Exclusive: White House says net neutrality legislation not needed
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The White House on Thursday said legislation was not necessary to settle so-called “net neutrality” rules because the Federal Communications Commission had the authority to write them.
Republicans tap Senate newcomer Ernst for State of Union response
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Joni Ernst, a brash new Republican senator from Iowa, will deliver her party’s response to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address on Tuesday, Republican congressional leaders said.
Republicans add US highway funding to list of divisive issues
HERSHEY, Pa. (Reuters) – U.S. congressional Republicans, already struggling to find a common approach to hot topics like immigration and Obamacare, also face an intraparty rift over how to meet a May deadline to fund massive road, bridge and transit pr…
U.S. court hears states’ suit against Obama immigration plan
DALLAS (Reuters) – A federal judge in Texas heard arguments on Thursday in a lawsuit brought by two dozen states that seeks to block Obama administration efforts to reduce the threat of deportation for millions of undocumented immigrants.
Obama visits Baltimore coffee shop to make case for paid leave
BALTIMORE (Reuters) – President Barack Obama had lunch at a Baltimore coffee shop on Thursday to promote proposals that would allow 43 million working Americans earn paid sick leave.
Seattle’s mayor proposes new tent cities to deal with homelessness
SEATTLE (Reuters) – Seattle Mayor Ed Murray will submit legislation to the City Council this week seeking approval of three new homeless encampments, saying the tent cities are needed to deal with rising homelessness, his office said on Thursday.
Obama to strike defiant tone with Republicans in big speech
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama will strike a defiant tone for dealing with the new Republican-led Congress when he addresses Americans next week in his State of the Union speech, laying out areas for potential compromise but ceding littl…
U.S. Homeland Security chief calls for full funding, no ‘political volleyball’
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. homeland security secretary called for full funding for his department on Thursday, citing the need for increased vigilance after the Paris attacks a day after Republican lawmakers tagged conditions onto the funding of h…
Iran bill debate seen in Senate by early February
HERSHEY, Pa. (Reuters) – The new chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee said on Thursday he expected a bill addressing Iran’s nuclear program to come to the U.S. Senate floor for debate ahead of a vote in early February, if not sooner….
U.S. Navy renaming new coastal combat ships ‘frigates’
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus on Thursday said the Navy would rename the modified Littoral Combat Ships it plans to build as frigates, given their enhanced capabilities.