Senate

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2 More Red-State Democrats 'Evolve' on Gay Marriage

But don't expect many more flips, says Nate Silver

(Newser) - Add two more senators to the list of gay-marriage "evolvers" —North Dakota's Heidi Heitkamp and Indiana's Joe Donnelly said today that they support same-sex marriage, reports the Huffington Post . Both are Democrats from conservative states and both are safe from re-election campaigns until 2018. "The...

Ashley Judd vs. Rand Paul in 2016?
Ashley Judd vs.
Rand Paul in 2016?
OPINION
Apr 3, 2013 3:21 PM CDT

Ashley Judd vs. Rand Paul in 2016?

Margaret Carlson: Democrats won't get rid her of twice

(Newser) - Democrats made a mistake in pressuring Ashley Judd to bow out of a Senate race against Mitch McConnell in Kentucky, writes Margaret Carlson at Bloomberg . The actress "has looks, intelligence, talent, common sense, and grit," not to mention a degree from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. McConnell,...

Sens. Paul, Cruz: We'll Filibuster Gun Control

Republicans deliver warning to Harry Reid

(Newser) - If Harry Reid goes forward with a possible gun-control measure, he'll face a filibuster, say three Republican senators. Rand Paul, Ted Cruz, and Mike Lee have penned a letter to the Senate majority leader, saying, "We will oppose the motion to proceed to any legislation that will serve...

Claire McCaskill Backs Gay Marriage

'History will agree with my children,' says Missouri Democrat

(Newser) - The latest top politician to endorse gay marriage is Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill, Politico reports. The swing-state Democrat offered up a statement yesterday on her Tumblr page: "I have come to the conclusion that our government should not limit the right to marry based on who you love,"...

Immigration Deal in Limbo Over Business-Labor Snag

Reform stalls over how much to pay low-skilled immigrants

(Newser) - The broad strokes of a bipartisan immigration deal are finished, but a fight between business and labor over how much to pay low-skilled immigrants is holding up the final package, reports AP . A bipartisan group of eight senators missed a self-imposed deadline to wrap things up yesterday before the Senate'...

Senate Passes First Budget in 4 Years, 50-49

Calls for $975B in new taxes over decade

(Newser) - The Senate gave pre-dawn approval today to a $3.7 trillion budget for next year that embraces nearly $1 trillion in tax increases over the coming decade but shelters domestic programs targeted for cuts by Republicans in the House. It's the first budget the Democratic-run Senate has approved in...

Senate OKs Bill to Keep Government Running

But those White House tours are still a no-go

(Newser) - The Senate approved legislation today to lock in $85 billion in broad federal spending cuts and simultaneously avoid a government shutdown next week. If the House goes along, as expected, that means the across-the-board cuts set in motion by a failed earlier deficit-cutting effort and vigorously decried by President Obama...

Assault Weapons Ban Doomed
 Assault Weapons Ban Doomed 
Mar 19, 2013 1:26 PM CDT

Assault Weapons Ban Doomed

Feinstein's measure won't be included in legislation before Senate

(Newser) - Harry Reid has delivered the expected death blow to a ban on assault weapons, telling Dianne Feinstein that her proposal won't be included in the final package that goes up for a Senate vote. Feinstein will offer it as an amendment instead, but it stands no chance of getting...

Rand Paul: &#39;This Debate Isn&#39;t Over&#39;
 Rand Paul: 
 'This Debate Isn't Over' 
OPINION
Mar 9, 2013 6:14 AM CST

Rand Paul: 'This Debate Isn't Over'

Senator says his filibuster just the start of pressure over drone strategy

(Newser) - Rand Paul recounts his 13-hour filibuster in the Washington Post today, writing that while he didn't set out to speak that long ("I would've worn more comfortable shoes"), he's not going to shut up about US drone strategy now. "This debate isn’t over,...

Democrat Levin Won't Seek Re-Election in Senate

Michigan senator retiring; libertarian Amash seen as challenger

(Newser) - Democrats will have another Senate seat to contest in the 2014 elections: Carl Levin said today he won't seek re-election, reports the Detroit News . The 78-year-old has been in the Senate since 1979 and currently serves as chair of the powerful Armed Services Committee. "I can best serve...

McCain, Graham Slam Paul's 'Ridiculous' Filibuster

Republican senators call it a cheap political stunt

(Newser) - Rand Paul may be winning praise for his Senate filibuster , but two of his Republican colleagues hated it. John McCain and Lindsey Graham took to the Senate floor themselves today to criticize the talk-a-thon, with McCain calling it "ridiculous" and Graham arguing that it "cheapened" the debate on...

Rand Paul Staging Old-School Filibuster

Senator holds up vote on CIA nominee over drone strategy

(Newser) - It's possible the Senate will get a chance to confirm John Brennan as the next CIA chief tomorrow—unless Rand Paul's voice holds out. The Kentucky Republican began a genuine filibuster about 11:45am today, reports USA Today . That is, he's not taking advantage of the modern...

Senate Hits JPMorgan Execs on $6B Loss

'London Whale' resurfaces

(Newser) - A Senate subcommittee is taking JPMorgan to task over billions in losses tied to the so-called " London Whale ." The report, by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, is likely to slam executives over a failure to adequately alert regulators and investors as the bank made big bets. Executives...

Bipartisan Group Hatches Gun Bill in Senate

Patrick Leahy announces push against 'straw purchasers'

(Newser) - A bipartisan group of senators hatched a bill today that would increase penalties for so-called "straw purchasers" of firearms, the Washington Post reports. Sen. Patrick Leahy, announcing the deal, said anyone who illegally buys a gun for someone else would face up to 20 years in prison; the seller...

Sequester Cuts Look Certain as Senate Bills Fail

Last-minute measures had little chance of success

(Newser) - In case you were expecting a sequester miracle: Two separate measures to stem the crisis before tomorrow's deadline failed in the Senate today, as expected . One was from Democrats and the other from Republicans, but both were doomed even before the votes. They were placed in consideration as a...

Senate Makes Limp Efforts to Duck Sequester

But 'it's going to happen' despite votes: Rep.

(Newser) - Today, the Senate will vote on two plans that could potentially avert the sequester—but passage doesn't seem likely, USA Today reports. The Democrats' plan, which focuses on a minimum 30% tax on millionaires as well as defense and farm cuts, lacks the 60 votes it would need to...

Hagel Nomination Clears Filibuster

Senate will vote to confirm in a matter of hours

(Newser) - The Senate has voted 71-27 to end debate on Chuck Hagel's nomination for secretary of Defense, paving the way for his all-but-guaranteed confirmation later this afternoon. Republicans had been filibustering Hagel's nomination, with the last vote to end debate on Feb. 14 falling just short of the 60-vote...

53% of US Wants Illegal Immigrants Deported

Senators mull 'biometric' ID requirement for fed workers

(Newser) - Some 53% of American citizens broadly support deportation for illegal immigrants, a Reuters/Ipsos poll finds, with 30% saying most should be deported and 23% saying all should be sent away. Meanwhile, 31% of citizens say the US should let most illegal immigrants stay, and just 5% say all illegal immigrants...

Georgia Reps: Time to Revoke 17th Amendment

Scrap the direct election of senators, they say

(Newser) - GOP state representatives in Georgia say it's time to end direct elections of national senators, the Douglas County Sentinel reports. Instead, state assemblies should pick senators, as it was before the 17th amendment, says Kevin Cooke, a sponsor of a bill calling on Congress to take action. "This...

Nebraska GOP Senator to Retire

He's one of only two Republicans backing Chuck Hagel

(Newser) - Nebraska Sen. Mike Johanns has informed his state's governor that he doesn't intend to run for re-election next year, sources tell NBC News . Johanns is notable as the man who replaced Chuck Hagel in the Senate—and is now one of only two Senate Republicans publicly backing his...

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