Jul 08 Watch 7:02 Should Congress revive the Export-Import bank? By PBS News Hour Last week, the U.S. Export-Import Bank’s authority to conduct new business expired. Congress is debating whether the government agency, which helps foreign companies buy American goods, should continue to exist. Is it a government giveaway, or a critical competitive tool… Continue watching
Jul 06 Congress heads back to work with looming funding deadline By Erica Werner, Associated Press Members of Congress return Tuesday from July Fourth fireworks and parades facing a daunting summer workload and an impending deadline to fund the government or risk a shutdown in the fall. Continue reading
Jul 05 Legislative battles loom as Congress gets back to work By Erica Werner, Associated Press After July Fourth fireworks and parades, members of Congress return to work Tuesday facing a daunting summer workload and a pending deadline to fund the government or risk a shutdown in the fall… Continue reading
Jul 01 Why the government let many trade schools become diploma mills By Anne Flaherty, Associated Press WASHINGTON — How did trade schools go from being mom-and-pop shops that trained mechanics and hair stylists to making billions on Wall Street? And if the industry is as predatory as the Education Department and many lawmakers suggest, why didn't… Continue reading
Jun 25 Veterans Affairs says agency faces $2.5 billion budget shortfall By Matthew Daly, Associated Press The Department of Veterans Affairs said Thursday it faces a budget shortfall of more than $2.5 billion, mainly because of increased demand by veterans for health care, including new life-saving treatments for Hepatitis C. Continue reading
Jun 24 Watch 4:21 How Obama's fast-track authority came to pass By PBS News Hour The Senate gave final passage to the near-dead Trade Promotion Authority, which paves the way for a major international trade pact. To explore how it was revived, Gwen Ifill talks to political director Lisa Desjardins. Continue watching
Jun 23 Trade bill clears Senate hurdle, at brink of final passage By Charles Babington, Associated Press WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama's trade agenda has survived a crucial Senate vote and seems well-positioned to become law. Continue reading
Jun 23 McConnell asks senators to cast pro-trade vote once more By Charles Babington, Associated Press WASHINGTON -- Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz of Texas has dropped his previous support for President Barack Obama's trade agenda only hours before a crucial Senate vote Tuesday, complicating GOP leaders' hopes of enacting the legislation. Continue reading
Jun 16 Senate votes to ban torture By Deb Riechmann, Associated Press The Senate has passed a measure aimed at ensuring that the United States never tortures detainees again. Continue reading
Jun 14 Senate bill renews debate over expanded access to contraception By Rialda Zukic Democratic Sen. Patty Murray's introduction of the Affordability is Access Act this week has renewed debate nationwide about birth control access and affordability. Continue reading