Overheard at Lunch: D.C. Gossip Girls
By • July 26, 2017 0 575
Female House Dems Defy Sleeve Rule
Using a play on words, Democratic congresswomen donned sleeveless dresses and pantsuits in support of what Rep. Jackie Speier (D-California) tweeted as “the right to bare arms.” They were calling for the modernization of the House dress code, which requires arms to be covered. House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) denied reporters access to the Speaker’s Lobby earlier this month, citing the dress code. It’s not just an issue for women; men are required to wear jackets and ties.
“The Little Couple” stars were in D.C. to advocate against Medicaid cuts.
‘Little Couple’ Duo: Don’t Cut Medicaid
Jen Arnold and Bill Klein, stars of the canceled TLC series “The Little Couple,” were on Capitol Hill earlier this month to advocate against proposed cuts to Medicaid, the Washington Post reported. Arnold and her husband, who suffer from what is commonly known as dwarfism, took their two children along when they met with members of Congress who have supported the cuts.
Nicole Richie and her family watched the Nats win earlier this month.
Richie and Madden Root for Nats
“Great News” actress Nicole Richie and her husband Joel Madden, lead vocalist of Good Charlotte, recently spent time in Nationals country with their two kids. Prior to the July 7 game (the Nats beat the Braves 5-4), they were spotted taking selfies on the Mall. Richie donned a Nats cap at the ballpark and wrote on her Instagram account: “I’ve always thought of myself as a Ginger Spice, but last night I went to a Nationals game & now I’m thinking my summer vibe might be a Ginger/Sporty mix … thoughts?” The family was visiting Madden’s parents, who live in Maryland.
Joe Biden
Biden Book Tour Will Make D.C. Stop
Chocolate chip ice cream for all? Former Vice President Joe Biden recently announced that he will go on an “American Promise Tour” this fall. The tour, a “series of conversations he’s hosting across the country,” according to his Twitter account, will coincide with the release of Biden’s book, “Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose.” The D.C. stop will be Friday, Nov. 17, at the Warner Theatre.
Kid Rock
Kid Rock Running for Senate?
It seems like everybody is running these days, doesn’t it? Kid Rock is hinting at a possible Senate run as a Republican. The Michigan-born musician and Friend of Donald confirmed that a campaign website with his legal name, Robert Ritchie, is real. His presumptive opponent would be Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan), who is up for reelection next year.
Dick Durbin
Senators’ Bank Cards on the Loose
A reporter ended up finding the bank card of Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois), which was left behind in a Metro station ATM near the Capitol. NBC News’ Frank Thorp came across the lost card and turned it over to Capitol Police, the Hill reported. It hasn’t been a great summer for bank cards belonging to members of Congress. Sen. Richard Burr (R-North Carolina) left his in an ATM at the Capitol. Earlier, he had asked reporters to look away as he typed in his PIN number.
Liam LaCivita
Chef Crosses Town from Civita to Umbria
Chef Liam LaCivita of Bar Civita is shutting down the Woodley Park eatery and joining Via Umbria on Wisconsin Avenue as executive chef. Via Umbria owners Suzy and Bill Menard got to know LaCivita when they were Bethesda neighbors — the Menards running their Bella Italia market and LaCivita cooking at Centro Italian Grill. Proof that D.C. is truly all about who you know.
