Senate panel backs transport bill to maintain funding
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A U.S. Senate committee passed a six-year transportation bill on Thursday that would keep federal spending on highways and mass transit at current levels but does not tackle the looming shortfall in the Highway Trust Fund.
Obama assigns deputy chief of staff to Veterans Affairs review
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama is dispatching his deputy chief of staff, Rob Nabors, to help oversee a review of the Department of Veterans Affairs as anger grows over evidence that veterans died while waiting for care.
Arkansas top court leaves in place decision allowing gay marriage
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (Reuters) – The Arkansas Supreme Court on Wednesday left in place a lower court ruling that struck down the state’s ban on same-sex marriage, ruling that the state’s petition was prematurely filed.
Obama to NYC supporters: ‘Move to North Dakota’
NEW YORK (Reuters) – President Barack Obama has a modest, tongue-in-cheek suggestion for people in New York City who support his agenda: move to North Dakota.
Judge halts Illinois pension reform law due to lawsuits
CHICAGO (Reuters) – An Illinois judge on Wednesday suspended the state’s new pension reform law until lawsuits brought by unions, retirees and others challenging the constitutionality of the overhaul of the retirement system are resolved.
Senators urge tough U.S. review of Pfizer bid for AstraZeneca
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Six U.S. senators asked antitrust regulators to take a hard look at Pfizer Inc’s plan to buy rival AstraZeneca PLC if the two companies reach a deal, saying they had “significant concerns” about how the proposed transaction would…
Hillary Clinton defends State Department record amid criticism
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Hillary Clinton, a likely U.S. presidential candidate in 2016, on Wednesday defended her time as secretary of state as Republican criticism of her time in government mounts.
U.S. senators give Burwell’s health secretary bid a cordial hearing
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Sylvia Mathews Burwell, President Barack Obama’s nominee for U.S. health secretary, moved closer to confirmation on Wednesday with a final Senate hearing that was marked more by bipartisan accolades than tough questions about Oba…
U.S. judge denies Idaho governor’s bid to stay gay marriage ruling
SALMON, Idaho (Reuters) – A federal judge who struck down Idaho’s ban on gay marriage as unconstitutional denied a request by the governor on Wednesday for a stay of the decision in the conservative Western state while the case is appealed.
At busy NY bridge, Obama urges U.S. transportation funding
TARRYTOWN, New York (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama appeared at an aging New York bridge on Wednesday to chide the U.S. Congress for failing thus far to approve transportation legislation for urgently needed road projects.
