U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx is 66 today.

To celebrate, her husband wants you to write her a check. In an e-mail message to supporters, Tom Foxx suggested that a campaign contribution would make a perfect gift for his wife, a Banner Elk Republican.

A few years ago I had the idea of surprising Virginia for her birthday by raising money for her re-election. It was such a success that I have continued to do it.

Perhaps, $1 for every year of her life, he suggested. Of course, when you follow the link to the donation page, suggested amounts also include $660, $1066 and $2066. Tom Foxx assures supporters not to worry about all the focus on 66.

"As an elected official her information is publicly available so I won't be in trouble for revealing her age," he wrote.

* Washington columnist Stuart Rothenberg thinks U.S. Rep. Larry Kissell "could see a steep drop-off" in 2010 from certain "demographic groups."

* U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx wins "Defender of Liberty" award for 100 percent voting-record rating in 2008 from American Conservative Union.

* Hundreds of protesters gather at the legislative building to argue against higher taxes; speakers include Mary Katharine Ham and Joe the Plumber.

* Former Republican auditor Les Merritt and former Raleigh City Councilman John Odom endorse Chad Adams for N.C. Republican Party chairman.

* Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum notes that he and Jesse Helms voted for Sonia Sotomayor before, but says they wouldn't again.

* Scheduler for U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx gets in trouble for a tweet about drinking "office beers" on "taxpayer time."

* U.S. Senate could take up bill regulating tobacco as soon as today, Sens. Richard Burr and Kay Hagan have vowed to fight it.

* Charlotte officials wonder if they should put in a bid for the 2012 Democratic or Republican national conventions, given a $60 million price tag.

* Candidates for N.C. Republican Party chair answer questions from Carolina Politics Online about what they'd do in the top job.

* Former Raleigh Mayor Tom Fetzer announces the backing of former Wake County GOP chairman David Robinson, an erstwhile competitor.

* Rudy Giuliani's son loses his lawsuit over being kicked off Duke's golf team; judge cites "Caddyshack" in legal opinion. 

* Greensboro blogger Joe Guarino discovers that U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx is of Italian descent and grew up in the Bronx.

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the anti-predatory lending bill by U.S. Reps. Mel Watt of Charlotte and Brad Miller of Raleigh.

The bill, HR 1728 would tighten regulations and require lenders to have proof that borrowers could actually repay their mortgages, Barb Barrett reports. The bill would also require that refinanced mortgages show an actual financial benefit to borrowers.

The legislation is aimed to prevent the surge of shady lending that took place in the runup to the current housing crisis.

The vote in the House on Thursday was 300-114.

In North Carolina, the state’s Democrats were joined in “yes” votes by Republican Rep. Walter Jones.

Republicans Howard Coble, Virginia Foxx, Patrick McHenry and Sue Myrick voted no.

The bill passed the House last Congress as well, but never got anywhere in the Senate. This year, it again goes to the Senate with an uncertain future, as there is no companion legislation.

But U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, chairman of the House financial services committee, told reporters he believes Democrats’ stronger majority in the Senate this year will give them the thrust to push the bill through.

* U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge will speak at the Campbell University commencement. He is an alumnus of the college.

* Liberal blogger Rob Schofield notes a mixed message from the North Carolina chamber about whether workers should have sick days.

* Legislators send a bill to limit local governments that want to provide Internet access to residents to committee to be studied.

* U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx sends a letter to the mother of Matthew Shepard apologizing for her comments about his death, hate crimes bill passes. 

Members of Congress ranked two North Carolinians among the most partisan.

Over the last few months, Washington-based newspaper The Hill asked more than 100 lawmakers to name the most and least bipartisan colleagues, off the record.

"Questions about the least bipartisan members were posed on a not-for-attribution basis so that lawmakers could discuss their views frankly," the paper noted.

Reps. Virginia Foxx and Patrick McHenry were ranked second and fourth among the most partisan Republicans on the survey.

Rep. Walter Jones, meantime, was ranked among the 10 most bipartisan Republicans.

None of the state's Democrats made either list.

* Former top lobbyist Don Beason has been spotted at Senate Finance Committee hearings, though he does not sign in to the guest sheet.

* U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry, a Cherryville Republican, is playing a key role on GOP efforts to shape the 2010 Census policies.

* Spurred by N.C. Democratic Party, some 300 people call Sen. Richard Burr's office to complain about Rep. Virginia Foxx's remarks.

* Phones at Foxx's offices not being answered, calls "diverted to a general voice mail box, which was full and unable to record messages."

* Greensboro News-Record columnist Doug Clark (sort of) defends Rep. Virginia Foxx, citing 2004 report from ABC News.

* N&O music critic David Menconi notes that a New York singer has already written a song about Foxx, available for $1 donation.

* A spokesman for Foxx tells a local TV news station that she's received hate mail and death threats over the remarks in the last 24 hours. 

* In statement, U.S. Sen. Richard Burr says he is "disappointed" by Foxx's remarks, found them "to be inaccurate and insensitive."

* Sen. Fletcher Hartsell, a Cabarrus County Republican, lets out his inner Erin Brockovich in argument over Alcoa project on Yadkin River.

* NAACP praises Gov. Beverly Perdue for choosing first black district attorney in Eastern North Carolina; second currently serving in state.

* Liberal talk show host Keith Olbermann labels U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx "Worst Person in the World" for Matthew Shepard remarks.

* More signs of Senate '10: Americans United for Change criticizes Sen. Richard Burr in press release for voting against Obama's budget.