No earmarks in U.S. spending bill, but plenty of money for folks back home
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Earmarks may be a thing of the past for Congress, but lawmakers still tout their ability to deliver the bacon through a $1.1 trillion federal spending bill that won passage in the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
Obama picks Latina banker to lead small business agency
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama nominated Maria Contreras-Sweet on Wednesday to lead the Small Business Administration, an agency that provides loans and helps small businesses get government contracts.
U.S. judge upholds subsidies pivotal to Obamacare
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A judge on Wednesday upheld subsidies at the heart of President Barack Obama’s healthcare overhaul, rejecting one of the main legal challenges to the policy by conservatives opposed to an expansion of the federal government.
House approves $1.1 trillion measure to fund government through Sept 30
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a $1.1 trillion spending bill on Wednesday that quashes the threat of a government shutdown through September 30 and offers lawmakers a chance to end four years of chaotic…
Obama unveils manufacturing hub on North Carolina trip
RALEIGH, North Carolina (Reuters) – President Barack Obama on Wednesday announced a new public-private manufacturing hub in North Carolina during his visit to the state, seeking to bolster an industry that he considers essential to raising middle class…
AT&T CEO says awaiting clarity on U.S. surveillance rules
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – AT&T Inc CEO Randall Stephenson said on Wednesday he was anxious to hear details of President Barack Obama’s proposals to reform U.S. surveillance programs, hoping for more clarity on the rules guiding the data collection operations.
Senate approves three-day government funding extension
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly approved a three-day funding extension that will stave off a government shutdown at midnight on Wednesday and buy extra time to pass a $1.1 trillion spending bill for fiscal 2014.
U.S. lawmakers, frustrated by South Sudan violence, question aid
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. lawmakers expressed deep frustration on Wednesday over the wave of violence in South Sudan, questioning whether it made sense for Washington to continue sending hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to the fledgling democra…
Senate panel says attack on U.S. post in Benghazi was preventable
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Senate Intelligence Committee said on Wednesday that the deadly September 11, 2012, attack by militants on U.S. government posts in Benghazi, Libya, was preventable and faulted the State Department for inadequate security pre…
Democratic lawmaker Moran to retire after 12 terms
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Democratic U.S. Representative Jim Moran, a 12-term Virginia liberal, became on Wednesday the third member of his party this week to announce he will not seek re-election in November.