In Talking To Their States, Governors Keep An Eye On Washington
From Superstorm Sandy to gun laws to the fiscal cliff, national issues are on the minds and the lips of the nation’s governors setting their state agendas this week. Some want Congress and President Obama to act; others are urging state legislators to do what Congress hasn’t.» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
House Gears Up For Immigration Battle
The Republican leadership has installed immigration hawks to chair the House Judiciary Committee and a subcommittee that would be charged with drafting immigration bills. And a veteran Democrat has left another coveted committee to join the judiciary panel and help push through possible changes.» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
Obama’s On-Again, Off-Again Relationship With Progressives
President Obama handily won re-election, but Congress remains fairly unchanged. Will the status quo prevail during his second term? Or will he follow through on promises that got progressives excited about him in 2008?» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
What Happens When The Speaker Isn’t Talking?
The framers of the Constitution didn’t spell out all the responsibilities of the speaker of the House. In practice, one of those duties has been engaging in one-on-one negotiations with a president on important policy issues. But John Boehner says no more — even with new fiscal fights looming.» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
Bipartisan Outrage As Vote On Superstorm Sandy Aid Is Postponed
Lawmakers from states hit hard by the October storm thought the House would vote on an aid package before adjourning on Thursday. They found out late Tuesday that a vote has been put off. Rep. Michael Grimm, a Republican from Staten Island, said he’s “somewhat ashamed” by his leadership’s decision.» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
Obama On Fiscal Cliff Talks: ‘I Actually Still Think We Can Get It Done’
In a news conference Friday, the president said both parties would have to work together in the next 10 days to prevent a tax hike on middle-class Americans.» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
Boehner Floats Tax Rate Hike For Highest Earners
The House speaker is showing new flexibility on tax rates in talks with President Obama on the “fiscal cliff.” Boehner has proposed allowing income tax rates to increase on people making more than $1 million a year as long as the president agreed to substantial spending cuts.» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
Farm Bill Becomes Fodder In ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Wrangling
Farm-state lawmakers are urging leaders to include a farm bill as part of any budget deal to avert year-end tax increases and spending cuts. But others argue that Congress shouldn’t toss the farm bill into a giant package because it would very likely stifle debate and amendments.» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
Doctors And Women’s Groups Urge Feds To Relax Plan B Restrictions
With the presidential election decided, doctors and some advocates are calling for the administration to make it easier for teenagers to get the morning-after birth control pill.» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
Why A ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Failure Could Help The Economy
If President Obama and Congress can’t make a deal this month, the economy could fall into recession while tax bills go up for nearly every American. On the other hand, it would do a lot to erase the nation’s deficit.» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
