Eve Fairbanks
Associate Editor
Eve Fairbanks is The New Republic's congressional correspondent. A graduate of Yale, she joined The New Republic in 2005. Her work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Details, and on NPR.
Post date 10 22, 07
Ken Gross, a lawyer with Skadden who advises lobbyists and their clients on how to throw ethically acceptable parties, was recently puzzling over a difficult problem. One of the fabulous election-year pleasures for big corporations is sponsoring sumptuous breakfasts for members of Congress and other politicos at the Democratic and Republican nominating conventions. But, recently, Congress cracked down on the wild salmon benedict and toasted pecan waffles. A new gift ban--passed as part of the Democratic majority's promise to bring ethics reform to Washington--prohibits companies that employ lobbyists from giving Hill employees free meals. Is corporate America's favorite breakfast tradition doomed? |
Post date 10 14, 07
Last week, the day before a crucial anti-surge amendment proposed by Senator Jim Webb came up for a vote, Senator George Voinovich-- a moderate Republican on the fence about whether to support the legislation-- was besieged by lobbyists. |
Post date 09 24, 07
At last week's Armed Services hearing, Senator John Warner appeared to have a Bulworth moment. After acidly noting that last January's National Intelligence Estimate judged that political progress in Iraq was an impossible dream, the patrician Republican attacked General David Petraeus's very conscience: "I hope, in the recesses of your heart," Warner said, his white eyebrows furrowing gravely, "you know that [the surge] will continue the casualties, stress on our forces, stress on military families, stress on all Americans. Are you able to say ... if we continue what you have laid before the Congress here as a strategy--do you feel that that is making America safer?" |
