In DC, Powerful California Is the New Texas

(NEWSER) - A bill pending in the US House includes a provision relaxing travel restrictions on Cuban-Americans who wish to visit Cuba by slicing out funding for enforcement of a 2004 law, the Miami Herald reports. The bill, which will likely see a vote today, allows annual visits rather than one every 3 years, and permits easier access for Americans with business in Cuba. More»

Dems eager to make mark after GOP domination, but priorities could shred unity

(NEWSER) - Democrats in Congress and Barack Obama want to move quickly once he assumes office, but they must pull in the same direction to achieve anything, Naftali Bendavid writes in the Wall Street Journal. “Pent-up energy among House Democrats” could test Obama’s centrist leanings, one observer notes, and history is peppered with examples of a ruling majority rent by intra-party bickering. More»

House, Senate easily approve extension

(AP) - No last-minute Capitol Hill surprises: Congress today passed legislation renewing a payroll tax cut for 160 million workers and jobless benefits for millions more, backing the main items on President Obama's jobs agenda in a rare burst of Washington bipartisanship. The Senate approved the $143 billion measure by a 60-36 vote. That tally came minutes after the House approved it by a sweeping 293-132 vote. Obama is expected to sign it into law shortly after returning from a West Coast fundraising swing. More»

State aid bill makes it through filibuster

(NEWSER) - The House is headed back to Washington early, after Senate Democrats unexpectedly broke through a Republican filibuster on their much-delayed state aid bill. The bill provides $26.1 billion to prevent state worker and teacher layoffs. Democrats got Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe to once again cross the aisle and bring their vote tally to 61 by agreeing to pay for the bill with cuts to their own priorities, like the food stamp program, Politico reports. More»

Stunned Chuck DeVore supporters vent on Facebook

(NEWSER) - Sarah Palin yesterday endorsed Carly Fiorina in the race to unseat California Sen. Barbara Boxer, stirring up howls of protest on her Facebook page from fans of Tea Party favorite Chuck DeVore. "That's 2 strikes against you, little sister!" writes one furious follower, referring to Palin's McCain endorsement as well. "One more and you're done." And another: "I am now ashamed to say that I once admired you….because you are obviously not the upright Christian Constitutionalist that I once believed you to be! " More»