Five reasons immigration reform isn't close to the finish line
Washington (CNN) - Two weeks ago, the Senate passed a comprehensive immigration reform bill on a 68-32 vote, with 14 Republicans joining the Democratic majority to send the measure drafted by a bipartisan "Gang of Eight" to the GOP-controlled House.
President Barack Obama pushed for the House to quickly take up the measure that would provide a path to citizenship for 11 million immigrants living illegally in the country while bolstering security along the Mexican border.
FULL STORY
Congress tries to beat new shutdown deadline
Washington (CNN) - Members of Congress will try this week to lock in a spending plan while softening the blow of sweeping, forced cuts - a goal that must be reached in coming days to avoid a partial government shutdown.
The measure, called a continuing resolution, authorizes government funding for the remaining six months of the fiscal year. Current spending authorization expires March 27.
FULL STORY
GOP spotlight turns to Mississippi, Alabama
(CNN) - The Republican presidential candidates turned their focus to the heart of Dixie Thursday, scheduling a series of events in the strongly conservative states of Mississippi and Alabama.
The two states are holding their presidential primaries next Tuesday, along with caucuses to be held in Hawaii and American Samoa. Voters in Kansas and the Virgin Islands weigh in on Saturday.
FULL STORY
Santorum and Gingrich target Obama
(CNN) - Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich ratcheted up their attacks against President Barack Obama on Monday as they competed for conservative votes ahead of primaries and caucuses in the Republican presidential race.
Campaigning in the perennial swing state of Ohio, Santorum said the president's "radical environmentalist policies" are helping push gas prices to near record highs and are threatening to derail the economic recovery.
FULL STORY
Obama unveils plan to control college costs
(CNN) - College affordability took center stage Friday for President Barack Obama as he made the final stop on a three-day road trip highlighting themes from the State of the Union address this week.
In an appearance at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, the president outlined a series of new initiatives designed to control spiraling college costs and reform financial aid programs.
FULL STORY
Obama signs payroll tax cut extension
Washington (CNN) - President Barack Obama signed a two-month extension of the payroll tax cut Friday, ending what had been a heated political stalemate and sealing a hard-fought win for Democrats on an issue - taxes - that has historically favored the GOP.
Earlier in the day, the measure cleared the Democratic-controlled Senate and the Republican-controlled House of Representatives by unanimous consent, a procedural move allowing the measure to pass even though most members of Congress were already home home for the holidays.
FULL STORY
House GOP relents on payroll tax cut deal
Washington (CNN) - Speaker John Boehner on Thursday accepted a two-month extension of the payroll tax cut, succumbing to mounting pressure from the White House, congressional Democrats and fellow Republicans to reverse his House leadership's opposition to the Senate-passed proposal.
President Barack Obama immediately congratulated congressional leaders on the deal, while Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell - who increased the pressure on Boehner earlier in the day with a call for such an agreement - said it was a "sigh of relief" for American taxpayers.
FULL STORY
Frank discusses coming out as gay, going out as congressman
Washington (CNN) - Barney Frank wasn't the first member of Congress to publicly reveal he was gay, but he was the first to do so voluntarily, he told reporters Tuesday in talking about his decision to retire.
Still, Frank said, he didn't come out about his sexuality until he was 47.
FULL STORY
'Magical week' for super committee?
Washington (CNN) - Eight days and counting.
With time running out, senior Democrats and Republicans remained unclear Tuesday about the prospects of success for the so-called congressional "super committee" - the 12-member panel charged with the seemingly Herculean task of finding at least $1.2 trillion in savings over the next decade.
FULL STORY
Obama signs debt ceiling bill, ends crisis
Washington (CNN) - President Barack Obama signed a last-minute compromise plan to raise the nation's $14.3 trillion debt ceiling Tuesday afternoon, narrowly averting what could have been an unprecedented default with calamitous economic consequences.
The U.S. Senate passed the plan, which imposes sweeping new spending cuts over the next decade, shortly after noon ET. The bill was approved in a 74-26 vote; 60 votes were required for passage.
FULL STORY
From CNN Politics
- Warnock's seat comes into focus amid battle over voting laws and filibuster rules March 23, 2021 03:06 am
- White House aides prep $3 trillion jobs package for Biden March 23, 2021 02:30 am
- Biden administration continues to deny journalists access to border facilities March 23, 2021 02:28 am
- Arguing against statehood for DC, congressman says it has no car dealerships (it does) March 23, 2021 02:23 am
- Former Capitol riot prosecutor's comments on Trump alarm new no-drama Justice Department March 23, 2021 02:16 am
- Biden administration not confident Johnson & Johnson will meet 20 million goal by end of month March 23, 2021 01:52 am
Recent Comments