Election bump over, Obama approval drops to 43 percent: Reuters/IPSOS poll
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Less than two months into his second term, President Barack Obama’s approval rating has dropped and Americans blame him and his fellow Democrats almost as much as his Republican opponents for a fiscal mess.
Analysis: Obama faces skepticism from Democrats on budget deal
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama must work with a deeply skeptical partner as he tries to undo painful spending cuts and set U.S. finances on a more sustainable course: the liberal wing of his own party.
Congress moving swiftly to avoid government shutdown
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Congress is moving rapidly to pass legislation funding the federal government through September 30, as Senate leaders on Tuesday expressed eagerness to avoid any threat of agency shutdowns when money runs out on March 27.
Pentagon buyers authorized to discuss budget cuts with industry
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Pentagon’s top weapons buyer on Thursday authorized Defense Department purchasers and program managers to begin talking to industry partners about plans for implementing $46 billion in budget cuts on March 1 and what impact i…
U.S. House panel probes IRS contracts with Signet Computers
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A Republican lawmaker who heads an investigatory panel is demanding documents from the U.S. Treasury department in a probe of whether an IRS employee steered contracts worth half a billion dollars to Signet Computers, according t…
Another Republican senator backs Hagel for Pentagon chief
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Chuck Hagel’s path to confirmation as President Barack Obama’s new secretary of defense became more secure on Thursday when Republican Senator Richard Shelby said he would support the nomination.
Ending long break, White House and Republicans renew budget talks
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – After weeks without talks on the U.S. budget crisis, President Barack Obama called Republican leaders on Thursday to discuss the harsh “sequestration” cuts to government spending due to begin in just over a week.
Public sentiment has turned in U.S. gun debate: Biden
DANBURY, Connecticut (Reuters) – Vice President Joe Biden, speaking 10 miles from the site of the Connecticut elementary school massacre, argued on Thursday that public opinion had turned against the gun rights lobby.
Obama expresses doubt about a March 1 deal to head off cuts
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama expressed doubt on Thursday that a deal can be struck with Republican lawmakers by a March 1 deadline to head off the start of $85 billion in spending cuts.
Former GOP presidential candidate Huntsman backs gay marriage
(Reuters) – Former Republican presidential candidate Jon Huntsman voiced support for gay marriage on Thursday, reversing his position and urging the Republican Party to be more supportive of gays and lesbians who want to marry.