NEWS ABOUT: US Congress
US Congress stories: 16 news briefs
Associated Press May 20, 09 1:49 PM CDT
(AP Summary) -
Congress has sent President Obama a bill with sweeping new rules for the credit-card industry that will affect just about every American. The House approved the measure this afternoon, 361-64. The Senate OK'd it yesterday, 90-5. The new restrictions will protect debt-ridden consumers from many of the surprise charges common in the industry, like over-the-limit fees and a charge to pay by phone.
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He'll comply with perjury review, but no more interviews
Chicago Tribune Feb 18, 09 3:08 PM CST
(Newser Summary) -
Roland Burris today urged his constituents to "stop the rush to judgment" as he denied any wrongdoing in the process of gaining his Senate seat, the Chicago Tribune reports. "If I had done the things I’ve been accused of, I’d be too embarrassed to stand up here," he said at a meeting in Chicago. He also fired back at the press, vowing not to "engage the media and have facts drip out in selective soundbites."
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He warns contender he may be back one day
Chicago Tribune Feb 2, 09 2:50 AM CST
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White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel may be enjoying his new White House gig, but he hasn't written off a return to Congress, reports the Chicago Tribune reports. Emanuel told Illinois State Representative John Fritchey—one of 11 Democrats bidding for his vacated Chicago post—that "he may be interested in running one day again for the seat," said Fritchey.
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War, economy burden system former Army general would inherit
Military Times Jan 14, 09 3:06 PM CST
(Newser Summary) -
Retired Gen. Eric Shinseki garnered bipartisan support for his Veterans Affairs Secretary nomination today in outlining his priorities before Congress, the Military Times reports. The former Army chief of staff admitted to little experience with veterans issues, but his vows to streamline the agency won support from the likes of former Sen. Bob Dole—whom the Bush administration enlisted to improve veteran care.
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Gupta 'lacks the requisite experience,' congressman charges
ABC News Jan 8, 09 3:27 PM CST
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Barack Obama's apparent choice for surgeon general, Sanjay Gupta, is drawing fire from within his own party, ABC News reports. John Conyers of Michigan, the House Judiciary Committee chair, sent a letter to his fellow legislators today encouraging them to join him in protesting the nomination of the CNN fixture as "not in the best interests of the nation"—and spelling the celebrity neurosurgeon's first name "Sunjay."
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Stimulus package contributed; figure is expected to break record in fiscal '09
Washington Post Sep 9, 08 4:27 PM CDT
(Newser Summary) -
The federal deficit will swell to $407 billion in the fiscal year that ends this month, the Washington Pos t reports, a figure more than twice last year’s total. Congressional budget analysts blamed the surge on weak revenue growth and accelerated spending, including the $168 billion economic stimulus package. They also said the next president could face a $438 billion deficit.
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Prisoner abuse scandal not impeding Congressional bid
New Republic Aug 4, 08 7:27 PM CDT
(Newser Summary) -
South Florida Republicans are thrilled with Congressional candidate Allen West. They see the black Army veteran as a potential GOP standard bearer. There’s just one problem: In 2003, West was accused of abusing an Iraqi detainee and violating the Uniform Code of Military Justice. But some Republicans actually see that as a positive, the New Republic reports.
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analysis
Obama's pledged trip to Baghdad likely won't change his mind
Washington Post Jul 18, 08 11:45 AM CDT
(Newser Summary) -
Lawmakers have been flocking to Iraq to assess the situation on the ground, as Barack Obama is about to do, but the visits rarely result in any revelations for them, writes Karen DeYoung in the Washington Post . The itineraries are fairly routine by now—meet the generals, the troops, and some Iraqi leaders; maybe visit the front lines—and "most seem to return even more convinced of the views they held before they left."
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DNC says McCain broke campaign finance rules
Washington Post Feb 25, 08 7:07 AM CST
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The Democratic National Committee will file an FEC complaint today against John McCain, accusing the likely GOP nominee of violating policy when he obtained campaign loans by promising to repay them with federal funds, the Washington Post reports. The FEC so far hasn't granted McCain's request to now opt out of the public matching funds system.
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In Tanzania, president prods Congress to renew global aid pact
Associated Press Feb 17, 08 1:21 PM CST
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President Bush urged Congress today to “stop squabbling” and renew his global AIDS program, which provides medication and treatment for millions and earmarks funds for abstinence efforts. In Tanzania, his African tour’s second stop, Bush signed a $700 million aid package, saying, “We don’t want people guessing on the continent of Africa whether the generosity of the American people will continue.”
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Pelosi warns Senate to move quickly
Washington Post Jan 29, 08 4:57 PM CST
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The House approved a $146 billion economic stimulus package today with overwhelming bipartisan support. The bill, which would give most Americans rebates of $600, passed by a vote of 385-35 and now heads to the Senate, reports the Washington Post . Speaker Nancy Pelosi asked the Senate to approve its version quickly, without changes that would stall it or risk a presidential veto.
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Bush, Congress bask in the brief glow of cooperation, but can it last?
Washington Post Jan 25, 08 1:15 PM CST
(Newser Summary) -
The $150 billion package of tax breaks for consumers and businesses rolled out yesterday was the first show of bipartisan cooperation sans bloodletting since the Democrats won control of Congress a year ago, the Washington Post observes . It took panic over a looming recession to make it happen, and it could still be undone in the Senate.
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Fed chief wants aid package that's quick and temporary
New York Times Jan 16, 08 7:51 PM CST
(Newser Summary) -
Ben Bernanke insists he won’t take sides in a congressional fray over how to revive the nation’s flat-lining economy. But the Fed chief says he will support an economic stimulus package—be it GOP tax cuts or Democrats' increased spending—as long as it is quick and temporary, the New York Times reports. Lawmakers are scrambling to devise ways to ward off a recession, and Bernanke testifies before a House panel tomorrow.
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Despite criticism, lawmakers stuff
budgets with earmarks
Washington Post Dec 21, 07 10:29 AM CST
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The earmark lives. Despite much public clamoring about lawmakers loading up budgets with expensive pet projects, not much changed this year: The domestic and defense budgets contain more than 11,000 such earmarks, the Washington Post reports. "It would take leadership in both parties—and a lot more shame—to ever rein them in," said a watchdog group.
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Victories over Dems may hurt his own initiatives, raise debt
Washington Post Dec 15, 07 4:53 PM CST
(Newser Summary) -
Christmas came early for President Bush, who’s scored a slew of recent victories over the Democratic Congress. But the wins could threaten both the federal debt and some of his own pet projects, the Washington Post speculates. Bush’s steadfast opposition to tax-increasing spending measures from Democrats could push the federal deficit this fiscal year to almost $240 billion. Even some Republicans are wary.
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Prez demands funding for Iraq; Reid slams ultimatum
Washington Post Dec 3, 07 5:49 PM CST
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Lawmakers returned from Thanksgiving break today to face a scolding from President Bush over a number of unfinished bills, the Washington Post reports. Chiefly, Bush blasted them for stalling on Iraq funding—he wants $50 billion—as he cited “surge” success and warned of defense department layoffs if Congress keeps withholding money.
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