Politics archive page

Terror trials: Civilian courts more independent; military tribunals easier on evidence

The federal courts and military tribunals that will prosecute suspected terrorists vary sharply in their independence, public stature and use of evidence. But the Obama administration has so far offered no clear-cut rationale for how it chooses which system will try a detainee.

 

A comparison of Senate, House Democratic health care bills

A comparison of the health care bills before Congress:

 

Levin: could be more e-mails from Ft. Hood suspect

WASHINGTON — The government intercepted at least 18 e-mails between the alleged Fort Hood gunman and a radical Muslim cleric, and a key senator says there could be more communications that might have tipped off law enforcement or military officials.

 

GOP: Recommendations for fewer women's health tests could mean rationed health care under bill

Republicans are seizing on this week's recommendations for fewer Pap smears and mammograms to fuel concern about government-rationed medical care — and to try to chip away support by women for President Barack Obama's proposed health care overhaul.

 

Military prosecutors plan to seek new charges against alleged terrorist in Cole bombing

Military prosecutors said Friday they plan to seek new charges against the alleged mastermind of the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole.

 

US prosecutors to drop manslaughter case against Blackwater guard in deadly '07 Iraq shooting

The Justice Department intends to drop manslaughter and weapons charges against one of the Blackwater Worldwide security guards involved in a deadly 2007 Baghdad shooting, prosecutors said in court documents Friday.

 

Ethics committee admonishes Sen. Burris of Ill. in letter, but recommends no punishment

The Senate ethics committee on Friday admonished Democratic Sen. Roland Burris for misleading investigators about his maneuvering to get Barack Obama's old Senate seat from the governor who was ousted for trying to sell it.

 

More e-mails from alleged Fort Hood gunman may exist

There may be additional e-mails that could have tipped off law enforcement or military officials to the Fort Hood shooter before he went on his deadly rampage, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee said Friday.

 

US prosecutors to drop manslaughter case against Blackwater guard in deadly '07 Iraq shooting

The Justice Department intends to drop manslaughter and weapons charges against one of the Blackwater Worldwide security guards involved in a deadly 2007 Baghdad shooting, prosecutors said in court documents Friday.

 

Moderate Dems pivotal in Saturday health care vote

Suitably opaque, Section 2006 takes up only a few dozen lines in a sweeping health care bill that runs to 2,074 pages and mentions neither Sen. Mary Landrieu nor her state of Louisiana.

 

GOP: Recommendations for fewer women's health tests could mean rationed health care under bill

Republicans are seizing on this week's recommendations for fewer Pap smears and mammograms to fuel concern about government-rationed medical care — and to try to chip away support by women for President Barack Obama's proposed health care overhaul.

 

FAA tells employees equipment outage cause 819 flight delays; Atlanta was hardest hit

The Federal Aviation Administration is blaming an equipment outage this week for delaying 819 flights.

 

Couple pleads guilty in Cuban spying case

A retired State Department worker and his wife accused of a decades-long plot to spy for Cuba pleaded guilty Friday in a deal that will leave him behind bars for the rest of his life but gives her a chance at freedom in six years.

 

Army says independent review sought by GAO will look at how body armor for troops is tested

The Army says there will be an outside review of how body armor for its soldiers is tested.

 

Product Recalls: cantaloupes, Shedd's Country Crock chilled side-dish products

The following recalls have been announced:

 

Ethics committee admonishes Sen. Burris of Ill. in letter, but recommends no punishment

The Senate ethics committee on Friday admonished Sen. Roland Burris, D-Ill., for making "inconsistent, misleading or incomplete" statements about the circumstances surrounding his appointment to the seat once held by Barack Obama. The committee recommended no action beyond the letter.

 

Senate health bill helps chiropractors, biologic drugmakers but whacks insurance executives

Chiropractors get a lift in the Senate health care bill, thanks to a senator from the state practitioners consider the birthplace of their profession — Iowa.

 

Senate panel to mull Bernanke nomination on Dec. 3

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's nomination to a second term will be the subject of a Senate Banking Committee hearing next month, the panel's chairman said Friday.

 

White House at odds with bishops over abortion

The White House is on a collision course with Catholic bishops in an intractable dispute over abortion that could blow up the fragile political coalition behind President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.

 

EPA: Fuel efficiency for new cars and trucks up slightly in 2008 model year

The fleet of new cars and trucks sold to U.S. consumers averaged 21 miles per gallon in the 2008 model year, a modest increase over the previous year, the Environmental Protection Agency reported Friday.

 

New wrinkle in insider-trading probe of Pequot hedge fund raises questions on SEC case

A new development related to the government's investigation of possible insider trading at a major hedge fund has raised questions in the case and caught the attention of two key senators.

 

28 states added jobs in October, but the employment gains may be short-lived

In a sharp improvement, more than half of U.S. states added jobs in October, though economists said many of the gains likely occurred in temporary employment.

 

FEC fines fundraiser's Mich. law firm over donations to John Edwards' 2004 campaign

A Michigan law firm has agreed to pay a $131,000 fine to resolve an investigation into donations to former Sen. John Edwards' 2004 presidential campaign.

 

Nebraska's moderate Sen. Ben Nelson to vote 'yes' on crucial health care test vote Saturday

Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska is a "yes" in a crucial weekend test vote on health care.

 

Health care issues: Bundling payments

A look at key issues in the health care debate:

 

Senate health bill has Medicaid money for Louisiana as top Democrat seeks its senator's vote

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has included at least $100 million in Medicaid funds for Louisiana in his health care bill at the same time he is trying to persuade that state's wavering Democratic senator to cast a pivotal vote for the overhaul legislation.

 

Past CNN head, Bush aide named to broadcast board

President Barack Obama has nominated a former press secretary to President George W. Bush and a past chairman of CNN to the Broadcasting Board of Governors. The independent agency oversees nonmilitary international broadcasts sponsored by the federal government, including Voice of America.

 

Pentagon chief says Afghan troop increase could swiftly follow Obama announcement

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said any new U.S. forces President Barack Obama sends to Afghanistan could move into the country swiftly, despite logistical hassles that force almost all major deliveries of troops and supplies to go by air.

 

Reid crows over new health bill; test is yet to come

Senate Democrats are preparing for a key vote as early as Saturday on a sweeping health-care bill...

 

Potential Dodd challenger calls for Geithner to quit over AIG

'Cozy relationship' In his statement, Simmons faulted Dodd, 65, and Geithner, 48, for having a...

 

 
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beltway confidential

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In his weekly radio and YouTube address, President Obama this week makes the case for his recent trip to Asia, saying one of the main reasons for going was helping the U.S....


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Suspended NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Jeremy Mayfield chats with attendees during a public auction Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, at his Catawba, N.C. property. As NASCAR prepares to crown a champion in its fina...

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