Senate reaches deal on trade vote after Democratic revolt against Obama
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Senators reached a deal on Wednesday to move forward this week with legislation key to a pan-Pacific trade pact, a day after a Democratic rebellion dealt a blow to the White House’s trade agenda.
Senators reach deal to move on with fast-track trade bill
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Senate leaders agreed on Wednesday on a deal to move towards debating legislation key to sealing a Pacific trade pact.
Maine governor urges Congress to cut red tape on power projects
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Maine Governor Paul LePage urged Congress on Wednesday to speed up hydropower and natural gas projects by streamlining rules, saying his state and the U.S. economy needed quicker approval of energy proposals.
White House says opposes Shelby bill to amend Dodd-Frank bank reform
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The White House on Wednesday said it opposes a bill drafted by Republican Senator Richard Shelby that would amend the Dodd-Frank bank reform passed in the wake of the U.S. financial crisis.
Obama praises Saudi leaders, says plans to discuss Yemen in meeting
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama said on Wednesday he would discuss with Saudi Arabia’s visiting leaders how to build on a ceasefire in Yemen and praised the country for being a critical U.S. ally in the fight against Islamic State mi…
U.S. House eyes narrowing spy access to Americans’ personal data
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Broad U.S. government powers to collect personal data on Americans, such as travel and financial records, would be curtailed under a bill expected to win approval on Wednesday in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Azerbaijan funded trip for 10 U.S. lawmakers: media report
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Azerbaijan’s state-owned oil company paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to cover 10 U.S. lawmakers’ travel expenses as well as scarves, rugs and other gifts by sending funds through nonprofit corporations, the Washington Post …
Pentagon’s John Kirby appointed State Department spokesman
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Wednesday he had picked John Kirby as the State Department’s new spokesman to succeed Jen Psaki, who left for the White House.
Gay rights supporters score two victories in conservative Arkansas
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Reuters) – Gay rights advocates have scored two victories in Arkansas with the approval of local anti-discrimination measures in the state’s most populous county and an Ozark Mountain tourist town despite conservative opposition.
Push for pan-Pacific trade pact suffers blow from U.S. Senate Democrats
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama’s push for a pan-Pacific trade pact, a key part of his strategic pivot to Asia, suffered a major blow at the hands of Senate Democrats on Tuesday when they blocked debate on a bill that would have smoo…