Author Archive

Billy House

Billy House
Billy House is a Congressional Correspondent for National Journal. He joined CongressDaily in April 2009 as its House leadership reporter after two years as The Tampa Tribune's Washington reporter and before that, five years as The Arizona (Phoenix) Republic's Washington reporter.
Policy

Walz Drops His Bid for Top Democratic Spot on House VA Committee

The former Army National Guard soldier faced pushback over seniority and a waiver that's allowed him to stay on the committee. By Billy House

Policy

Back From Midterms, Congress To Take Up NDAA, VA Reform, Ebola and ISIS

Both current and newly elected lawmakers return to Capitol Hill to talk ISIS strategy and take the temperature of the VA's efforts to clean up its act. By Billy House and Rachel Roubein

Threats

House Approves Measure To Arm and Train Syrian Rebels

Anti-Islamic State language split both parties, but now the funding bill now heads to the Senate. By Billy House

Policy

New Lawmakers Agonize Over Their First War Vote

For newer members of Congress, a vote to authorize training Syrian rebels will be their first time weighing military action. By Billy House

Policy

House Vote on Syria Expected Wednesday

Lawmakers in the House say they'll vote on authorization to train Syrian rebels along with a spending bill and 2 separate amendments just in time for pre-election recess. By Billy House

Policy

Congress Has 4 Days To Act on Obama's Syria Plan

Congress has plenty to tackle in its last week before recess, including whether or not to include language in its spending bill that would authorize the training of Syrian rebels. By Michael Catalini and Billy House

Policy

House Republicans Find Obama's Plans in Syria 'Unrealistic'

Seeking more details on Obama's plans for Syria, House Speaker John Boehner said, 'Somebody's boots will have to be on the ground.' By Daniel Newhauser and Billy House

Policy

House Republicans Unveil Plan To Keep the Government Open

The fine print offers good news for the Pentagon and State Department and ongoing VA oversight, as well as efforts to curb the Ebola outbreak. By Billy House

Policy

GOP Proposes More National Guard Troops for the Border Crisis

House GOP lawmakers claim their border plan is a 'major change' that will cost 'less than half' of the president's nearly $4 billion border response package. By Billy House and Rachel Roubein

Policy

House GOP Prepares Its Own Border Plan

All that's known so far is it will be cheaper than the president's $3.7 billion plan, and will include U.S. National Guard troops. By Billy House

Policy

Congress Is About to Have a Major Fight on the Future of the A-10

Capitol Hill will also be slammed with a leadership battle in the House, looming investigations on the VA scandal, and ongoing budget fights. By Billy House

Policy

Army Begins Investigation Into Bergdahl’s Capture

Maj. Gen. Kenneth Dahl will lead the effort—but the Army says it will not include formal questioning of Bergdahl himself, at least not right away. By Billy House

Threats

Senators Want France to Ditch Warship Deal with Russia

As Putin eyes more deals with the French, a bi-partisan push has emerged from U.S. lawmakers fearful of enabling more Russian intervention. By Billy House

Business

Pure Home-State Politics Behind Russian Helicopter Opposition

Pressure is building to halt a Pentagon deal with a Russian state arms dealer to supply aircraft for the Afghan Air Force. By Billy House

Policy

Congress Considers Hundreds of NDAA Amendments This Week

The National Defense Authorization Act begins moving through the Senate this week, while the House sorts through its own NDAA amendments. By Billy House

Policy

Time Is Running Out for Real Action in Congress

Congress will start working on the National Defense Authorization Act next month, but real intelligence reform is unlikely before midterm elections. By Billy House

Policy

Republicans and Democrats Announce Budget Deal

The $1 trillion agreement would provide approximately $63 billion in relief from sequestration, split evenly between defense and non-defense programs. By Tim Alberta, Billy House and Sarah Mimms

Policy

Can Congress Pass an NDAA This Year?

Lawmakers have their plates full, and its not clear whether or not a budget agreement will pass on Capitol Hill. By Billy House

Policy

Senate Shutdown Deal Moves to House, Again

House GOP scheduled for 3 p.m. meeting on bill that will require Democratic support. By Billy House

Policy

Week Two of the Shutdown: Will There Be a Compromise?

Lawmakers return to work for the second week of the shutdown. Are they any closer to reaching a deal? By Billy House