absentee lobbying n.— «Dustin McDaniel’s bid to ban “absentee lobbying” raises a question: How often do lobbyists pay for lawmakers” food and drinks without attending the event? Many lawmakers and lobbyists say they’re...
primary v.— «Most lawmakers represent safe districts, giving them little incentive to tack to the center and work together. Indeed, many incumbents worry more about “being primaried,” as they put it, drawing a primary challenge from...
switch hitter n.— «Recipients of Obama’s summer mailing include many lobbyists who are called “switch hitters” in political parlance—contributors to lawmakers of both parties who seek to open Capitol Hill doors to them on a...
hold the cap v. phr.— «At yesterday’s hearing, Rep. Delmar Burridge said he hopes a law change will give incentive for low-level members who don’t “hold the check” or “hold the cap”—street lingo he heard in his 35...
babyhead n.— «The group trudges onward, scrambling over teetering scree—rocks first the size of oranges and then as big as volleyballs (called “babyheads” in climbing lingo).» —“Former Texas lawmaker heads for the hills...
peculiar institution n.— «Alabama is now the fourth Southern state where modern-day lawmakers have apologized for slavery. In Mississippi, though, there has been no grand push to get an official acknowledgment of regret for what was once...