Congress

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Congress Mulls Salary Freeze
 Congress Mulls Salary Freeze 

Congress Mulls Salary Freeze

Both sides look to gain political capital in putting off raise

(Newser) - Barack Obama’s freeze on top White House salaries has put pressure on Congress to do the same for itself, reports Politico, but as with much on the Hill, that’s a lofty idea mired in the mud of political reality. Even those who support a pay freeze are scrambling...

GOP Needs 'a Little Chaos:' Kristol
 GOP Needs 'a Little 
 Chaos:' Kristol 
OPINION

GOP Needs 'a Little Chaos:' Kristol

(Newser) - Republicans clamoring for unified front should "calm down" and be careful what they wish for, William Kristol writes in the Weekly Standard. Firstly, Barack Obama is hugely popular; he'll be unassailable for months. What's more, spirited debate may serve the GOP better than blind adherence to conservative philosophy. Consider...

Obama: Stimulus Isn't Just a Short-Term Fix

He lays out long-term benefits of his plan

(Newser) - In a bid to build popular support, President Obama revealed more details of his economic stimulus plan today, as debate between Democrats and Republicans in Congress over the package raged on, the New York Times reports. Obama painted the measure as an investment in the country’s future, not just...

Obama Tells GOP Foes on Stimulus: 'I Won'

(Newser) - President Obama listened to Republican gripes about his stimulus plan today, then calmly reminded them that "I won," Politico reports. The GOP is seeking more middle-class tax cuts, among other things, and says the spending package is too large. Further negotiations are planned, but Dems appear to be...

Maverick McCain Back in Action

But for some Republicans, Mac's just a pain

(Newser) - Too bad John McCain couldn’t get this story written before the election: the New York Times reports that, back in the Senate, McCain is reverting from his dour, orthodox campaign persona to his maverick and frequently bipartisan ways. He’s been hanging out with President Obama, and he told...

GOP Balks at Stimulus Plan
 GOP Balks at  
 Stimulus Plan 

GOP Balks at Stimulus Plan

Republicans, Democrats trade charges of under-the-table partisanship

(Newser) - The $825 billion stimulus plan before Congress has hit a wall of Republican objections despite the president's call for bipartisan unity, reports the Washington Post. GOP lawmakers charge that Democrats have shut them out of the decision-making process and that the plan pours cash into Democratic agenda items like arts...

Gillibrand New Favorite for Clinton Seat

(Newser) - Gov. Paterson says he'll name Hillary Clinton's replacement for the Senate tomorrow, and strong signs point to Albany-area Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand, the Times Union reports. Given the recent carnival regarding the seat, it's probably best to hold off wagering, but two confidential sources say the Democrat will be named, and...

Obama's First Law Will Fight Wage Discrimination

(Newser) - A wage-discrimination bill that heralds the pro-labor policies of the Democratic-controlled Congress and White House cleared the Senate on a 61-36 vote today and could be on President Obama's desk within days. The legislation reverses a 2007 Supreme Court ruling that narrowly defines when workers can claim wage discrimination, even...

Franken, Coleman Meet With Senate Leaders

Washington is latest stage for Minnesota combatants

(Newser) - As Al Franken’s lawyers asked a Minnesota court to dismiss Norm Coleman’s challenge to election results there, both Senate hopefuls traveled to Washington today meet with party leaders, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. “The race in Minnesota is over with,” Harry Reid said after conferring with...

Bill Could Kill Doc-Owned Hospitals
 Bill Could Kill 
 Doc-Owned Hospitals 
ANALYSIS

Bill Could Kill Doc-Owned Hospitals

Feds may see $1.2B in savings if for-profit facilities come under new regulation

(Newser) - A clause in a child-health bill just passed by the House would restrict Medicare payouts for, and the expansion of, doctor-owned hospitals, the specialized-care units blamed for hurting income at nonprofit facilities, the Wall Street Journal reports. There are 200 such facilities nationwide, touted for their efficiency but criticized for...

Cornyn Yields; Clinton Vote Near

Confirmation of State nominee could come within hours

(Newser) - Republican Sen. John Cornyn removed his call for a roll-call vote in the confirmation of Hillary Clinton as secretary of State today, paving the way for a quick vote within two hours, the Hill reports. “I intend to vote for her confirmation,” Cornyn said, “but I also...

Kennedy Leaves Hospital
 Kennedy Leaves Hospital 

Kennedy Leaves Hospital

Docs want Mass. senator, 76, to cut back on work

(Newser) - Ted Kennedy was released today from the Washington hospital where he was sent yesterday after suffering a seizure during Congress’ inaugural lunch with President Obama. The 76-year-old Massachusetts senator was back “in good spirits” this morning, the Boston Globe reports, but doctors urged him to reduce his workload. Such...

Cuomo's in the Running for Clinton Seat, Paterson Says

Admission is first that AG is even a candidate

(Newser) - Continuing his elusive dance around Hillary Clinton’s Senate seat, New York Gov. David Paterson said yesterday that state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo “is someone I’m considering,” the Buffalo News reports. Paterson also seemed unafraid of a possible Cuomo challenge in 2010 if he isn’t seated...

7 Nominees Confirmed; Clinton Vote Tomorrow

(Newser) - The Senate met after the inauguration today and promptly confirmed seven of President Obama’s nominees by unanimous vote, with the notable exception of Hillary Clinton, the Chicago Tribune reports. A vote on Clinton has been scheduled for tomorrow after Harry Reid and Sen. John Cronyn, who has concerns about...

Obama Gives Lawmakers on Both Sides More Say

New prez wooing votes for economic plans

(Newser) - So far, Barack Obama’s line about disagreeing without being disagreeable isn’t just lip service. The Wall Street Journal reports that the president-elect and his team have been talking in good faith with members of Congress—including Republicans—about economic policy. Says one senator whom they unsuccessfully lobbied to...

Paterson 'Certain' to Pick Kennedy: Also-Rans

NY governor playing 'mind games' with media in delaying announcement

(Newser) - Her rivals for Hillary Clinton’s senate seat believe Caroline Kennedy is “certain” to succeed her, sources close to several contenders tell the New York Post. Gov. David Paterson thinks dissing Kennedy at this point would “greatly embarrass” and “entirely humiliate” her and her family—and potentially...

Investigate Bush: Conyers
 Investigate Bush: Conyers 
OPINION

Investigate Bush: Conyers

Congress must review his abuses to prevent a repeat

(Newser) - As the country moves forward, we can’t afford to repeat the mistakes of the past: it’s time to review the abuses of the Bush administration, writes Michigan congressman John Conyers, Jr. in the Washington Post. Congress must keep pushing for “stonewalled” Bush documents; it should create an...

Senate Releases TARP Funds
 Senate Releases TARP Funds  

Senate Releases TARP Funds

(Newser) - The Senate agreed to let loose the remaining TARP funds today by a relatively slim margin, the Hill reports. The 52-42 vote means Obama should have access to the $350 billion about a week after he takes office. The House hasn't voted yet, but the TARP legislation requires only one...

House Dems Debut $825B Stimulus Bill

Public works, education get plenty of attention in measure

(Newser) - House Democrats today introduced a long-awaited stimulus package, developed with President-elect Obama, and totaling $825 billion, the New York Times reports. The economic recovery plan includes billions in tax cuts, Medicare subsidies, and public-education and infrastructure spending. The Senate is developing its own version, and vigorous debate is anticipated as...

Burris Sworn in as Senator
 Burris Sworn in
 as Senator 

Burris Sworn in as Senator

(Newser) - Roland Burris was sworn in and seated in the Senate today as the junior senator from Illinois. Democrats had been loath to accept an appointee of Rod Blagojevich's, but the continued hubbub around the former Illinois AG was seen as a distraction. And Burris’ heroic attempts to get his credentials...

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