Congress – News Stories About Congress - Page 49

House Passes Landmark
Health Care Reform

Nov 7, 2009 10:24 PM CST

House Passes Landmark Health Care Reform

Measure passes 220-215, with only one Republican in favor

(Newser) - The House narrowly passed landmark health care legislation tonight to expand coverage to tens of millions who lack it and place tough new restrictions on the insurance industry. The measure passed 220-215 with only one Republican—Louisiana's Joseph Cao—in favor and 39 Democrats opposed. "Oh, what a night,...

Obama:
'Let's Finish the Job'

heatlh care push

Nov 7, 2009 12:34 PM CST

Obama: 'Let's Finish the Job'

President rallies Democrats as House debates bill

(Newser) - President Obama rallied the Democratic troops today and told the nation that "this is our moment to deliver" on health care reform. In a brief Rose Garden address that took place as the House debated its long-awaited bill, Obama again stressed the need for reform and urged lawmakers to...

House Opens Debate
on Health Care Bill

Nov 7, 2009 9:11 AM CST

House Opens Debate on Health Care Bill

Final vote is expected sometime tonight

(Newser) - It's crunch time in the House for health care reform. Representatives opened debate this morning on the monumental plan to provide universal coverage to Americans for the first time. A final vote is expected to take place tonight, maybe in the wee hours, and Nancy Pelosi continues to wheel and...

Obama Can, Should Lock Congress In Until Health Vote

JACK CAFFERTY

Nov 6, 2009 6:24 PM CST

Obama Can, Should Lock Congress In Until Health Vote

Constitution would allow it, so let's get a yea or nay

(Newser) - Grumpy old man Jack Cafferty is getting tired of Congress dragging out health reform, and wants President Obama to get lawmakers motivated. Using his constitutional powers, Obama should deliver this ultimatum: I’m ordering the Congress to remain in session until both houses vote on a final version of health-care...

Let States Lead on Health Care

NEWT GINGRICH & RICK PERRY

Nov 6, 2009 1:44 PM CST

Let States Lead on Health Care

Federal meddling will only lead to higher prices and crappy care

(Newser) - The states have a handle on health care reform, write Newt Gingrich and Rick Perry, and the federal government urgently needs to take a lesson from them. “Texas, for example, has adopted approaches to controlling health-care costs while improving choice, advancing quality of care and expanding coverage” write the...

Congress Extends Credit for First-Time Home Buyers

Nov 5, 2009 3:03 PM CST

Congress Extends Credit for First-Time Home Buyers

Also adds 20 weeks of jobless benefits

(Newser) - The House voted to extend and expand an $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers as part of a stimulus expansion expected to inject $45 billion into the economy. The legislation, which passed the Senate yesterday, also extends unemployment benefits for 20 weeks and creates tax breaks for businesses...

Bachmann Health Care
Rally Draws Thousands

'KILL THE BILL'

Nov 5, 2009 12:58 PM CST

Bachmann Health Care Rally Draws Thousands

Protesters will roam Capitol hallways to confront lawmakers

(Newser) - Thousands of health care reform protesters gathered in Washington today as part of Michele Bachmann’s “Super Bowl of Freedom.” Participants wielding signs like “Waterboard Congress” and chanting "kill the bill" congregated outside the Capitol to hear Bachmann, other GOP lawmakers, and even Jon Voight assail...

Carly Fiorina
Launches Calif.
Senate Bid

ELECTION 2010

Nov 4, 2009 10:07 AM CST

Carly Fiorina Launches Calif. Senate Bid

Ex-HP chief would face Dem incumbent Boxer

(Newser) - Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina says she'll run for the US Senate seat held by California incumbent Barbara Boxer. Fiorina ended months of speculation today with an announcement in an opinion piece she wrote for the Orange County Register. She's scheduled to make a formal announcement later in the day....

Merkel Addresses Congress,
Wants Climate Pact

Nov 3, 2009 2:39 PM CST

Merkel Addresses Congress, Wants Climate Pact

German chancellor speaks to joint session

(Newser) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel marked the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall by exhorting the world in a speech to Congress to "tear down the walls of today" and reach a deal to combat global warming. Merkel, frequently interrupted by robust applause, also reiterated her country's...

5 Things to Watch
in NY-23 Race

election day

Nov 3, 2009 11:41 AM CST

5 Things to Watch in NY-23 Race

Hoffman looks to pick up Scozzafava's supporters

(Newser) - With late polls inconclusive, Josh Kraushaar of Politico runs down five things to watch in the NY-23 congressional race as returns filter in:

Dede Scozzafava's supporters: The big question is whether independent-minded GOP voters will go to her endorsed candidate, Democrat Bill Owens, or Conservative Doug Hoffman. Results from her

...

Lieberman Won't Sink
Health Reform: Reid

DC GOSSIP

Nov 3, 2009 8:43 AM CST

Lieberman Won't Sink Health Reform: Reid

Indy senator promises he'll vote with Dems to end filibuster

(Newser) - Forget all the grandstanding about joining a GOP filibuster of health care reform if it contains any kind of public option: Sen. Joe Lieberman won't do it, Harry Reid tells liberal interest groups, who tell the Hill . He has a deal with the Connecticut Independent, the majority leader claims. Lieberman...

Beck Rates
Health Reform
as 9/11 Attack

Nov 3, 2009 8:09 AM CST

Beck Rates Health Reform as 9/11 Attack

9/12ers are girding for this year's national catastrophe

(Newser) - Glenn Beck's found a new way to frame his opposition to heath care reform, and this one's a doozy: It's a terrorist attack. A decade ago “I could have shouted every single day about Osama bin Laden,” the Fox News commentator said, “and nobody would have been...

NY GOP Dropout Backs Dem
Over Palin Fave

Nov 2, 2009 1:19 AM CST

NY GOP Dropout Backs Dem Over Palin Fave

Hoffman calls Scozzafava a 'turncoat'

(Newser) - Sarah Palin-backed conservative upstart Doug Hoffman called Dede Scozzafava a “turncoat” after the New York Republican state assemblywoman endorsed Hoffman’s Democratic opponent, Bill Owens. Scozzafava issued her surprise endorsement a day after pulling out of the upstate congressional race. With prominent conservatives backing Hoffman, an independent, Scozzafava had...

Bachmann Urges Uprising Against Health Reform

Oct 31, 2009 3:54 PM CDT

Bachmann Urges Uprising Against Health Reform

She calls for Americans 'by the carload' to descend on DC

(Newser) - Michele Bachmann wants Americans "by the carload" to come to Washington next week so she can lead them through the halls of Congress to oppose health care reform. "This is our liberty and tyranny moment," she told Sean Hannity on Fox yesterday. "This is about patriotism...

Hoffman Race Takes Twist: Here's What It Means

bloggers' first takes

Oct 31, 2009 2:26 PM CDT

Hoffman Race Takes Twist: Here's What It Means

Conservative gets a boost, but maybe not a very big one

(Newser) - Republican Dede Scozzafava's surprise decision to suspend her congressional race in New York leaves Conservative Doug Hoffman to battle Democrat Dan Owens. Here's what the political blogosphere is saying:

Nate Silver , FiveThirtyEight: "Gun to my head? Sure, I'd take Hoffman at this point." But it's not that cut

...

GOP Foe of Conservative Hoffman Quits Race

political bombshell

Oct 31, 2009 11:04 AM CDT

GOP Foe of Conservative Hoffman Quits Race

Surprise decision leaves him alone against Democrat

(Newser) - Big political news from upstate New York: Republican Dede Scozzafava has suspended her campaign for Congress ahead of Tuesday's election. She endorsed no one, but the move "is a boost" to Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman, writes Josh Kraushaar at Politico . Hoffman is a political novice who surged into...

Pelosi Plan Finds
Foes on Left, Right

first takes

Oct 29, 2009 3:43 PM CDT

Pelosi Plan Finds Foes on Left, Right

Liberals say it's too conservative, and conservatives say it's too liberal

(Newser) - Some early takes from the left and right on Nancy Pelosi's health care bill:

Tevi Troy, National Review: This will offend states, employers, budget hawks, insurers, even liberals who don't think it's "robust" enough. "The Pelosi approach is an impressive demonstration of coalition building—if you’re trying

...

Let's Hope
Baucus Doesn't
'Gum Up'
Climate Bill

kate sheppard

Oct 29, 2009 12:25 PM CDT

Let's Hope Baucus Doesn't 'Gum Up' Climate Bill

He's already trying to water down

(Newser) - Now that his committee is done with health care reform, Max Baucus has time to turn his attention to the climate bill. As a member of Barbara Boxer's environmental panel, "his ability to gum up the works is significant," writes Kate Sheppard . Essentially, he may do to the...

In Congress, 535 New
GM Boardmembers

Oct 29, 2009 7:02 AM CDT

In Congress, 535 New GM Boardmembers

Legislators strong-arm automaker to keep dealerships, factories open

(Newser) - GM might not have realized when it took $58 billion in bailout money that it would now be beholden to members of Congress, who have been acting like 535 new board members as they angle for their constituents' (and their own) interests. Dems and Republicans alike have pressured companies to...

Grayson
Weeps on
House Floor

water works

Oct 29, 2009 6:55 AM CDT

Grayson Weeps on House Floor

Bemoans casualties of lack of health insurance

(Newser) - Alan Grayson continued with his penchant for the dramatic yesterday, shedding copious tears on the House floor as he read letters from families of people who died because they didn't have health insurance. “For god's sake, I look forward to a time when we have finally done our jobs,...