Congress – News Stories About Congress - Page 72

Obama Gives Lawmakers
on Both Sides More Say

Jan 20, 2009 9:21 AM CST

Obama Gives Lawmakers on Both Sides More Say

New prez wooing votes for economic plans

(Newser) - So far, Barack Obama’s line about disagreeing without being disagreeable isn’t just lip service. The Wall Street Journal reports that the president-elect and his team have been talking in good faith with members of Congress—including Republicans—about economic policy. Says one senator whom they unsuccessfully lobbied to...

Paterson 'Certain' to Pick
Kennedy: Also-Rans

Jan 19, 2009 4:29 PM CST

Paterson 'Certain' to Pick Kennedy: Also-Rans

NY governor playing 'mind games' with media in delaying announcement

(Newser) - Her rivals for Hillary Clinton’s senate seat believe Caroline Kennedy is “certain” to succeed her, sources close to several contenders tell the New York Post. Gov. David Paterson thinks dissing Kennedy at this point would “greatly embarrass” and “entirely humiliate” her and her family—and potentially...

Investigate Bush: Conyers

OPINION

Jan 16, 2009 11:29 AM CST

Investigate Bush: Conyers

Congress must review his abuses to prevent a repeat

(Newser) - As the country moves forward, we can’t afford to repeat the mistakes of the past: it’s time to review the abuses of the Bush administration, writes Michigan congressman John Conyers, Jr. in the Washington Post. Congress must keep pushing for “stonewalled” Bush documents; it should create an...

Senate Releases TARP Funds

Jan 15, 2009 5:14 PM CST

Senate Releases TARP Funds

(Newser) - The Senate agreed to let loose the remaining TARP funds today by a relatively slim margin, the Hill reports. The 52-42 vote means Obama should have access to the $350 billion about a week after he takes office. The House hasn't voted yet, but the TARP legislation requires only one...

House Dems Debut
$825B Stimulus Bill

Jan 15, 2009 1:55 PM CST

House Dems Debut $825B Stimulus Bill

Public works, education get plenty of attention in measure

(Newser) - House Democrats today introduced a long-awaited stimulus package, developed with President-elect Obama, and totaling $825 billion, the New York Times reports. The economic recovery plan includes billions in tax cuts, Medicare subsidies, and public-education and infrastructure spending. The Senate is developing its own version, and vigorous debate is anticipated as...

Burris Sworn in
as Senator

Jan 15, 2009 1:35 PM CST

Burris Sworn in as Senator

(Newser) - Roland Burris was sworn in and seated in the Senate today as the junior senator from Illinois. Democrats had been loath to accept an appointee of Rod Blagojevich's, but the continued hubbub around the former Illinois AG was seen as a distraction. And Burris’ heroic attempts to get his credentials...

Obama Will Get Next $350B, Pelosi Signals

Jan 14, 2009 12:39 PM CST

Obama Will Get Next $350B, Pelosi Signals

Speaker sees close vote on authorizing remaining bailout funds

(Newser) - Barack Obama will get the $350 billion in bailout funds he’s asking for, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi indicated today on ABC’s Good Morning America. The Democrat didn’t explicitly guarantee victory in what’s expected to be a close vote, but said she believed Obama would get the...

Resilient Detroit
Will Come Back Strong

OPINION

Jan 13, 2009 5:52 PM CST

Resilient Detroit Will Come Back Strong

Detroit and its automakers won't quit at any cost

(Newser) - When Congress bailed on aid for Detroit automakers last month, it felt like lawmakers "had just voted to turn the lights out on the Motor City," Detroiter Sarah Webster writes in the Free Press. But even as the Big Three dance dangerously close to bankruptcy, she refuses to...

Obama Threatens First Veto Over Bailout Funds

Jan 13, 2009 5:22 PM CST

Obama Threatens First Veto Over Bailout Funds

(Newser) - Barack Obama appealed to Democrats in Congress today to allow the use of an additional $350 billion in federal bailout funds and vowed to veto any move to block the money. Obama met with lawmakers behind closed doors and backed up his plea with a promise to revise elements of...

Education at Heart of Obama Stimulus Plan

ANALYSIS

Jan 13, 2009 3:43 PM CST

Education at Heart of Obama Stimulus Plan

$140B in 2-year plan would take other pressures off states

(Newser) - In its current form, Barack Obama’s 2-year economic stimulus plan—currently pegged at $775 billion—will channel some $140 billion to education, Politico reports. As Congress hammers out its plan, changes are likely, but education and Medicaid look set to be major beneficiaries. States will see major block grants,...

Obama Inspires Young Black Pols to Take Risks for 2010

ANALYSIS

Jan 13, 2009 2:56 PM CST

Obama Inspires Young Black Pols to Take Risks for 2010

Candidates to abandon sure wins for ambitious positions

(Newser) - Young black politicians inspired by Barack Obama’s astonishingly quick ascent are pursuing riskier, more ambitious strategies for the 2010 elections, Chris Cillizza writes in the Washington Post. Florida Rep. Kendrick Meek, for example, a 42-year-old African-American, is running for the Senate seat being vacated by Mel Martinez, though Meek...

Senate Lawyers OK Burris

Jan 12, 2009 3:24 PM CST

Senate Lawyers OK Burris

Obama replacement will be sworn in this week, 'barring objection' from GOP

(Newser) - Senate Democrats today accepted Roland Burris as the senator-designate from Illinois, and he will likely be seated later this week, the Chicago Tribune reports. “Barring objections from Senate Republicans,” said a statement from Sens. Harry Reid and Dick Durbin, “we expect Senator-designee Burris to be sworn in....

Federal Grand Jury Will Look at Clemens' Perjury Case

Jan 12, 2009 2:55 PM CST

Federal Grand Jury Will Look at Clemens' Perjury Case

McNamee, Radomski may help get indictment for lying to Congress over drugs

(Newser) - Federal prosecutors have convened a grand jury to investigate whether Roger Clemens committed perjury when he told Congress he’d never taken steroids, ESPN reports. The grand jury has subpoenaed Kirk Radomski, who says he supplied Clemens with drugs through the pitcher’s trainer, Brian McNamee.

Minn. Denies
Franken Certification Bid

UPDATED

Jan 12, 2009 2:39 PM CST

Minn. Denies Franken Certification Bid

Legal process must run its course in Senate race, Gov. Pawlenty says

(Newser) - Minnesota officials turned down Al Franken’s request that he be certified as senator, the AP reports, just hours after his attorneys argued that a waiting period had passed for challenges. Though Franken emerged from the recount 225 votes ahead of incumbent Republican Norm Coleman, Coleman is challenging the result...

Bush, Obama Call
for 2nd TARP $350B

Jan 12, 2009 11:24 AM CST

Bush, Obama Call for 2nd TARP $350B

(Newser) - President Bush and Barack Obama asked Congress today to release the remaining $350 billion in TARP funds to prop up the troubled US financial system. The White House said Bush acted on a request from the president-elect, who takes office next week. Congress may vote on the request as early...

Obama Camp
Bruises Egos
on the Hill

Jan 12, 2009 10:00 AM CST

Obama Camp Bruises Egos on the Hill

Dust-ups show Senate Dems flexing muscle defending turf

(Newser) - You might expect Barack Obama, former senator, to know how to handle Capitol Hill, but in the past week the president-elect has twice incited near-revolt from his fellow Democrats, the LA Times notes. Legislators publicly criticized Obama’s proposed tax cuts and choice for CIA director. Obama’s team put...

Bush Plays Hardball to Get Remaining Bailout Funds

Jan 9, 2009 4:56 PM CST

Bush Plays Hardball to Get Remaining Bailout Funds

President plans request for $350B, threatens veto if Congress demurs

(Newser) - President Bush and President-Elect Obama both want the second half of the $700 billion in bailout funds released, and if Congress votes against it, whichever one is in office has the right to veto their "no" vote, the Washington Post reports. With many lawmakers opposing the measure, the two...

Ill. Court Clears
Burris' Path to DC

Jan 9, 2009 4:18 PM CST

Ill. Court Clears Burris' Path to DC

Blago pick to replace Obama doesn't need secretary of state's signature

(Newser) - The Illinois Supreme Court ruled today that the secretary of state’s signature was not necessary on Roland Burris’ US Senate credentials, Reuters reports. The move effectively validates Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s choice to fill Barack Obama’s seat, and puts the issue back to the Senate. Lawmakers there said...

Geithner Overhauls Bailout to Aid Homeowners, Small Biz

Jan 9, 2009 6:08 AM CST

Geithner Overhauls Bailout to Aid Homeowners, Small Biz

Obama team wants to cover homeowners, small business

(Newser) - The incoming Treasury secretary, Tim Geithner, is conducting a top-to-bottom overhaul of the $700 billion financial rescue program passed by a skeptical Congress last fall. Geithner and other Obama advisers will expand the program to cover small businesses, municipalities, and even homeowners before asking Congress for the second tranche of...

Dems Don't Like Obama Tax Cuts

Jan 9, 2009 5:35 AM CST

Dems Don't Like Obama Tax Cuts

Hill leaders doubt plan's stimulus power, say prez-elect trying too hard to woo GOP

(Newser) - Barack Obama's proposed tax cuts are opening a rift with his former congressional colleagues, the Hill reports. Democratic lawmakers are skeptical as to whether the cuts—which are 40% of the proposed stimulus package—will give the economy the necessary boost. Some think the president-elect is trying too hard to...