“...for the President to perform his constitutional duties, it is imperative that he receive candid and unfettered advice and that free and open discussions and deliberations occur among his advisors and between those advisors and others within and outside the Executive Branch.”

Rep. Matt Salmon opened his congressional district office in Gilbert last week.

TUCSON, Ariz. - Federal prosecutors added new charges Thursday including racketeering, making a false statement on a tax return and other counts to an indictment against Arizona Congressman Rick Renzi.

Rep. Rick Renzi was charged with 35 counts of conspiracy, fraud, money laundering and extortion in an indictment announced Friday.

SAN FRANCISCO - A California congressman urged the Pentagon on Tuesday to complete its criminal investigation into the friendly fire death of Cpl. Pat Tillman, who was killed in Afghanistan after quitting the NFL to join the U.S. Army Rangers.

SAN DIEGO - Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham pleaded guilty Monday to conspiracy and tax charges and tearfully resigned from office, admitting he took $2.4 million in bribes to steer defense contracts to conspirators.

Former Arizona Congressman John Rhodes III died Thursday. He was 67.

RALEIGH, N.C. — A U.S. congressman from North Carolina wants the $50 bill redrawn to feature the face of former President Ronald Reagan.

WASHINGTON — West Virginia Sen. Robert C. Byrd became the longest-serving lawmaker in congressional history Wednesday, a milestone to be marked with a morning of Senate tributes and a special resolution.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Weeks after his harsh remarks toward the GOP, a Florida congressman's popularity with Democrats isn't dying quickly. U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, who said late last month that Republicans' health care plans amount to wanting sick people to "die quickly," told a wildly enthusiastic crowd of about 2,000 Democrats Saturday that the GOP should change its name to "The Selfish Party."

WASHINGTON - A powerful House Democrat on Thursday demanded an update from Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff on a project to build a high-tech border fence, saying that delays and setbacks in the Boeing-led program make its future unclear.

TUCSON - An associate of indicted Ariz. Rep. Rick Renzi pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges he conspired with the congressman.

WASHINGTON - Three-term Rep. Rick Renzi, R-Ariz., who is facing a federal inquiry into his family’s insurance business, said Thursday he will not seek re-election next year.

June 29, 2004