capitolhillconnection

Retiring Democratic Congressman John Tanner has offered a less-than full-throated endorsement of state Senator Roy Herron, the Democrat vying to replace Tanner in the U.S. House.

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are almost done merging the House and Senate versions of the Wall Street overhaul. Tennessee Republican Bob Corker is a member of the conference committee hammering out the final details. He says not enough changes have been made to win his vote.

When President Barack Obama used his speech on the Gulf oil spill this week to push climate change legislation, it breathed new life into an effort stalled in the senate. Tennessee’s congressional delegation is having a mixed reaction to this new attempt to pass energy legislation.

Legislation repealing the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy is currently moving through Congress. But one Tennessee Democrat is among critics who say Washington is acting too quickly to end the ban on gays serving openly in the military.

A jobs bill winding its way through Congress is giving Tennessee lawmakers a tough choice: create jobs or reduce the deficit. Matt Laslo reports from Washington.

Tennessee communities trying to rebuild from historic flooding could be in line for more money from the federal government. Yesterday a Senate committee approved billions of dollars in extra emergency funds for states. Tennessee’s share is $150 million.

As thousands of gallons of oil continued to pour into the Gulf of Mexico, Tennessee Republican Senator Lamar Alexander grilled top oil executives, but also gave his own suggestions to prevent another environmental catastrophe.

Governor Phil Bredesen is flying over West and Middle Tennessee to see the impact of flood damage the historic weekend rains. He’s expected to request federal help in the next 24 hours.

Tennessee Republican Senator Bob Corker helped delay the debate over reforming the nation’s financial system Monday. Democrats failed to get the 60 votes needed to begin discussion on the bill.

A new report says almost half of Tennessee’s young adults are too obese to qualify for military service. The study, by a group of retired military officials, warned members of Congress that the nationwide trend is a threat to national security.