May 22 Senate clears White House-backed trade bill By David Espo and Charles Babington, Associated Press In a victory for President Barack Obama, the Senate passed bipartisan legislation Friday night to strengthen the administration's hand in global trade talks, clearing the way for a highly unpredictable summer showdown in the House. Continue reading
May 22 Watch 13:33 Shields and Gerson on GOP's Patriot Act rift, Islamic State's victories By PBS News Hour Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and Washington Post columnist Michael Gerson join Judy Woodruff to discuss the week’s news, new doubts about the Obama administration’s strategy for fighting the Islamic State, the political divide on key provisions of the Patriot Act… Continue watching
May 22 Watch 4:19 News Wrap: State Department releases Clinton emails on Benghazi By PBS News Hour In our news wrap Friday, the State Department released nearly 300 emails from then-Secretary Hillary Clinton on the deadly 2012 attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya. One was heavily redacted at the FBI’s request. Also, at least 40… Continue watching
May 22 Watch 7:30 The Patriot Act's strange divide By PBS News Hour On June 1, the NSA will lose legal authority to collect bulk phone records, as key provisions of the Patriot Act expire. The House has passed a new bill replacing bulk collection with more targeted searches. But some senators, including… Continue watching
May 22 Watch 4:46 Will Ireland be the first country to adopt gay marriage through a popular vote? By PBS News Hour The Irish went to the polls to Friday to vote on a referendum to legalize gay marriage, marking a key change in the country’s attitudes. Homosexuality in the Catholic country was only decriminalized in the early 1990s, and many still… Continue watching
May 22 Bush, Christie rise in defense of Patriot Act By Bill Barrow, Thomas Beaumont, Associated Press OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Republican presidential contenders Jeb Bush and Chris Christie heartily endorsed the Patriot Act on Friday and mocked those who deride the intelligence overhaul passed after the Sept. 11 attacks as an encroachment on civil liberties. "There… Continue reading
May 22 Obama signs bill giving Congress a say on Iran nuclear deal By Associated Press WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has signed legislation that gives Congress the power to review and potentially reject a nuclear deal with Iran. Continue reading
May 21 Watch 4:43 Obama's trade bill narrowly clears Senate, but then hurdles remain By PBS News Hour In a key vote Thursday, the Senate advanced legislation that would strengthen the administration's hand in global trade. The president said the action to move toward a final vote was a big step forward. Political editor Lisa Desjardins joins Gwen… Continue watching
May 21 Paul commandeers Senate for nearly 11 hours to protest Patriot Act By Donna Cassata, Associated Press Republican presidential candidate Rand Paul commandeered the Senate floor Wednesday to deliver a nearly 11 hours-long protest against renewal of the Patriot Act, calling the post-Sept. 11 law government intrusion on Americans' privacy. Continue reading
May 20 House panel approves $51B for NASA, Justice Dept. over Democratic protests By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — A GOP-controlled House panel Wednesday approved a $51 billion measure providing the Justice Department and NASA with modest budget hikes, but the legislation falls well short of what's needed to win President Barack Obama's signature. Continue reading