Senate

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Obama Backers Sought to Block Colbert In SC

Board members say top Dems 'pressured' them to keep comic off ballot

(Newser) - Top Obama supporters in South Carolina called up members of the deciding Democratic council to oppose Stephen Colbert's bid for a ballot berth, CNN reports. One voter said he felt “pressured” by the phone call from former US Senate nominee Inez Tenenbaum, who said Colbert's presence "wouldn't be...

Doggone It, Will People Like Sen. Franken?

New York explores his blend of comedy, politics in Senate bid

(Newser) - Al Franken’s thus far successful run for US Senate has seen the comic playing a careful hand, getting serious on the trail but bringing along just enough humor to be himself. Politicians “need to be entertaining. But not too entertaining,” says New York’s Ariel Levy in...

Kentucky Dems Hope to Ride Blue Wave

Backlash may win them governor's office, Senate seat

(Newser) - Kentucky Dems are confident that they'll win the governor's office next week and grab a Senate seat in 2008, the Guardian reports. Polls put Steve Beshear up by 11 points in next week's gubernatorial contest, and Dems say Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is now beatable. "We are going...

Senate OKs Judge Opposed by Civil Rights Groups

He'll serve on federal court in the South

(Newser) - The Senate today confirmed a judge opposed by civil rights groups to a seat on a federal appeals court in the South. Judge Leslie Southwick will serve on the 5th Circuit, which comprises Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, the New York Times reports. A civil rights leader called the appointment  “...

Johnson to Run Despite Brain Hemorrhage

Colleagues amassed $2 million campaign chest in his absence

(Newser) - A brain hemorrhage won't stop South Dakota Senator Tim Johnson from seeking reelection, he said yesterday. He is still in therapy and gets around in a motorized wheelchair, but claims he is ready to run. "It is clear to my family, my doctors, and me that I am able...

Congress Drops Tax Hike for Private Equity

Superwealthy investors will get to keep tax breaks they now enjoy

(Newser) - A proposed tax hike on some of America's wealthiest investors isn't likely to happen this year, as Senate Democrats say they're shelving a bill that would have eliminated the special tax rate enjoyed by private-equity managers. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says a crowded legislative calendar makes considering the bill—...

Bush Reiterates: US Doesn’t 'Torture People'

President denies breaking law in wake of document revelations

(Newser) - Faced with newly disclosed Justice Department memos, President Bush once again denied the US tortures detainees, saying today that interrogation techniques save American lives, comply with “international obligations” and are fully disclosed to “appropriate members” of Congress. He said of detainees, “you bet we are going to...

Senate Shield Law Would Cover Bloggers

Controversial new measure defines 'journalist' broadly

(Newser) - A Senate bill that passed the Judiciary Committee yesterday would give bloggers the “reporter’s privilege” of protecting their sources. The federal shield law defines journalism broadly enough to include bloggers who write about public affairs. Critics, including US attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, say the bill would undermine national security,...

Mitt Veils His Mormonism
Mitt Veils His Mormonism
Oct 4, 2007 5:34 PM CDT

Mitt Veils His Mormonism

Disguising a central biographical peg leaves candidate Romney with authenticity problem

(Newser) - In downplaying his Mormonism, Mitt Romney is a candidate “who seems to have no history, and, as a result, no heart,” argues Newsweek. When Mitt boasts of his “Judeo-Christian tradition” roots, calls Jesus his “personal savior”—not Mormon terms—and says he hasn’t “...

Craig Can't Rescind Guilty Plea
Craig Can't Rescind Guilty Plea
Oct 4, 2007 2:06 PM CDT

Craig Can't Rescind Guilty Plea

Judge denies Idaho senator's request

(Newser) - A Minnesota judge today rejected Sen. Larry Craig's attempt to rescind his guilty plea in a June men's bathroom sex sting, saying it had been entered "accurately, voluntarily, and intelligently," CNN reports. There was no immediate response from the Idaho Republican, who had said he would resign if...

GOP Pillar Domenici Retiring From Senate

Hungry Democrats eye New Mexico seat

(Newser) - Senior New Mexico Senator Pete Domenici is expected to announce today that he won't seek reelection next year. The Republican lawmaker, 75, has been in the Senate for 35 years—six terms. His retirement sparks renewed hope among Democrats that they could capture a key seat in a state where...

Democrats Vote $150B For War
Democrats Vote $150B For War
Oct 2, 2007 3:06 AM CDT

Democrats Vote $150B For War

Will continue to pressure administration to end conflict

(Newser) - After failing to force the White House to bring significant numbers of troops home, Senate Democrats helped authorize another $150 billion to pay for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The 92-3 funding approval came as the House planned legislation that will require President Bush to produce a coherent exit...

Thompson Lacks Zeal, Charge Conservatives

Senate record reflects possible lack of passion for politics

(Newser) - Fred Thompson was supposed to be the conservative movement’s savior in the presidential campaign. But now, less than a month after entering the race, many on the right question his devotion to their causes and passion for politics, the New York Times reports. His record in the Senate reflects...

Dodd Fights to Redeem Dad
Dodd Fights to Redeem Dad
Sep 24, 2007 11:50 AM CDT

Dodd Fights to Redeem Dad

Father's letters illuminate Nuremberg prosecutor turned disgraced US senator

(Newser) - Chris Dodd is not only running for president, he's on a mission to fix his father's reputation. Dodd's late father, Thomas, also a US senator, was censured in 1967 for making personal use of campaign funds. Years earlier, he made his name at the Nuremberg trials, and his son's new...

Senate Passes FDA Drug Safety Bill

Measure would give agency more power over prescription drugs

(Newser) - The Senate moved the Food and Drug Administration drug-safety bill one step closer to law yesterday, passing it unanimously and sending it to President Bush, who is expected to sign it. The measure would grant the FDA more control over warnings on prescription drugs, and would allow the organization to...

FBI Taped Senator's Phone Calls in Corruption Probe

Feds recorded calls with oil contractor who bribed officials

(Newser) - The FBI secretly taped phone calls between Alaska Senator Ted Stevens and an oil businessman during an investigation into contract corruption, according to sources. The oil contractor agreed to the tapings last year after he was confronted with evidence that he had bribed other Alaska lawmakers, AP reports. Stevens acknowledged...

Bush Blasts Dems' Expanded Child Health Bill

Prez threatens veto despite bipartisan support in Senate

(Newser) - President Bush threatened to veto a children's health insurance bill today, knocking Democrats he said were politicizing the issue by moving too far toward universal health care. The Senate last month passed an expanded "S-chip" program that would cover an additional 4 million children currently uninsured, the New York ...

Senator Blocks Presidential Papers Bill

Anonymous hold delays attempt to overturn Bush's records-sealing order

(Newser) - An unidentified Republican senator is blocking a bill that would overturn President Bush's 2001 executive order allowing presidents to keep their papers permanently classified. The bill, approved by the House 333-93 in March, would easily survive a presidential veto if it passed the Senate. A hold is essentially a promise...

Agriculture Boss Leaving to Run for Senate

Critics quick to attack, question his timing

(Newser) - US Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns is resigning to run for the Nebraska senate seat that Rebublican Chuck Hagel will vacate at the end of 2008. Johanns' timing is less than perfect—he is leaving before Congress approves a new farm bill—something his campaign rivals will surely jump on, along...

Habeas Corpus Bill Withers in Senate

Combatants' rights measure lacks enough support to force a vote

(Newser) - A bill to allow terrorism suspects to challenge indefinite detention faltered in Washington today as only 56 Senate votes could be mustered to cut off debate on the habeas corpus measure. Sixty are needed for bills to move forward for a vote in the upper chamber; supporters said they might...

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