An ex-pat party for new Ivory Coast envoy

WASHINGTON — A gray limousine pulled up, and the mob lurched forward. Daouda Diabaté stepped out, and the drums sounded. Hugs and handshakes followed, until he took his seat on a couch bisecting Ivorian and American flags. Diabaté, the Ivory Coast’s newest...
Senators grill budget chief

Senators grill budget chief

WASHINGTON — Republican senators lashed out at the White House budget chief during a hearing on Tuesday, with Sen. Jeff Sessions calling President Barack Obama’s proposed budget “a very unserious response to a very serious problem.” Jacob Lew, director of the...
‘Solidarity’ protest small-scale affair

‘Solidarity’ protest small-scale affair

WASHINGTON — There was at least one Egypt-related protest on Tuesday that didn’t threaten to topple Hosni Mubarak’s government. About 30 people brought their signs and slogans to the Egyptian Embassy for an Amnesty International-sponsored...

A tradition bound by unwritten rules

It feels like it’s set in stone. Each year, Congress invites the incumbent president to speak on the House floor. All three branches of government — save for one cabinet member, who is the “designated survivor” in case of disaster —...
House honors shooting victims with words, tears

House honors shooting victims with words, tears

WASHINGTON — With President Barack Obama due to speak in Tucson Wednesday evening, members of the House spent the whole day on the floor honoring one of their own. Democrats and Republicans united in praise for their colleague, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, and remembered...
House returns for somber agenda

House returns for somber agenda

WASHINGTON — The House chamber was nearly empty. Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, led the floor in a prayer and a pledge of allegiance, and heard from two members of Congress with procedural questions. With that, the House adjourned – four minutes after the session...