May 30 Will lapse in surveillance laws make the U.S. less secure? By Ken Dilanian, Associated Press Barring a last-minute deal in Congress, three post-Sept. 11 surveillance laws used against spies and terrorists are set to expire as Sunday turns into Monday… Continue reading
May 28 Watch 7:30 'Uncontroversial' authorities at risk if Patriot Act provisions expire, says White House By PBS News Hour Three U.S. intelligence tools are scheduled to expire Sunday, including the NSA's controversial bulk collection of Americans' phone metadata records. President Obama has urged lawmakers to renew the Patriot Act programs, but so far the Senate has failed to compromise… Continue watching
May 23 Senate to reconsider Patriot Act extension after break By Ken Dilanian, Associated Press Unable to end a struggle over how to deal with government surveillance programs, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell scheduled a last-minute session to consider retaining the National Security Agency's bulk collection of domestic phone records. Continue reading
May 22 Senate clears White House-backed trade bill By David Espo and Charles Babington, Associated Press In a victory for President Barack Obama, the Senate passed bipartisan legislation Friday night to strengthen the administration's hand in global trade talks, clearing the way for a highly unpredictable summer showdown in the House. Continue reading
May 22 VA must find millions to finish troubled Denver hospital By Dan Elliott, Associated Press DENVER — Construction crews are returning to work at the veterans hospital outside Denver after a last-minute deal with congressional leaders avoided a shutdown of the half-finished project. Continue reading
May 22 Senate expected to act on NSA collection of phone records By Ken Dilanian, Associated Press WASHINGTON — The fate of the bulk collection of American phone records by the National Security Agency is now before the Senate, in what is increasingly looking like a game of legislative chicken. Continue reading
May 21 Watch 4:43 Obama's trade bill narrowly clears Senate, but then hurdles remain By PBS News Hour In a key vote Thursday, the Senate advanced legislation that would strengthen the administration's hand in global trade. The president said the action to move toward a final vote was a big step forward. Political editor Lisa Desjardins joins Gwen… Continue watching
May 13 What the fast-track trade bill actually says By Lisa Desjardins Editor's Note: As the trade debate rages in Congress, we wanted to understand the actual legislation now on the Senate floor. Political Director Lisa Desjardins read through the bill, which would give the president "fast-track" trade authority. This is the… Continue reading
May 07 U.S. Senate almost unanimously approves Iran nuclear negotiations bill By Deb Riechmann, Associated Press The Senate has passed a bipartisan bill to give Congress a chance to review — and possibly reject — any final nuclear deal with Iran. Continue reading
May 07 Senate to hold test vote on Iran nuclear bill By Deb Riechmann, Associated Press WASHINGTON — Legislation giving Congress a chance to review and possibly reject any final nuclear deal with Iran is facing a test vote in the Senate. Continue reading