Nov 18 House Republicans seek increased vetting of Syria refugees By Associated Press House Republicans are outlining legislation aimed at increasing screenings for Syrian and Iraqi refugees before they enter the United States, including a requirement for FBI background checks. Continue reading
Nov 17 Democrats planning multi-year strategy to recapture seats in Congress By Ken Thomas, Lisa Lerer, Associated Press WASHINGTON — Democrats need to map out a multi-year election strategy to maintain the White House, recapture seats in Congress and in state legislatures and rebuild their bench of candidates, according to a task force formed after the party's dismal… Continue reading
Nov 08 Congress dodging war powers despite U.S. mission in Syria By Deb Riechmann, Associated Press In the fight against the Islamic State group, members of Congress talk tough against extremism, but many want to run for cover when it comes to voting on new war powers to fight the militants, preferring to let the president… Continue reading
Oct 30 Congress sends budget and debt deal to Obama By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press WASHINGTON — Legislation sparing the country the specter of a catastrophic default and partial government shutdown is ready for President Barack Obama's signature after the Senate passed it by a comfortable margin. Continue reading
Oct 28 Watch 8:33 Treasury Secretary Lew on Congress 'coming to terms' with the debt limit By PBS News Hour The bipartisan budget deal passed by the House is the product of negotiations between Congressional leaders and the White House. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew sits down with Gwen Ifill to discuss how Congress achieved its moment of breakthrough, plus a… Continue watching
Oct 27 Watch 6:29 How Congressional leaders made a budget crisis breakthrough By PBS News Hour Trying the clear the deck for his replacement, outgoing Speaker of the House John Boehner announced a tentative two-year budget deal that would boost defense and domestic programs and lift the debt ceiling through the spring of 2017. Political director… Continue watching
Oct 27 The Highway Trust Fund keeps bridges from falling down, but will Congress reauthorize it? By Kristen Doerer Keeping U.S. roads and bridges safe requires federal funding, but lawmakers can't agree on how to pay for the Highway Trust Fund. Continue reading
Oct 24 As House Speaker, Paul Ryan will have his work cut out for him By Erica Werner, Associated Press The honeymoon might be over before it even begins for House Speaker-in-waiting Paul Ryan when he is elevated to the top job this coming week. Continue reading
Oct 22 Watch 12:38 Did we learn anything new from Clinton's Benghazi testimony? By PBS News Hour House Republicans grilled former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the U.S. embassy attack in Benghazi, Libya. Political director Lisa Desjardins recaps the sometimes tense and emotional hearing. Judy Woodruff gets reaction from Yochi Dreazen of Foreign Policy and Anne… Continue watching
Oct 22 Watch 5:07 News Wrap: Paul Ryan wins key support for speakership By PBS News Hour In our news wrap Thursday, Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan won support for his possible bid for House speaker from moderates, mainstream conservatives and a group of fiscal conservatives who opposed John Boehner. Also, President Obama vetoed a $600 billion defense… Continue watching