Health, tax issues stir controversy on immigration bill
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Health benefits and taxes for undocumented foreigners emerged on Tuesday as thorny issues in the U.S. immigration debate as the Senate prepared to consider changes to a sweeping bill next week.
IRS has no plans to verify tax returns ahead of refunds: watchdog
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Internal Revenue Service is a long way from developing a system to verify an individual’s annual income-tax filing before sending out a refund, a government watchdog said on Tuesday.
Sebelius says she talked to health firms on Obamacare outreach
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said on Tuesday that she talked to three healthcare companies about a private nonprofit group helping to implement healthcare reform, but she denied asking for donations….
Gallup to alter polling methods after misfire on 2012 U.S. election
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Gallup, one of the world’s most prominent polling groups, said on Tuesday it would adjust some of its survey methods after drawing criticism for inaccurately forecasting that Republican Mitt Romney would win the 2012 presidential…
N.J. governor calls special election to fill Senate seat
TRENTON, New Jersey (Reuters) – New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Tuesday called a special election for October to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the death of Sen. Frank Lautenberg, a decision seen as critical to the balance of power in the U.S. …
Obama takes action to curb frivolous patent lawsuits
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama took steps on Tuesday intended to curb lawsuits brought by companies, disparagingly called “patent trolls,” that make or sell nothing but specialize in suing others for infringement, and he asked for new fe…
Tea Party groups say rights violated by IRS reviews
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Tea Party and other conservative groups on Tuesday accused the U.S. Internal Revenue Service of trampling on their rights, telling lawmakers in an often emotional hearing that they faced a barrage of paperwork and intrusive quest…
Obama sets stage for Senate battle over judicial nominees
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Setting the stage for a political showdown with Senate Republicans, President Barack Obama named three lawyers on Tuesday to serve on a Washington federal appeals court often called the nation’s second-most important court.
Tax agency faulted over spoof Star Trek video, spending
(Reuters) – A U.S. Government watchdog on Tuesday pointed to a spoof Star Trek video and use of luxury hotel rooms as examples of lavish spending by the Internal Revenue Service, adding to questions over the taxation agency’s credibility after earlier …
Senators mull timetable for liquidating Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Mortgage financiers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would be liquidated within five years and replaced by an entity offering government reinsurance for mortgage-backed debt under draft legislation from a bipartisan group of U.S. senat…
