GOP senators unveil bill to avoid defense cuts (AP) »
AP – Intent on sparing the Pentagon from deep spending cuts, top Senate Republicans on Thursday endorsed legislation that targets federal workers, reducing their ranks and freezing their salaries, to avoid the pain of automatic cuts for one year. Yahoo! News: U.S. Congress News
Senate panel backs tough pressure on Iran (Reuters) »
Reuters – Banking transactions with Iran and financing for its oil shipments could come under tougher scrutiny after a bipartisan sanctions bill easily passed a key Senate Committee on Thursday. Yahoo! News: U.S. Congress News
Key Senate Republican says drilling bill faces hurdles (Reuters) »
Reuters – The top Republican on the Senate energy committee on Thursday acknowledged passing legislation to boost domestic energy production will be a tough task this year, even as Republicans maneuver to keep the focus on energy issues ahead of the November elections. Yahoo! News: U.S. Congress News
Solution to crumbling roads, bridges elusive (AP) »
AP – The nation’s crumbling roads, bridges and transit systems are at the point of hindering U.S. economic growth, but Congress is struggling to come up with a solution. Yahoo! News: U.S. Congress News
NC’s Heath Shuler won’t seek re-election to House (AP) »
AP – North Carolina Democratic Rep. Heath Shuler won’t seek re-election to the House, potentially making it harder for the Democrats’ effort to win seats in the Republican-controlled House. Yahoo! News: U.S. Congress News
Republicans, attorney general fight over gun sting (Reuters) »
Reuters – Republicans in the House of Representatives said on Thursday senior Justice Department officials should have known about the controversial tactics that led to a bungled operation to track guns to Mexico because some details were practically at their fingertips. Yahoo! News: U.S. Congress News
House says budget should reflect economic impacts (AP) »
AP – The House on Thursday voted to take a “dynamic scoring” approach to assessing how legislation affects the economy, a budgetary method that Republicans say will help lawmakers make good decisions but Democrats say is a gimmick aimed at justifying tax cuts. Yahoo! News: U.S. Congress News
Lawmakers press for answers on hazing in military (AP) »
AP – The plea for congressional hearings on the military’s efforts to prevent hazing was highly personal for one lawmaker. Yahoo! News: U.S. Congress News
AG Holder, House Republicans clash over documents (AP) »
AP – Attorney General Eric Holder clashed with Republicans at a House committee hearing Thursday over demands that the Justice Department turn over more documents about a flawed gun-smuggling investigation. Yahoo! News: U.S. Congress News
Maryland Republicans Respond to State of the State (ContributorNetwork) »
ContributorNetwork – On Wednesday, Gov. Martin O’Malley delivered this 2012 State of the State speech, covering a wide range of policy proposals, the text of which can be read on the governor’s website. In response, the Republicans had recently elected House Minority Whip Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio of the 37th District on the Eastern Shore provide a [...]
In Mass. Senate race, GOP’s Brown embracing Obama (AP) »
AP – During the 2010 special election to fill the seat left vacant by the death of U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy, then-candidate Scott Brown vowed to be the “41st” vote against President Barack Obama’s sweeping health care overhaul. Yahoo! News: U.S. Congress News
Congress exempt from several federal laws (AP) »
AP – While Congress is moving to explicitly apply insider trading laws to its members, lawmakers are exempt from provisions of other federal laws. Yahoo! News: U.S. Congress News
Michigan Democrats Unveil Legislative Package Aimed at Campaign Finance Reform (ContributorNetwork) »
ContributorNetwork – Michigan House Democrats unveiled a package of bills aimed at campaign finance reform on Thursday. The bills specifically seek to address transparency and accountability in how political campaigns gather financing. Yahoo! News: U.S. Congress News
House ready to consider insider trading ban (AP) »
AP – Legislation that would ban insider trading by lawmakers and thousands of executive branch officials headed for what could be a more contentious debate in the House after sailing through the Senate on a 96-3 vote. Yahoo! News: U.S. Congress News