U.S. Edition
(CNN) – Sitting side by side, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Vice President Joe Biden sought to highlight the Empire State's continued recovery efforts Tuesday, roughly a year after Congress approved billions in aid for the state left badly bruised by Superstorm Sandy in 2012.
At the event in Albany the governor gave a 25 minute presentation on the state's plans to redesign key infrastructure along the coastline, as well as create backup energy grids and new weather detection systems–all with the help of funds from the federal government. FULL POST
Updated 1:41 p.m. ET, 1/7/2014
Union City, New Jersey (CNN) - Flanked by Hispanic leaders, students, and immigration reform advocates, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie celebrated the signing of his state's so-called DREAM Act on Tuesday, hailing the new law a sound economic choice and an object lesson in bipartisan cooperation.
"We know that when we bring people together, when we work together despite some of our differences, that we also set an example of optimism for every one of the 8.9 million people who live here," Christie said at a signing event in Union City, a Hispanic stronghold just across the Hudson River from Manhattan. FULL POST
Washington (CNN) – President Barack Obama Tuesday amplified his calls for extending emergency unemployment benefits for millions of Americans, saying that passing the measure should be Congress' "first order of business in 2014."
The President made his comments less than an hour after a bill that would provide benefits to 1.3 million Americans for three months cleared its first hurdle in the Senate. FULL POST
Washington (CNN) - Tianna Gaines-Turner is so politically active, she gave 2012 presidential candidate Mitt Romney a questionnaire to answer on policy positions. When he failed to respond, she volunteered on President Barack Obama's campaign. She also encourages her neighbors to vote.
Her activism is persistent despite feeling like she is an ignored component of the American electorate.
(CNN) - There aren't that many people who can easily give a $2.5 million political donation, but count former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg among them.
CNN confirmed Tuesday that Bloomberg, who last week finished his third term running New York City, donated $2.5 million to Senate Majority PAC, a super PAC dedicated to helping Democrats keep control of the chamber. The Democrats currently have a 55-45 majority in the Senate, but are defending 21 of the 35 seats up for grabs in November's midterm elections. FULL POST
Updated 6:17 p.m. ET, 1/7/2014
Washington (CNN) - Roughly two months after Virginia state Sen. Creigh Deeds was stabbed multiple times by his son, the Democratic lawmaker is introducing new legislation that targets mental health services in the commonwealth.
His agenda for the 2014 session includes proposals that would create a psychiatric bed registry and expand the time limit for emergency custody orders. FULL POST
(CNN) - A $6.4 billion plan to extend unemployment insurance benefits to eligible workers for another three months cleared a key procedural hurdle in the Senate on Tuesday. Sixty senators voted to move ahead with debate on the measure - the exact number required for debate to go forward.
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Washington (CNN) – There's no let-up in the new year in the GOP push to attack Democrats over Obamacare during the midterm elections.
Case in point: New radio ads announced Tuesday morning by the Republican National Committee that attack 12 Democratic senators and representatives, many of whom are in competitive races this November. The ads focus on President Barack Obama's broken pledge that people who liked their health insurance plans could keep them under the Affordable Care Act. FULL POST
(CNN) - Eccentric basketball star Dennis Rodman Tuesday defended his controversial visit to North Korea with a team of former NBA players, saying it was a "great idea for the world."
In an exclusive interview with Chris Cuomo of CNN's "New Day," Rodman reacted angrily when pressed on whether the party should have traveled there given recent events in the secretive country.
Washington (CNN) - A former aide to retiring Republican Rep. Frank Wolf of Virginia Tuesday is officially jumping into the race for his U.S. House seat, which will be among the most contested and expensive congressional battles in this November's midterm elections.
Three-term state delegate Barbara Comstock will formally declare her candidacy Tuesday morning, her campaign told CNN. FULL POST