The Evening Brief: June 20, 2012

Culled:

• House Panel Recommends Contempt Case Against Holder (The New York Times): "Republicans on the House oversight committee voted on Wednesday to recommend holding Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. in contempt of Congress in a dispute over internal Justice Department documents related to the botched gun trafficking operation known as 'Fast and Furious.'"

• Ron Paul, Social Security opponent, acknowledges he receives benefits (Los Angeles Times): "Ron Paul, a staunch opponent of federal welfare programs, acknowledged Wednesday that he receives Social Security checks, shortly after advocating that younger generations opt out of the program."

• Poe likes Felicia Harris (Houston Chronicle): "In the 14th Congressional District endorsement race, Randy Weber got Ron Paul the other day, and now Felicia Harris gets Ted Poe. 'I normally do not endorse candidates in the Republican primary, but I am making an exception to endorse Felicia Harris because this is a critical election and I believe she is the most committed conservative and best candidate to take on Nick Lampson,' said Poe, who represents the 2nd Congressional District."

New in The Texas Tribune:

• Immigration Emerges as Flashpoint in Senate Race: "Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst opposes the DREAM Act, and former Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz doesn't support amnesty. Yet after attack ads from the rival U.S. Senate campaigns, some voters could be left wondering. Despite the attacks, Dewhurst and Cruz agree on many aspects of the immigration issue. And the immigration proposals the candidates actually disagree on haven't received as much attention."

• Historic Furnishings to Return to Governor's Mansion: "Restoration of the Texas Governor’s Mansion takes a significant step Wednesday, with the return of historic furnishings to the building. Gov. Rick Perry and the first lady are expected to return to the mansion late next month."

• Texplainer: When Legislators Die or Resign, What Happens to Their Seats?: "When legislators die or resign, their seat is filled through a special election. The new representative serves out the end of the old representative's term."