Despite an announcement Thursday that Dubai Ports World would transfer control over U.S. port operations to a U.S. entity, the lobby reform debate in the Senate has completely stopped after getting entangled in the ports deal. Schumer, who offered the amendment, reportedly wants a "complete break" with Dubai Ports World. He says that the announcement did not indicate that. The Dems are asking for an up or down vote on the Dubai deal next week.

This morning, House Administration Committee unanimously approved H.R. 1606, a bill to exempt blogs, e-mail and other Internet speech from campaign finance regulations. The bill is expected to go to the House floor next week. Reportedly, refomers such as Shays and Meehan are backing an alternate proposal. The House already voted on the bill in early Nov, but it was defeated 225-182 under suspension rules. Members were upset it had been brought up under suspension rules, a process that requires a two-thirds vote for passage and limits debate. It is usually used for noncontroversial measures.

From the Washington Post: President Bush today urged large American corporations and foundations to step up contributions to religious charities, noting his administration has been doing exactly that. Federal grants to religious charities totaled $2.1 billion in the budget year that ended Sept. 30, an increase of 7 percent over the previous year, Bush said at the second White House National Conference on Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.