Feb 12 Senate passes debt limit bill for Obama By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press Must-pass legislation to allow the government to borrow money to pay its bills has cleared Congress for President Barack Obama's signature. The Senate approved the measure by a near party-line 55-43 vote. All of the "aye" votes came from Obama's… Continue reading
Feb 07 Watch News Wrap: Signing the farm bill, Obama praises bipartisan compromise By PBS News Hour In our news wrap Friday, President Obama signed into law a new five-year farm bill, costing $956 billion, that keeps most subsidies in tact but cuts food assistance by $800 million. Also, Montana’s Lt. Gov. John Walsh was named to… Continue watching
Feb 06 Watch Outside groups start fundraising early ahead of Senate midterm elections By PBS News Hour In the battle to win or defend Senate seats in the November’s midterm elections, outside groups have already begun to spend massive sums of money. What role will this money play in shaping the campaigns and outcomes? Judy Woodruff talks… Continue watching
Feb 06 Unemployment bill fails again in Senate By Associated Press Republicans have blocked legislation from advancing in the Senate to restore benefits for the long-term unemployed. Continue reading
Feb 04 Watch News Wrap: Senate passes farm bill after two-year battle By PBS News Hour Continue watching
Feb 04 Congress-approved farm bill makes its way to President Obama By Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press WASHINGTON -- Congress has given its final approval to a sweeping five-year farm bill that provides food for the needy and subsidies for farmers. Ending years of political battles, the Senate on Tuesday sent the measure to President Barack Obama,… Continue reading
Jan 29 Watch Senators react to the State of the Union: 'We're moving ahead' By PBS News Hour Continue watching
Jan 29 In 251-166 vote, House passes compromised farm bill and sends to the Senate By Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press The House has passed an almost $100 billion-a-year, compromise farm bill that would make small cuts to food stamps and continue generous subsidies for the nation's farmers. Continue reading
Jan 27 Watch How will GOP lawmakers react Obama's State of the Union agenda? By Judy Woodruff, PBS News Hour Continue watching
Jan 13 Supreme Court reviews president's recess appointment power By Mark Sherman, Associated Press Under a provision of the Constitution known as the recess appointments clause, the president may make temporary appointments to positions that otherwise require confirmation by the Senate, but only when the Senate is in recess. Now, President Barack Obama and… Continue reading