Bush Domestic Spending Veto Stands

(NEWSER) - Nancy Pelosi plans to convene a lame-duck House session to vote on an expanded rescue of the auto industry, the Wall Street Journal reports. “I am confident Congress can consider emergency assistance legislation next week,” the House Speaker said. Both GM and Ford have said they are cash poor, even after the $25 billion in government loan they received prior to the election. More»

Struggling economy requires a $150 billion plug, Speaker says

(AP) - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says a second economic stimulus plan is needed now because of the faltering economy, and she puts the price at $150 billion. President Bush, however, has promised a veto. The House passed a $61 billion economic aid proposal last month before lawmakers left Capitol Hill ahead of the election, but a similar plan failed to pass the Senate. More»

Key concessions, and a desire to approve legislation, put talks back on track

(NEWSER) - After a dramatic exit yesterday, House Republicans returned to talks today on the Wall Street bailout plan, the Washington Post reports. The White House expressed confidence and hoped aloud for a resolution by Monday. Yesterday’s White House meeting, with both candidates, was seen as a misstep. “The insertion of presidential politics has not been helpful,” Senate Majority leader Harry Reid said. More»

They change House rules to avoid a vote, angering Bush

(NEWSER) - Congressional Democrats thumbed their noses today at Bush's renewed efforts to pass a free-trade pact with Colombia. Bush sent the bill over Monday, mandating Congress to vote yea or nay within 90 days. Or so he thought. Nancy Pelosi is changing the House rules and won't allow a vote until the White House attends to more pressing domestic issues, the New York Times reports. More»

Eavesdropping measure expires at midnight

(NEWSER) - With a law that expands the government's power to eavesdrop due to expire at midnight, President Bush scolded Congress today for sitting idly by and allowing it to happen. Bush said Congress' failure to act could cause the US to “lose a vital lead that could prevent an attack,” the AP reports. Democrats accused Bush of "whipping up false fears." More»