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With members of the incoming House majority focusing on spending cuts rather than spending, the House Appropriations Committee is losing some of its allure for lawmakers. Now it is losing something more valuable than Congressional prestige – it is being evicted from its prime Capitol real estate right off the House floor.

The space, one might say, is being appropriated.

Republican officials say the office suite, which is just steps from the House floor for the convenience of the chairman and members – much closer than the official offices of other House leaders – will be turned into a ceremonial office for the incoming speaker, Representative John A. Boehner of Ohio.

The switch, they said, was necessitated by the planned construction of a women’s bathroom nearer the floor. Parliamentary staff in that space now will move across the hall into what is a ceremonial office used by Speaker Nancy Pelosi for press conferences, interviews and meetings. So Mr. Boehner will need other ceremonial space.

“Ensuring women have equitable facilities in the Capitol will demand a shake-up in office space around the House chamber,” Brendan Buck, a spokesman for the Republican transition office, said. “Some offices will remain within close proximity of the floor, and others will need to be moved elsewhere in the Capitol.”

While Republicans cited the space squeeze as the culprit in the appropriations move, it is a sure sign of the changed circumstances for what has been a premier committee. But as folks who eschew earmarks, Mr. Boehner and his team don’t hold the panel in quite the same regard.

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Many people are no doubt busy checking their shopping lists. For Wall Street executives here is a new list to keep handy: What to do if the F.B.I. shows up at your home or office. The law firm O’Melveny & Myers has issued an alert to clients with a few pointers. First thing? Ask for [...]

Most people take a few weeks to find a home or office. Freshman House members had a few hours.

On Friday morning, the scores of incoming freshmen, many along with their spouses, pulled numbers out of a box that signified their place in line to choose among available office spaces. They then dashed about the Cannon and Longworth House office buildings, checking out offices, pining for ones they might not get, pondering the ones on which they might settle.

Cory Gardner, a Republican from Colorado, drew number one, and was thus blessed with first pick.
Friday after lunch, as the members’ choices were announced in the Committee on Science and Technology room, there were moans as one good space after another got snagged. “Ugh, scratch that off,” said one staff member as 116 Cannon went away. “That was a good location.”

Frederica Wilson, a Democrat from Florida, who drew 25th place, was very happy with 208 Cannon. “I like the height of the ceiling and easy access to the Capitol,” said the incoming congresswoman, who was wearing a red sparkled hat. “I think I was really lucky.”

Ben Quayle, a Republican from Arizona, decided on a spot in Longworth based on the view. “We saw pretty trees and sunshine and that was good enough,” said his wife, Tiffany.

For those with a less than charming space, there is a proverb etched into the wall of the committee room that could be applied to interior decoration: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”

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Most people take a few weeks to find a home or office. Freshman House members had a few hours.

On Friday morning, the scores of incoming freshmen, many along with their spouses, pulled numbers out of a box that signified their place in line to choose among available office spaces. They then dashed about the Cannon and Longworth House office buildings, checking out offices, pining for ones they might not get, pondering the ones on which they might settle.

Cory Gardner, a Republican from Colorado, drew number one, and was thus blessed with first pick.
Friday after lunch, as the members’ choices were announced in the Committee on Science and Technology room, there were moans as one good space after another got snagged. “Ugh, scratch that off,” said one staff member as 116 Cannon went away. “That was a good location.”

Frederica Wilson, a Democrat from Florida, who drew 25th place, was very happy with 208 Cannon. “I like the height of the ceiling and easy access to the Capitol,” said the incoming congresswoman, who was wearing a red sparkled hat. “I think I was really lucky.”

Ben Quayle, a Republican from Arizona, decided on a spot in Longworth based on the view. “We saw pretty trees and sunshine and that was good enough,” said his wife, Tiffany.

For those with a less than charming space, there is a proverb etched into the wall of the committee room that could be applied to interior decoration: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”

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The race for space is on.

Freshmen House members began the great office scrum ritual Friday morning, beginning the first of many minor contests for supremacy to come. They gathered together in a large room in the Rayburn House office building where they waited for their names to be called, then gingerly made their way to the front of the room to draw a lottery number from a wooden box. Friday afternoon they will pick from available offices in order of their draw.

The 85 incoming freshmen, along with some staff and spouses, sat studying maps of the Cannon and Longworth buildings, on which offices that are up for grabs were noted with yellow highlighter. Others kept a list of the lottery numbers, Bingo style, and would mark them off as the numbers were called.

This process could elicit much excitement, as when Mike Pompeo, a Republican from Kansas, drew the number 2. He was engulfed in cries of “WHOA!!!!!!!!!!” and at least one high five.

Ben Quayle, a Republican from Arizona, sent his wife to pull his number, 22. Light applause. Next announcment, regarding one Reid Ribble of Wisconsin. “Mr. Ribble drew 54!” Silence.

Tim Scott of South Carolina made lemonade out of his rather lemony number 44, which probably means no view for him. “It was my high school football number,” said Mr. Scott, also a Republican. “It brought my some success before, so we’ll see. Anyway, it’s a drawing, it’s over and that’s the good news.”

Frederica Wilson, a Democrat from Florida, said she found her number 25 to be lucky. “I feel that I can find an acceptable office,” she said. Here’s hoping she doesn’t need space for her hats, as she vows to wear a new one every day. Friday’s edition: bright red, large brim.

Stay tuned until this afternoon, when the doling out begins.

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Joe Scarborough has been suspended for two days by MSNBC over money the on-air host gave to candidates for office — a violation of the network’s ban on political contributions by employees without permission. The “Morning Joe” co-host accepted the suspension — which comes without pay — and offered an apology to his bosses, Politico [...]