Congress
In election-year swipe, House moves to quash Obama coal, gas rule
Sept. 21, 2012, for The Associated Press by Josh Lederman WASHINGTON — House Republicans voted Friday to cramp President Barack Obama’s environmental policies in favor of increased coal production, in a parting jab before returning home to campaign. The bill would bar the Environmental Protection Agency from restricting greenhouse gases, quash stricter fuel efficiency standards […]
MoreTwo years after Citizens United, candidates forge path around super PAC spending
Jan. 21, 2012, for The Hill by Josh Lederman It’s been two years since a torrent of unrestrained election spending by outside groups was unleashed by Citizens United, a Supreme Court decision that candidates from both parties say has robbed them of control of their own races. But in one contest – incidentally, the most […]
MoreBillionaire Pickens says Obama lacks energy plan
WEST CHESTER, Pa. — Texas billionaire T. Boone Pickens faulted President Barack Obama on Friday, saying the president has failed to develop the energy plan he promised Americans as a presidential candidate in 2008.
GOP’s DeMint and Pence Tout Permanent-Tax-Cuts-For-All Bill
A pair of prominent Republicans — one from the Senate, the other from the House – on Thursday called for a permanent extension of tax cuts at all income levels, just as a vigorous floor debate was under way about Democratic legislation to extend tax relief for just the middle class.
Democrats: Unemployment insurance extension a moral debate
Congressional Democrats on Wednesday stood with more than 100 jobless workers in an attempt to drum up public outrage after Republicans prevented an extension of federal unemployment benefits for millions of Americans who are out of work.
For gay rights activists, a post-election shift
A record number of openly gay candidates was elected nationwide Tuesday, but the Democratic walloping on Capitol Hill is likely to shift the focus of the gay rights movement from congressional legislation to administrative, judicial, and state and local prospects once the new cast of politicians takes power in January.
Obama to work through ‘shellacking’
U.S. President Barack Obama struck a conciliatory tone Wednesday, taking responsibility for the slow pace of economic progress the day after Republicans walloped Democrats, winning a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives and raking in major wins in senatorial and gubernatorial races.
MoreWest Side congressman: Reforms won’t cut health care costs
Health care costs are unlikely to decrease despite reforms passed by Congress last month, Chicago congressman Danny Davis told constituents Wednesday night.