The Tweet Beat: The Best Congressional Tweets of the Week

The big news in Congress this week was the Waxman-Markey cap and trade bill, which the house voted on last Friday. Presumably the whips were pushing Twitter along with votes because we’ve never seen such an influx of congressional tweets in an afternoon. Unfortunately, official business managed to distract our representatives from the real, compelling news of the day—not one of them mentioned Michael Jackson. Thanks to Rick Perry for his condolences.

In other news, Newt Gingrich manages to tweet about Jelly Belly beans, his lunch in McDonalds and a seven-foot troll while poor Arnold Schwarzenegger has to have his dinner in a box (blame budget worries). Mark Sanford is back on Twitter, and he wants our forgiveness (still no word from John Ensign). Bobby Jindal is keeping ahead of the criminals, John McCain thinks healthcare is going to make us less healthy and Rob Wittman hangs with boy scouts.

ThadMcCotter: The Democrats are on the House floor breaking arms trying to get more job-killing Cap and Tax votes. Abominable.
Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, MI.

CongressmanGT: On the House Floor to debate against the Democrat’s job crushing Cap and Tax Bill. Pennsylvania electricity rates are projected to incr 30%
Rep. Glenn Thompson, PA.

IRL: Climate change bill being debated now. I know problem is real and man made but don’t see this bill as solution. Costs r high on wrkng famls.
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, FL.

LEETERRYNE: Cap and tax is extortion, businesses can emit co2 as long as you pay the gov for this privilege. Tony Soprano would be proud.
Rep. Lee Terry, NE.

michaelcburgess: Fixin to speak on house floor
Rep. Michael Burgess, TX.

chelliepingree: Rep. Boehner is debating for opposition, kind of losing it. Just bashing govt, not suggesting how to end expensive foreign oil dependence.
Rep. Chellie Pingree, ME.

chelliepingree: Leader Boehner will not suspend speaking in spite of numerous requests -it appears he is reading bill just to delay, a little shouting too.
Rep. Chellie Pingree, ME.

RoyBlunt: I’m glad John Boehner is on the House floor reading the dangerous provisions in the Democrats’ amendment to the energy tax bill.
Rep. Roy Blunt, MO.

repblumenauer: We’ve clearly run out of time but R’s stall with juvenile tactics. They call for more of the same instead of clean energy and a new economy
Rep. Earl Blumenauer, OR.

DarrellIssa: Voting no on cap and tax as we tweet
Rep. Darrell Issa, CA.

chelliepingree: Yes!!! 219 to 212!!!!!
Rep. Chellie Pingree, ME.

michaelcburgess: So they win. But do they? This is going to be difficult. To defend in many districts. Let them hear you, America.
Rep. Michael Burgess, TX.

algore: Climate bill passes the House. Thanks for your hard work! Now, on to the Senate.
Al Gore.

RepPaulBrounMD: I’m saddened that the House has passed the largest tax increase in American history. This energy tax will drastically deepen our recession.
Rep. Paul Broun, GA.

BarackObama: House passes historic clean energy and climate bill today, thanks to your grassroots support.
President Barack Obama.

newtgingrich: We had fun showing at jelly belly of ronald reagan rendezvous with destiny As jelly bean makers they have fond memories of president …
Newt Gingrich.

clairecmc: Reading tweet replies last two days: definition of word polarized. Cap and Trade:job killer/job creator and gonna save us/gonna destroy us.
Sen. Claire McCaskill, MO.

GovernorPerry: As this week draws to an end our thoughts and prayers are with the families of McMahon, Fawcett & Jackson…giants of the industry..RIP
Gov. Rick Perry, TX.

Schwarzenegger: Eating a boxed dinner in my office at the Capitol. It’s crunch time now and we have to work until we have a budget.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, CA.

zachwamp: Ham,Anderson,Knox-today.Memphis-Tues.Fayette,Tipton-Wed. Monroe,Hamblen,Ander,Jefferson-Thur. Washington,Cocke-Friday. Dunlap parade-July 4.
Rep. Zach Wamp, TN.

RobWittman: I will be addressing a group of Boy Scouts shortly on their plans for a new Scout reservation. Always proud to meet with such a great group.
Rep. Rob Wittman, VA.

Schwarzenegger: I won’t sign a budget that raises taxes. I’d like to hear the legislature explain why they’re doing drills the day before our deadline.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, CA.

MarkSanford: “I write to apologize and ask for your forgiveness…” http://governorsanford.com/ , http://bit.ly/poaXJ
Gov. Mark Sanford, SC.

BobbyJindal: is keeping ahead of the criminals by closing loopholes in the laws designed to protect our kids from sexual predators. http://twurl.cc/17ed
http://twitter.com/BobbyJindal/status/2407424890
Gov. Bobby Jindal, LA.

SenJohnMcCain: It’s not the quality of health care it’s the cost – wellness and fitness!
Sen. John McCain, AZ.

newtgingrich: Having a good lunch at the mcdonalds in osseo with callista and her mother bernita. Good crispy chicken sandwich, great fries, good coffee
Newt Gingrich.

newtgingrich: Drugans restaurant and golf course in holman wisconsin has great food and a seven foot tall wooden troll. They do a wonderful job
Newt Gingrich.

ChuckGrassley: Sorry forgot to report. Asbury town meet had little under 100 Health care more of dominate issue. Some person case work too recd
Sen. Chuck Grassley, IA.

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Sophie Gilbert