WASHINGTON – Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington state and Republican Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona were the only members of Congress’ supercommittee who did not receive financial contributions from large political action committees (PACs) in the roughly 20 days of August after House and Senate leaders appointed them to the powerful panel, according to a new report released today.
 
The Sunlight Foundation, a Washington group, said that PACs for 19 of the biggest political donors in the country reported contributing more than $83,000 to 10 of the 12 members of the super committee or their leadership PACs. The report, based on filings to the Federal Election Commission, offers the first official glimpse into the fundraising activities of the supercommittee as it seeks to come up with a plan to reduce the federal deficit by at least $1.2 trillion by Nov. 23.
 
Here’s how the donations broke down:
 
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A grassroots group that wants to reduce federal spending said it will kick off its national tour in Washington state on Tuesday as part of a plan to pressure Democratic Sen. Patty Murray to hold the line on government expenditures as she heads up Congress’ supercommittee.

Tom Phillips, president of Americans for Prosperity, said that Murray should “act responsibly as co-chair of the spending supercommittee.”

“We hope that all supercommittee members get the message that after years of out-of-control government spending, it’s time for Washington, D.C., to tighten its belt,” he said.

The “Cut Spending Now” tour is scheduled to make two stops in Washington state on Tuesday: in Shelton, at Kneeland Park at noon; and in Vancouver at the Esther Short Park Pavilion Stage at 6:30 p.m.
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U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, a Democrat from Washington, and U.S. Rep. Jeb Hensarling, a Republican from Texas, have the task of organizing the bipartisan committee to find $1.5 trillion in budget cuts.

Since everything requires agreement between politicians are different edges of the political spectrum, it might take awhile. This statement appears to be all that they could agree to say (which isn’t much).

Here it is::

“In the days since Leader Reid and Speaker Boehner asked us to undertake this joint responsibility, we have been working together to ensure that the committee we help build is given every opportunity

…

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We knew a while ago that Washington was due to get stimulus money for high speed rail, but the Gregoire administration warned that money was threatened by U.S. House Republicans’ budget proposal.

Now the money appears to be secure with the announcement today from Sen. Patty Murray’s office that a contract has been signed on the $590 million in stimulus funds. 

Murray said in a news release the agreement was reached Friday night between the Federal Rail Administration, the state Department of Transportation and BNSF railways, which operates large parts of the track between the Canadian border and Portland. Projects will start soon along that line, Murray said.

Now that the $590 million has been contractually obligated, officials will try to do the same with $161 million in stimulus money redistributed to Washington after Wisconsin and Ohio’s new GOP governors turned it down.

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WASHINGTON – Senate Democrats made history today by selecting Washington’s Patty Murray to head the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, marking the first time a woman will hold the influential post.

Murray, a fourth-term senator first elected in 1992, will replace Democratic Sen. Daniel Akaka of Hawaii as the new committee chair. Akaka, an 86-year-old veteran of World War II, has headed the committee for the last four years.

“Following in his footsteps is an amazing task, but I am ready to take this on, and I’m very excited,” Murray said in an interview.

Murray joined the Veterans’ Affairs Committee in 1995, becoming the first woman named to the panel.

“I look at this as a passion for veterans, men and women alike,” she said of her new assignment.

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Tonight’s State of the Union speech by President Barack Obama is turning into a politician prom, with Republicans and Democrats pairing up in a symbolic show of bipartisanship.

Eli Sanders at The Stranger has the details on the “dates” for Washington’s senators.

He reports that Patty Murray will sit with Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, who as chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee tried his best last year to keep Murray from sitting anywhere in the Capitol.

Maria Cantwell will sit with moderate Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine. This despite ABC …

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WASHINGTON – There’s a report this morning that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and the White House are trying to convince Washington Sen. Patty Murray to head the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

Capitol Hill sources confirm Reid and the White House are courting Murray to head up the party’s Senate efforts in 2012 when 21 Democrats are up for re-election.

Murray’s office declined comment.

“Right now, Sen. Murray is focused on ensuring we continue work to create jobs, extend tax cuts for middle class families and small business owners, and improve our economy,” said Matt McAlvanah, a Murray spokesman. …

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WASHINGTON – Fresh from her campaign victory, Washington Sen. Patty Murray was re-elected today to the post of Democratic Conference secretary. That means Murray ranks fourth in Senate Democratic leadership.

Murray has held the post since 2006. It gives her a seat at the table when Democrats set their agenda and shape legislation as it moves to the Senate floor.

Her election was expected.

“At a time when so much is on the line for Washington state and the nation, I am looking forward to the opportunity to ensure our state’s priorities are given a voice as we make difficult …

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