Nevada political round-up; bailout hearing in Las Vegas

By Lisa Mascaro

Monday, Dec. 15, 2008 | 2:14 p.m.

WASHINGTON -- Greetings, Early Liners.

It’s official. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced committee assignments this afternoon for the new Congress and Sen. Joseph Lieberman retains chairmanship of the Homeland Security Committee, despite his campaign efforts on behalf of Republican presidential candidate John McCain.

But more interesting, perhaps, is outgoing campaign boss Sen. Charles Schumer as chairman the Rules Committee – which, as was noted earlier could be the committee that decides the winner of the still-being-recounted Minnesota Senate.

Congress has essentially recessed for the year, but work is under way on an economic recovery package of spending and tax cuts to have ready when President-elect Barack Obama takes office in January, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said this afternoon.

Also, Nevada’s lawmakers will be participating Tuesday in the first hearing of the congressional panel overseeing the $700 billion Wall Street bailout funds. The panel meets at UNLV.

The Treasury Department’s use of the funds has come under increased scrutiny as the goal has shifted from buying bank assets to pouring money into the consumer credit markets.

For a window on the recession, check out the Sun’s weekend papers for the view from Las Vegas: Casinos are offering freebies and even call girls are cutting their rates.

And while the U.S. presence in Iraq may have its detractors (see: Bush, shoe), the military remains an attractive job option in the downturn. Military recruitments are on the rise , the Sun’s Megan McCloskey reports. “They know they’ll get a paycheck twice a month,” a recruiter said.

Other stories to note:

- They’re back. Roll Call is reporting this afternoon that November Inc., the storied Nevada political consulting firm that has run most of the campaigns of the state’s Republicans in federal office, will soon be back in action.

“The senior operatives of Sen. John Ensign’s (Nev.) National Republican Senatorial Committee are returning to Las Vegas and relaunching their firm, November Inc.,” the paper posted online this afternoon.

- The Sun’s David Schwartz looks at the options facing the governor as he outlines next year’s budget.

- My story Sunday on the auto bailout vote offering a hint of how Congress will operate in the new era of consolidated government was a theme seen elsewhere over the weekend. The Los Angeles Times’ Janet Hook has this sobering take.

That’s it for now. Check back later for updates.