New York moves to raise state minimum wage to $15 for fast-food workers
NEW YORK (Reuters) – New York moved on Wednesday to raise the minimum wage for fast-food workers to $15 an hour by the end of 2018 in New York City and by mid-2021 in the rest of the state.
Senators unveil wide-ranging energy bill
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Modernizing the electric grid and the emergency petroleum reserve were the cornerstones of a bill unveiled by leaders of the Senate energy committee on Wednesday, showing cross-party consensus on some issues, but the lawmakers fa…
Obama says Ex-Im Bank lapse hurts small businesses
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama on Wednesday urged lawmakers to renew the charter for the U.S. Export-Import Bank before leaving for an August break, saying small and large businesses alike have been hurt by the lapse in new loan guarante…
Republicans seek probe of abortion rules after Planned Parenthood videos
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Republican presidential candidates and lawmakers are calling for Planned Parenthood to be investigated and its federal funding eliminated after two videos that critics said showed the reproductive health care group is involved in…
Republican Cruz uses Senate perch to blast Supreme Court
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz on Wednesday stepped up his criticisms of the U.S. Supreme Court over its recent decisions on gay marriage and Obamacare, saying the rulings were “the very definition of tyranny.”
Powerful New York state senator convicted of lying to FBI agents
NEW YORK (Reuters) – A powerful New York state senator was convicted on Wednesday of lying to FBI agents during a public corruption investigation, federal prosecutors said.
Senate Republicans end bid to pare back oil train safety rule
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Senate Republicans have backed away from a controversial proposal that would have repealed a new federal safety rule requiring oil trains to be equipped with advanced new braking systems.
Pope Francis’ approval rating dips in U.S. ahead of September visit: poll
BOSTON (Reuters) – Pope Francis’ approval rating in the United States has dropped during the past year, according to a poll, with conservatives and Roman Catholics taking a cooler view of the pontiff after his strong warning on environmental crises and…
Pentagon chief tells Saudi Arabia: Iran threat is shared concern
JEDDAH (Reuters) – U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said after talks in Saudi Arabia that Iran’s “potential for aggression” was a shared concern as he moved to bolster defense ties with Riyadh following a nuclear agreement with its arch-foe.
White House: budget experts looking at highway bills’ funding provisions
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The White House said on Wednesday that its budget experts are closely scrutinizing provisions being considered by Congress to pay for U.S. highway funds.
