The Notebook is officially on vacation this week, but it looks like Congress is nearing a deal on the fiscal cliff. Here’s a breakdown of the cliff from World-Herald Staff Writer Robynn Tysver. We’re also awaiting word on the nomination of former Nebraska … Continue reading →

The battle over Chuck Hagel’s potential nomination as Defense Secretary is headed to the airwaves. The Emergency Committee for Israel has released a new attacking Hagel. The spot from William Kristol’s conservative group can be seen here. It echoes other criticism … Continue reading →

Running the Senate Appropriations Committee is usually seen as a coveted job, a perch from which a lawmaker can make it rain federal money on his or her home state. But Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, opted Wednesday to pass up … Continue reading →

Senators took a brief break this week from fiscal cliff wrangling for a bit of bipartisan holiday cheer. Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Neb., teamed up with Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., for the second year in a row to organize a Secret … Continue reading →

Sen. Ben Nelson’s helmet-like head of hair is the envy of his Capitol Hill colleagues, according to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. On the Senate floor Monday, Reid launched into a speech paying tribute to the retiring Nebraska Democrat, … Continue reading →

Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Neb., has teamed up with Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., for Senate Secret Santa 2012. Most members of the Senate are expected to participate in the gift exchange Monday night during the Senate’s holiday party. Last year, nearly … Continue reading →