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NEWS ABOUT: Congress

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IRS Chief Blames 'Foolish Mistakes', Not Politics

Outgoing Steven Miller apologizes at congressional hearing

(Newser) - The outgoing chief of the IRS visited Capitol Hill today to take his lumps over the way his agents gave extra scrutiny to conservative groups, reports the Hill . Steven Miller said the "American public deserve better," but insisted that no sinister political motives were at play:
  • "I
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1/3 of House Committees Investigating White House

Congress looking into IRS scandal, Benghazi, ObamaCare ...

(Newser) - If President Obama looks even grayer by the end of summer, this line in Politico might explain it: "All together, roughly one-third of House committees are engaged in investigating some aspect of the Obama administration." That includes two heavyweight panels—Darrell Issa's Oversight and Government Reform, along... More »

Mark Sanford Defeats Colbert Busch

He wins special election in South Carolina for congressional seat

(Newser) - He's back: Mark Sanford defeated Elizabeth Colbert Busch tonight in the special election for a congressional seat in South Carolina. The AP called the race with 71% of precincts reporting and Sanford drawing 54% of the vote. It's a huge comeback for the former governor and congressman—in... More »

Obama Is Looking Especially Lame These Days

Krauthammer, Noonan take on the president

(Newser) - President Obama is getting knocked around on the right today as a weak, or at least weakened, leader: At the Washington Post , Charles Krauthammer observes that it wasn't too long ago that Obama was triumphant in his re-election, all set to get Democrats back in power in the House... More »

Congress' Plan: Spend $436M on Tank Army Doesn't Want

To keep us safe, or something

(Newser) - The Abrams tank sounded pretty remarkable in reports chronicling its arrival in Afghanistan more than two years ago: The 68-ton machine is propelled by jet engines and has a main gun that can destroy a house from more than a mile away. But since its debut, lawmakers from both sides... More »

22 Years Later, Waiters Still Work for $2.13 a Hour

Legislation could raise minimum, used in 13 states, this year

(Newser) - Many waiters are still waiting for their minimum wage to rise—which it hasn't in more than two decades. The federal minimum for servers is set at $2.13 an hour, though if they don't make at least the regular minimum of $7.25 when tips are added... More »

Congress to Question FBI Over Missed Tamerlan Tip

He was cleared after 2011 tip; officials didn't realize he went back to Dagestan

(Newser) - The Senate Intelligence Committee is set to question FBI officials over their response to a Russian warning about Tamerlan Tsarnaev, possibly as soon as today in what will be a closed hearing. The full Senate is likely to get a briefing on the matter this week, the BBC reports. Time ... More »

Charlie Rangel Sues Boehner for Ethics Censure

Says key memo was withheld in 2010 case

(Newser) - Charlie Rangel has sued seven lawmakers, including John Boehner and former House ethics chair Zoe Lofgren, in an effort to overturn a 2010 ethics censure, Politico reports. Rangel says the ethics committee withheld relevant evidence in the case, which resulted in a 333-79 House vote in favor of a censure,... More »

Tax-Free Online Shopping Hits the Chopping Block

Senate votes 74 to 20 to take up bill that could spell the end

(Newser) - The halcyon days of widespread tax-free online shopping may be numbered. The Senate yesterday voted 74 to 20 to take up a bill that would let states require Internet retailers to collect sales tax, the AP reports. It could be passed within the week, though it may have a tougher... More »

Bill Likely to Bring Big Improvements on Mental Health

Senators making quiet progress on substantial reforms in care: NYT

(Newser) - With the Senate poised to start debating gun legislation next week, much of the attention has focused on what the final bill won't have—a ban on assault weapons or high-capacity magazines, for example. But a New York Times story weighs in on what the bill probably will have,... More »

Immigration Bill Will Ramp Up Border Security

Senate preps legislation as marchers gather in DC

(Newser) - Today, thousands are gathering in Washington to demand immigration reform—and with a Senate bill set for release as soon as tomorrow, "we are optimistic," an activist tells WCSH . Possible details of the legislation are emerging, and it may set some tough standards in terms of security, notes... More »

Obama Budget Leaves GOP With 'No Excuses'

Ezra Klein: White House aims to expose Republican 'intransigence'

(Newser) - President Obama's budget proposal is the latest move in his administration's "systematic" effort to expose flimsy GOP excuses for government inaction, writes Ezra Klein in the Washington Post . Republicans had complained that Obama didn't extend a hand to them; now, he's constantly meeting with them.... More »

Obama Sends $3.8T Budget to Congress

Seeks 'grand bargain' with cuts, taxes that rile both Dems, GOP

(Newser) - President Obama's budget plan for fiscal year 2014 is en route to Congress. Seeking to slash the deficit, it contains a mix of tax hikes on the wealthy and cuts to government programs—including entitlements—that is upsetting both sides of the aisle, the AP reports. "I have... More »

GOP Quaking in Its Boots Over Sanford's Chances

Women dislike him, and he's playing defense already

(Newser) - Yesterday, Politico was calling Elizabeth Colbert Busch the underdog in South Carolina's special congressional election; today, the site seems to have changed its tune . It's reporting that Republicans are concerned Mark Sanford's candidacy could cost them a safe seat in a district Mitt Romney took by 18... More »

Mark Sanford Wins Runoff, Faces Colbert's Sister Next

They'll vie for congressional seat in South Carolina

(Newser) - Well, this could be fun. Mark Sanford has easily won the Republican runoff for a congressional seat in South Carolina, reports AP . Which means, of course, that the former governor and congressman will face Elizabeth Colbert Busch, sister of Stephen Colbert, in the general election five weeks from now. Sanford... More »

Congress Is So Awful Because It Needs a Raise

Daniel Schuman: If we want good lawmakers, we need to pay them more

(Newser) - File this one at the opposite end of the spectrum as "throw the bums out." Daniel Schuman argues at Slate that we need to give Congress a hefty raise. The workload is way up thanks to slashed staffing levels, while salaries are way down relative to previous decades.... More »

Claire McCaskill Backs Gay Marriage

'History will agree with my children,' says Missouri Democrat

(Newser) - The latest top politician to endorse gay marriage is Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill, Politico reports. The swing-state Democrat offered up a statement yesterday on her Tumblr page: "I have come to the conclusion that our government should not limit the right to marry based on who you love,"... More »

No Shutdown: House Passes Stopgap Spending Bill

Government has money through September

(AP) - The House today passed a stopgap spending bill to keep the government functioning through the end of September, sidestepping any threat of a government shutdown. The bipartisan vote in the Republican-controlled House follows approval earlier this week in the Democrat-controlled Senate and sends the measure to President Obama to be... More »

Senate OKs Bill to Keep Government Running

But those White House tours are still a no-go

(AP) - The Senate approved legislation today to lock in $85 billion in broad federal spending cuts and simultaneously avoid a government shutdown next week. If the House goes along, as expected, that means the across-the-board cuts set in motion by a failed earlier deficit-cutting effort and vigorously decried by President Obama... More »

Menendez Facing Grand Jury Probe

Investigation centers on ties to Salomon Melgen

(Newser) - Sen. Robert Menendez is facing a federal grand jury probe amid continuing questions over his relationship with friend and donor Salomon Melgen, insiders tell the Washington Post . Interviews and records show the New Jersey Democrat pushed the Dominican government to follow through on a port security contract with Melgen; Menendez'... More »

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