Tweet Beat

They say nothing in life is certain apart from death and taxes. Having been following Tweeting members of Congress for almost a year now, we’d like to add two more inevitabilities to the list: (1) given any one piece of information, Democrats and Republicans will disagree about what it means, and (2) congressional attempts at humor are rarely funny.

That said, Jim Himes’s quip about John Paul Jones/Stevens this week almost made us snicker. Not so much the Charlie Rangel IRS jokes—groan. We’re starting to wonder whether Jason Chaffetz is being sponsored for Tweets à la Kim Kardashian, given the frequency with which he namechecks fast food. Chuck Grassley is the first person to use the expression “far out” since the ’70s, Claire McCaskill is as endearing as ever, Bob Inglis sounds like a country song, and Zach Wamp wants to govern you, women of Tennessee.

CongJoeWilson Tax Freedom Day has arrived. Over three months into the year and you have finally worked enough to pay the tax collector.
Rep. Joe Wilson, SC.

DavidVitter Justice Stevens retiring. Hope Obama nominee respects strict constructionist interpretation of Constitution & doesn’t legislate from bench.
Sen. David Vitter, LA.

SenArlenSpecter Justice Stevens has made an historic contribution to the Supreme Court and will be hard to replace.
Sen. Arlen Specter, PA.

jahimes John Paul Stevens to retire. So who’s going to play bass for Led Zeppelin? Wait. That was Jones. Or did he captain the Serapis?
Rep. Jim Himes, CT.

clairecmc Stopped by our nice new neighborhood Schnucks to bring home something for dinner. So many people said hello and were really kind. Nice.
Sen. Claire McCaskill. MO.

ChuckGrassley Thankfully the President has finally seen wisdom of withdrawing Dawn Johnson nomination for DOJ. She was “far out” in ideology of left
Sen. Chuck Grassley, IA.

RepMikeQuigley Our thoughts and prayers are with those mourning this overwhelming tragedy in Poland and around the world today. http://bit.ly/9ZeBRR
Rep. Mike Quigley, IL.

RoyBlunt http://ping.fm/p/1C37T–Speaking at Coffee Cats Coffee House in Harrisonville.
Rep. Roy Blunt, MO.

jaredpolis Would that it were every day RT @jasoninthehouse Fox got canceled for today.
Rep. Jared Polis, CO.

clairecmc Ok I’m confused.Why would an accounting firm pay to put their logo on a pro golfer’s cap? Congrats to Mikelson,but the sponser thing’s weird
Sen. Claire McCaskill, MO.

jasoninthehouse Speaking today with Westfield Elementary’s Third Grade
Rep. Jason Chaffetz, UT.

ThadMcCotter Hope and Renewal and. . .The Beatles: http://ow.ly/1xxBr
Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, MI.

bobinglis Here it comes! Gowdy going negative on TV tomorrow. Knew it would happen. Just surprised that he’s making stuff up. Must be desperate.
Rep. Bob Inglis, SC.

bobinglis Hard to brand me as a Washington politician when I sleep in the office, come home every weekend, drive used cars and vote like I vote.
Rep. Bob Inglis, SC.

HouseDemocrats Newsweek: “America is coming back stronger, better, & faster than nearly anyone expected” http://bit.ly/cNaOpZ #YesWeCan

JudgeCarter Update: #ifyoucant afford your taxes, you can always write “Rangel Rule” on the form, though I don’t think the IRS is accepting that yet.
Rep. John Carter, TX.

RepMikePence “Only in Washington, D.C. would you celebrate the second largest deficit in American history.” http://ow.ly/1y0kG
Rep. Mike Pence, IN.

timryan “Federal taxes are very considerably lower by every measure since Obama became president.”- Bruce Bartlett, Reagan Domestic Policy Advisor
Rep. Tim Ryan, OH.

donmanzullo Here’s a list of $670 billion in tax increases Democrats heaped on Americans the past year. http://bit.ly/9eTmmj
Rep. Don Manzullo, IL.

zachwamp GOP women-backbone of our party. We salute them today+everyday. I’ve worked the trenches for 28 years w/ many. Want to be their Governor !!
Rep. Zach Wamp, TN.

RepShimkus Now testifying is Joe Garagiola a St. Louis favorite against spit tobacco.
Rep. John Shimkus, IL.

jasoninthehouse This is a perk. Taco Bell reception! Free tacos.
Rep. Jason Chaffetz, UT.

jahimes American Enterprise Inst. Fellow: “charges of radicalism, socialism, retreat and surrender are, frankly, bizarre. http://tinyurl.com/y52t55x
Rep. Jim Himes, CT.

JudgeCarter If you’re in DC for Tax Day Tea Party, Louie Gohmert and I have set up some refreshments in Cannon HOB. Let me know if you’re interested!
Rep. John Carter, TX.

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