Reports on surveillance of Americans fuel debate over privacy, security
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The debate over whether the government is violating citizens’ privacy rights while trying to protect them from terrorism escalated dramatically on Thursday amid reports that authorities have collected data on millions of phone us…
U.S. quietly allows military aid to Egypt despite rights concerns
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Secretary of State John Kerry quietly acted last month to give Egypt $1.3 billion in U.S. military aid, deciding that this was in the national interest despite Egypt’s failure to meet democracy standards.
Senate panel backs Hochberg for second term at Ex-Im Bank
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Senate Banking Committee voted 20-2 on Thursday to back Fred Hochberg for a second term as president of the U.S. Export-Import Bank, which provides financial assistance to support U.S. exports.
USTR nominee Froman promises push for trade promotion authority
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama’s nominee to be U.S. trade representative on Thursday appeared headed for Senate approval after promising to work with Congress on major trade legislation needed by the White House to win approval of trade …
Obama administration defends massive phone record collection
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Obama administration on Thursday defended its collection of the telephone records of millions of Americans as part of U.S. counterterrorism efforts, re-igniting a fierce debate over privacy even as it called the program criti…
Governor Christie names New Jersey attorney general to Senate
(Reuters) – New Jersey Governor Chris Christie on Thursday named the state’s attorney general to the U.S. Senate until voters choose a successor to the late Senator Frank Lautenberg in a special election in October.
Senate blocks bills to stop student loan rates doubling
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Senate on Thursday thwarted two rival bills aimed at stopping interest rates on millions of federal student loans doubling in less than a month.
House urges Obama address currency manipulation in Asia trade talks
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A majority of the House of Representatives has signed a letter urging President Barack Obama to insist on new rules against currency manipulation in a proposed trade agreement with Japan and 10 other countries in the Asia-Pacific…
House votes to boost homeland security spending
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The House of Representatives on Thursday passed a $39 billion Department of Homeland Security spending bill for next fiscal year that would boost its funding by nearly $1 billion, shifting deeper cuts into other domestic agencies…
Congressman seeks to legalize online gambling nationwide
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – A Republican congressman on Thursday introduced legislation to allow online gambling on a federal level, which he says will give consumers more uniformity than legalizing it on a state-by-state basis.
