Grapevine: IRS scandal takes down a commencement speaker

Official cancels appearance at graduation

And now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine...

College Dropout

The folks at Western New England University School of Law let out a sigh of relief, one would think today, when one of the IRS officials at the center of the tax scandal, Lois Lerner, canceled her appearance as the speaker for Saturday's graduation ceremony.

Earlier this month, the school praised her work for transparency and ethics.

Soft Serve

Meanwhile, the IRS softball team here in Washington, the Cheetahs, has canceled its scheduled game with the team from Republican Senator John Cornyn's office.

A Cornyn spokesman says -- quote -- "guess they needed an extension."

Making a Stand

President Obama was in Baltimore today promoting jobs but his choice of backdrop may drown out his message.

President Obama stood in front of Ellicott Dredges equipment.

The president of that company, Peter Bowe, testified just yesterday in a hearing on the Keystone XL pipeline.

He said federal delays on the pipeline are hurting his company and costing jobs.

Like Ike

We've told you about the reservations the family of President Dwight D. Eisenhower has expressed regarding the development of a memorial in Ike's honor along the National Mall here in Washington.

Congress has already appropriated $62 million to the commission which has picked a site and a design but has not begun construction.

Now, U.S. News and World Report says, the commission wants another $51 million of taxpayer money.

Congressional Republicans wonder why the commission needs $2 million in operating expenses for a nine member staff; why it spent $220,000 in travel and conferences from 2009 to 2012; and much more.

The commission tells Fox News it will be responding to Congress in the coming weeks.