First lady Michelle Obama and former President Clinton will be competing for music's top prize next year — both have been nominated for a Grammy in the spoken-word-album category.

Two neighboring Republican lawmakers in the Hart Senate Office Building are going head to head, engaging in a battle royale to outdo one another. But all this grandstanding isn’t over pending legislation, it’s for a good cause — to collect the most food items for Hurricane Sandy victims.

It’s beginning to look a bit like a Safeway in the offices of Sens. Mike Lee (Utah) and Marco Rubio (Fla.), where the competition is fierce to bring in the most groceries.

The Senate last month approved a bipartisan resolution spearheaded by Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) to start a food drive for those affected by Sandy. Lautenberg’s office is working with the hunger-relief charity Feeding America to collect both food and other non-perishable goods. Per ethics rules, the drive is only open to Senate staffers.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood spent his birthday with members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

LaHood turned 67 on Thursday. He celebrated the occasion by testifying at a Transportation Committee hearing on high-speed rail.

There was no cake or ice cream, but members of the panel took time out to wish LaHood well before training their fire on the Obama administration's rail proposals.

"I understand it's your birthday. I don't think I would've chosen to spend my birthday with you, but I'm glad that you've chosen to spend your birthday with us," Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.) said to LaHood in a light-hearted moment early in Thursday's hearing.

Transportation Committee Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.) also got in on the act, telling LaHood that questioning from the panel would liven up his birthday.

"This probably added to your longevity," Mica said to LaHood at the end of the meeting. "They say that stimulation is good for the heart."

Kathleen Kinsolving’s just-released book, Dogs of War: The Stories of FDR’s Fala, Patton’s Willie, and Ike’s Telek, explores the unique relationship past commanders in chief and military leaders share with their pet pooches.

In researching the tome about man’s best friend, Kinsolving uncovered some surprising tales about previous first families’ tail-wagging companions, such as when former President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s famed dog, Fala, was miffed after not being allowed to ride in the limousine with his owner during Roosevelt’s inauguration.

Some folks dream of world peace, others hope to end hunger, and then there’s Grace Choi, who just wants to see President Obama bust a move to the latest dance craze.

The Korean pop music fan aims to get the commander in chief doing his best horse-riding-like gallop as he dances “Gangnam Style” with YouTube sensation Psy. The entertainer’s Korean-language hit became the most-watched clip ever on the video-sharing site last week.

Members of the Senate will get a special screening of "Lincoln" on Dec. 19, according to multiple reports.

The movie event follows Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) telling the Las Vegas Journal-Review that he had seen the film twice and had begun organizing a special screening for members of his chamber.

The Senate event follows separate screenings by President Obama at the White House theater and one organized by House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) at a rented theater for some of his colleagues in the House.

Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) chewed out a House staffer after catching her riding on a “members only” elevator

The elves are wrapping gifts, Santa’s readying his sleigh and Sen. Dick Durbin (Ill.) is counting down the days. But the Democratic whip isn’t necessarily waiting for Christmas — he’s coined a new term for a not-so-jolly occasion: “Cliffmas.”

In a Tuesday speech, Durbin explained, “Twenty-one days until Christmas, 27 days until Cliffmas. That’s the fiscal cliff, Dec. 31.”

He added, “Two-thirds of Americans are watching this debate on Capitol Hill because it affects every single family, every individual.”

No telling if “Cliffmas” will catch on this holiday season.

A famed mentalist says he has the solution to the so-called "fiscal cliff" crisis: his mind.

The Amazing Kreskin — that’s now his legal name, by the way — tells ITK in an email that he could “use his powers to envision a ‘pathway’ to end the deadlock threatening to toss this country over an economic cliff.”

Born George Kresge, the TV regular claims he can “read what both sides want” and provide “a mutually acceptable solution.” Is it just us, or is it pretty clear what both sides want?
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