Ben Mause

All Crew Members of U.S. KC-135 Loss in Iraq Confirmed Deceased TAMPA, Fla. – All six crew members aboard a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft that went down in western Iraq are now confirmed deceased. The aircraft was lost while flying over friendly airspace March 12 during Operation Epic Fury. The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire. The identities of the service members are being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified.

They got a hipster coffee shop in the Cannon House office building(?!)

News: Maryland Governor's Redistricting Advisory Commission, chaired by Angela Alsobrooks, voted “to recommend a new congressional map concept to the Governor and the General Assembly.” “At a moment when other states are moving aggressively to redraw maps, and when fundamental voting rights protections face renewed threats, Maryland has a responsibility to lead with urgency.”

News: Maryland Governor's Redistricting Advisory Commission, chaired by Angela Alsobrooks, voted “to recommend a new congressional map concept to the Governor and the General Assembly.” “At a moment when other states are moving aggressively to redraw maps, and when fundamental voting rights protections face renewed threats, Maryland has a responsibility to lead with urgency.”

Steny Hoyer’s departure is truly the end of an era in House Democratic politics. Steny always chose the more civil path, which is why he earned the mutual respect of his colleagues on both sides of the aisle—as a fair dealer, a respected leader, and an institution within the institution he most loved. When I served as Majority Whip, we both relished the end of the legislative week because of the colloquy, where we would verbally spar out in the public on the House floor. But behind closed doors, we would frequently meet, and especially as majorities changed and leadership roles shifted, we focused on what united us—whether it was leading our respective party delegations to visit Israel, talking about issues close to home like the two premier naval RDT&E installations in our respective districts, or just putting aside procedural differences to uphold the House as a centuries-old institution. And so, over time, I found that I would be talking to not just a leader of the opposition, but a good friend. When I needed to know what was going on within the Democratic caucus, Steny was the first and only call I would make—he was the loyal opposition, but he was also the only one trustworthy in his party’s leadership team. The House, his constituents in Southern Maryland he has represented for over 40 years, and our nation are indebted to the service of a statesman like Steny Hoyer.