Dec 14 Congress clears sweeping $1.1 trillion spending bill By David Espo, Donna Cassata, Associated Press Congress cleared a $1.1 trillion spending bill for President Barack Obama's signature after a day of Senate intrigue capped by a failed, largely symbolic Republican challenge to the administration's new immigration policy. Continue reading
Dec 12 Watch 4:53 News Wrap: Computer failure shuts down London airspace By PBS News Hour In our news wrap Friday, British officials demanded an investigation of an incident that brought Europe’s busiest airport to a standstill. Also, the Pew Research Center found that the wealth gap between white Americans and minorities is growing. Continue watching
Dec 11 Rebuking the left, White House endorses Republican funding bill By Domenico Montanaro Despite objections on everything from weakening Wall Street regulations to loosening campaign-finance laws, the White House is pushing for passage of a short-term Republican government funding measure. Continue reading
Dec 10 Watch 7:20 On eve of shutdown deadline, Congress has a trillion-dollar divide By PBS News Hour House Speaker John Boehner announced a budget deal just a day before the deadline for a possible federal government shutdown. The Republican-written bill has no sign of past shutdown flashpoints, but it doesn't mean everyone is happy. Political editor Lisa… Continue watching
Dec 10 Lawmakers wary of genetically modified foods By Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press The food industry is likely to find a receptive Congress come January in its fight against mandatory labeling of genetically modified foods. Continue reading
Dec 10 Nearly 9 in 10 doubt Obama, GOP can break gridlock By Jennifer Agiesta, Emily Swanson, Associated Press Americans may not agree on much lately, but one opinion is nearly universal: There's almost no chance that President Barack Obama, a Democrat, and the Republican Congress can work together to solve the country's problems. Continue reading
Dec 10 FAA issues commercial drone permits to 4 more companies By Joan Lowy, Associated Press WASHINGTON — Under pressure from Congress to speed access to U.S. skies for commercial drones, the government granted four companies permission Wednesday to use drones for aerial surveillance, construction site monitoring and oil rig flare stack inspections. Continue reading
Dec 10 Congress eases whole grain standards for school lunches By Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press WASHINGTON — Congress is taking some whole grains off the school lunch line. A massive year-end spending bill released Tuesday doesn't allow schools to opt out of healthier school meal standards championed by first lady Michelle Obama, as House Republicans… Continue reading
Dec 09 Lawmakers agree on $1 trillion spending bill By David Espo, Andrew Taylor, Associated Press Time running short, Republicans and Democrats agreed Tuesday on a $1.1 trillion spending bill to avoid a government shutdown and delay a politically-charged struggle over President Barack Obama's new immigration policy until the new year. Continue reading
Dec 05 House Republicans continue to push for school lunch reform delay By Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans are making a final push this month to give schools a temporary break from healthier school meal standards. Continue reading