Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, congressional Democrats to commemorate Mandela in South Africa
Updated 9:32 a.m. ET, 12/9/2013
(CNN) – More than 20 members of the U.S. House, mostly Democrats, and Republican Sen. Ted Cruz will travel to South Africa to honor and commemorate former South African president and anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela.
House Speaker John Boehner tapped Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Illinois, to lead the official delegation of House members to South Africa for Tuesday's service. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus, including Chairwoman Marcia Fudge, will join the official congressional delegation.
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Durbin: Unemployment benefits won't make or break budget deal
(CNN) - The second-ranking Senate Democrat said Sunday that extending unemployment benefits won't necessarily be a sticking point for his party in budget negotiations, though he hopes they are included.
"No, I don't think we've reached that point where we've said this is it - take it or leave it," Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, said on ABC's "The Week" when asked if his party would demand the extension of jobless benefits be included budget talks.
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Billy Joel, Shirley MacLaine, three others recognized at Kennedy Center Honors
Washington (CNN) – Washington mixed with the world of arts Sunday night at the 36th annual Kennedy Center Honors, which recognizes artists from the stage, screen and radio.
President Barack Obama hosted the five honorees at the White House for a reception before attending the event at the Kennedy Center, which is set to air December 29 on CBS.
Rand Paul: Extending jobless benefits a 'disservice' to workers
(CNN) - Kentucky Republican and potential 2016 presidential candidate Sen. Rand Paul said Sunday extending unemployment benefits past what the U.S. federal government has already paid would be a "disservice" to workers.
"I do support unemployment benefits for the 26 weeks that they're paid for. If you extend it beyond that, you do a disservice to these workers," he said, appearing on "Fox News Sunday."
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Lawmakers concerned over Iranian enrichment, split on more sanctions
(CNN) - After President Barack Obama said he would accept a peaceful nuclear program from Iran, including modest uranium enrichment, U.S. congressmen on the Homeland Security and Intelligence committees agreed Sunday that the concession complicates further negotiations.
"We can envision a comprehensive agreement that involves extraordinary constraints and verification mechanisms and intrusive inspections but permits Iran to have a peaceful nuclear program," Obama said Saturday at the Brookings Institution’s Saban Forum in Washington.
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Homeland Security chairman: Threat of terrorism spreading like 'wildfire' overseas
(CNN) - The chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee said the threat of terrorism overseas is "getting worse, not better."
"I personally see it spreading like a spiderweb, like a wildfire, through Northern Africa and the Middle East," Rep. Mike McCaul, R-Texas, told CNN's Candy Crowley on "State of the Union."
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Rand Paul ‘seriously considering’ run for president
(CNN) – Tea party darling Sen. Rand Paul said Sunday he’s seriously considering a run for president in 2016 - but he also has serious concerns.
"The thought has crossed my mind,” Paul said on “Fox News Sunday.”
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