Dec 17 Ex-House Speaker Hastert recovering from stroke By Michael Tarm, Associated Press Dennis Hastert's lawyer says in an emailed statement that the former U.S. house speaker who is awaiting sentencing in a hush-money case had a stroke more than a month ago and has been hospitalized since then. Continue reading
Dec 17 Republicans push more than $600B in tax cuts through House By Alan Fram, Associated Press WASHINGTON — Republicans whipped more than $600 billion in compromise tax breaks for businesses, investors and families through the House on Thursday, as Congress tried capping 2015 with a flurry of accomplishments before the partisan collisions certain to dominate the… Continue reading
Dec 17 Boehner critic gives Ryan an A-plus on process as Congress nears spending deal By Quinn Bowman The omnibus and tax extenders bill heading for final approval in Congress this week still face opposition from conservative lawmakers in both chambers. But one key House Republican still praised Speaker Paul Ryan for delivering on his promise to open… Continue reading
Dec 17 Sanders wins key endorsement for presidential campaign By Lisa Lerer and Ken Thomas, Associated Press WASHINGTON — Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is trying to demonstrate fresh momentum heading into the upcoming Democratic debate, announcing Thursday the largest labor endorsement of his presidential campaign. Continue reading
Dec 16 Watch What did GOP candidates get wrong in debate on national security? By PBS News Hour At the debate Tuesday night in Las Vegas, Republican presidential candidates competed to prove who would be best prepared as commander in chief to keep the country safe. Angie Holan of PolitiFact joins Gwen Ifill to examine some of the… Continue watching
Dec 16 Watch Both sides get a little something in bipartisan spending deal By PBS News Hour Members of Congress made a sweeping deal to fund government through next fall and extend dozens of tax cuts. Political director Lisa Desjardins discusses what went into the agreement with Gwen Ifill. Continue watching
Dec 16 Are we as scared of terrorism as GOP candidates say we are? By Daniel Bush At last night's Republican debate, most of the presidential candidates claimed that terrorism from the Islamic State is the greatest threat facing the United States. Do Americans agree? Or are fears of ISIS overblown?… Continue reading
Dec 16 Intel panel: Not checking if Ted Cruz released classified info By Erica Werner, Associated Press WASHINGTON -- The chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee said Wednesday he has asked his staff to look into whether Texas Sen. Ted Cruz released classified information during Tuesday night's GOP presidential debate. Continue reading
Dec 16 Massive tax package offers breaks for just about everyone By Stephen Ohlemacher, Associated Press WASHINGTON -- From finance companies and manufacturers to teachers and the working poor, there is a tax break for almost everyone in the massive package unveiled by congressional leaders. Continue reading
Dec 16 Fed raises interest rates for first time in nearly 10 years By Kristen Doerer Federal Reserve Board Chairwoman Janet Yellen will hold a news conference where she is expected to announce the Fed's interest rate decision. PBS NewsHour will live stream the event, scheduled for 2:30 p.m. EST. Continue reading