potential that the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee could follow in his Ohio colleague’s footsteps and be the second Republican knocked off by a primary challenger this cycle. Bachus faces state Sen. Scott Beason in Tuesday’s primary.”
Something to watch: “Sen. Orrin Hatch’s (R-Utah) political career will be on the line in the next week,” The Hill notes. “Utah’s primary is still months away, but Hatch’s future is likely to be determined at the March 15 Utah Republican caucuses, making this a do-or-die week for the six-term senator.”
John Lewis endorsed Bill Pascrell over Steve Rothman.
How many times in the past two years has there been some variation of this headline? “Boehner struggling for Republican unity,” The Hill writes. This time it’s about the highway bill and budget.
For Barney Frank saying a statement by Jeb Hensarling was “hypocritical and dishonest,” Hensarling had Frank’s words struck from the record. “After a delay of more than 15 minutes, the chair decided to strike Frank's words. Under House rules, members whose words are taken out of the record cannot speak for the remainder of the day without permission, and when consideration of the bill began again, Frank was replaced by Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.),” The Hill writes.
