David Welna http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1934700&ft=1&f=1934700 David Welna is NPR's congressional correspondent. en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Wed, 22 May 2013 17:18:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif David Welna http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1934700&ft=1&f=1934700 Fears Of Killing Immigration Bill Doomed Same-Sex Amendment Amid warnings the proposal would shatter support for the measure, Democrats backed away from a provision that would allow gay U.S. citizens to sponsor foreign-born spouses for green cards. Advocates for gay and lesbian immigration rights accused Democrats of caving in to threats. Wed, 22 May 2013 17:18:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2013/05/22/186075168/fears-of-killing-immigration-bill-doomed-same-sex-amendment?ft=1&f=1934700 http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2013/05/22/186075168/fears-of-killing-immigration-bill-doomed-same-sex-amendment?ft=1&f=1934700 Amid warnings the proposal would shatter support for the measure, Democrats backed away from a provision that would allow gay U.S. citizens to sponsor foreign-born spouses for green cards. Advocates for gay and lesbian immigration rights accused Democrats of caving in to threats.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Senate To Debate Immigration Overhaul After weeks of debate, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted Tuesday to send a massive immigration overhaul bill on to the full Senate. Dozens of changes were made to the legislation drawn up by a bipartisan group of senators known as the Gang of Eight. But the bill's basic compromises remained intact after the withdrawal of a sharply divisive measure granting equal immigration rights for same-sex married couples. Wed, 22 May 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/22/185964716/senate-to-debate-immigration-overhaul?ft=1&f=1934700 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/22/185964716/senate-to-debate-immigration-overhaul?ft=1&f=1934700 After weeks of debate, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted Tuesday to send a massive immigration overhaul bill on to the full Senate. Dozens of changes were made to the legislation drawn up by a bipartisan group of senators known as the Gang of Eight. But the bill's basic compromises remained intact after the withdrawal of a sharply divisive measure granting equal immigration rights for same-sex married couples.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Immigration Bill Chugs Along, But Some See Deal-Breakers The bipartisan immigration overhaul proposed by the Senate's Gang of Eight has been the target of scores of amendments. So far, the bill has largely held its own, but its prospects for getting through Congress are uncertain. Sat, 18 May 2013 05:13:54 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2013/05/18/184868535/immigration-bill-chugs-along-but-some-see-deal-breakers?ft=1&f=1934700 http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2013/05/18/184868535/immigration-bill-chugs-along-but-some-see-deal-breakers?ft=1&f=1934700 The bipartisan immigration overhaul proposed by the Senate's Gang of Eight has been the target of scores of amendments. So far, the bill has largely held its own, but its prospects for getting through Congress are uncertain.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Senate Panel Keeps Up Effort To Reshape Immigration Overhaul Senators on the Judiciary Committee spent their second full day slogging through proposed amendments to the bipartisan immigration overhaul. Tuesday's subject was the method of awarding visas for those wanting to come here to study and work. Wed, 15 May 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/15/184132958/senate-panel-continues-efforts-to-reshape-immigration-overhaul?ft=1&f=1934700 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/15/184132958/senate-panel-continues-efforts-to-reshape-immigration-overhaul?ft=1&f=1934700 Senators on the Judiciary Committee spent their second full day slogging through proposed amendments to the bipartisan immigration overhaul. Tuesday's subject was the method of awarding visas for those wanting to come here to study and work.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Immigration Reform Bill Holds Together In Senate Committee The Senate Judiciary held its second round of debate on changes to the bipartisan immigration bill. Tuesday's focus was visas for workers, including visas for skilled technical work. David Welna talks to Melissa Block. Tue, 14 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=183984432&ft=1&f=1934700 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=183984432&ft=1&f=1934700 The Senate Judiciary held its second round of debate on changes to the bipartisan immigration bill. Tuesday's focus was visas for workers, including visas for skilled technical work. David Welna talks to Melissa Block.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Lawmakers Call For Hearings On IRS Scandal The IRS scandal hands Republicans an unexpected opportunity to chide the Obama administration. It comes as the GOP's resurrected questions about how top officials, including the president, handled the attack last September in Benghazi, Libya, that killed U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans. Tue, 14 May 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/14/183840284/lawmakers-call-for-hearings-on-irs-scandal?ft=1&f=1934700 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/14/183840284/lawmakers-call-for-hearings-on-irs-scandal?ft=1&f=1934700 The IRS scandal hands Republicans an unexpected opportunity to chide the Obama administration. It comes as the GOP's resurrected questions about how top officials, including the president, handled the attack last September in Benghazi, Libya, that killed U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Immigration Overhaul Bill Survives Daylong Revamp NPR's congressional correspondent David Welna speaks with host Scott Simon about the flurry of last-minute amendments, most from conservative Republicans, to alter the bipartisan immigration legislation. Sat, 11 May 2013 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=183072407&ft=1&f=1934700 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=183072407&ft=1&f=1934700 NPR's congressional correspondent David Welna speaks with host Scott Simon about the flurry of last-minute amendments, most from conservative Republicans, to alter the bipartisan immigration legislation.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Immigration Bill Remains Largely Intact After 1st Hearing A Senate panel began working through hundreds of amendments to the bipartisan immigration bill Thursday. Most were filed by Republicans hoping to slow down, weaken or kill the legislation. And of the most contentious, which would allow same-sex spouses of Americans to apply for green cards, will likely not come up until next week at the earliest. Fri, 10 May 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/10/182800289/immigration-bill-remains-largely-intact-after-1st-hearing?ft=1&f=1934700 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/10/182800289/immigration-bill-remains-largely-intact-after-1st-hearing?ft=1&f=1934700 A Senate panel began working through hundreds of amendments to the bipartisan immigration bill Thursday. Most were filed by Republicans hoping to slow down, weaken or kill the legislation. And of the most contentious, which would allow same-sex spouses of Americans to apply for green cards, will likely not come up until next week at the earliest.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Democrats Skeptical Of Republican 'Debt Prioritization' Bill House Republicans have passed a bill that would tell President Obama which bills to pay first, should the U.S. Treasury run out of cash and risk default, like it almost did two summers ago. The proposal is not likely to move in the Democratic Senate, and the issue itself is fading in urgency as the deficit picture improves. Thu, 09 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=182656439&ft=1&f=1934700 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=182656439&ft=1&f=1934700 House Republicans have passed a bill that would tell President Obama which bills to pay first, should the U.S. Treasury run out of cash and risk default, like it almost did two summers ago. The proposal is not likely to move in the Democratic Senate, and the issue itself is fading in urgency as the deficit picture improves.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Republicans Vow To Keep Pressure On Benghazi Probe A House committee held a hearing Wednesday into last year's attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya. The event has been a key political weapon for Republicans, first against President Obama's re-election campaign, and now against then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is a potential Democratic presidential candidate in 2016. Thu, 09 May 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/09/182516875/republicans-vow-to-keep-pressure-on-benghazi-probe?ft=1&f=1934700 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/09/182516875/republicans-vow-to-keep-pressure-on-benghazi-probe?ft=1&f=1934700 A House committee held a hearing Wednesday into last year's attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya. The event has been a key political weapon for Republicans, first against President Obama's re-election campaign, and now against then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is a potential Democratic presidential candidate in 2016.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Congressional Hearings Put Renewed Focus On Benghazi Attack Security was a central theme as the Senate held a confirmation hearing Tuesday for Deborah K. Jones, who has been nominated to succeed Christopher Stevens as ambassador to Libya. On Wednesday, House Republicans will hear testimony about the attack that killed Stevens and three other Americans. Tue, 07 May 2013 17:29:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2013/05/07/181989454/congressional-hearings-put-renewed-focus-on-benghazi-attack?ft=1&f=1934700 http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2013/05/07/181989454/congressional-hearings-put-renewed-focus-on-benghazi-attack?ft=1&f=1934700 Security was a central theme as the Senate held a confirmation hearing Tuesday for Deborah K. Jones, who has been nominated to succeed Christopher Stevens as ambassador to Libya. On Wednesday, House Republicans will hear testimony about the attack that killed Stevens and three other Americans.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> How Much Will Revamping Immigration Cost Taxpayers? The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, says the Senate's immigration overhaul will cost the country more than $6 trillion over 50 years. A similar report six years ago helped sink that attempt at changing immigration. Critics argue that both reports are fundamentally flawed, and fail to account for the economic benefits of restructuring the immigration system. Tue, 07 May 2013 02:18:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/07/181792798/how-much-will-revamping-immigration-cost-taxpayers?ft=1&f=1934700 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/07/181792798/how-much-will-revamping-immigration-cost-taxpayers?ft=1&f=1934700 The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, says the Senate's immigration overhaul will cost the country more than $6 trillion over 50 years. A similar report six years ago helped sink that attempt at changing immigration. Critics argue that both reports are fundamentally flawed, and fail to account for the economic benefits of restructuring the immigration system.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Gun Background Vote Causes Heat At Home For N.H. Sen. Ayotte Ever since her vote against legislation to mandate background checks for all gun sales, New Hampshire Senator Kelly Ayotte has seen her poll numbers slip. This week, the Republican met protesters as she made her way around the state. Fri, 03 May 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/03/180755030/gun-background-check-vote-causes-heat-at-home-for-n-h-rep-ayotte?ft=1&f=1934700 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/03/180755030/gun-background-check-vote-causes-heat-at-home-for-n-h-rep-ayotte?ft=1&f=1934700 Ever since her vote against legislation to mandate background checks for all gun sales, New Hampshire Senator Kelly Ayotte has seen her poll numbers slip. This week, the Republican met protesters as she made her way around the state.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Obama Answers Questions On Syria, Guantanamo, More President Obama held a news conference at the White House on Tuesday morning. Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:16:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/30/180049968/obama-answers-questions-on-syria-guantanamo-more?ft=1&f=1934700 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/30/180049968/obama-answers-questions-on-syria-guantanamo-more?ft=1&f=1934700 President Obama held a news conference at the White House on Tuesday morning.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Napolitano: Immigration Bill Would Enhance National Security Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday as it continued discussion of the new, bipartisan immigration overhaul. She defended her department's procedures for screening immigrants in the wake of the Boston marathon bombings. Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/23/178651282/napolitano-immigration-bill-would-enhance-national-security?ft=1&f=1934700 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/23/178651282/napolitano-immigration-bill-would-enhance-national-security?ft=1&f=1934700 Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday as it continued discussion of the new, bipartisan immigration overhaul. She defended her department's procedures for screening immigrants in the wake of the Boston marathon bombings.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]>