Senate approves Foxx to head Transportation Department
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Senate on Thursday voted 100-0 to approve Charlotte, N.C., Mayor Anthony Foxx to head the U.S. Transportation Department, handing him the job as tight budgets are forcing lawmakers to rethink how to fund huge U.S. infrastruct…
Some gay couples now due to receive benefits under ‘Obamacare’
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Supreme Court’s ruling on Wednesday that same-sex couples are eligible for federal benefits will mean more gays and lesbians can reap the benefits of President Barack Obama’s healthcare overhaul that take effect January 1, ad…
Senators warn of swap rules’ cross-border impact
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A group of Senate Democrats on Wednesday expressed concern to Treasury Secretary Jack Lew about a lack of coordination on new derivatives rules by two key regulatory agencies and urged more cooperation with their foreign counterp…
U.S. to suspend trade benefits for Bangladesh: source
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama is expected to announce on Thursday that the United States is suspending U.S. trade benefits for Bangladesh after two tragedies in the past year in the country’s garment sector that have cost more than 1,20…
Supreme Court nixes Texas voting rulings
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Supreme Court on Thursday sent two cases concerning voting laws in Texas back to lower courts for reconsideration in light of a major ruling this week that knocked out a key section of the 48-year-old Voting Rights Act that f…
Texas governor mounts new bid for abortion restrictions
AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) – Texas Republican Governor Rick Perry on Wednesday launched another battle to pass sweeping abortion restrictions after a marathon speech by a Democrat lawmaker briefly halted a bill critics say could shut most abortion clinics…
Analysis: Supreme Court in no rush to grant national gay-marriage right
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – When the U.S. Supreme Court declined on Wednesday to rule on whether gay men and lesbians have a fundamental right to marry, it delivered an implicit message to those seeking such a right: Don’t hurry back.
Gay marriage gets big boost in two Supreme Court rulings
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Supreme Court delivered a landmark victory for gay rights on Wednesday by forcing the federal government to recognize same-sex marriages in states where it is legal and paving the way for it in California, the most popul…
Texas governor mounts new bid for abortion restrictions
AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) – Texas Republican Governor Rick Perry on Wednesday launched another battle to pass sweeping abortion restrictions after a marathon speech by a Democrat lawmaker briefly halted a bill critics say could shut most abortion clinics…
Senate backs border amendment to immigration bill
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – About $46 billion in border security was added on Wednesday to a comprehensive immigration bill headed toward bipartisan passage in the U.S. Senate, but Republicans in the House of Representatives voiced strong opposition.
