Stories related to: Mitch McConnell

Senate Will Vote on Bailout Tomorrow

Associated Press  |  Sep 30, 08 7:54 PM CDT

(AP) - In a surprise move to resurrect President Bush's $700 billion Wall Street rescue plan, Senate leaders slated a vote on the measure for tomorrow—but added a tax cut plan already rejected by the House. The Senate plan would also raise federal deposit insurance limits to $250,000 from $100,000, as called for by the two presidential nominees only hours earlier. The move to add a tax legislation—including a set of popular business tax breaks—risked a backlash from House Democrats insisting they be paid for with tax increases elsewhere. More »

GOP Charts Offshore Drilling Compromise

Politico  |  Jul 8, 08 11:12 AM CDT

(Newser) - Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is trying to forge a bipartisan coalition on domestic oil drilling, Politico reports. Republican senators believe they can sway enough moderate Democrats on an amendment to end a federal ban on coastline drilling—allowing a dramatic shift in US energy policy, and reaping a big victory for the GOP. More »

GOP Senators Block Bill on Climate Change

Associated Press  |  Jun 6, 08 10:23 AM CDT

(Newser) - Republican senators blocked a landmark climate change bill today in a filibuster, making it likely that the carbon-capping legislation will be shelved until next year. After a debate over the economic costs of the bill—which would cut CO2 emissions by 71% by 2050—the Senate came up a dozen votes short of the number needed to end the filibuster, the AP reports. More »

Fellow Pols Shaken by Kennedy Diagnosis

The Hill  |  May 20, 08 2:49 PM CDT

(Newser) - Ted Kennedy's Senate colleagues reacted to news that the lawmaker has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor with "stunned silence," Ben Nelson of Nebraska tells the Hill. "I am having a hard time remembering a day in my 34 years here when I felt this badly," said a visibly shaken Patrick Leahy of Vermont. More »

6 Ways the GOP Can Get Back on Its Feet

Politico  |  May 15, 08 1:50 PM CDT

(Newser) - Six months before an election in which some estimate Republicans could lose 20 seats in the House and five in the Senate, insiders tell Politico how the GOP can pick itself up: Write some policy. “It’s critical that our candidates have a very clear set of principles,” says Mitt Romney. Think tax-cutting and spending-slashing. More »

Equal Pay Bill Blocked in Senate

Reuters  |  Apr 24, 08 3:34 AM CDT

(Newser) - Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama interrupted their rival campaigns yesterday to vote together on a bill that would make it easier for women to sue employers for pay discrimination. But their moment of unity proved fruitless as Senate Republicans blocked the bill, likely killing it for the rest of the year, reports Reuters. More »

Senators Cut Tentative Deal on Housing

New York Times  |  Apr 2, 08 5:14 PM CDT

(Newser) - The Senate today struck a deal on a package of legislation intended to soften the impact of the foreclosure crisis, the New York Times reports. The bipartisan measures include $4 billion to help local governments buy foreclosed properties and $100 million for homeowner counseling. Harry Reid called the tentative deal, which Chris Dodd and Richard Shelby hashed out overnight, "good news for the American people.” More »

Housing Bill Clears Key Senate Hurdle

New York Times  |  Apr 1, 08 5:38 PM CDT

(Newser) - The Senate voted 94-1 to move a housing legislation package into formal consideration today, reports the New York Times . Banking committee chair Chris Dodd and ranking Republican Richard Shelby now have until noon tomorrow to work out a compromise acceptable to both parties. “Inaction is not an option," said Dodd. "Failure is not an option." More »

GOP Senators Try to Outflank Dems on Iraq Funding Bill

Associated Press  |  Feb 27, 08 10:41 AM CST

(Newser) - After months of blocking Democrat-sponsored anti-war bills, Senate Republicans changed course sharply yesterday, agreeing to advance a bill that cuts off funding for combat in Iraq after 120 days. GOP senators made the switch on grounds that a debate over conditions in Iraq allows them time to hail progress in the war, giving them the upper hand, the AP reports. More »

Bush Wins War Budget Battle

Associated Press  |  Dec 19, 07 3:39 AM CST

(Newser) - The White House last night won a major victory in the Senate—securing $70 billion in funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, free of the restrictions linked to troop withdrawals Democrats had insisted on for weeks. In a budget deal that ended months of wrangling, the Senate passed a massive $555 billion spending bill that combined funds for government agencies with money for the wars. More »

Kyl Set to Replace Lott as GOP No. 2

The Hill  |  Nov 28, 07 3:04 PM CST

(Newser) - Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl is almost certain to become Republican minority whip, the Hill reports, filling an opening created by the retirement of Trent Lott. Kyl apparently won't be opposed, with other GOP senators instead contesting lower leadership roles. Tennessee's Lamar Alexander, who some thought would try for whip, will instead run for conference chairman, Kyl's current post. More »

Throw the Bums Out, Says Poll

CNN  |  Nov 9, 07 4:35 PM CST

(Newser) - Americans are so unhappy with Congress that they've set a polling record. Fifty-three percent of those surveyed in a new poll say most members shouldn’t be re-elected, which might foreshadow a rough 2008 for incumbents, CNN reports. Republicans inspired more anger than Democrats, with 38% and 50%, respectively, saying the party’s members deserve another term. More »

Kentucky Dems Hope to Ride Blue Wave

Guardian (UK)  |  Oct 30, 07 7:34 PM CDT

(Newser) - Kentucky Dems are confident that they'll win the governor's office next week and grab a Senate seat in 2008, the Guardian reports. Polls put Steve Beshear up by 11 points in next week's gubernatorial contest, and Dems say Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is now beatable. "We are going to turn Kentucky blue," claims one Dem. "The biggest reason is that the Republicans had their chance to lead and they blew it." More »

We Goofed on Petraeus Attack Ad: Times Editor