Jan 27 Will red and blue lawmakers clear a path for a heroin abuse bill? By Alan Fram, Associated Press WASHINGTON — In a testy election year likely to see scant collaboration between Republicans and Democrats, there's a glint of hope in Congress for a bipartisan bill aimed at fighting heroin and opioid addiction — a deadly, growing problem that… Continue reading
Jan 20 Senate Democrats block Syrian refugee bill By Richard Lardner, Associated Press WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats have blocked a House-passed bill that would crack down on Syrian and Iraqi refugees coming to the U.S. Continue reading
Jan 19 Here’s what Congress can do about Puerto Rico’s debt By Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press WASHINGTON — Puerto Rico's $72 billion public debt crisis has forced congressional leaders to pay attention to a U.S. territory that's usually on the sidelines of American politics. Continue reading
Dec 10 Democratic leader Reid criticizes Scalia for using ‘racist’ rhetoric By Deb Riechmann, Associated Press Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid on Thursday blasted Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia for uttering what he called "racist ideas" from the bench of the nation's highest court. Scalia on Wednesday suggested it's possible that some black students would benefit… Continue reading
Sep 08 Watch 6:41 Winning new Democratic support, Iran deal passage is all over but the shouting By PBS NewsHour Three remaining Senate Democratic holdouts announced they will back the Iran nuclear deal, bringing the number of supporters to at least 41 votes. That's enough to block majority Republicans -- who unanimously oppose the deal -- from disapproving the agreement. Continue watching
May 31 Watch 5:40 Senate debates Patriot Act surveillance as expiration nears By PBS NewsHour The Senate is in a rare Sunday session, wrangling over three key surveillance provisions of the Patriot Act set to expire at midnight. PBS NewsHour's Political Director Lisa Desjardins joins Hari Sreenivasan from Washington with more. Continue watching
Mar 27 Watch 12:10 Shields and Brooks on Harry Reid’s retirement, Yemen turmoil response By PBS NewsHour Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks join Judy Woodruff to discuss the week’s news, including Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid’s retirement announcement, Sen. Ted Cruz’s presidential prospects and U.S. involvement in the Yemen conflict. Continue watching
Mar 27 Watch 7:31 News Wrap: Germanwings co-pilot was hiding illness, say prosecutors By PBS NewsHour In our news wrap Friday, no suicide note was found in the search of the home of Germanwings co-pilot Andreas Lubitz, but a torn-up doctor’s note suggests that he was hiding an illness from employers before he crashed a plane… Continue watching
Mar 27 Pugnacious Reid retiring, wants Schumer as Senate Dem leader By Charles Babington and Erica Werner, Associated Press Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, a pugnacious and glamour-averse tactician who united Democrats to help deliver tough victories for President Barack Obama, said Friday he's retiring next year. He immediately endorsed brash New York Sen. Chuck Schumer to succeed him… Continue reading
Mar 27 3 reasons why Harry Reid’s retirement matters By Lisa Desjardins The retirement of any top party leader in Congress will have tremendous ripple effects. But here are three reasons why Harry Reid’s retirement is especially notable. Continue reading