Republican senator takes Obamacare grievance to court
Washington (CNN) – Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin is waging a new battle against Obamacare outside of Congress, hiring a powerhouse attorney and filing a federal lawsuit that could reopen a debate over how lawmakers get their own healthcare.
“This is a lawsuit that I am filing against Katherine Archuleta and the Office of Personnel Management to overturn their ruling that gives members of Congress and their staffs special treatment under the health care law,” Johnson told reporters Monday. “I think it’s a basic issue of fairness.”
No budget deal this week
Washington (CNN) – Note to anyone watching the high-stakes, trillion-dollar budget talks in Washington: you can take a break from constantly checking for a deal. Senior Republican and Democratic aides tell CNN that the two leaders running negotiations have left Washington for the weekend and any agreement is not expected until next week.
House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan has returned to Wisconsin and Senate Budget Chairman Patty Murray is in Washington state, the aides confirm.
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Budget negotiators face alarm from federal workers
Washington (CNN) – A top lobbying group for federal workers rushed to Capitol Hill Thursday, following news that budget negotiators were considering a $20 billion change in government workers’ paychecks. The fast pushback is a potential political issue for budget leaders who aides say have been getting closer to a deal.
Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland, who sits on the budget compromise committee, told reporters Thursday that Republicans were pushing for, and negotiators have been discussing, a proposal to increase how much most federal workers contribute toward their pension. A senior Republican House aide confirmed to CNN that the idea has been on the table in spending talks.
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Paul Ryan, Patty Murray inching closer to a budget deal, aides say
Washington (CNN) – The Republican congressman and Democratic senator charged with hashing out a federal budget deal are "closer" to an agreement but not there yet, according to senior aides in both parties.
A senior Democratic aide tells CNN that House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan and Senate Budget Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray met Wednesday afternoon and are narrowing down the issues in a potential spending deal.
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House committee subpoenas Sebelius over health website woes
(CNN) - The Republican-led House Oversight Committee has subpoenaed Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius as part of its effort to obtain documents and other information about the embattled HealthCare.gov website, a committee spokesman tells CNN's Lisa Desjardins.
Rep. Darrell Issa had previously requested information about the website and the online rollout of Obamacare, which has been plagued by problems. But committee aides said last week that Sebelius had failed to respond.
FULL STORYFrustrated Sebelius to questioner: 'Whatever'
Washington (CNN) - She had been in the congressional hot seat for two and a half hours. And many Republicans had been waiting just as long to ask her questions.
When Rep. Gregg Harper, R-Mississippi, got his chance, he pounded away at Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius hard enough to elicit a rare, audible sign of frustration from her.
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More Senate Dems call for Obamacare enrollment extension
(CNN) - A Democratic effort to extend open enrollment for health care insurance beyond March 31 has picked up steam.
The effort, led by New Hampshire’s Jeanne Shaheen, has now been joined by nine other Senators, including Sen. Dianne Feinstein from California, Kay Hagan from North Carolina and Mark Udall from Colorado.
Citing ongoing problems with the federal health care website, the group sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius requesting she extend the enrollment.
FIRST ON CNN: Boehner turns down request to meet with Russian delegation
Washington (CNN) – House Speaker John Boehner turned down a request from Russian diplomats who hope to directly lobby the U.S. Congress and undercut President Barack Obama on Syria.
“The Speaker has declined the Russian embassy’s request that he meet with a delegation," said Boehner spokesman Michael Steel.
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