First Obama nominee confirmed since end of filibuster power
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Democratic-led U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed the first of President Barack Obama’s stalled judicial nominees since it stripped Republicans last month of their power to stop them with procedural roadblocks known as filibust…
U.S. budget deal nears amid conservative opposition
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Budget negotiators in the U.S. Congress on Tuesday were wrapping up a tentative deal on a budget plan to avoid a January 15 government shutdown, amid warnings from conservative groups that they would oppose it.
Obama, halfway around the world, has message for Washington
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – President Barack Obama traveled halfway around the world on Tuesday to deliver a message he hoped would be heard by his political opponents back home, and some U.S. rivals abroad.
Senator Mikulski voices optimism on budget deal
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Senator Barbara Mikulski, who heads the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, on Tuesday expressed optimism that private negotiations in Congress have produced a tentative budget deal.
Democrat seen leading in Massachusetts Congressional election
BOSTON (Reuters) – Voters in eastern Massachusetts are expected on Tuesday to elect a Democratic state senator to the U.S. House of Representatives in an off-calendar special election that has attracted little local or national attention.
Obama shakes hand of Cuba’s Raul Castro at Mandela memorial
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama shook the hand of Cuban President Raul Castro at a memorial to Nelson Mandela on Tuesday, an unprecedented gesture between the leaders of two nations which have been at loggerheads for more than half…
A year after Newtown, Biden announces more mental health funding
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Vice President Joe Biden will announce on Tuesday a new push to increase access to mental health services with $100 million in new government funding a year after the school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, sparked a failed push…
Former Clinton aide Podesta joining White House to advise Obama: source
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – John Podesta, a former chief of staff to President Bill Clinton, is returning to the White House to advise President Barack Obama as he struggles to regain his footing after the flawed healthcare law rollout, according to a sourc…
U.S. Senate extends gun ban; rejects bid address 3-D plastic firearms
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Senate gave final approval on Monday to a bill to renew a ban against firearms that can pass undetected through metal detectors, but rejected calls to update the law in response to the advent of plastic guns made with 3-…
Florida congressman loses $18 million in loan scheme
MIAMI (Reuters) – U.S. Representative Alan Grayson, a Florida Democrat, lost about $18 million in a scheme involving a Reston, Virginia-based firm that loaned customers funds in exchange for securities posted as collateral, his office said on Monday.
