Illinois Governor Quinn calls special session June 19 on pensions
(Reuters) – Responding to a second major downgrade of Illinois’ credit rating, Governor Patrick Quinn called for a special legislative session June 19 aimed at addressing the state’s $100 billion pension underfunding.
Sexual assault is an “insider attack” on U.S. military: admiral
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Sexual assault is an “insider attack” that is lethal to the U.S. military’s culture of discipline and should have been eliminated years ago, the second-highest U.S. officer told a women’s military group on Thursday.
IRS officials try to tame conference spending scandal
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Internal Revenue Service officials on Thursday tried to tame another scandal plaguing the agency, apologizing to lawmakers for a lavish 2010 conference in California that included an elaborate Star Trek spoof training video.
Senate panel backs Hochberg for second term at U.S. Ex-Im Bank
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Senate Banking Committee on Thursday voted 20-2 in favor of the nomination of Fred Hochberg to serve 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 pledged to work with leaders of the Senate Finance Committee to craft major trade legislation needed by the White House to win approval of trade deals.
U.S. mulling solar trade agreement with EU, China: USTR nominee
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States has had some initial discussions that could lead to a global agreement to resolve solar energy disputes that the United States and the European Union have with China, a senior U.S. official said on Thursday.
Majority of House urges Obama address forex 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…
Democrat Markey plays to liberal base in Senate race
(Reuters) – Democratic congressman Ed Markey, who has a strong lead in the polls over Republican rival Gabriel Gomez in the race for Massachusetts’ open seat in the Senate, rebuffed criticism and embraced his liberal base in a debate against his oppone…
IRS suspends two employees for taking conference gifts
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Internal Revenue Service has suspended two employees – including one working on President Barack Obama’s healthcare initiative – for improperly accepting gifts at an agency conference, two congressional staff members bri…
Lawmakers in new drive to slash Iran’s oil sales to a trickle
NEW YORK/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. lawmakers are embarking this summer on a campaign to deal a deeper blow to Iran’s diminishing oil exports, and while they are still working out the details, analysts say the ultimate goal could be a near total cut-o…
