The Senate will consider a housing relief bill this afternoon. Last month, Republicans managed to block a similar bill. But as the housing crisis and economy have worsened, Democrats believed they might be able to peel off a few more votes.

Last night, the House approved a bill introduced by Rep. Tom Allen, a Democrat, that would centralize funding for a nationwide ocean-monitoring system, which is modeled on the Gulf of Maine Ocean Observing System (GoMOOS). Sen. Olympia Snowe, a Republican, has companion legislation pending in the Senate.

It's also April Fools Day and Roll Call, a four-day a week publication for congressional insiders, has a very funny front page with the beginnings of fake stories (the paper is subscription only so readers cannot really find anything at its web site).

Here are some of the jokes:

"Clinton, Obama Working it Out? Harris Urges them to make-up."

That is, Katherine Harris, the former GOP congresswoman and Florida secretary of state, who played a prominent role in the 2000 election recount.

"GOP to Grab One Open Seat."
The story goes on to say that House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, decided to write off Republican chances in the fall and will spend his campaign funds buying a skybox at the Washington Nationals' new stadium.

"Putting More Mirth in Murtha."
The story goes on to say that Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., the defense appropriations subcommittee chairman and a big backer of earmark - or pork barrel - spending, has sworn off pork and converted to Judaism.

E-mail this entry to a friend