Nation in brief: President opens redone press room

President Bush on Wednesday cut the ribbon on a newly renovated White House press room, welcoming reporters back to their upgraded quarters after a one-year absence.

“Welcome back to the West Wing,” he said. “We missed you – sort of.”

Joined by first lady Laura Bush, who took a personal interest in the project, Bush seemed especially impressed by the new air-conditioning system.

“I think it’s going to benefit future presidents and future White House press corps, to be working in modern conditions, conditions where a fellow like me will feel comfortable coming in here answering a few questions without losing 20 pounds,” Bush said.

As a reporter began to ask a question, Bush said, to laughter, “Maybe some other time.”

The 10-month renovation cost $8 million, 25 percent of which was assessed to news organizations. The rest was paid by the federal government.

The most visible result is an auditorium and small stage, equipped with up-to-date multimedia gadgets.

Beverly Hills, Calif.

Flynt says Vitter won’t be the last

Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flynt reveled in Sen. David Vitter’s admission of a “very serious sin” involving an escort service and said Wednesday he’s got leads on embarrassing sexual activities involving other members of Congress.

Vitter, R-La., issued the public statement Monday after Flynt’s magazine contacted him and said phone records linked him to a Washington, D.C., service that federal prosecutors say was a prostitution ring.

Flynt said he was indignant over what he called hypocrisy represented by Vitter, 46, a social conservative.

“I don’t want a man like that legislating for me, especially in the areas of morality,” he said.

Flynt has offered to pay $1 million to anyone who can show he or she had a sexual encounter with a member of Congress or a high-ranking government official. He said the offer has produced promising tips.

“We’ve got 20-some investigations that all look good,” Flynt said during a news conference at his Beverly Hills office. “We have got some high-ranking Republican and Democratic members of the Senate and the House.”

Flynt provided no names or details about the investigations.

Vitter, meanwhile, stayed out of sight Wednesday. For a second straight day, the Louisiana Republican was a no-show in the Capitol, missing votes on Iraq policy and leaving colleagues unsure of his whereabouts or his return.