The House oversight committee and the Department of Homeland Security are launching inquiries into the alleged cash-for-access scheme being run by Homeland Security adviser Stephen Payne.

As we reported yesterday, Payne, who works for an "international relations and energy development" consulting firm in Houston, has circulated in Bushworld for years. He served as the President's traveling aide during his father's 1988 campaign and popped up again as a "Pioneer" fundraising bundler during the 2000 election.

The White House yesterday issued a pretty weak denial regarding Payne's recent contacts with the President and any role he might have in raising money for the President's planned library at SMU in Dallas. On the video, Payne was offering access to high level officials, including Dick Cheney, in return for donations to the presidential library.

The President is holding a press conference shortly. We'll be curious to see if he gets any questions on Payne.