White House not yet vetting Yellen for Fed chair: sources
WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) – The White House has yet to begin vetting Federal Reserve Vice Chair Janet Yellen to take over the top job at the U.S. central bank, according to three sources with knowledge of the situation, after one report said the pr…
California governor proposes $315 million plan to ease prison overcrowding
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – California Governor Jerry Brown, facing a federal court order to ease overcrowding in the state’s prison system, proposed a $315 million plan on Tuesday to expand inmate capacity by leasing space from county jails and other faci…
Obama meets new five-member panel reviewing surveillance programs
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama met on Tuesday with a five-member panel he appointed to review the privacy issues involved with U.S. government surveillance programs, the White House said, part of an effort to rebuild public trust after l…
Michigan Senate approves bill expanding Medicaid under Obamacare
(Reuters) – The Michigan state Senate on Tuesday voted 20-18 to approve a bill to expand Medicaid, the health program for the poor, under President Barack Obama’s healthcare reform law.
Obama meets new five-member panel reviewing surveillance programs
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama met on Tuesday with a new five-member panel he appointed to review the privacy issues involved with U.S. government surveillance programs after a public outcry about privacy in the wake of leaks by a former…
Biden says ‘no doubt’ Syrian government used chemical weapons
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Vice President Joe Biden said on Tuesday the Syrian government was clearly responsible for a chemical weapons attack against civilians last week and that it must be held accountable for the “heinous” action.
IRS issues final rules on Obamacare’s ‘individual mandate’
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Internal Revenue Service issued final rules on Tuesday for the individual mandate of President Barack Obama’s healthcare overhaul, one of the most contentious elements of the U.S. law set to go into effect next year.
San Diego considers special election to replace scandal-tainted mayor
SAN DIEGO (Reuters) – The San Diego City Council on Wednesday will consider holding a special election in November to replace Mayor Bob Filner, who has announced his resignation as part of a settlement with the city over a sexual harassment lawsuit.
Exclusive: Former Air Force secretary to lead Pentagon efficiency review
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Former Air Force Secretary Michael Donley will lead a major review of the Pentagon’s organizational structure aimed at cutting headquarters costs by almost $40 billion through fiscal year 2023, the Pentagon announced Tuesday.
White House rules out ‘regime change’ among options for Syria
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The White House ruled out any military effort to oust Syrian President Bashar al-Assad from power on Tuesday as President Barack Obama ponders options in response to last week’s chemical weapons attack in Syria.