Former staffer alleges co-workers put perfume on her lunch

A former staff assistant for Rep. John Duncan Jr. (R-Tenn.) is suing the 12-term congressman, alleging that Duncan aides sprayed perfume on her lunch, falsely claimed she had Alzheimer’s and sent nasty e-mails about her. And to top it all off, she was fired — on her 66th birthday, according to the lawsuit.

{mosads}Shirley Ray Taylor claims she was let go because of her advanced age.

WBIR-TV in Knoxville reports that a trial date has not been set, but Taylor is seeking to be reinstated at her job (a glutton for punishment, perhaps?) and paid monetary damages.

Duncan’s office referred ITK to a written statement refuting Taylor’s assertions: “Congressman Duncan’s office did not and does not discriminate based on age, disability or any other unlawful factor. There is no merit whatsoever to Ms. Taylor’s complaint, and the allegations of harassment and discrimination are totally false. Because this matter is now pending in federal court, we can make no other comment.”

Bugs, busted buildings and family politics
Monthly Federal Election Commission reports provide opposition researchers a chance to dig deep into their rivals’ books in the hope of finding embarrassing contributions from lobbyists or an over-reliance on political action committees.

But they also reveal at just where the millions of dollars each committee raises actually go. After all, operating office space year-round isn’t cheap. A look at some of the better expenditures we found this month:

• The Republican National Committee (RNC) spent $121.50 to hire Western Pest Services of Gaithersburg, Md.

• Recall that awful, anonymous music that haunts elevators, dentists’ offices and building lobbies? Well, it’s in RNC headquarters as well. That’s right, fiscally frugal Republicans still spend $95 a month on Muzak LLC, the company that pipes music into places where awkward silences won’t stand.

Said one Republican who used to work in the building: “I liked it when they used to play [President George W. Bush’s] speeches when you were on hold.”

• The committee is also having problems with its aging building. The RNC spent more than $5,000 on elevator maintenance, and we’ve heard complaints over the years that the lifts may have to be completely overhauled, something that would cost the party thousands of dollars.

• Meanwhile, on the other side of the aisle, it must be awkward at the Holtz-Eakin household during family dinners. Douglas Holtz-Eakin was Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) chief economic policy adviser on the senator’s presidential campaign last year, but his son Colin is not following in his father’s footsteps. Colin is on the payroll at the Democratic National Committee, where a spokesman tells ITK he handles e-mail strategies.

Wasserman Schultz looks for buttons on doors
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) has developed a whole new appreciation for the importance of her committee work.

The chairwoman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, which oversees the Capitol’s wheelchair accessibility upgrades, is rolling from Point A to Point B in a modified razor scooter after suffering a broken fibia in a recent Congressional Women’s Softball Game. (She is sporting a stylish hot-pink cast on her right leg.)

“This has given me an entirely new appreciation for how inaccessible the Capitol is,” she told ITK. “Every time I see a door, I wonder whether there’s a button I can push to open it, and lots of the time there isn’t. [Handicapped accessibility] is going to be my new project.”

Wasserman Schultz isn’t the only lawmaker forced to put up with the spotty accessibility of Capitol buildings.

Rep. Jim Langevin (D-R.I.), the only quadriplegic member of Congress, has used a wheelchair on Capitol Hill since 2000.

“I am sorry when any of my colleagues have to cope with an injury like this, but there’s no question it changes your perspective on the obstacles that so many face on a daily basis,” Langevin told ITK. “I look forward to working with Debbie on continuing efforts to make the Capitol complex as welcoming and accessible as possible.”

McCarthy to go under the knife
Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.) announced on the House floor this week that her August recess will come a little early, but she’s not jetting off to the beach.

McCarthy is having back surgery, which will force her to miss votes the last two weeks of July.

“I will be returning, strong and better than ever” in September, she said.

ITK wishes the congresswoman a speedy recovery.