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Domestic Policies December 20, 2015

Syria strike campaign sidelines push for immigration bill, other debates

President Obama’s decision to ask lawmakers to back a military strike on Syria could have a far-reaching impact on the rest of his administration's and Congress' agenda, as the debate pushes off votes on some critical items early in the president's second term. 

Republicans December 20, 2015

Picture this: Time for officials to pay for their own portraits, lawmaker says

A Louisiana Republican has introduced a bill to put an end to taxpayers footing the bill for official, commissioned portraits of Washington’s movers and shakers.

SENATE December 20, 2015

New problems for Syria strike push as video reportedly shows rebel-led executions

The momentum for a U.S. strike in Syria faces a fresh challenge on Capitol Hill as new evidence surfaces that could complicate the Obama administration’s case. A new video smuggled out of Syria purportedly showing rebel fighters executing seven unarmed government soldiers is raising questions over whether the U.S. should intervene militarily in the ongoing Syrian conflict and the unintended consequences of instability in the region.

Republicans December 20, 2015

ObamaCare faces another delay, lawmaker calls implementation ‘train wreck’

The Department of Health and Human Services informed insurance companies Tuesday it is delaying signing the final agreements between the government and insurance providers whose plans will be sold on federal health insurance exchanges.

Deficit December 20, 2015

Debt ceiling, government shutdown battles simmer in summer recess

The Washington dance of flirting with fiscal catastrophe intensified this week, as the Obama administration warned House Republicans that a deal on increasing the federal debt limit may have to come sooner than expected. 

Legislation December 20, 2015

Tennessee state legislator to challenge Sen. Alexander

Sen. Lamar Alexander's efforts to ward off a primary challenge from the right fell short Tuesday with Tennessee state Rep. Joe Carr's announcement that he will mount a tea party challenge for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate.

Legislation December 20, 2015

Arizona legislation planned on responders' benefits

Some of the firefighters killed in the Yarnell Hill Fire were only seasonal Prescott city employees so their families don't qualify for full survivors' benefits, but a legislative leader wants to change that.

Legislation December 20, 2015

Lawmakers introduce legislation in the House to reform NCAA

Lawmakers from Pennsylvania and Ohio introduced legislation in the House of Representatives that would require NCAA schools to guarantee four-year scholarships to athletes who play collision sports and due process for schools accused of breaking rules.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 20, 2015

House tightens controls on visa-free travel to US

Driven by the Paris terror attacks, the House voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to tighten controls on travel to the U.S. and require visas for anyone who's been in Iraq or Syria in the previous five years.

Budget December 20, 2015

Ryan: Short-term spending bill needed to prevent shutdown

Speaker Paul Ryan says the House will pass a short-term bill to prevent the government from shutting down this weekend.

Budget December 20, 2015

Ryan says wrap-up budget, tax talks going slowly

House Speaker Paul Ryan says Congress may miss its Friday deadline to wrap up a huge $1.1 trillion spending bill and an ambitious renewal of tax breaks for businesses and individuals.