David Sherfinski
Articles by David Sherfinski
Hensarling rejects Senate-passed terrorism insurance measure
The Senate voted Thursday to extend a federal backstop for insurance companies in the event of a terrorist attack, saying the post-Sept. 11 program is still needed, and putting pressure on House Republicans who are divided on the issue. Published July 17, 2014
Darrell Issa raises Hatch Act concerns over Obama officials
House chief investigator Rep. Darrell Issa released a recording Wednesday of a then-Obama Cabinet official leaving a voicemail asking someone to attend a fundraiser, escalating a battle with the White House over political activities within the administration. Published July 16, 2014
David Brat may be hurt by loss of Cantor cash
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor's stunning primary loss has left a bit of a mess in Virginia's seventh congressional district, with Democrats weighing whether to invest in the race and allies of GOP nominee David Brat alleging that Mr. Cantor's backers are pulling money away from his campaign. Published July 14, 2014
Gun control battle may kill sportsmen’s bill
Staring at the possibility of a battle over gun control and other thorny issues he didn't want to deal with, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid used parliamentary tactics to block out all amendments on a bill to expand hunting and fishing access on federal land, putting the brakes on the largely noncontroversial legislation. Published July 9, 2014
Dave Brat shakes up campaign a month after topping Eric Cantor in GOP primary
Economics professor Dave Brat, who bested House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in a GOP primary a month ago in Virginia's 7th congressional district, has hired his third campaign manager of the race. Published July 9, 2014
Benghazi panel could cost up to $3.3 million
USA Today, citing a committee document from House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's office, reports that House Republicans are planning to spend as much as $3.3 million for the Benghazi special panel. Published July 7, 2014
Fighter over Lois Lerner’s missing IRS emails heads to court
Two conservative groups have earned court time this week over cases tied to the missing emails of former IRS employee Lois G. Lerner, moving the matter from Capitol Hill to the courtroom. Published July 7, 2014
Court orders Chicago to pay NRA’s legal fees
A federal court is ordering the city of Chicago to pay the National Rifle Association nearly $1 million in legal fees. Published July 7, 2014
New ‘guntry clubs’ make shooters feel welcome
A shooting range consultant is opening a 65,000-square-foot indoor facility in October — the latest in a number of shooting clubs that have been popping up in places from gun-friendly Colorado and Texas to Miami's Wynwood Arts District. Published July 6, 2014
Terrorism Risk Insurance Act renewal a bipartisan affair
Federal involvement in health insurance has been controversial on Capitol Hill, but Republicans and Democrats in Congress have shown few qualms about getting involved when it comes to the private terrorism-insurance market. Published July 6, 2014
Republicans put Democrats on defense at local levels
Republicans hope to ride President Obama's unpopularity to win control of the U.S. Senate, but they also say they're laying the groundwork for gains in the states' legislatures, where analysts say Democrats are also on the defensive. Published July 3, 2014
Consumer protection group wants $215M to renovate D.C. headquarters
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says the $215 million it will cost to upgrade its downtown Washington headquarters is justified for a building past its prime, pushing back against a report Wednesday that said the agency hasn't presented a "sound business case" for spending that much. Published July 2, 2014
Technology problems at IRS go far beyond loss of Lois Lerner’s email
Lois G. Lerner's hard drive isn't the only technological problem at the Internal Revenue Service. Published July 2, 2014
Republicans split over Export-Import Bank reauthorization
Citing a "sense of urgency," the business lobby is starting a massive effort to target lawmakers in their districts over the Fourth of July and August breaks to get them to renew authorization of the Export-Import Bank, an issue conservative groups are trying to turn into a litmus test for the new House Republican leadership team. Published June 29, 2014
Scalise takes conservative stances on spending issues, hawkish on energy
During his four terms in Congress, Rep. Steve Scalise, the new No. 3 man in House leadership, has been a major backer of American energy production, frequently visiting offshore oil rigs to tout the benefits of drilling in the U.S. Published June 26, 2014
Scalise appoints North Carolina Rep. McHenry as chief deputy whip
House Majority Whip-elect Steve Scalise has tapped GOP Rep. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina to be his chief deputy whip, adding another voice from a southern state to the new House leadership team. Published June 26, 2014
John Boehner: Going to ‘work our way’ through Export-Import Bank talks
Speaker John A. Boehner did not commit Tuesday to supporting a reauthorization of the 80-year-old Export-Import Bank, saying his job is to work with members to get them to a place on the hot-button issue where they are comfortable. Published June 24, 2014
House panel on Benghazi attack staffing up and briefing members
After a furious push to establish and appoint members to the House select committee on Benghazi, the panel's official proceedings have hit slow gear, and committee members say they don't expect to begin talking with witnesses until the fall. Published June 22, 2014
Kevin McCarthy elected House majority leader; Scalise picked as whip
House Republicans chose Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California to be their new majority leader Thursday and elected Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana to succeed him as majority whip, giving conservatives a staunch advocate on the GOP leadership team. Published June 19, 2014
Cantor pollster: Methodology ‘woefully inadequate’ for ‘jungle-style primary’
A top GOP pollster who had House Majority Leader Eric Cantor winning in a walk last week acknowledged in a post-primary memo that his team's methodology was "woefully inadequate" and said the poll should have taken into account the possibly of non-Republican voters participating. Published June 19, 2014