House Of Representatives U S

Rep. John T. Doolittle (R-Roseville), who has been under scrutiny for his ties to a corrupt lobbyist, announced Thursday that he would not seek reelection in November. A top Democratic target for defeat, Doolittle was under pressure to bow out of the race from GOP colleagues who have sought to get out from under an ethics cloud that contributed to the party's loss of its congressional majority in the 2006 elections.

The state House speaker resigned his post on Monday after a series of embarrassing revelations, including not filing state personal income-tax returns and being involved in questionable fundraising. Republican Lance Cargill, at 36 the nation's youngest House speaker, told members of the House's GOP majority of his resignation by telephone during a conference call. He later issued a statement.

The U.S. House on Tuesday passed legislation authorizing the establishment of a memorial in honor of leprosy patients forcibly relocated to Kalaupapa in the 1800s and 1900s. U.S. Rep. Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), the bill's sponsor, told lawmakers from the House floor that the memorial should list the names of those exiled to the remote Molokai peninsula. She noted that many who died at Kalaupapa were buried in unmarked graves, making it difficult for their families to honor them.

Two consultants hired by Countrywide Financial Corp. raised concerns about Chairman Angelo R. Mozilo's lucrative pay package, but key recommendations were ignored and the company eventually hired a third advisor whose aim was to achieve "maximum opportunity" for Mozilo, documents show. The result was a pay contract that "was significantly more generous to Mr. Mozilo" than originally recommended, according to a report released by a congressional panel Thursday.

The House on Thursday passed the most sweeping government plan yet to shore up the troubled housing market and help people struggling to pay their mortgages, adopting legislation that would underwrite $300 billion in new loans and keep an estimated 500,000 homeowners out of foreclosure. Backers contend the bill -- or something close to it -- has a good chance of becoming law even though Senate Republicans have criticized it and the White House has threatened a veto.

Authorities are investigating whether a former executive assistant in the U.S. House of Representatives misappropriated thousands of dollars to finance a vacation and personal items, as part of a widening effort to determine whether congressional accounts are inadequately monitored, according to two sources familiar with the inquiry. At issue in the ongoing probe by the House inspector general is the role of a former assistant to Rep.

Rep. Dan Lungren (R-Gold River), a former California attorney general, launched a campaign Friday to replace an Ohio congressman as leader of the House Republicans, seeking the tough job of rebuilding a party that lost more ground to Democrats in last week's election. "Our party is in trouble," Lungren said in a letter to GOP colleagues announcing his challenge to House Minority Leader John A. Boehner.

Most Americans still don't know who Nancy Pelosi is, and this was her last chance to script an introduction before Congress convenes today and she becomes the first female speaker of the House. So on Wednesday, Pelosi kicked off a three-day celebration of her ascension packed with more product placement than an infomercial. The cannoli at the reception after the morning Mass were from the bakery on the street in Baltimore's Little Italy where she grew up.

Federal prosecutors in San Diego have subpoenaed documents from three House committees as part of an investigation into special-interest earmarks in spending bills. The demand ratchets up an investigation by the U.S. attorney's office in San Diego into contracts awarded by the Defense Department and other agencies. The probe stems from the bribery case against Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-Rancho Santa Fe), who pleaded guilty and resigned in 2005.