Washington: Conservatives balk at big spending deal. The Senate measure that seemed to signal a two-year wait before another risk of a government shutdown has drawn the ire of a number of Southern lawmakers (R), including US Sen. Bob Corker (TN) and US Reps. David Brat (VA), Mo Brooks (AL) and Matt Gaetz (FL). “It’s a Christmas tree on steroids,” Brat told The Hill ……. South Carolina: Clyburn celebrates Black History Month. US Rep. Jim Clyburn, third-ranking member of the House Democratic Leadership and a veteran civil rights activist, commemorated in a statement the “aggressive and assertive without being violent” activism of such civil rights icons as Rosa Parks, Septima Clark, and students who staged “sit-ins” at lunch counters in Greensboro, NC and Orangeburg, SC. “The groundwork was done by many before us, some of whom paid the ultimate sacrifice.” ……. Tennessee: Roe will seek reelection. US Rep. Phil Roe (R), who had earlier expressed doubts about whether he would run again this November, yesterday announced that he will run for a sixth term this fall, reports Roll Call. When first elected in 2008, Roe campaigned against anyone serving more than ten years in Congress, but cited his chairmanship of the Veterans Affairs Committee as one reason for his decision to seek another term …….