Following the resignation of Harry Thomas Jr. from the D.C. Council, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton said she'd like to see a special election in Ward 5 happen the same day as the District's primary votes, but that an anonymous senator is holding up her bill that would make it possible. more ›

The race for Senate in Virginia got much more interesting today, as Democratic National Committee chair and former governor Tim Kaine announced that he would pursue the seat being vacated by current Sen. Jim Webb. Kaine, who has chaired the DNC since January 2009, will likely face former Sen. George Allen in what is already being touted as a key bellwether race during the national 2012 election cycle. more ›

In quick form, a proposed three percent tax increase on Maryland alcohol sales moved passed the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee Thursday, making way for its consideration in the full Senate. Senate Bill 994 would bring the current six percent tax on alcohol up to nine percent over the next three years. Though it is uncertain as of yet where the estimated $90 million of extra revenues will be put to use, proponents of the bill suggest the funds will be could be used for transportation projects or health programs. Ironically, when it comes to alcohol, things seem to move more quickly. Now if only a few other bills could pick up the pace. more ›

Senators Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and Susan Collins (R-ME) care so much about D.C. public schools that they're willing to forgo funding them if a controversial voucher program isn't revived. more ›

Senator Jim Webb, who won his seat in a big pickup for Democrats during the 2006 midterm elections, will not seek re-election in 2012, reports the Washington Times. more ›

Mike Allen reports this morning that former Virginia governor and Senator George Allen "plans to tell supporters within a week" that he'll be campaigning for the Senate seat currently held by Democrat Jim Webb. Webb defeated Allen in 2006 by a razor-thin margin, but questions have recently been raised about whether he will even run for re-election in 2012 due to a lack of fundraising. If Webb does decide to run, the race is predicted by many to be one of the most vigorous in the nation, especially as President Obama will look to hang on to the Old Dominion's support. more ›

Yesterday, news broke that Sen. Benjamin Cardin (D-MD) had introduced an amendment to a defense bill that would have forced the move of the District's New Beginnings Youth Development Center -- our 60-bed youth detention facility -- from its current location in Laurel to a plot of land on the existing Walter Reed Army Medical Center which will be turned over to the city for re-development next year. Without the move, Cardin warned, he'd stop the city from getting a 62.5-acre parcel that will be re-developed into retail space, residences, offices, and even two charter schools. more ›

Located at 9th and M Street NW, this house's most famous resident was the pretty amazing Blanche K. Bruce. Bruce, a man born into slavery, was the first (and only) former slave to serve as a U.S. Senator. more ›

TBD reports that Natasha Pettigrew, a Maryland Green Party candidate for U.S. Senate in Maryland, has died due to injurings she suffered after struck by an SUV while riding her bicycle on Sunday morning on Landover Road in Largo. The story gets even more heartbreaking: the driver, Christy Littleford of Upper Marlboro, did not stop the vehicle after the accident because she thought she had hit an animal; when she got home, Littleford discovered the bicycle under her car and called the police. There are no current charges against Littleford, but Maryland State Police are continuing their investigation. more ›

UPDATE (2:37 p.m.): It is now confirmed: Stevens was killed in a plane crash near Dillingham, Alaska. more ›

Is there a parliamentary term for beating a dead horse? Because if there is, the Senate appears to be doing just that. more ›

UPDATE 4:35 p.m. We're now hearing the substance has been deemed harmless, and Baucus's office has reopened. more ›

Statements on the passing of Sen. Edward Kennedy have been coming in all morning. If you only read one obituary on the long-serving senator, read The Boston Globe's lengthy remembrance, which describes Kennedy as having become "a Democratic titan of Washington who fought for the less fortunate, who crafted unlikely deals with conservative Republicans, and who ceaselessly sought support for universal health coverage." We've seen flags at half-staff all over town today. Official and unofficial Washington are both in mourning. more ›

One more hurdle cleared toward getting dedicated funding for Metro. The Senate Appropriations Committee went ahead and included $150 million for Metro in a FY2010 spending bill, the Post reports. Last year, Congress approved $1.5 billion over 10 years for Metro, with the caveat that D.C., Virginia, and Maryland all provided matching funds - something each jurisdiction already agreed to do. The House already approved its own spending bill that includes the money, which was not originally included in President Obama's budget. The Senate still needs to vote on the bill, and the president has to sign it, before Metro actually gets a check. more ›