Jeff Shockey, John Scofield and Mike Ference were hanging out with hundreds of their closest friends yesterday at Hawk & Dove. Photo credit to Tom Williams The Members of Congress who stopped by: Cantor, Hoyer, Upton, Walden, McHenry, Joyce, Valadao, Cook, Nunes, LoBiondo, Cole, Calvert, Granger, Denham, Roby, Fleischman, Duffy, …

HOH’s One-Minute Recess: ’Tis the Season for Trash Talk By Neda Semnani Sept. 12, 2011, 12:37 p.m. Whether on a chamber floor, in a committee hearing or at happy hour, Hill folk are known for big talk and bigger egos. So it is no surprise, perhaps, that the start of …

What an exciting week! The SEC doubled down against Goldman, Patrick O’Connor welcomed Sam O’Connor to the world, Shira Toeplitz and Kim Hart are joining POLITICO, God’s quarterback is heading to Denver, Ali McSherry has visited 40+ restaurants this year, GOP.gov went platinum, Marco Rubio was endorsed by a broom, …

According to Paul Bedard, Charlie Cook recently eluded that the Democrats could suffer a 30-40 seat lost in November, stating, “it could be worse if the current anti-incumbent and anti-Democrat trend continues. Republicans need to pick up 41 seats to take back the majority.” [Washington Whispers] Asked about it yesterday, …

What’s better? The headline that even we’re too scared to click on. or…. The fact that Steny made the picture and is looking a bit nervous.

Politico’s John Bresnahan used his Monday column to take a few shots at Human Events and Jeb Babbin: The really, really excellent “journalists” at Human Events have just found out that Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) will testify tomorrow before the select committee investigating last August’s “stolen vote” on the …

A tipster writes: “We spotted Majority Leader Steny Hoyer at the National Zoo this weekend.  He was with an unusually large entourage – and looked about as bored and tired as the lions themselves.”

The House will go into a rare closed session Thursday night to debate a controversial electronic surveillance legislation. Even way more exciting than that … It is the first closed session since 1983 and only the fifth in congressional history. [boo-yah] During the session, the chamber will discuss an update …

Pelosi: Voters will determine Dem candidate – not party leaders [I’m smart] Hoyer: Party leaders and super delegates will play a role, and an important one [I’m smarter]

Regardless of whether influential members of her party agree with her or not, Speaker Pelosi is sticking to her guns – a move that might prove detrimental if the FISA saga drags on any longer. Pelosi, today during her press briefing, was asked: “Can you say today that you are …

O’Connor: Democrats prepared to waive PAYGO in stimulus package At the speaker’s request, Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) and Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel (Ill.) are scheduled to meet with Minority Leader John A. Boehner and Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) Wednesday afternoon at …