U.S. student loan refinancing bill fails Senate hurdle
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Legislation to allow student loan borrowers to refinance at lower interest rates failed to clear a procedural hurdle in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, dooming a measure that was a Democratic priority ahead of November congressiona…
Over-confidence and neglect fuel Republican Cantor’s stunning fall
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A combination of over-confidence, neglect of his district and voter anger at congressional leaders fueled Republican Eric Cantor’s stunning primary loss in Virginia, an upset that rocked the Republican Party.
Senate passes bill aimed at fixing veteran healthcare delays
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Senate on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan measure aimed at easing healthcare delays for veterans by giving them more access to private care and allowing the Department of Veterans Affairs to open more clinics and…
Cantor exit raises Wall Street fears of renewed debt fight
NEW YORK (Reuters) – House Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s shocking defeat isn’t likely to have much effect on U.S. financial markets — unless his departure emboldens Tea Party Republicans to again threaten a government shut-down over the debt ceiling n…
Republican Pete Sessions to run for House majority leader
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Republican Representative Pete Sessions of Texas said on Wednesday he would run for the post of House majority leader to replace Eric Cantor, who is stepping down after losing a primary election in his congressional district.
GM CEO to testify on recall next week at U.S. congressional hearing
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – General Motors Co Chief Executive Mary Barra will testify on June 18 at a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee hearing on the automaker’s defective ignition switch that has been linked to at least 13 deaths, the subcommitte…
Defense chief defends Taliban prisoner swap before Congress
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told a contentious congressional hearing on Wednesday the exchange of five Taliban leaders for war prisoner Bowe Bergdahl was an imperfect decision that eroded trust with Congress but he denied it in…
Obama budget nominee pledges to boost growth, cut deficit
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama’s choice to head the White House Office of Management and Budget told Senate panels on Wednesday he would cut budget deficits while funding programs to spur growth but faced criticism of administration mana…
U.S. to reassess missile defense interceptor if next test fails
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Pentagon would reassess its plans to put Raytheon Co’s CE-2 kill vehicle on 14 more ground-based interceptors if a key test of the system designed to protect the United States from North Korean missile attacks fails again lat…
Obama administration supports Syrian opposition training plan: official
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Dana Shell Smith, President Barack Obama’s nominee to be ambassador to Qatar, said on Wednesday that the administration supported language in a Senate defense bill that would allow overt military training for the moderate Syrian …
