Illinois House approves reforms labeled ‘phony’ by governor
CHICAGO (Reuters) – The Democrat-controlled Illinois House on Thursday passed a bill to revise workers’ compensation laws in response to the governor’s call for lawmakers to take up reforms before new revenue would be considered for the budget.
California Senate approves hotly debated physician-assisted suicide bill
(Reuters) – The California Senate approved a physician-assisted suicide bill on Thursday that would allow some terminally ill patients to obtain medication to end their lives, even as opponents criticized the bill as dangerous.
Clinton pushes for easier voting access, hits Republicans on voting rights
HOUSTON (Reuters) – Democratic presidential contender Hillary Clinton called on Thursday for changes to election laws to make it easier to vote, and condemned several Republican rivals for backing efforts that she said keep poor, young and minority vot…
Republican Ryan says House closing in on trade bill passage
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Congress is “within striking distance” of collecting enough votes to pass legislation critical to a major Asian trade pact, House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee Chairman Paul Ryan said on Thursday.
U.S. says North Korea satellite launch would violate UN resolutions
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States, responding to a report that North Korea is developing a new space satellite, said on Thursday any launch that used ballistic missile technology would be a violation of United Nations resolutions.
Kerry, on crutches after leg surgery, briefed by chief of staff
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, on crutches after surgery on a broken leg, was briefed by his chief of staff, Jonathan Finer, in Boston on Thursday on issues related to Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Ukraine, Cuba and climate change, a …
Leaked documents show U.S. widened Internet spying: N.Y. Times
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Documents leaked by Edward Snowden show that the U.S. government has widened the National Security Agency’s warrantless surveillance of Americans’ international Internet traffic in the hunt for hackers, the New York Times reporte…
Jeb Bush to announce White House bid on June 15: campaign website
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Jeb Bush will announce his bid for the Republican presidential nomination on June 15 in Miami, finally jumping into the crowded field after a chorus of criticism about how he is handling his non-campaign and moving to bolster his…
Former Texas Governor Perry launches bid for U.S. president
ADDISON, Texas (Reuters) – Former Texas Governor Rick Perry announced on Thursday he will pursue the Republican presidential nomination again in 2016, seeking redemption for a fumbled White House bid in 2012 and adding to a crowded field of conservativ…
White House backs 2015 deadline for railroad safety equipment
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The White House on Thursday endorsed a requirement that U.S. railroads install new safety equipment by the end of 2015, despite bipartisan efforts in Congress to give passenger and freight rail companies extra time to comply.