Photo by Pappa91 Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi told reporters today that she thinks the District of Columbia ought to be able to pass laws legalizing same-sex marriage without Congress sticking its nose in its business. The Hill quotes the Democratic leader as saying D.C. should be treated just like any other jurisdiction on this matter: “I don’t think Congress should intervene, any more than we should intervene when New York did something…

To say D.C. is not known for its fashion sense is an understatement. The people in our fine city get slammed again and again for their inability to dress themselves in anything other than career wear. Luckily this holiday shopping season offers a little incentive in the form of trunk shows for those of us who’d like to look better and help us score some spiffy new duds. As gifts, of course. Trunk shows are…

WTOP is reporting that D.C. police are investigating a weekend attack near Shaw nightclub Be Bar as a hate crime. The victim, an intern who works for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Human Rights Campaign, was first shouted at by his assailant with a derogatory term for homosexual, and then beaten up. The victim was taken to an area hospital and has since been released. The incident took place at 10th and O Streets NW in…

Yesterday, we told you about the Associated Press’ story that claimed Smithsonian officials altered a Museum of Natural History exhibit on climate change in order to make it less controversial. Subsequently, the Smithsonian issued a statement denouncing the AP report and the allegations made by Robert Sullivan, a former associate director at the National Museum of Natural History. The statement also claimed that the exhibit was not the subject of either internal or external political…

This weekend, as Washingtonians celebrated Earth Day with Anacostia River cleanups and tree plantings at the National Zoo, the Post highlighted the Capitol Power Plant, a coal-burning blight to Southeast. Thanks to Senators Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) and Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), the familiar smokestacks continue to burn coal in the heart of the District, a clear violation of the Clean Air Act. In 2000, when officials wanted to stop using the dirtiest of fossil fuels, the…

Last time we live blogged the House debate on District voting rights, things didn’t go too well. We’re hoping for a bit of an improvement today. From what we’ve heard on the Hill, debate kicks off at 10:30 a.m., and the legislation has been split up into two separate parts — one covering the actual voting seats both D.C. and Utah would receive and the other dealing with the minor increase in annual spending the…

OK, we’re going to try live blogging debate on the House floor as much as we can. Acting speaker right now is Rep. Ellen O. Tauscher (D- CA). Floor manager Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), Judiciary Chairman, has just finished introducing the legislation and expressing his belief that the District Clause allows the Congress to make any laws for D.C. it sees fit. 12:27 p.m.: Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas) is currently making the case on behalf…

Good morning to you, D.C. It may be raining, but temperatures will hover somewhere between the upper 50s and the lower 60s today, if you can believe that, so no need for a heavy coat. The rain will be gone by tomorrow, in plenty of time for all of us to safely head over to Mayor Adrian Fenty’s Inaugural Ball. DCist will be there, and not just for a chance to snap some hilarious photos…

>> Normally, Adrian Fenty hearts the press, and the feeling goes both ways. So why did he assiduously try to keep the media out of his official swearing-in Tuesday? The City Paper has the skinny on the secrecy surrounding the event, including secret entrances for councilmembers, who were told to “arrive alone.” [Loose Lips] >> Just in case there weren’t enough stereotypes of women in power, new House Speaker Nancy Pelosi hosted a tea party…

How’s that Congress-is-back-in-session traffic treating you this morning, Washington? Seems like everyone and their step-cousin is on their way to the Hill this morning to witness what new Speaker Nancy Pelosi has promised will be “the most ethical Congress ever.” So we sure hope all you staffers cleaned out your bosses’ freezers last night, because this morning will have been too late. In all seriousness, we’re definitely looking forward to following the goings on during…