U.S. debt limit gathers rust as political budget leverage tool
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. debt limit suddenly looks a lot less threatening as Republicans in the House of Representatives struggle to choose from a diminishing list of minor conditions for an increase needed by the end of this month.
Senate approves Baucus as ambassador to China
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Senate voted unanimously on Thursday to approve President Barack Obama’s nomination of Senator Max Baucus, who has helped steer trade policy with China, as ambassador to Beijing.
Ex-New Orleans mayor says in corruption trial he fought to fix city
NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) – Former New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin took the stand on Thursday in his trial on federal corruption charges and testified that as mayor he kept his personal business separate from that of the city.
N.J. mayor’s lawyer says no proof he took bribes as trial closes
TRENTON, New Jersey (Reuters) – The defense lawyer for the mayor of New Jersey’s capital, charged with corruption over development of a parking garage on city-owned property, told a federal jury in closing arguments on Thursday there was no proof his c…
Obama says relationship with Putin not icy despite ‘tough guy’ stance
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin may seek to look like the tough guy in joint appearances with President Barack Obama, but Obama said in an interview that he and Putin have a pragmatic and respectful relationship.
Hagel praises U.S. Marines’ progress on readying accounts for audit
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel recognized the Marine Corps on Thursday for achieving a clean audit on a slice of its 2012 budget but acknowledged the Pentagon was “not where we need to be” as it works to reach full audit readiness…
Analysis: Delay on immigration overhaul carries big Republican risk
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives appear increasingly unlikely to pass an immigration overhaul this year, preferring to focus their election-year strategy on a unified assault on President Barack Obama’s healthcare…
Republicans urge stop to IRS tax-exempt groups rule rewrite
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Senior congressional Republicans on Thursday called for a halt to a U.S. tax rule rewrite that would affect powerful political pressure groups, charging that the overhaul could be politically motivated by the Obama administration…
Senate approves Baucus as ambassador to China
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Senate voted unanimously on Thursday to approve President Barack Obama’s nomination of Senator Max Baucus, who has helped steer trade policy with China, as ambassador to Beijing.
White House names Mike Boots as interim environmental adviser
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The White House on Thursday named Mike Boots, currently chief of staff of its Council on Environmental Quality, as the interim chair of the council, which advises the president on environmental issues.
