Washington in 5 Minutes

STIMULUS

Schumer objects to funds for China

Sen. Charles E. Schumer on Thursday called on the Obama administration to block the use of any U.S. economic stimulus funds for a wind farm project in West Texas that would use turbines built in China.

“I’m all for investing in clean energy, but we should be investing in the United States, not China,” the New York Democrat said. “While the project is anticipated to generate as many as 3,000 jobs in Shenyang, China … its job impact in the United States would be roughly one-tenth that amount.”

He complained that the $1.5 billion project could get an injection of about $450 million in funds from Washington. That money would come from $787 billion spending package Congress approved this year to help bring the United States out of an economic recession with funds for domestic construction projects and other activities.

NTSB

Errant pilots appeal license loss

The Northwest Airlines pilots who overshot Minneapolis by 150 miles have filed appeals of their license revocations with the National Transportation Safety Board.

The appeals were filed late Wednesday, said board spokesman Ted Lopatkiewicz. He said that appeals typically are heard by an administrative law judge with the board within 120 days.

The Federal Aviation Administration revoked the licenses of Captain Timothy Cheney of Gig Harbor, Wash., and First Officer Richard Cole of Salem, Ore., last week. The agency said the pilots put the 144 passengers of Northwest Flight 188 in serious danger on Oct. 21 when they failed to communicate with anyone on the ground for 91 minutes despite repeated attempts by air traffic controllers and their own airline to reach them.

The incident raised national security concerns. Senior White House officials were notified by the White House situation room during the incident. Fighter jets in two locations were moments away from taking off to track down the errant airliner when contact was re-established.

On Thursday, Sen. Robert Menendez, New Jersey Democrat, introduced a bill to ban nonessential electronics, including personal laptops, from the cockpit.

“We simply want to ensure that, with all of the electronic distractions available these days, flying the plane remains their one and only focus,” Mr. Menendez said.

IRAN

Clinton meets with hikers’ families

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton held an emotional meeting with the families of three American hikers detained in Iran and is renewing appeals to Iranian authorities to release them.

Mrs. Clinton met Thursday at the State Department with the families of Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal. She said she explained to them what the federal government is doing to try to get the trio released.

She called on Iran to free them on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.

The three were arrested in late July for illegal entry near the Iraq border and are in a Tehran prison. During three months in custody, they have been allowed only two visits by Swiss diplomats who represent U.S. interests in Iran.

ARIZONA

GOP governor seeks full term

PHOENIX | Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer is running for a full term in next year’s elections.

Her campaign filed organizational paperwork Thursday morning with the Secretary of State’s Office.

Mrs. Brewer, a Republican, is an ex-legislator and former county supervisor who was serving as Arizona’s elected secretary of state when she was elevated to the governor’s office in January.

Democrat Janet Napolitano resigned midway through her second term to join the Obama administration as homeland security secretary.

TRADE

U.S. asks Mexico for talks on tuna

The United States on Thursday sought formal talks with Mexico to settle a spat between the neighbors over which international body should hear a complaint about “dolphin-safe” tuna.

In March, Mexico filed a World Trade Organization (WTO) complaint challenging U.S. labeling rules for tuna caught using methods less harmful to dolphins that swim near the fish.

The United States bars the “dolphin-safe” label on tuna caught by boats using “purse seine” nets that also snare dolphins - a technique used by Mexican vessels, the U.S. Trade Representative’s office said.

The USTR argues the dispute should be heard by a North American Free Trade Agreement panel instead of the WTO. It said it has now asked for formal consultations with Mexico on the issue.

SURVEILLANCE

Democrats defy Obama on Patriot Act

Defying the Obama administration, the House Judiciary Committee voted Thursday to remove from the USA Patriot Act a tool for tracking non-U.S. citizens in anti-terrorism investigations.

The committee, dominated by Democratic liberals, also voted to amend the anti-terrorism law to curb the government’s surveillance and seizure powers.

The bill went to the full House on a 16-10 vote along party lines, with Republicans casting all the votes in opposition. Republican lawmakers said the legislation would hinder law enforcement and intelligence agencies in fighting terrorism.

The legislation would allow the Patriot Act’s never-used “lone wolf” section to expire at the end of the year. The provision permits the government to spy on non-Americans even when they’re not linked to a recognized terrorist group.

FIRST LADY

Mrs. Obama praises Energy employees

On a visit to the Energy Department on Thursday, first lady Michelle Obama quizzed middle-school students about red blood cells and nanotechnology during a practice science quiz competition.

Mrs. Obama also praised department employees during her 13th stop on a tour of the federal bureaucracy.

“You don’t often get the thanks that you deserve,” she said. “Sometimes you get a lot of the blame and none of the credit for the progress that has gone on in this country.”

The first lady said the agency’s work has been critical for bolstering the economy, promoting national security and preserving the environment.

“What you’re doing here couldn’t be more urgent,” she said. “And it’s not easy. Everyone knows it’s not easy.”

From wire dispatches and staff reports