Congress

OBAMA_2010

President Barack Obama shakes hands with Washington D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray after he offered remarks urging Congress to pass the infrastructure part of the American Jobs Act, in front of a crowd which included iron workers and steam fitters, at Georgetown Waterfront Park in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011. (Photo/Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

OBAMA_2009

President Obama shakes hands with people in a crowd that included ironworkers and steamfitters after he offered remarks urging Congress to pass the infrastructure part of the American Jobs Act at Georgetown Waterfront Park in Washington on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

OBAMA_2007

President Obama urges Congress to pass the infrastructure part of the American Jobs Act in a speech to an audience that included ironworkers and steamfitters at Georgetown Waterfront Park in Washington on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

OBAMA_2006

Washington D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray (right) chats with Mid-Atlantic Regional Council of Carpenters Deputy Public Affairs Director Thomas Blanton (left) and Rep. John Larson (D-CT, center) as they wait for President Barack Obama to arrive and offer remarks urging Congress to pass the infrastructure part of the American Jobs Act, in front of a crowd which included iron workers and steam fitters, at Georgetown Waterfront Park in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, November 2, 2011. (Photo/Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

OBAMA_2005

Washington D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray (center) chats with iron workers and others as they wait for President Barack Obama to arrive and offer remarks urging Congress to pass the infrastructure part of the American Jobs Act, in front of a crowd which included iron workers and steam fitters, at Georgetown Waterfront Park in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, November 2, 2011. (Photo/Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

OBAMA_2004

Laphonsor Price of Bowie, Md, and a member of Steamfitters Local 602, chats with reporters as he and others wait for President Barack Obama's arrival and remarks urging Congress to pass the infrastructure part of the American Jobs Act, in front of a crowd which included iron workers and steam fitters, at Georgetown Waterfront Park in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, November 2, 2011. (Photo/Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

OBAMA_2003

Hayden Duncan of Landover, Md, and member of Ironworkers Local 5 chats with reporters as he and others wait for President Barack Obama's arrival and remarks urging Congress to pass the infrastructure part of the American Jobs Act, in front of a crowd which included iron workers and steam fitters, at Georgetown Waterfront Park in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, November 2, 2011. (Photo/Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

OBAMA_2002

President Barack Obama offers remarks urging Congress to pass the infrastructure part of the American Jobs Act, in front of a crowd which included iron workers and steam fitters, at Georgetown Waterfront Park in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, November 2, 2011. (Photo/Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

OBAMA_2001

With the Key Bridge and Potomac River as his backdrop, President Barack Obama offers remarks urging Congress to pass the infrastructure part of the American Jobs Act, in front of a crowd which included iron workers and steam fitters, at Georgetown Waterfront Park in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011. (Photo/Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

OBAMA_2000

With the Key Bridge and Potomac River as his backdrop, President Obama offers remarks urging Congress to pass the infrastructure part of the American Jobs Act, in front of a crowd that included ironworkers and steamfitters, at Georgetown Waterfront Park in Washington on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

OBAMA_1413

Tyrone Thomas of Suitland, Md, and member of Ironworkers Local 5 walks past the U.S. flag as he and others wait for President Barack Obama's arrival and remarks urging Congress to pass the infrastructure part of the American Jobs Act, in front of a crowd which included iron workers and steam fitters, at Georgetown Waterfront Park in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, November 2, 2011. (Photo/Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

OBAMA_1411

Secret Service agents scout the scene prior to the arrival of President Barack Obama, who was scheduled to offer marks urging Congress to pass the infrastructure part of the American Jobs Act, in front of a crowd which included iron workers and steam fitters, at Georgetown Waterfront Park in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, November 2, 2011. (Photo/Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

OBAMA_1410

President Barack Obama shakes hands with Washington D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray after he offered remarks urging Congress to pass the infrastructure part of the American Jobs Act, in front of a crowd which included iron workers and steam fitters, at Georgetown Waterfront Park in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, November 2, 2011. (Photo/Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

OBAMA_1409

President Barack Obama shakes hands with people in the crowd who came to see him, after he offered remarks urging Congress to pass the infrastructure part of the American Jobs Act, in front of a crowd which included iron workers and steam fitters, at Georgetown Waterfront Park in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, November 2, 2011. (Photo/Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

BRIDGE.jpg

President Barack Obama speaks in front of the Key Bridge, which spans Arlington, Va., and Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011, urging Congress to pass the infrastructure piece of the American Jobs Act. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

20111101-213732-pic-863219202.jpg

"We don't have to sit back and allow a minority in the Congress, known as the tea party, to dominate the discussion in our households," Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis recently said.

20111101-205227-pic-717968412.jpg

"Why would DHS want to keep this information from the committee? If there is nothing to hide, why wouldn't they provide Congress with these documents? Are administration officials concerned that the requested information will show that illegal and criminal immigrants intentionally released by ICE have gone on to commit more crimes?" — Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith, Texas Republican

GARAGIOLA_0063_11011148.jpg

With his wife Cindy, his daughters Erica, 10, and Alyssa,11, and son Jonathan,13, looking on at right Maryland Senate Majority Leader Rob Garagiola (D) delivers his speech as he makes an appearance to announce his campaign for Congress in Maryland's sixth Congressional District, at the BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown, Md, Tuesday, November 1, 2011. (Photo/Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

GARAGIOLA_0323_11011154.jpg

Maryland Senate Majority Leader Rob Garagiola (D) talks with reporters following his speech as he makes an appearance to announce his campaign for Congress in Maryland's sixth Congressional District, at the BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown, Md, Tuesday, November 1, 2011. (Photo/Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)