Bruce Alpert, Times-Picayune
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Washington D.C. reporter for the Times-Picayunce since 1989.All Activity by Bruce Alpert, Times-Picayune RSS
Members of Congress speak at lower grade levels than seven years ago
Posted on Louisiana Politics & Government on May 21, 2012, 10:48AM
Are today's members of Congress less smart? Full story »
Rep. Jeff Landry says defense bill provision protects citizens' rights
Posted on Louisiana Politics & Government on May 19, 2012, 7:00AM
Washington -- Rep. Jeff Landry, R-New Iberia, says he's satisfied that a defense authorization bill passed Friday by the House of Representatives maintains basic constitutional rights. Some of his colleagues don't agree. Landry said his efforts, and those of others, forced House leadership to include a provision that ensures that people who are detained on terrorism charges in the... Full story »
Jurors in Roger Clemens trial get to ask questions
Posted on Louisiana Politics & Government on May 18, 2012, 9:00AM
Jurors pass written questions to judge, who reviews them with the lawyers before posing them Full story »
Congress extends federal flood insurance program for 30 more days
Posted on New Orleans Business News on May 17, 2012, 5:38PM
If program lapses, no new policies can be issued Full story »
Senate confirms two Obama nominees previously blocked by Sen. David Vitter
Posted on Louisiana Politics & Government on May 17, 2012, 4:08PM
WASHINGTON - The Senate Thursday confirmed two of President Barack Obama's nominees to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors - nominations that had been held up since March 29 by Sen. David Vitter, R-La Vitter's action prevented the Senate from approving the nominees under an expedited procedure called unanimous consent - one that is used to confirm most nominees.... Full story »
30-day flood insurance program extension approved by House
Posted on Louisiana Politics & Government on May 17, 2012, 1:57PM
If the program lapses, as it did four times in 2010, no new policies can be issued and postponement of house sale closings would be inevitable Full story »
Federal bill easing bank rules is delayed
Posted on Louisiana Politics & Government on May 16, 2012, 10:45PM
Sen. David Vitter backs more hearings as U.S. House responds to JPMorgan loss Full story »
Tulane University's Hurricane Katrina allocation from FEMA targeted for reduction
Posted on New Orleans Metro Education News on May 16, 2012, 7:00PM
Federal inspector general says amount should reflect $24.5 million in private insurance payments Full story »
House delays action on bill that would scale back restrictions on investments
Posted on New Orleans Business News on May 16, 2012, 5:35PM
Louisiana Republican lawmakers have generally supported alls to reduce some of the Dodd-Frank restrictions Full story »
Anti-tax crusader says Bobby Jindal would make great vice presidential candidate
Posted on Louisiana Politics & Government on May 16, 2012, 12:15PM
Bobby Jindal gets more backing as Mitt Romney's running mate Full story »
Senator is hopeful Restore Act will pass
Posted on 2010 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill on May 15, 2012, 9:15PM
Sen. Barbara Boxer notes that the provision is included in both the House and Senate versions of the transportation bill Full story »
Patti Blagojevich offers insights what prison visits will be like for former Rep. William Jefferson
Posted on Louisiana Politics & Government on May 15, 2012, 10:25AM
WASHINGTON - What will it be like for family members who visit former Rep. William Jefferson, D-New Orleans, who is now 11 days into his 13-year-sentence at the low-security federal Beaumont Correctional Facility in Texas? Patti Blagojevich, wife of imprisoned former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, offered some insights on her Facebook page Monday night. The former Illinois First Lady... Full story »
Rep. Hastings raises 'serious questions' about inspector general's probe of drilling moratorium report
Posted on Louisiana Politics & Government on May 10, 2012, 5:04PM
A House committee chairman Thursday expressed dissatisfaction with an inspector general's investigation that found no evidence the Obama administration intentionally edited a report to suggest outside experts endorsed a moratorium on deep-water drilling following the 2010 BP oil spill. The experts hadn't been consulted about the moratorium. House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings, R-Wash., Thursday wrote acting Interior... Full story »
Romney's possible VP choice criticized for opposing RESTORE Act
Posted on Louisiana Politics & Government on May 10, 2012, 10:40AM
Florida GOP Sen. Marco Rubio gets heat for his vote against the RESTORE Act. Full story »
Offer of unsolicited federal health grant is a scam, officials say
Posted on Louisiana Politics & Government on May 09, 2012, 5:28PM
WASHINGTON -- The caller has good news:"You've been selected to receive a $7,000 grant from the Department of Health Human Services because you don't have a criminal record and you haven't filed for bankruptcy," the pretend HHS employee told a New Orleans resident Wednesday. The government giving out unsolicited grants just for staying out of prison and paying bills?... Full story »
Probe of BP oil spill report a waste of time, Democratic congressman says
Posted on Louisiana Politics & Government on May 09, 2012, 8:22AM
Rep. Ed Markey says committee should not waste time and money reviewing a two-year-old copy editing mistake Full story »
Government's civil suit against Bollinger Shipyards may be heard in Louisiana
Posted on New Orleans Business News on May 08, 2012, 5:02PM
Bollinger will fight the suit Full story »
Sen. Vitter and advocacy groups press Senate on 5-year extension of flood insurance program
Posted on Louisiana Politics & Government on May 08, 2012, 11:13AM
Advocates say the move would improve the program's finances by allowing rates to increase by up to 15 percent a year, instead of the current maximum annual hike of 10 percent Full story »
2 U.S. House Republicans cry foul over part of bill including Restore Act
Posted on Louisiana Politics & Government on May 08, 2012, 12:20AM
Louisiana, 4 other Gulf of Mexico states would get 80 percent of BP oil spill fines Full story »
Gulf oil spill moratorium inquiries rebuffed, investigator says
Posted on 2010 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill on May 07, 2012, 10:09PM
He says he was denied access to a White House official and full email records Full story »
William Jefferson settles in to federal prison in Beaumont, Texas
Posted on New Orleans Metro Crime and Courts News on May 05, 2012, 9:00AM
His 13-year sentence is the longest ever for a member of Congress Full story »
William Jefferson reports to Texas prison to begin 13-year sentence
Posted on Louisiana Politics & Government on May 04, 2012, 12:40PM
He arrived around 11:30 a.m.; made no comment Full story »
William Jefferson reports to prison in Texas Friday
Posted on New Orleans Metro Crime and Courts News on May 04, 2012, 6:40AM
Former congressman will be required to work at the facility in Beaumont Full story »
Jefferson ordered to report to federal prison in Beaumont, Texas
Posted on Louisiana Politics & Government on May 03, 2012, 4:35PM
Former congressman will begin his 13-year prison sentence at the low-security facility 270 miles west from New Orleans Full story »
William Jefferson's health scare led to the worst mistake of his life
Posted on New Orleans Metro Crime and Courts News on May 03, 2012, 6:30AM
His determination to leave enough money to his wife and daughters led him into a criminal realm Full story »
Environmental groups hit Republican lawmakers' attacks on EPA
Posted on Louisiana Politics & Government on May 02, 2012, 7:25AM
They object to 'overheated rhetoric pointed at the agency which helps protect the air, water and wetlands we all rely upon' Full story »
St. Bernard schools get $60 million in new federal funds for post-Katrina building
Posted on Louisiana Politics & Government on May 01, 2012, 3:12PM
Lump-sum payment a change for FEMA, which previously funded projects on a building-by-building basis, Full story »
Outrage over General Services Administration spending could chill New Orleans travel
Posted on New Orleans Business News on April 29, 2012, 9:30AM
Feds impose cuts on conferences Full story »
Florida judge temporarily blocks new rules on foreign guest workers
Posted on Louisiana Politics & Government on April 27, 2012, 1:58PM
WASHINGTON -- A Florida federal judge temporarily blocked the Labor Department from implementing rules the agency says would protect foreign guest workers and ensure Americans get first shot at the jobs, but opponents say would force unsustainable costs on businesses. The ruling, issued late Thursday, is another blow to the department, which has already had Congress temporarily block another... Full story »
David Vitter urges Senate to extend federal flood insurance program
Posted on Louisiana Politics & Government on April 27, 2012, 10:00AM
He wants a 5-year extension; Congress has voted 13 short-term extensions of the program over the last 3 years Full story »
