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Politics

Sen. Snowe On Health Care Overhaul

August 25, 2009 • Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine, a member of the bipartisan gang of six, may be the one Republican who votes for a health care bill in the Senate. "What we have to do is develop a plan that's going to be available to people on an affordable basis, and, secondly, containing costs both for the American consumer and the American taxpayer," Snowe says.

Gang Of Six Profile: Sen. Olympia Snowe

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Health Care

Sen. Enzi Plays Crucial Role Negotiating Health Care

August 25, 2009 • Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY) represents the smallest state in population but he has a big role to play in the negotiations to overhaul health care. Enzi is one of the "gang of six" senators crafting the Senate's health care bill. He says he won't vote for any measure that can't get the support of 75 to 80 senators.

Gang Of Six Profile: Sen. Mike Enzi

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Politics

Sen. Grassley Shifts Stance On Health Care

August 21, 2009 • Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the leader of the GOP on the Senate Finance Committee, has backed off his earlier commitments to bipartisan health care changes and become the prime obstacle to legislation. The apparent shift in position follows weeks of rowdy town hall meetings.

Gang Of Six Profile: Sen. Chuck Grassley

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Health Care

Not All Democrats Want 'Public Option' Dropped

August 18, 2009 • The Obama administration may be willing to listen to different ideas about competing with private health insurance other than controversial public insurance option. But plenty of other Democrats are not.

Not All Democrats Want 'Public Option' Dropped

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Tracking The Overhaul

Va. Democrat Navigates Series Of Rowdy Town Halls

August 12, 2009 • Despite the constant presence of protesters, Virginia Democratic Rep. Tom Perriello, a freshman lawmaker, is running a gantlet of 22 town hall forums on health care this month.

Va. Democrat Navigates Series Of Rowdy Town Halls

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Law

Senate Approves Sotomayor Confirmation

August 6, 2009 • The Senate voted Thursday to confirm Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court. She is the court's third woman and first Hispanic. Sotomayor won support from all Democrats who voted, plus some Republicans.

Senate Approves Sotomayor Confirmation

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GOP's Best Hope For Future Also Has The Best Abs

Aaron Schock after winning the 18th Congressional District Republican primary race in Peoria, Ill., Feb. 5, 2008. Seth Perlman/AP hide caption

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Politics

GOP's Best Hope For Future Also Has The Best Abs

August 5, 2009 • At 28, Rep. Aaron Schock is the House's youngest member. GOP leaders have tapped him for key positions, while the national media have focused on his good looks. Schock hopes to usher other young Republicans into Congress.

GOP's Best Hope For Future Also Has The Best Abs

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Politics

House Works To Limit Executive Pay

July 31, 2009 • The House of Representatives took the first step toward an overhaul of financial regulation by passing a bill that aims to curb executive pay deemed excessive. The bill would give shareholders a voice in executive pay and allow federal regulators to restrict pay practices that might encourage risky behavior.

House Works To Limit Executive Pay

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Politics

Congress May Revamp Secure I.D. Program

July 28, 2009 • After Sept. 11, Congress passed the Real ID program, intended to help prevent fraud and abuse in state-issued driver's licenses. But states have rebelled, citing the cost of compliance. Now one key Senate panel is weighing whether to ease up on some requirements.

Congress May Revamp Secure I.D. Program

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Politics

House Set To Vote On 'Pay As You Go' Budget Plan

July 23, 2009 • The House votes Thursday on a budget proposal known as "pay as you go," or "pay-go." It requires that mandatory spending and tax cuts be offset by revenue increases or spending cuts elsewhere. President Obama supports the concept and has promised to cut the deficit in half by the end of his first term.

House Set To Vote On 'Pay As You Go' Budget Plan

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Your Money

Congress Begins To Overhaul Consumer Protections

July 16, 2009 • Treasury officials have sent draft legislation to Congress to create a one-stop financial protection agency for consumers. The agency would have authority over financial products from credit cards and home mortgages to payday loans. And it could ban practices it deems unfair.

Congress Begins To Overhaul Consumer Protections

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Politics

Democrats Face Uphill Climb On Climate Bill

July 12, 2009 • A climate change bill squeaked through the House last month. Now the question is whether a 60-vote Democratic supermajority can succeed in the Senate, where past efforts have failed. But Democrats have already pushed back a self-imposed deadline.

Democrats Face Uphill Climb On Climate Bill

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National

$20 Billion Needed For Highway, Transit Projects

June 30, 2009 • The Highway Trust Fund is almost out of money and current law is about to expire. Lawmakers in the House want to pass a six-year, $500 billion plan to improve congested highways, crumbling bridges and under-funded mass transit. But Senate lawmakers are siding with the Obama administration in calling for a less expensive, 18-month stopgap bill.

$20 Billion Needed For Highway, Transit Projects

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Politics

Holder Urges Congress On New Hate Crimes Bill

June 25, 2009 • U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder called on senators to expand federal statutes against hate crimes to include protections for gays, women and people with disabilities. The law now provides for federal prosecution and increased penalties for violent crimes motivated by race or religion.

Holder Urges Congress On New Hate Crimes Bill

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Law

Defense Says Rep. Jefferson Was Caught In Sting

June 16, 2009 • The former Louisiana congressman is charged with soliciting bribes, money laundering and racketeering. But in opening statements at the Democrat's trial Tuesday, his lawyer said the $90,000 in cash found in his freezer doesn't prove it.