Sarah Palin complaint and Panel dismisses it, and news Highlights

WASHINGTON — The Federal Election Commission has dismissed a complaint over the $150,000-plus designer wardrobe the Republican Party bought to outfit vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, the good-government group that filed the complaint, argued that candidates aren’t supposed to use donor money for personal expenses such as clothes. The FEC ruled Tuesday that the ban doesn’t apply to party money, however.

LEGISLATION


House, Senate reach weapon deal
WASHINGTON — House and Senate negotiators, responding to a sense of urgency conveyed by President Barack Obama, reached quick agreement Tuesday on legislation to tighten controls over how the Pentagon purchases and develops weapons systems. The measure adds new oversight and transparency to a process that has long been marked by billions of dollars in cost overruns and long delays in getting new weapons from the planning stage to the battlefield. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer has said the House was ready to take up the bill Thursday.
DIPLOMACY

Clinton details aid to Pakistan
WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Tuesday the U.S. was sending $110 million in emergency humanitarian aid to Pakistan. She said the money is flowing to ease the plight of about 2 million Pakistanis who have fled fighting in the country’s Swat Valley and are living in squalid tent cities. The White House said Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had appointed Brig. Gen. Nadeem Ahmad to lead the Pakistani relief effort. He was highly praised for his work in the relief effort after the 2005 earthquake in Kashmir.

Lawmakers skip meals for cause
WASHINGTON — Inspired by actress Mia Farrow, 64, a dozen members of the Congressional Black Caucus announced Tuesday that they were beginning a limited hunger strike to show solidarity with the people in Sudan’s Darfur region and demand President Barack Obama’s help in ending the suffering there. The actress’ hunger strike began after the Sudanese government expelled international aid agencies from the country earlier this year.




Wire report