Congress – News Stories About Congress - Page 80

Dec 2, 2008 12:46 PM CST

Fla. Sen. Martinez Won't Run in '10

Florida senator opens seat for fierce race

(Newser) - Florida's Sen. Mel Martinez won't be running for re-election in 2010, leaving open a senate seat that's sure to attract big money and fierce partisan competition. The first-term Republican was a sure Democrat target anyway, given that his constituency is split on whether he deserved another shot in Congress. Martinez...

Meet the NY Dems Who
Want Clinton's Seat

Dec 2, 2008 12:08 PM CST

Meet the NY Dems Who Want Clinton's Seat

Cuomo brings fundraising advantage, but should Paterson pick a woman?

(Newser) - Hillary Clinton’s secretary of state nomination has left New York Democrats jockeying for her New York senate seat—and gives Gov. David Paterson a little personal political leverage. Though he hasn’t indicated whom he will appoint, the Washington Post lists some key factors and candidates:

There is pressure

...

Parties Bring Out Big Guns
for Georgia Run-Off Vote

Dec 2, 2008 6:22 AM CST

Parties Bring Out Big Guns for Georgia Run-Off Vote

Rap stars and the GOP's 'rock star' stump on eve of crucial Senate runoff election

(Newser) - Georgia decides its Senate race today and both sides are going all-out to secure a victory that could help determine the direction of the next Congress, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. The GOP has sent in Sarah Palin to stump for incumbent Sen. Saxby Chambliss, while Democratic challenger Jim Martin held...

To Succeed, Obama and
Congress Must Stay Tight

ANALYSIS

Dec 1, 2008 2:31 PM CST

To Succeed, Obama and Congress Must Stay Tight

Dems eager to make mark after GOP domination, but priorities could shred unity

(Newser) - Democrats in Congress and Barack Obama want to move quickly once he assumes office, but they must pull in the same direction to achieve anything, Naftali Bendavid writes in the Wall Street Journal. “Pent-up energy among House Democrats” could test Obama’s centrist leanings, one observer notes, and history...

In Franken's Run,
Cautionary Tale for Matthews

ANALYSIS

Dec 1, 2008 1:46 PM CST

In Franken's Run, Cautionary Tale for Matthews

MSNBC host's celebrity isn't all that, and Franken didn't exactly win, either

(Newser) - Chris Matthews seems determined to run for a Senate seat in Pennsylvania in 2010, but beating Republican Arlen Specter isn’t his only problem, Steve Kornacki writes in the New York Observer. The MSNBC host is a cipher to 60% of the electorate, and there are other qualified, ambitious Democrats...

Palin Hits Trail
on Eve of Ga. Runoff

Dec 1, 2008 11:41 AM CST

Palin Hits Trail on Eve of Ga. Runoff

Alaska governor campaigns for GOP incumbent Chambliss

(Newser) - Sarah Palin is on the campaign trail again, this time in support of Georgia Sen. Saxby Chambliss, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. “The eyes of the nation are on you,” Palin told a crowd of thousands in the state today, the eve of a runoff election. The Alaska governor...

Once United, Big 3 Take Different Roads to Bailout

Dec 1, 2008 9:53 AM CST

Once United, Big 3 Take Different Roads to Bailout

Automaker bring different bailout concerns in appeal for federal aid

(Newser) - When the automakers return to Congress this week to beg for a federal bailout, they’ll no longer be presenting one case among them. Each company will unveil its own rejuvenation plan, reports the New York Times. Ford, in best financial shape, wants only the promise of access to federal...

Pols Flout Ethics
Law on Trip
to Carib Isle

Nov 30, 2008 8:18 PM CST

Pols Flout Ethics Law on Trip to Carib Isle

Opulent weekend was funded by top corporations

(Newser) - Six US lawmakers, all members of the Congressional Black Caucus, have been caught rubbing shoulders with lobbyists on a trip that violates federal ethics laws, the New York Post reports. Joining them were three New York officials, including the state's governor—who avoided breaking the law by paying his own...

Stevens Won't Rule Out Pursuing Prez Pardon

Nov 27, 2008 11:44 AM CST

Stevens Won't Rule Out Pursuing Prez Pardon

Convicted senator may seek clemency from Bush

(Newser) - Even as Ted Stevens appeals of his seven-count felony conviction, the disgraced senator isn't ruling outthe possibility of seeking a pardon from President Bush, the Anchorage Daily News reports. "If I were counsel to him, I would encourage him," says Alaska's former US attorney, a Stevens supporter. "...

New Congress' Key Fights Could Be Dem-on-Dem

ANALYSIS

Nov 25, 2008 10:22 AM CST

New Congress' Key Fights Could Be Dem-on-Dem

Party split ideologically, geographically on major issues

(Newser) - The Democrats have amassed so much power in Congress their internal conflicts may matter more than their fights with the GOP. In Politico, Martin Kady II takes a look at some likely intra-party fault lines:

Californians against rust-belters on the environment: “The Midwestern Democrats—Sherrod Brown, Evan Bayh, and

...

Bailout Gives
Barney Frank
Star Turn

Analysis

Nov 24, 2008 12:57 PM CST

Bailout Gives Barney Frank Star Turn

Expertise makes feisty Mass. Congressman key to handling financial crisis

(Newser) - Through decades in Washington, Barney Frank has developed a reputation as a brainy, if less than polite, liberal attack dog. It’s been a bumpy ride for the House Financial Services chairman, including implication in a male-prostitution scandal, writes Michelle Cottle in the New Republic—but as Congress grapples with...

Home Builders Want Federal Bailout, Too

Nov 24, 2008 12:37 PM CST

Home Builders Want Federal Bailout, Too

But critics warn adding to housing supply will only make things worse

(Newser) - Home builders, undeterred by the automakers’ troubles in securing federal aid, are campaigning for a $250 billion stimulus of their own, the Wall Street Journal reports. Saying that the economy can't recover until home prices stop tanking, the builders propose a plan, called “Fix Housing First,” where the...

Coleman's Lead Shrinks to 120

Nov 22, 2008 11:16 AM CST

Coleman's Lead Shrinks to 120

(Newser) - The Minnesota Senate recount is more than half done, and incumbent Norm Coleman is seeing his slim lead erode day by day, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. The Republican’s lead over challenger Al Franken is now 120 votes—down from 215 on Tuesday and around 700 after the election....

GM Board
Would Consider Bankruptcy

Nov 22, 2008 8:11 AM CST

GM Board Would Consider Bankruptcy

Directors differ with CEO Wagoner as automaker struggles

(Newser) - Some General Motors’ directors are willing to consider bankruptcy protection as an option for the failing automaker, the Wall Street Journal reports, marking an unusual disagreement with CEO Rick Wagoner. Wagoner told Congress repeatedly this week, in seeking an immediate financial bailout, that reorganizing through a Ch. 11 bankruptcy is...

Waxman's Coup
Promises New Agenda

ANALYSIS

Nov 21, 2008 1:49 PM CST

Waxman's Coup Promises New Agenda

Committee likely to get more aggressive on environment; Dingell's old allies displaced

(Newser) - Henry Waxman ascension to the chairmanship of the House Energy and Commerce Committee could pit him against both Republicans and fellow Democrats, Politico reports. Moderate former chair John Dingell, ousted by the liberal Waxman, left many subcommittee heads who could clash with their new boss. And the GOP is up...

UAW Eyes Give-Backs
to Help Big 3 Bailout

Nov 21, 2008 7:55 AM CST

UAW Eyes Give-Backs to Help Big 3 Bailout

Union ready to make concessions to secure industry loan

(Newser) - The United Auto Workers appears to be easing off its “no more cuts” stance. The union is negotiating a swath of concessions it hopes will convince Congress to loan money to the Big Three, starting with the elimination of its controversial jobs bank, the Detroit Free Press reports. The...

Bailout Wait 'Nerve-Wracking'

Nov 21, 2008 1:50 AM CST

Bailout Wait 'Nerve-Wracking'

Hearings 'more hostile than expected,' says Wagoner

(Newser) - Two grueling days of congressional hearings on a bailout for the auto industry were "hostile" and the wait for an answer is "nerve-wracking," General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner told the Detroit News yesterday. GM is ready now to show Congress detailed restructuring plans to convince lawmakers to...

Congress Is Ready to Accept a Single Mom

OPINION

Nov 20, 2008 3:30 PM CST

Congress Is Ready to Accept a Single Mom

Rep. Sanchez's pregnancy shouldn't make waves in DC

(Newser) - Rep. Linda Sanchez worries Washington may frown on her pregnancy because she isn’t married, but Patt Morrison, in the Los Angeles Times, thinks things have changed. “Twenty years ago, it simply wouldn't have been possible—pregnant, single and a member of Congress? Oh, the scandal! But the culture...

Congress to Big 3:
Ball's in Your Court

Nov 20, 2008 3:05 PM CST

Congress to Big 3: Ball's in Your Court

(Newser) - After failing to strike a deal today on a possible bailout for the Big Three automakers, Congressional leaders offered the firms one more chance to push for the $25 billion lifeline they've requested, the Detroit News reports. Lawmakers will wait until December and require concrete plans for the money before...

Constitution May Sink
Hillary's State Chance

ANALYSIS

Nov 20, 2008 12:35 PM CST

Constitution May Sink Hillary's State Chance

Lawmakers can't take federal post for which their Congress raised the salary

(Newser) - Should Barack Obama nominate Hillary Clinton for secretary of state, the confirmation process could be the least of her worries, the Washington Post reports. The Constitution prohibits any member of Congress from assuming a federal post whose salary has been increased during the lawmaker’s term; cabinet salaries have risen...