Watt's Grandson Steals Spotlight at House Judiciary Hearing

WASHINGTON — It's common to hear complaints that Congress is no better than a bunch of squabbling kids, but it's less often that you see an actual child take part in official proceedings.

Rep. Mel Watt drew a lot of attention Wednesday when he questioned Attorney General Eric Holder at a House Judiciary Committee hearing with his grandson Nico in his lap. A spokesman said Watt, who has been nominated to serve as head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, was watching the adorable toddler for the boy's mother while she attended an event that afternoon.

"It just so happened that the Congressman's grand-parenting duties coincided with the Judiciary hearing and feeling that both were important, he took Nico with him to the hearing," the spokesman said.

The move garnered considerable chatter on Twitter, and provided a moment of levity for what was otherwise a tough hearing for the attorney general, who faced questions about earlier comments on the difficulty of prosecuting big banks and several recent White House scandals.

"Mr. Watt, you are only supposed to do that at your confirmation hearing," Holder joked of Nico's presence. "That's when you roll out the kids."