Senator Kirk criticizes fellow Republicans on Garland boycott
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Senator Mark Kirk of Illinois on Tuesday accused many of his fellow Senate Republicans of being “closed-minded” by refusing to consider President Barack Obama’s nomination of Merrick Garland to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Higher taxes in Obama’s budget would cut deficits: CBO
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama’s fiscal 2017 budget would produce $6.9 trillion in deficits over the next decade if enacted, about $2.4 trillion less than under current tax and spending laws, congressional forecasters said on Tuesda…
Illinois governor undeterred by court ruling in union dues fight
CHICAGO (Reuters) – Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner vowed to pursue a legal challenge against union dues the state collects from non-unionized, rank-and-file government workers despite a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Tuesday that upheld the practice.
Spy chiefs tell U.S. lawmakers plan to share raw data protects privacy
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – American spy chiefs have told congressmen that a plan to allow the National Security Agency (NSA) to share more raw eavesdropping reports with other agencies will not be unlawful and will protect the privacy rights of U.S. citize…
California deal could make state first with $15 minimum wage
SACRAMENTO (Reuters) – California Governor Jerry Brown announced a deal with legislative and labor leaders on Monday to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2023, saying the nation’s most-populous state would lead the way toward higher pay for the …
Clinton warns of possible Trump Supreme Court nominations
WASHINGTON – Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton rebuked Senate Republicans on Monday for denying a hearing to U.S. Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland, accusing them of obstructionism, and warned of dangers if Donald Trump appointed…
U.S. top court seeks more information in contraception insurance case
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday asked both sides for new information in a challenge by Christian nonprofit employers to a mandate under President Barack Obama’s healthcare law to provide insurance to female workers covering bir…
Campaign rhetoric on Muslims harms U.S. security efforts: Homeland Security chief
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Harsh rhetoric about Muslims by Republican candidates in the U.S. presidential election campaign is undermining national security efforts, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said on Tuesday.
Virginia governor vetoes bill cutting Planned Parenthood funding
(Reuters) – Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe on Tuesday vetoed a Republican-backed bill aimed at blocking state funding for Planned Parenthood, which performs abortions and provides other health services.
Obama says journalists partly to blame for tone of presidential race
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama on Monday laid some of the blame for the tone of the presidential campaign on political journalism that has been pinched by shrinking newsroom budgets and cheapened by a focus on retweets and likes on socia…
