U.S. lawmakers weigh in on banks’ side in Volcker dispute
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Several U.S. lawmakers waded into a squabble between small banks and their regulators this week, supporting the companies’ efforts to scale back the so-called Volcker rule which restricts banks’ ability to make bets with their ow…
White House rallies around Joe Biden after Gates’ critique
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama and other top administration officials rallied around Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday after former Secretary of Defense Bob Gates criticized him sharply in a memoir.
U.S. lawmakers act to cut red tape on car, truck sales
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. House of Representatives has taken a step toward enabling automobile dealers to bypass a law requiring them to provide emissions certification on cars and light trucks, a rule that auto dealers say adds burdensome red ta…
Biden, al-Maliki discuss ongoing battle in Anbar province: White House
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Vice President Joe Biden spoke on Wednesday with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki about the ongoing fight against al Qaeda affiliated insurgents in the country’s western Anbar province, the White House said in a statement…
Police group opposes Obama civil rights nominee
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A group that represents U.S. police officers is opposing President Barack Obama’s choice for a top civil rights post because he helped represent a man convicted in the 1981 killing of a Philadelphia officer.
Obama targets poverty in San Antonio, Philadelphia and other U.S. ‘zones’
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama is set to speak on Thursday about how he will target job creation, housing, law enforcement and education in the poorest U.S. communities, part of his pledge to narrow the gap between rich and poor in Ameri…
Two Democrats will not run again after 18 years in U.S. Congress
(Reuters) – Two veteran Democrats said on Wednesday they would not seek re-election in 2014 for U.S. Congress seats they have each held for 18 years.
Obama invites Merkel to visit during call about trade, NATO
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama invited German Chancellor Angela Merkel to visit Washington this year, the White House said on Wednesday in a brief statement about a phone conversation between the two leaders.
Germany closer to right balance on growth: U.S.’s Lew
BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany is moving in the right direction in striking a balance between economic growth and fiscal consolidation but should continue to look for ways to spur domestic demand, U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said on Wednesday.
U.S. acts to keep minority, disabled students out of jail
BALTIMORE (Reuters) – The U.S. Justice and Education departments unveiled guidelines on Wednesday to prevent schools from violating civil rights laws and keep students out of jail after data found minorities and the disabled were more likely than other…