Sen. Stevens, who has served since 1968, has been caught up in a larger probe that included FBI raids last summer at offices of six Alaska legislators including Stevens’ son, Ben, who was then the president of the state Senate.
“The worst thing about this investigation is that it does change your life in terms of employment potential,” Stevens said in an interview with The Associated Press. “It doesn’t matter what anyone says, it does shake you up. If this is still hanging around a year from November, it could cause me some trouble.
“I’m working to get this concept out of my mind that someone is trying to make something illegal out of all this, That’s what’s really disturbing.”
Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts, one of more than a dozen Republican senators running for re-election next year and usually a staunch defender of President Bush’s Iraq policy, said this week his support is “not locked into concrete.”
“I don’t know the answer,” Roberts said. “I don’t know anybody that does. I know the president thinks he does. His resolve is incredible, whether or not that’s the proper course of action.”
Roberts said he doesn’t yet support measures to begin withdrawing troops. But he said, “We can’t continue to be engaged in a war which the American people do not support.”
-Moving forward on the defense bill, the Senate passed Sen. Jeff Sessions’ missile defense amendment on Thursday, making it U.S. policy to develop defenses against an emerging Iranian nuclear program.
The amendment, approved by a 90-5 vote, called for the U.S. to develop and deploy an effective defense system “as soon as technologically possible” against the possibility of Iranian missiles.
South Carolina Republicans upset with U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham’s support of an immigration bill are readying to challenge one of their own next year.
At least two political newcomers plan to run against the state’s senior senator when he seeks a second term in 2008. Also, state Rep. Jeff Duncan and former U.S. Rep. Tommy Hartnett said Friday they are considering entering the race.
“I’m keeping the track shoes unlaced so I can slip my feet into them quick if I need to,” said Hartnett, 65. “I would hate to see him get a free ride.”
Minnesota’s Republican U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman said Thursday the United States will have a long-term presence in Iraq but may see a change of mission.
“We are going to be in Iraq a long time. I am not supporting dates, specific dates, timetables for withdrawal,” he said. “When my colleagues on the other side of the aisle talk about redeployment, they are talking about getting out of Iraq. I’m not. And simply because that’s the reality.”
Sen. Gordon Smith, who faces re-election next year, announced Thursday that he raised more than $1 million in the second quarter of this year.
The fundraising brought his total campaign cash to $3.5 million as of June 30.
Portland Democratic activist Steve Novick is seeking the nomination to run against Smith. Earlier this month, Novick announced his campaign raised more than $190,000 in the second quarter.
US Senator Lamar Alexander deflected speculation Thursday that he may be in the running to become the next chancellor of Vanderbilt University…
Alexander, also a former governor, said in a statement that he enjoys being a senator and hopes to be re-elected next year.
Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., will have influence over energy, environmental and Indian issues as he takes over three of the five committee seats that had been held by the late Sen. Craig Thomas.
Senate Republican leaders announced Tuesday that Barrasso will sit on the Energy and Natural Resources, Indian Affairs and Environment and Public Work panels.
