Obama to meet with congressional leaders on Ukraine
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama is scheduled to meet with the congressional leaders of both parties on Thursday to discuss the situation in Ukraine, the White House said on Wednesday.
Ban on Russian contacts spreads to space agency NASA
CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) – NASA has been added to the list of U.S. government agencies prohibited from contacting Russian government representatives, though operation of the International Space Station is exempt from the ban, officials said on…
U.S. senator accuses GM of ‘culture of cover-up’ in recalls
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – General Motors Co CEO Mary Barra came under withering attack for her company’s decade-long failure to deal with defective parts linked to fatal crashes, in a hearing where U.S. Senators accused the company of “criminal” behavior …
Supreme Court’s rejection of U.S. campaign funding limits opens door for big-money donors
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday struck down a key pillar of federal campaign finance law by allowing donors to give money to as many political candidates, parties and committees as they wish.
Senate advances bill to renew expired jobless benefits
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A White House-backed bill to renew expired jobless benefits for 2.2 million Americans cleared a final Republican procedural hurdle on Wednesday in the Democratic-led Senate.
Treasury official: Firms not in new deals with Iran after pact
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The top U.S. Treasury Department official responsible for sanctions said on Wednesday there is no evidence that any companies are taking advantage of a preliminary nuclear agreement with Iran by reaching new deals in Iran.
Senator says small change could get some U.S. crude exports flowing
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Commerce Department could help energy companies start to bypass a 40-year ban on most U.S. crude oil exports by allowing shipments of a type of petroleum that has become abundant during the energy boom, a key senator sai…
Republicans say Ryan budget can pass House despite Tea Party
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – House of Representatives Republican leaders on Wednesday predicted passage of a budget blueprint offered by Representative Paul Ryan, despite criticism from conservative Tea Party activists who said the plan would not eliminate f…
In campaign mode, Obama touts wages and Obamacare success
ANN ARBOR, Michigan (Reuters) – President Barack Obama, needing a spark to nudge Democratic voters to the polls in November, pressed his case on Wednesday for job-creation measures that have little chance of passing Congress.
Mississippi religious freedom bill criticized as discriminatory
JACKSON, Mississippi (Reuters) – Mississippi’s governor said he will sign a religious freedom bill approved by state lawmakers over the objections of opponents who say it could be used as an excuse to refuse services to gays and minorities.
