A lot of political pundits in Washington were quick to write off Iowa’s third congressional district as a safe district for Democrats since Congressman Leonard Boswell didn’t have a tough challenger. As quick as the Iowa weather can change, so too can the direction of the [...]
Gibbons to Boswell: It’s time to get to work
Working only 17 days the first two months of 2010 does not represent Iowa values.
Des Moines, Iowa – Yesterday, the House released their calendar for the upcoming 2010 session. As it currently stands, the House will be voting only 17 days the [...]
When Christian Fong suspended his campaign for governor, the Republican primary field shrunk to a four man contest. Yes, five candidates still remain, but State Senator Jerry Behn isn’t a serious candidate like the other four are. Behn has only attended a handful of events in [...]
Despite the reality of the world around him, Governor Chet Culver always seems to find a way to be optimistic when talking about the condition of the state or his campaign. When the state ended the FY 2009 budget year with a $161 million deficit, Culver remained [...]
Breaking News: The following is a press release from Fong’s campaign.
Christian Fong, Republican gubernatorial candidate announced that effective today he will suspend his campaign for Governor.
“Today, I announce the suspension of my campaign. From this time forward, we will not be actively campaigning for [...]
Story County Treasurer David Jamison is announcing his campaign for State Treasurer today. Jamison, a long-time GOP activist, has served as the Story County Treasurer for 15 years, but now, he has his sights set on becoming the Treasurer of the State of Iowa. To do [...]
Jim Gibbons has launched a website for his congressional campaign. The Gibbons for Congress website is located at www.GibbonsforCongress.com. Gibbons also announced that Allison Kleis will serve as his campaign treasurer. Kleis previously served as Administrative Assistant for former Speaker of the Iowa House, Christopher Rants. [...]
In 2008, Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks turned a lot of heads when she defeated a well-known Cedar Rapids businessman to win the Republican nomination in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District. However, she was unsuccessful in limiting Congressman Dave Loebsack to just one term. Loebsack defeated Miller-Meeks by more than [...]
The Iowa Progress Project will begin airing a new television ad beginning tomorrow, TheIowaRepublican.com has learned. The ad titled “Sacrifice,” highlights Governor Culver’s cuts to K-12 education, college funding and massive unemployment.
A press release from the Iowa Progress Project states, “Last week, the bi-partisan Legislative Services Agency (LSA) released [...]
Below is a press release from Brad Zaun about his potential campaign for Congress. Zaun has also reworked his website.
Today, Brad Zaun moved one step closer to making a Congressional bid official by filing the necessary paperwork with the Federal Election Commission.
“The support I’ve received from [...]
GOP Gubernatorial candidate Chris Rants is worried that the Republican primary for governor is simply going to be a name ID and popularity contest, not a vigorous debate about the issues facing the state. In an effort to get people to focus on various [...]
Earlier today, Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Matt Strawn joined Rep. Chris Hagenow and Rep. Matt Windschitl to announce The Liberty Agenda. The Liberty Agenda consists of three elements.
Allow Iowans to vote of the definition of marriage.
Restore the number of State Troopers to the pre-1998 [...]
For months, Democrats nationwide have criticized Republicans for being the party of “no.” In his speech in Des Moines on Saturday night, Vice President Joe Biden continued that line of attack when he said, “I know what Republicans are against, but I honestly don’t know what they [...]
Event set-up
The dinner is being held at Hy-Vee Hall at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. The stage is located in the middle of the room which is set for 1400 guests. On the far wall behind the state a huge sign that reads “Iowa [...]
TheIowaRepublican.com will Cover Vice President Joe Biden visit to Iowa LIVE
While the political divide that exists between Republicans and Democrats is wide, the political community in Iowa is still rather small. When the Iowa Democratic Party announced that Vice President Joe Biden would be headlining their [...]
The month of November has been incredibly busy. With countless big news stories and major events taking place all over the state, it has been difficult to cover everything that has gone on. There have been a number of stories that need to be written. Some of [...]
It is rare for a Hollywood celebrity to get involved in a political contest in Iowa, but Chuck Norris did just that when he endorsed Vander Plaats’ campaign this past June.
In his June column entitled, “3 Amigos Who Fight for America,” Norris wrote, “I encourage [...]
Former Iowa State wrestling Coach Jim Gibbons wants to be the third district’s next member of Congress. Gibbons brings the unique perspective of an athlete, coach, father, husband, and financial advisor to his congressional campaign. However, after talking with him for a couple of hours yesterday afternoon, [...]
In most cases, it’s impossible to accurately predict how political candidates stack up against each other in a primary or general election.
For example, even though both Bob Vander Plaats and former Governor Terry Branstad have run for statewide office numerous times, it’s nearly impossible to predict [...]
For almost ten years, a brand new, state of the art, maximum security prison located between Thomson and Savannah, Illinois has remained largely empty. The state of Illinois built the facility to replace one of its aging maximum security prisons. After its construction, the state lacked [...]
When Bob McDonnell and Chris Christie won gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey earlier this month, Republicans nationwide became optimistic about their chances to make huge gains in the 2010 elections. It’s easy to understand their excitement. The last time Republicans won both the [...]
State Representative Chris Rants accused former Governor Terry Branstad of wanting to raise the state’s gas tax Saturday night. Rants made the accusation at a Dubuque County Republican Party event.
Rants began his five minute speech by saying that he had had a difficult day. Rants [...]
Up and down the ballot, Republicans have favorable matchups in next fall’s general elections. The top of Republican ballot will feature U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley and a gubernatorial candidate who will emerge from a hard fought primary to face the unpopular and weak incumbent governor, Chet Culver.
While [...]
The Branstad 2010 campaign has issued a statement to TheIowaRepublican.com earlier today to clarify his position on same-sex marriage. Branstad’s position on the issue has become an issue after the Des Moines Register reported that Joy Corning, Branstad’s former Lt. Governor, has recorded an automated [...]
Former Iowa Lt. Governor Joy Corning has inserted herself right into the middle of the Republican primary for governor. Corning served as Iowa’s Lt. Governor under Terry Branstad during the final two terms of his administration. Corning, a supporter of abortion rights and homosexual marriage, recently recorded an auto-call for [...]
The Scott County GOP held its first annual Ronald Reagan dinner in Bettendorf last night. More than 300 people were in attendance for the inaugural event, which featured former New York governor George Pataki and four Republican gubernatorial hopefuls who were looking for support in advance of [...]
TheIowaRepublican.com is at the First Annual Scott County Ronald Reagan Dinner. The room is packed. Nearly 350 people are expected to attend. Former New York Governor George Pataki is the keynote speaker. Christian Fong, Chris Rants, Rod Roberts and Bob Vander Plaats are in attendance and will [...]
Saturday’s Republican Party of Iowa fall fundraiser provided the first opportunity to see all six Republican gubernatorial candidates share the same stage and make their case to the assembled audience. While former governor Terry Branstad has been in the race for almost a month now, this [...]
Roxanne Conlin has released a web video that announces her candidacy for the United State Senate. Conlin is a liberal, millionaire, trial attorney from Des Moines.
[...]
For a November afternoon in Iowa, the weather was perfect. It was a sunny, seventy degrees, and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. The weekend weather was probably the best Iowans have experienced in months. For one Iowa couple, this perfect November day also just [...]
Each candidate was given ten minutes to address the crowd.
Jerry Behn kicked things off.
7:17 – Jerry Behn takes stage
VA and NJ proves that GOP ideas are alive and well.
The only way dems get elected with when the co-opt GOP ideas, but they don’t follow through in [...]
Governor Tim Pawlenty did a great job of introducing himself to Iowa Republicans tonight. Pawlenty was more than comfortable in talking to Iowans tonight. His speech was full of humor, the serious issues that are facing our nation, and lots of references to the heartland. Below are [...]
Watch the live feed of the event by clicking here.
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty is the featured speaker for tonight’s Republican Party of Iowa fall fundraiser. Pawlenty will share the stage with six Republican gubernatorial hopefuls, including former governor Terry Branstad, who will share the stage [...]
The United State House of Representatives will vote on the controversial health care bill tonight at sundown. You can watch the floor debate on CSPAN live by clicking here.
[...]
Governor Culver gave labor unions until Friday November, 6th (That’s Today) to renegotiate. Its 6:22 p.m. Governor, I’m sure there are a lot of state workers wondering if you were successful in negotiating with the unions so they can keep their jobs.
[...]
McKinley Withdraws From Gubernatorial Race, Remains Focused on Winning Back Iowa Senate Majority
2010 elections provide tremendous opportunities for Republicans up and down the ballot
Senate Republican Leader Paul McKinley (R-Chariton) today announced he is withdrawing his candidacy to be the next governor of Iowa and will continue [...]
In 2008, Christopher Reed entered the race for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate just months before the primary. Reed surprised many when he defeated Cedar Rapids businessman Steve Rathje and former state legislator George Eichhorn in the GOP primary. Reed wasn’t as fortunate [...]
About a week ago, CQ Politics downgraded its rating for Iowa’s third congressional district race from Likely Democratic to Safe Democratic. The reason for the switch in the rating is because CQ Politics believes Iowa Republicans have failed to put forth a strong opponent against Democrat incumbent [...]
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty participated in a conference call with Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Matt Strawn this morning. Governor Pawlenty serves as vice chairman of the Republican Governors Association and talked about the Republican victories in New Jersey and Virginia last night.
Pawlenty, who many believe is preparing for [...]
Republicans Pick up Two Gubernatorial Seats
Just one year ago, the political pundits and even some Republicans claimed that conservatism was dead following Barack Obama’s 28 state victory. Those same pundits declared that a major political realignment had taken place, and that the Republican Party was essentially the [...]
Four Republican gubernatorial candidates attended the Crawford and Ida County Barnstorming for Governor last night. 100 people were in attendance to listen to the candidates and cast their vote on who they preferred.
The Results are as follows:
Vander Plaats: 33%
Rants: 28%
Fong: 21%
Roberts: 18%
KTIV TV 4 from Sioux City [...]
Just over a decade ago, Republicans held eight of the nine legislative seats in Scott County, today Republicans only control three of those seats. The difficulties that Republicans have recently experienced in Scott County are not confined to one county; it is something that ails Republicans in [...]
Former governor Terry Branstad has added to his campaign team. Branstad has hired long-time Republican operative Tim Albrecht to lead his gubernatorial campaign’s communications department. Albrecht, who most recently served as the American Future Funds communication director, brings a wealth of campaign and legislative experience to his [...]
TheIowaRepublican.com has learned that Sarah Palin will not be coming to Iowa to headline an event for the Iowa Family Policy Center. Plain would have liked to have attended the event, but her schedule precluded it from happening.
If Palin had attended, she would have sold [...]
The Des Moines Register is already commending Governor Chet Culver for putting a hold on the staff reductions for the Departments of Corrections and Public Safety. Governor Culver has asked AFSCME Council 61, the union that represents the largest share of state workers, to reopen their [...]
Iowa’s Congressman Steve King questions NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on his comments about Rush Limbaugh. King points out that two of the owners of the Miami Dolphins, J-Lo and Fergie, have made more divisive comments than Limbaugh has.
As a member of the Black Eyed Peas, Fergie compares [...]
TheIowaRepublican.com has learned that former Alaska Governor and Vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin could be the featured speaker for the Iowa Family Policy Center’s fall fundraiser in Des Moines on November 21. The appearance would be Palin’s first in Iowa since the 2008 campaign and [...]
It’s hard to believe, but Senator Grassley is probably thankful that Roxanne Conlin, a millionaire liberal trial attorney from Des Moines, is expected to be his Democratic opponent next fall. The possibility of Conlin being the Democrats’ candidate against Grassley next fall became more likely yesterday when [...]
Earlier this spring when Terry Rich was appointed by Governor Chet Culver to serve as the new CEO of the Iowa Lottery, he stated that his goal was to enhance socially acceptable lottery products like Powerball and scratch tickets. While Mr. Rich might have had the [...]
Below is the press release from the Roberts Campaign. Terry Branstad and Bob Vander Plaats were not in attendance.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Rod Roberts won a straw poll among Allamakee County Republicans on Sunday, providing further evidence of his increasing support in all corners of the state. [...]
Iowa’s unemployment rate remained at 6.7 percent this month. The report from the Iowa Workforce Development office showed that the state lost 1,200 jobs in the month of September. Some might find comfort that the unemployment rate didn’t increase for the first time in 2009. However, [...]
In addition to the article about the growing possibility that Mitt Romney may skip the 2012 Iowa Caucuses which appeared on this website yesterday, Marc Ambinder of The Atlantic also wrote a story about lessons learned in Iowa during the 2008 caucuses. The point [...]
A good friend of mine was once asked by the media, “Why does the presidential nominating process start in Iowa?” Sure, there is a historical way answer to the question, but my friend smiled and answered the reporter’s question with one of his own.
“Why [...]
Former governor Terry Branstad held a press conference last Friday announcing his decision to retire as Des Moines University’s President. Branstad told the media that the reason for his retirement was so that he could fully explore the possibility of running for governor in 2010. Branstad didn’t [...]
Former Governor Terry Branstad officially retired at the President of Des Moines University today. Below are videos from his press conference when he says that he retired so that he could devote 100% of his time exploring a run for governor.
Opening Remarks
Questions from the Media
Chris Branstad talks about the comeback.
[...]
Grant Young has some information that will grab Senator Grassley and the rest of the Iowa GOP’s attention. Young has a well placed source that says the chatter inside the U.S. Ag Department is that Current U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack is making initial preparations [...]
On the day that former Governor Terry Branstad retired from Des Moines University so that he could explore the possibility of running for governor. Governor Chet Culver released a new campaign ad about the Iowa budget.
I find it interesting that Governor Culver is running campaign [...]
The November cover of Focus on the Family’s Citizen magazine features a familiar face – Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats. In this addition of the magazine, columnist John Pailton looks ahead to the 2010 elections while also examining Vander Plaats’ pledge to restore [...]
At noon on Friday, former Governor Terry Branstad will address the students, faculty, staff, and board members of Des Moines University. The speech, which will be held in the Student Education Center, is expected to Branstad’s farewell to the university that he has spent the previous six [...]
With Jeff Boeyink’s departure as the Executive Director of the Republican Party of Iowa, RPI Chairman Matt Strawn now has a difficult task in finding a replacement with just a little over a year to until Election Day. To date, the hiring of Boeyink has been one [...]
TheIowaRepublican.com has learned that the Republican Party of Iowa’s Executive Director, Jeff Boeyink, has resigned his position in order to take a key position with former Governor Terry Branstad’s campaign. Boeyink’s resignation is effective immediately.
Boeyink provides the Branstad campaign with a competent administrator who has a wealth [...]
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats received the endorsement of Rev. Keith Ratliff yesterday morning. Supporting Vander Plaats might seem like natural fit for Rev. Ratliff, a strong proponent of traditional marriage, but this is the first time Rev. Ratliff will vote for a [...]
In 2006, Bruce Braley rode the Democratic wave and won easily over his Republican opponent Mike Whalen. Braley’s victory gave Democrats control of the vacant northeast Iowa congressional district that Jim Nussle had held for 16 years. In 2008, Congressman Braley only garnered token opposition in [...]
After months of remaining hopeful that Iowa’s economy would rebound, Governor Chet Culver was forced to take drastic actions to balance the state’s budget. Yesterday afternoon, Governor Culver ordered a 10% across-the-board cut, slashing the budget that he signed this spring by $600 million.
In his [...]
If you thought that Governor Chet Culver’s polling numbers were bad, they are nothing compared to the devastating revenue projections that the Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) released yesterday. Before yesterday’s adjustment, the REC predicted state revenues of $5.843 billion. That number was adjusted downward at the [...]
A week after Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty hired a trio of GOP consultants with presidential experience, there is news that Pawlenty is scheduled to be in the state next month to raise money for the Republican Party of Iowa. Governor Pawlenty will headline an RPI fundraiser on [...]
This morning, former Governor Terry Branstad will file paperwork with the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board (IECDB), essentially launching his campaign for governor.
All state candidates are required to file with the IECDB once they spend or raise more than $750.00. While some candidates have claimed [...]
The initial audit of the Iowa Film offices wasn’t the only audit released yesterday dealing with Governor Chet Culver’s ability to administer millions of taxpayer dollars. Clifton Gunderson LLP, the same firm that audited the Iowa Film Office, was also selected by the U.S. Election Assistance [...]
It is likely that sometime this month, probably after Des Moines University’s Board of Trustees meets, former Governor Terry Branstad will enter the gubernatorial race. The instant Branstad enters the race, he will be the clear frontrunner. However, the primary will be no walk in the [...]
A couple days ago, Chris Cillizza of the Washington Post wrote about Rick Santorum’s upcoming trip to Iowa. Cillizza’s article was entitled, “Is Santorum Serious?” In it, he also asked the question of whether the former senator is crazy. The answer is yes, he is [...]
Last week, Iowa Democratic Chairman Michael Kiernan said that Senator Chuck Grassley will “be in the race of his life.” Kiernan made the comments on IPTV’s Iowa Press program. He spent a considerable amount of his time on the show driving speculation on the mystery Democrat. Likewise, [...]
Former United States Senator Rick Santorum will be in Iowa tomorrow to headline the American Future Fund’s Conservative Lecture Series event in Dubuque. The event will be held at the University of Dubuque tomorrow at 7 pm. Santorum will deliver a speech entitled, “Jumpstarting America’s Economy [...]
Yesterday, Phyllis Stevens of Des Moines was arrested by federal authorities while in Las Vegas on charges that she embezzled an estimated $5.9 million from Aviva USA, a Des Moines-based insurance company. What is interesting about Stevens isn’t that she (allegedly) stole millions from her [...]
If you believe everything that Governor Chet Culver says about the state’s budget, then you probably let out a huge sigh of relief last Friday when he stated that not only did the FY 2009 budget balance, the state actually had a $450 million budget surplus.
Sounds farfetched, [...]
Governor Chet Culver can’t turn around without being confronted with new poll results that show him losing badly in a head-to-head match-up with former Governor Terry Branstad. In early July, TheIowaRepublican.com poll show Culver losing to Branstad by 16 points. Later that month, a poll commissioned by [...]
Yesterday we learned the names of the two movie producers who used the Iowa Department of Economic Development’s film tax credits to purchase luxury automobiles. Bruce Isacson, who filmed the movie “South Dakota,” apparently owns a 2008 Range Rover that cost $61,000. Donald Borchers, who remade “Children [...]
Rants Press Release from this morning:
While much of the attention surrounding the scandal at the Iowa Film Office is surrounding how did a Mercedes and Range Rover get purchased – there are bigger questions that demand answers. This morning I submitted ten questions and requests for information [...]
Governor Chet Culver is in the midst of a scandal, the likes of which the state of Iowa has never seen in its history. The scandal involving the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) will likely dwarf the CIETC scandal from 2006. The CIETC scandal centered on [...]
Draft Branstad PAC announces the endorsement of State Representative Jeff Kaufmann (R-Wilton).
“I am very pleased to announce the endorsement of State Representative Jeff Kaufmann. Rep. Kaufmann is a well respected leader in the Republican legislative caucus, as well as among conservatives throughout eastern Iowa. He will help [...]
State Representative Kent Sorenson has decided to give up the seat he won in the Iowa House of Representatives last year and will instead look to knock off another Democrat incumbent, Staci Appel. Sorenson’s decision to run for the Senate seat 37 sets up an intriguing matchup [...]
Earlier this summer, Michael Kiernan, the chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party, warned Iowans to be weary of polls that were conducted by TheIowaRepublican.com and the Iowa First Foundation. Kiernan said, “They ask loaded questions to get desired results.” Kiernan made this statement in an effort [...]
Republican gubernatorial candidate Rod Roberts raised over $50,000 this evening in a fundraiser in Carroll. More than 100 individual supporters contributed at the fundraiser, which kicked off Roberts’s fall fundraising efforts.
“We are extraordinarily pleased with how successful tonight’s fundraiser was,” said Roberts, a five-term State Representative. [...]
Strawn: Time for Democrats to put our kids before their campaign cash
Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Matt Strawn today said that in the days following the unveiling of Republican public education reform initiatives, leading Iowa Democrats have continued to demonstrate a stunning defense of the status quo [...]
The Iowa Lottery has shown interest in two pieces of federal legislation that would create the licensing and regulatory requirements needed to implement internet gambling in the United States. With many states facing huge budget deficits, one area which they can exploit to generate increased revenue is [...]
The Iowa Lottery recently conducted a phone survey that asked Iowans for their opinion on a number of issues and initiatives. The poll included questions on two highly controversial measurers – lowering the age requirement to play lottery games from 21 to 18, and instituting new lottery [...]
Many people have speculated that once former Governor Terry Branstad enters the gubernatorial race, the current field of Republican candidates will shrink substantially. Some speculate that a Branstad candidacy would clear the entire field except for Bob Vander Plaats. The chances of a two person primary [...]
Below are the remarks that Christian Fong delivered at the IFPC gubernatorial forum this past Saturday. The remarks are unedited and split up into two parts so that they could be uploaded to YouTube.
Photo by Dave Davidson
[...]
Today’s top story focuses mostly on the Iowa Family Policy Center’s gubernatorial forum instead of the straw poll which they conducted following the event. Below are the results, followed by reaction from Jamie Johnson who attended the event.
Bob Vander Plaats – 167 votes (63%)
Christian [...]
Below are the remarks that Chris Rants delivered at the IFPC gubernatorial forum this past Saturday. The remarks are unedited and split up into two parts so that they could be uploaded to YouTube.
Photo by Dave Davidson
[...]
The Draft Branstad group, which is headed by former state legislator Sandy Greiner, has launched a state-wide radio ad titled “Real Leadership.” TheIowaRepublican.com has learned that the ad will run in the Sioux City, Omaha/Council Bluffs, Des Moines, Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport markets.
“This [...]
This past Saturday, the Iowa Family Policy Center (IFPC) held a gubernatorial forum following the Iowa/Iowa State football game. The event was held at the State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. IFPC invited Governor Chet Culver, the six announced Republican gubernatorial candidates, and former Governor Terry Branstad, [...]
Agricultural scientist Norman Borlaug, who is often cited as the father of the “green revolution,” passed away yesterday in Texas at the age of 95. The Iowa-born Borlaug won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 for his contributions to high-yield crop varieties that have helped feed millions [...]
Welcome Iowa Football fans. No matter who won the big game, its time for political patriots on 9:12 to listen live to the “Family Values Forum”. This will feature 2010 gubernatorial candidates. All the candidates for governor, from both political parties, have been invited to share [...]
This time the flyers are aimed at getting him to run for governor, not keep him out of the race.
The Draft Branstad group is distributing flyers that read, “You did your research, compiled your spreadsheets and drafted the perfect team. You’ve got sleepers and breakout players and rookie sensations. There’s [...]
Thoughts, Predictions, Talk a Little Smack Before or After the Game…
My thoughts: Iowa rolls in to Iowa State and takes care of business. Yes they probably should have been beat by UNI, and Iowa will be without the services of its best talent, Left Tackle Bryan Bulaga, [...]
Today marks the eighth anniversary of the September 11th attacks on America. For most Americans, that day will be etched into our memories for the rest of our lives. Eight years later, I can still recall even the smallest details of that day.
I know what time [...]
President Barack Obama addressed a joint session of Congress last night in an attempt to revive his healthcare reform proposal. It was his second such appearance since taking office just 232 days ago. President Obama made one thing abundantly clear – he will continue to pursue [...]
The Draft Branstad group which started last week is advertising on the Drudge Report website. The group headed by former state legislator Sandy Greiner is encouraging former Iowa governor, and current Des Moines University President Terry Branstad to run for the Republican nomination.
They are rotating three different ads on [...]
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats stopped in Des Moines while on his statewide campaign announcement tour yesterday. Vander Plaats is in the midst of his third attempt to secure the Republican Party’s nomination for governor. He made his official announcement in his home town of [...]
With the town hall meetings of the August congressional recess now a thing of the past, President Obama has decided to hold a town hall meeting of his own as members of Congress return to the nation’s capitol. President Obama will address a joint session of congress [...]
