Feb 23 AP: Lawmaker with lavish decor billed private planes, concerts By Jack Gillum and Stephen Braun, Associated Press Illinois Rep. Aaron Schock, a rising Republican star already facing an ethics inquiry, has spent taxpayer and campaign funds on flights aboard private planes owned by some of his key donors, The Associated Press has found. Continue reading
Feb 19 Democrats to Boehner: Postpone Netanyahu speech By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press WASHINGTON — Almost two dozen liberal Democrats on Thursday asked House Speaker John Boehner to postpone Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to a joint meeting of Congress next month. Continue reading
Feb 16 Democrats want to give uninsured another chance to avoid health care law penalties By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Associated Press WASHINGTON — The official sign-up season for President Barack Obama's health care law may be over, but leading congressional Democrats say millions of Americans facing new tax penalties deserve a second chance. Continue reading
Feb 12 Obama's successor could inherit Middle East conflict By Julie Pace, Associated Press WASHINGTON — Seeking war power authority for three years, President Barack Obama is setting up the prospect that his successor will become the third American president in a row overseeing U.S. military forces grappling with turmoil in the Middle East. Continue reading
Feb 11 Watch 5:43 Increasing hydropower hits a bipartisan sweet spot By PBS News Hour Energy will be a key issue for the new Congress, and hydropower is one of the few areas of agreement between Democrats and Republicans. Legislative changes have made it easier to develop small-scale hydroelectric projects and both parties find it… Continue watching
Feb 11 Watch 7:12 What lawmakers think of key aspects of Obama's Islamic State resolution By PBS News Hour Continue watching
Feb 11 Obama proposes war authorization against Islamic State By David Espo, Nedra Pickler, Associated Press WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama sent Congress legislation Wednesday to authorize military force against Islamic State fighters, asking lawmakers to "show the world we are united in our resolve" to defeat militants who have overrun parts of the Middle East… Continue reading
Feb 11 Read Obama's letter to Congress and his war request By Larisa Epatko President Obama on Wednesday sent Congress a request for new authorization for use of military force against the Islamic State militants. In a letter to Congress, he emphasized that he is not seeking “long-term, large-scale ground combat operations” as in… Continue reading
Feb 09 U.S. government pledges $3.2 million to save monarch butterfly By Dina Cappiello, Associated Press WASHINGTON — The federal government on Monday pledged $3.2 million to help save the monarch butterfly, the iconic orange-and-black butterfly that can migrate thousands of miles between the U.S. and Mexico each year. In recent years, the species has experienced… Continue reading