Senate

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Democrat Levin Won't Seek Re-Election in Senate

Michigan senator retiring; libertarian Amash seen as challenger

(Newser) - Democrats will have another Senate seat to contest in the 2014 elections: Carl Levin said today he won't seek re-election, reports the Detroit News . The 78-year-old has been in the Senate since 1979 and currently serves as chair of the powerful Armed Services Committee. "I can best serve...

McCain, Graham Slam Paul's 'Ridiculous' Filibuster

Republican senators call it a cheap political stunt

(Newser) - Rand Paul may be winning praise for his Senate filibuster , but two of his Republican colleagues hated it. John McCain and Lindsey Graham took to the Senate floor themselves today to criticize the talk-a-thon, with McCain calling it "ridiculous" and Graham arguing that it "cheapened" the debate on...

Rand Paul Staging Old-School Filibuster

Senator holds up vote on CIA nominee over drone strategy

(Newser) - It's possible the Senate will get a chance to confirm John Brennan as the next CIA chief tomorrow—unless Rand Paul's voice holds out. The Kentucky Republican began a genuine filibuster about 11:45am today, reports USA Today . That is, he's not taking advantage of the modern...

Senate Hits JPMorgan Execs on $6B Loss

'London Whale' resurfaces

(Newser) - A Senate subcommittee is taking JPMorgan to task over billions in losses tied to the so-called " London Whale ." The report, by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, is likely to slam executives over a failure to adequately alert regulators and investors as the bank made big bets. Executives...

Bipartisan Group Hatches Gun Bill in Senate

Patrick Leahy announces push against 'straw purchasers'

(Newser) - A bipartisan group of senators hatched a bill today that would increase penalties for so-called "straw purchasers" of firearms, the Washington Post reports. Sen. Patrick Leahy, announcing the deal, said anyone who illegally buys a gun for someone else would face up to 20 years in prison; the seller...

Sequester Cuts Look Certain as Senate Bills Fail

Last-minute measures had little chance of success

(Newser) - In case you were expecting a sequester miracle: Two separate measures to stem the crisis before tomorrow's deadline failed in the Senate today, as expected . One was from Democrats and the other from Republicans, but both were doomed even before the votes. They were placed in consideration as a...

Senate Makes Limp Efforts to Duck Sequester

But 'it's going to happen' despite votes: Rep.

(Newser) - Today, the Senate will vote on two plans that could potentially avert the sequester—but passage doesn't seem likely, USA Today reports. The Democrats' plan, which focuses on a minimum 30% tax on millionaires as well as defense and farm cuts, lacks the 60 votes it would need to...

Hagel Nomination Clears Filibuster

Senate will vote to confirm in a matter of hours

(Newser) - The Senate has voted 71-27 to end debate on Chuck Hagel's nomination for secretary of Defense, paving the way for his all-but-guaranteed confirmation later this afternoon. Republicans had been filibustering Hagel's nomination, with the last vote to end debate on Feb. 14 falling just short of the 60-vote...

53% of US Wants Illegal Immigrants Deported

Senators mull 'biometric' ID requirement for fed workers

(Newser) - Some 53% of American citizens broadly support deportation for illegal immigrants, a Reuters/Ipsos poll finds, with 30% saying most should be deported and 23% saying all should be sent away. Meanwhile, 31% of citizens say the US should let most illegal immigrants stay, and just 5% say all illegal immigrants...

Georgia Reps: Time to Revoke 17th Amendment

Scrap the direct election of senators, they say

(Newser) - GOP state representatives in Georgia say it's time to end direct elections of national senators, the Douglas County Sentinel reports. Instead, state assemblies should pick senators, as it was before the 17th amendment, says Kevin Cooke, a sponsor of a bill calling on Congress to take action. "This...

Nebraska GOP Senator to Retire

He's one of only two Republicans backing Chuck Hagel

(Newser) - Nebraska Sen. Mike Johanns has informed his state's governor that he doesn't intend to run for re-election next year, sources tell NBC News . Johanns is notable as the man who replaced Chuck Hagel in the Senate—and is now one of only two Senate Republicans publicly backing his...

Senate Panel Backs Hagel for Defense

But vote in full Senate is no gimme

(Newser) - Chuck Hagel has cleared his first hurdle in becoming secretary of defense: The Senate Armed Services panel voted 14-11 to approve President Obama's pick to succeed Leon Panetta. All of the Democrats on the committee backed Hagel, and all of the Republicans opposed him. The nomination now goes to...

McCain: Let's Not Filibuster Chuck Hagel

Defense nominee nears confirmation

(Newser) - John McCain wasn't easy on Chuck Hagel during the defense secretary nominee's confirmation hearing—but it looks as though he and other Republicans are letting up. (After all, the two were friends before falling out.) McCain says he opposes a filibuster of Hagel's confirmation and will...

Senate Gun Bill May Not Touch Assault Weapons

But Reid camp looking to get measure to floor next month

(Newser) - Senate Democrats are hoping to put a gun control bill on the floor by next month—but it's not likely to include the assault-weapon ban President Obama has urged, a Harry Reid aide tells the Wall Street Journal . Outside of that, however, it would cover most of the measures...

McCain, Hagel Spar Over Iraq
 McCain, Hagel Spar Over Iraq 
Jan 31, 2013 2:13 PM CST

McCain, Hagel Spar Over Iraq

Defense nominee says he's still not sure the surge was worth it

(Newser) - Chuck Hagel got into a testy verbal sparring match with John McCain at his Armed Services Committee hearing today, with McCain demanding that Hagel admit he was wrong when he warned against the "surge" in Iraq. Hagel tried to prevaricate: "I would defer to the judgment of history,...

Deval Patrick Picks Ex-Aide to Replace Kerry

William 'Mo' Cowan gets the call over Barney Frank

(Newser) - Sorry, Barney Frank. Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick will name his former chief-of-staff, William "Mo" Cowan, as John Kerry's interim replacement in the Senate, passing over the more famous retired congressman, a source tells the AP . The pick is expected to be announced later today. Cowan will hold the...

Obama: 'Now's the Time' for Immigration Changes

Praises Senate effort, says he'll submit his own if it gets hung up

(Newser) - President Obama today praised the bipartisan push for immigration reform in the Senate but made clear he would submit his own bill to Congress if it stalls, reports the Washington Post . Still, his speech in Vegas today was upbeat:
  • "The differences are dwindling ... a broad consensus is emerging,"
...

Congress OKs $50B Sandy Aid Bill

Lawmakers win battle against fiscal conservatives

(Newser) - Congress is sending a $50.5 billion emergency relief measure for Superstorm Sandy victims to President Obama for his signature. The Senate today cleared the bill, 62-36. Northeast lawmakers say the money is desperately needed to help recovery efforts from the one of the region's worst storms. The House...

To Dump McConnell, Dems Sidle Up to Tea Party

They offer help backing right-wing 2014 challenger

(Newser) - As the Senate minority leader looks to 2014, he faces an odd couple out to beat him: Democrats and Tea Partiers. Groups like MoveOn and a Democratic super PAC, as well as individual donors, are offering Tea Party activists funding to bring in a right-wing challenger to Mitch McConnell. Come...

Democrat Tom Harkin Retiring From Senate

Iowa senator won't seek re-election in 2014

(Newser) - Surprise news from the Senate today: Iowa Democrat Tom Harkin tells AP he will not run for re-election in 2014. Harkin, 73, pointed out that he would be 81 if he completed a sixth term. "It's just time," he says. Harkin has long been a champion of...

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