U.S. official challenges claim that Obamacare hurts workers
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A top U.S. healthcare official on Thursday challenged claims by Republican lawmakers that the country’s healthcare reform law is causing workers to lose hours or benefits, saying she is aware of only isolated cutbacks.
Obama speaks with Palestinians’ Abbas, Israel’s Netanyahu
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama spoke separately by phone on Thursday to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the White House said, as the United States seeks to keep up the momentum for peace…
Pentagon to examine missing troops unit over accusations of waste
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Pentagon will examine possible waste of taxpayer dollars in the government’s search for U.S. troops who went missing in action, an official said on Thursday as lawmakers criticized the management of recovery efforts.
‘Sit down and shut up!’ Harry Reid tells noisy Senate
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Thursday urged his inattentive colleagues, long referred to as members of “the world’s most deliberative body,” to “sit down and shut up!”
House Republicans to push $40 billion cut to food stamp program
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – House Republicans plan to seek a $40 billion cut in food stamps for the poor, the head of the House Agriculture Committee said on Thursday, double the amount previously sought by conservatives.
Obama rethinks Putin summit after Snowden granted asylum
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama is rethinking whether to hold a summit in Moscow with President Vladimir Putin next month after Russia rejected U.S. pleas and gave temporary asylum to former American spy agency contractor Edward Snowden, …
Wisconsin Governor Walker takes spotlight at Milwaukee governors meeting
MILWAUKEE (Reuters) – Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker will take center stage this week when he hosts the National Governors Association summer meeting in Milwaukee, giving him another high profile platform as speculation grows over whether he will run …
Senate confirms Samantha Power as new U.N. ambassador
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Human rights advocate Samantha Power easily won Senate confirmation as President Barack Obama’s next ambassador to the United Nations on Thursday.
Republicans say ex-staffers of consumer financial agency profiting
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Republicans in the House of Representatives demanded information on Thursday about several former top staffers of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau who the lawmakers say have turned their inside knowledge of the agency int…
Illinois governor signs law allowing medical marijuana
CHICAGO (Reuters) – A law allowing marijuana to be used for medical purposes in Illinois was signed on Thursday by Governor Pat Quinn, making it the second most populous state in the country after California to permit medicinal use of the drug.
