Congress

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Congress Just Passed a Huge Environmental Law
Congress Just Passed a Huge Environmental Law
the rundown
Jun 8, 2016 10:03 AM CDT

Congress Just Passed a Huge Environmental Law

Rules on chemicals get first update in 40 years

(Newser) - It may have gotten lost in all the election news, but a substantial piece of legislation has just managed to clear Congress: A massive overhaul of federal laws regulating chemicals sold in the US is headed to President Obama's desk for his signature—the first such update in 40...

House: Confederate Flags Only Twice a Year at Some Graves

Amendment vote included almost all Dems, 84 Republicans

(Newser) - Republicans and Democrats came together Thursday in a House of Representatives vote that agreed to limit the use of Confederate flags in national veterans cemeteries, the Christian Science Monitor reports. Per the approved amendment to a veterans and military spending bill, the controversial flag won't be able to be...

Congressman Vapes During Hearing

He argued against vaping ban on planes

(Newser) - In what may be a House first, Rep. Duncan Hunter pulled out his e-cigarette and blew out a cloud of vapor during a hearing on banning use of the devices on planes. "So this is called a vaporizer," the Republican from California said, per CNN . "There's...

While Spying on Israel, NSA Recorded US Lawmakers, Too

Agency did keep 'trash talk' against administration out of reports: US officials

(Newser) - In 2013, after Edward Snowden dropped his NSA bombshell, President Obama called for an end to spying on certain world leaders. But Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli bigwigs remained on the "keep an eye on" list for "compelling national security" reasons, current and ex-US officials tell the Wall ...

Congress Gives Thumbs-Up to $1.14T Spending Bill

Obama will sign it next to avoid shutdown

(Newser) - Congress on Friday sent President Obama a bipartisan but deficit draining year-end budget package that boosts federal agency spending and awards tax cuts to both families and a sweeping array of business interests. A 65-33 Senate vote on the measure was the last act that shipped the measure, combining $1....

GOP: Trump Is Screwing Everything Up for Us

Party members fear Trump will cost them seats in the House and Senate

(Newser) - Jeb Bush has floated the idea of Donald Trump being a Hillary Clinton plant to help her take the White House, and seemingly never-ending Trump controversies might have Republicans starting to believe it. Politico reports that GOP leaders are stressing out about the negative impact that Trump's candidacy is...

47 Democrats Buck Obama on Syrian Refugees

House easily passes measure to tighten screening

(Newser) - The House overwhelmingly approved legislation Thursday to make it harder for Syrian and Iraqi refugees to enter the United States. The AP calls the 289-137 vote a "stinging rebuke" to President Obama, and the Hill points out that 47 Democrats bucked the White House and supported the measure. It...

Paul Ryan's Election as Speaker Unique in 2 Ways

Boehner gives a tearful goodbye

(Newser) - He gets the gavel: Paul Ryan captured enough House votes Thursday to become the chamber's next speaker. In a slow-moving roll call that mixed politics with pageantry, 236 lawmakers called out the Wisconsin Republican's name as their pick for the job. That assured that Ryan will become speaker,...

Paul Ryan on Budget Deal: Process 'Stinks'

He blasts Boehner, system, ahead of becoming speaker

(Newser) - The late budget deal struck by leaders of both parties and the White House means that Paul Ryan will have one less major hassle to deal with when he becomes House speaker later this week. In fact, the Washington Post says John Boehner gave him a "parting gift" in...

House Creates Panel on Planned Parenthood

Expect issue to stretch into election year

(Newser) - John Boehner's resignation may have avoided a government shutdown over Planned Parenthood funding, but the issue now seems likely to remain in play well into the 2016 election year: The House on Wednesday created a special committee to investigate the handling of fetal tissue and other abortion-related issues, reports...

Boehner Explains His Decision to Quit

Visit by Pope Francis helped push him to final decision

(Newser) - John Boehner today elaborated on his stunning decision to resign from Congress, saying that while he'd been considering it for a while, he didn't decide for certain until this very morning. He reiterated that he did so to save the House from turmoil, and here, via the Washington ...

5 Takeaways From the Pope's Speech

He hits everything from the death penalty to the state of the family

(Newser) - Pope Francis hit a wide-ranging number of topics in his address to Congress today. Here are five getting attention:
  • Death penalty: He implored Congress to abolish it, reports ThinkProgress . “Every life is sacred, every human person is endowed with an inalienable dignity, and society can only benefit from the
...

History on Capitol Hill: Francis Speaks to Congress

First pontiff to address Congress gets a warm welcome

(Newser) - Pope Francis summoned US lawmakers today to defend and preserve the dignity of all Americans, introducing himself as "a son of this great continent" as he became the first pontiff in history to address a joint meeting of Congress. Entering a House chamber packed with Supreme Court justices, Cabinet...

What to Expect in Pope's Historic Address to Congress

How far will he go on hot-button issues such as abortion and climate change?

(Newser) - Pope Francis offered up something for both the left ( climate change ) and the right (a call to protect the institution of marriage) in his White House remarks yesterday, reports CNN , so what's in store for his historic address to Congress today? Probably a little more of the...

12 Days Left, and Shutdown Looms Large

Impasse over Planned Parenthood funding remains

(Newser) - Twelve days remain in the fiscal year, and the threat of a second government shutdown in three years remains very much in play. The big problem remains a showdown over funding for Planned Parenthood, with conservative Republicans who are upset about recent undercover videos demanding that the group lose all...

Obama's Iran Deal Now Looks Safe in Congress

Numbers just aren't there for the GOP to override a veto

(Newser) - The numbers are adding up for President Obama on Iran. It now appears that his nuclear deal—which he defended in a letter last week—will make it through Congress because it's "nearly mathematically impossible for GOP leaders to build a veto-proof majority in either the House or...

Obama Interrupts Vacation to Send Letter to Congress

Hopes letter to Democrats will erase lingering doubts about Iran deal

(Newser) - President Obama is hoping to calm concerns among Democrats still undecided or against the Iran nuclear deal. In an Aug. 19 letter to New York Democratic Rep. Jerrold Nadler written in the midst of Obama's vacation on Martha's Vineyard , the president maintains the deal itself cannot be changed,...

Melissa Gilbert Is Running for Congress

'Little House' actress hopes to represent Michigan district

(Newser) - Melissa Gilbert, aka Laura Ingalls, is running for Congress in Michigan, reports ABC News . The 51-year-old former star of Little House on the Prairie announced her bid as a Democrat on a new website , and her focus will be on issues related to women, children, and families. Despite her celebrity...

Obama to Congress: Expect a Mideast War If You Reject Iran Deal

Same people who backed Iraq war oppose deal, he says

(Newser) - President Obama today began his campaign to convince Congress to back his Iran nuclear deal with a major speech in which he characterized the upcoming vote as one about war or peace. If the deal falls through, opponents can expect a likely outcome, he said at American University: “Another...

'Appalled' GOP Wants Planned Parenthood Inquiry

House committee to investigate if PP harvested organs for money

(Newser) - House Republicans have launched a congressional investigation into Planned Parenthood over an undercover video in which an official describes how the organization gives fetal tissue to researchers. Selling fetal parts for a profit is illegal. However, the senior director of medical services tells pro-life activists from the Center for Medical...

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