U.S. budget watchdog eyes steps to control military health costs
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The most effective way to control the rising expense of the military healthcare system is to boost cost-sharing among retirees, the Congressional Budget Office said on Thursday, endorsing an unpopular step Congress has repeatedly…
New Jersey’s Christie hires law firm to fight bridge scandal
NEW YORK (Reuters) – The administration of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has hired a high-powered legal firm to help his office as federal prosecutors investigate whether any laws were broken when a top aide ordered seemingly politically motivated…
Bill offered in U.S. Congress to modernize Voting Rights Act
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Voting Rights Act of 1965 would be modernized under a bipartisan bill introduced in the U.S. Congress on Thursday in response to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year that gutted a core part of the landmark law.
Senate approves $1.1 trillion bill to end government funding battle
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Washington’s battles over government funding ended with a whimper on Thursday as the U.S. Senate approved a $1.1 trillion spending bill that quells for nearly nine months the threat of another federal agency shutdown.
Pentagon chief open to incentives to bolster nuclear force
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is willing to consider offering additional incentives to bolster America’s nuclear missile force, the Pentagon said on Thursday, as an exam cheating scandal raises questions about trouble within…
Republicans warn of security flaws in Obamacare website
(Reuters) – Republicans in Congress sought to showcase what they call major security problems with the Obamacare website HealthCare.gov on Thursday, just as U.S. officials ramp up a national campaign to persuade young adults to use the site to enroll i…
U.S. lawmakers seek to broaden scope of human rights act from Russia to world
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Two senior U.S. lawmakers introduced legislation on Thursday that would expand to all countries the “Magnitsky” act passed in late 2012 to penalize Russia for alleged human rights abuses.
De Blasio sitting pretty with New Yorkers, except on hansom cabs: poll
NEW YORK (Reuters) – New Yorkers are overwhelmingly optimistic about new mayor Bill de Blasio though most disagree with his plan to ban horse-drawn carriages in Central Park, a poll shows.
Former Florida Senator Bob Graham in Cuba for environmental talks
HAVANA (Reuters) – A former democratic senator and governor from Florida, Bob Graham, visited Cuba this week to discuss oil spill prevention and preparedness during a trip that has caused a stir among exiles and Cuba watchers due to his traditional sup…
Obama discusses intelligence review in call with Cameron
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama on Thursday discussed a review of U.S. intelligence gathering with British Prime Minister David Cameron a day before the president’s announcement of reforms triggered by revelations about U.S. spying, the W…
