The House passed the bill by voice vote after brief debate and the Senate passed an identical bill last week. But senators must act again, for technical reasons, before sending the bill to President Obama for his signature.
Ex-Alaska Sen. Stevens Killed In Plane Crash
On August - 10 - 2010 ADD COMMENTS
The National Transportation Safety Board said five people were killed in the Alaska crash of a small plane. Former NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe was also onboard the flight, but a former NASA spokesman said O'Keefe was among the survivors.
Little Progress On Closing Guantanamo As Trials Start
On August - 10 - 2010 ADD COMMENTS
While the first military trials of Obama's presidency are getting under way in Cuba this week, the plan to close the prison has hit a series of roadblocks -- some political and some of the administration's own making.
Photos: ‘Uncle Ted’ Stevens’ Life In The Senate
On August - 10 - 2010 ADD COMMENTS
Former Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, who died in a plane crash in a remote part of southern Alaska, served in the Senate longer than any Republican in history. During his four decades as a senator, he become known as "Uncle Ted" in Alaska for the work he did for the state.
House Passes Aid Package; Rangel Defends Himself
On August - 10 - 2010 ADD COMMENTS
The House interrupted its summer vacation and returned to Washington to pass what the Senate wrought last week: a $26.1 billion state aid package to help avoid teacher layoffs and Medicaid cuts. Republicans have denounced the package as a costly sop to teachers' unions. On the way there, embattled New York Democratic Rep. Charles Rangel took the opportunity to defend himself against charges he violated ethics rules, telling his colleagues, "I am not going away."
» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
S.D.’s Johnson Has Gallbladder Surgery
On August - 10 - 2010 ADD COMMENTS
Sen. Tim Johnson underwent surgery Tuesday morning at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. The 63-year-old Democrat, elected to the Senate in 1996, had been admitted Sunday with a high fever. Doctors say this ailment is not related to a life-threatening brain hemorrhage he suffered about four years ago.
Rangel Vows Not To Resign
On August - 10 - 2010 ADD COMMENTS
"I am not going away," the New York congressman told fellow lawmakers Tuesday. Rangel faces ethics charges, but says he's innocent of any wrongdoing.
» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
‘Vanity Fair’ Writer: Is Washington Beyond Fixing?
On August - 10 - 2010 ADD COMMENTS
Vanity Fair's Todd Purdum followed President Obama and his advisers around for a day this summer. He says the modern-day presidency would be unrecognizable to previous chief executives -- "thanks to the enormous bureaucracy, congressional paralysis, systematic corruption and disintegrating media."
Reports: Small Plane Down In Alaska; Ex-Sen. Stevens Possibly On Board
On August - 10 - 2010 ADD COMMENTS
Authorities are rushing to the scene to search for survivors and clues to what happened.
Interrupted Recess Brings Bickering Back To House
On August - 10 - 2010 ADD COMMENTS
The House of Representatives was supposed to be on break all this month, as lawmakers hit the streets in their home districts, campaigning for this fall's elections. But members have been summoned back for a one-day session, and the partisan campaign atmosphere is coming to the Capitol with them.
Huckabee, Like Palin, Endorses Murkowski’s Rival
On August - 10 - 2010 ADD COMMENTS
The Republican contest for the Senate nomination in Alaska has Murkowski, the incumbent, facing a challenge from tea party favorite Joe Miller. He's a Fairbanks lawyer.
Colorado’s Hard-Fought Primaries Attract Attention
On August - 10 - 2010 ADD COMMENTS
A pair of primary elections on Tuesday have political observers waiting for news from Colorado. Both the Republican and Democratic Senate primaries have turned into all-out brawls. Jody Strogoff, editor and publisher of the Colorado Statesman -- a weekly political newspaper, talks to Renee Montagne about the political drama.
Republicans Block Liu’s Judicial Nomination
On August - 10 - 2010 ADD COMMENTS
Late last week, the Senate returned several of President Obama's judicial nominations to the White House -- after failing to move on them for months. About 100 judge slots -- representing 10 percent of the judicial branch -- are still waiting to be filled. Among them is Goodwin Liu, who may be the president's most controversial judicial nominee.
» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
It’s Nasty In Colorado This Primary Day
On August - 9 - 2010 ADD COMMENTS
Republicans had hoped a smooth primary season would lead to wins in the Senate and gubernatorial races this fall. But things haven't gone well so far for the GOP contenders. Democrats face challenges of their own in the Senate race.
As Kagan Joins, Federal Courts’ Roles Rise In Importance
On August - 9 - 2010 ADD COMMENTS
This summer, federal judges have once again been horning in on issues of great interest and high stakes. Gay marriage. Immigration. The health care law. State-federal legal battles are on the rise.
Palin, Gingrich Take Sides In Ga. Governor’s Race
On August - 9 - 2010 ADD COMMENTS
A runoff between two Republicans in Georgia's race for governor pits Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich against each other. Not literally, of course. But Palin is backing Karen Handel, while Gingrich is behind former U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal. Palin and Gingrich are each considering a possible run for the presidency. If Gingrich is unable to beat back Palin in his home state, it could affect his decision on whether to run.
Colorado To Vote In Gubernatorial, Senate Primaries
On August - 9 - 2010 ADD COMMENTS
The big primary races in Colorado on Tuesday -- for U.S. Senate and governor -- have drawn a lot of attention this year. In the Senate race, insurgent candidates are making strong showings against those backed by party establishments.
Rep. Waters Formally Accused By Ethics Committee
On August - 9 - 2010 ADD COMMENTS
The 10-term congresswoman from Los Angeles faces three counts of ethics wrongdoing -- charges she contests. It's alleged that she accepted special favors for a family member.
» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
Cabinet Selections Leave Empty Senate Seats
On December - 22 - 2008 ADD COMMENTS
President-elect Barack Obama is quickly filling his cabinet, which leaves a lot of empty Senate seats. We explore who is likely to fill the vacancies and check in on the Minnesota Senate race.
President-Elect Obama Goes On Working Vacation
On December - 22 - 2008 ADD COMMENTS
President-elect Barack Obama has gone to Hawaii for the holidays. Obama leaves Washington with his Cabinet and White House picks in place. It's a transition to executive office that many view as one of the most efficient ever. However, there are some daunting tasks facing Obama when he returns to Washington.
Will Obama Press To End ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’?
On December - 22 - 2008 ADD COMMENTS
The military's policy for gays in the armed forces was an awkward compromise in the 1990s. Many say it is now outdated — but will the new president want to take up the same issue that roiled Bill Clinton's White House debut?
» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us
Survey Reports Scientists ‘Suspicious’ Of FBI
On December - 22 - 2008 ADD COMMENTS
The agency may need an image makeover if it wants the expertise and cooperation of the nation's top researchers. According to the report, members of the scientific community would rather discuss their work with total strangers than an FBI agent.
Will ‘Cloud Computing’ Work In White House?
On December - 21 - 2008 ADD COMMENTS
The heads of Microsoft and Google are big fans of something called "cloud computing" — but will it work in the White House? Security and technology experts talk to host Andrea Seabrook about one of the mundane but hugely important decisions that must be made by the Obama transition team — just how the White House computers should run.
Landing A Job In Obama’s Administration
On December - 21 - 2008 ADD COMMENTS
With a new presidential administration come new federal jobs — about 8,000 of them once Obama takes office. But here's the rub: More than 200,000 people have applied so far. What's the best strategy for standing out?
