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December 20, 2015

Growing divide among Senate Republicans on spending bill?

Republican aren’t mincing words about some in their own party as the political divide grows and the deadline to pass a spending bill nears.  

December 20, 2015

A look inside the massive $1.1 trillion spending bill

School kids, truckers, marijuana smokers and fans of old-fashioned light bulbs are among millions of Americans with something extra riding on passage of a giant spending bill needed to keep the government running. The $1.1 trillion, 1,603-page bill awaiting a Monday Senate vote is mostly spending choices, such as adding $5.4 billion to fight the Ebola virus or trimming the Environmental Protection Agency's budget by $60 million. 

December 20, 2015

Massive defense bill clears Senate hurdle

A sweeping defense policy bill that would give the president authority to expand the campaign against Islamic militants has cleared a major hurdle.

December 20, 2015

Senate committee votes to authorize war against ISIS

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has voted to authorize President Obama's war against the Islamic State.

December 20, 2015

Spending bill includes significant Dodd-Frank change

Tucked into the 1,603-page omnibus spending bill put out by congressional leaders late Tuesday night was a significant change to the landmark 2010 Dodd-Frank financial reform law.

December 20, 2015

Congress moves to ease first lady-backed school meal rules

A massive year-end spending bill released Tuesday doesn't allow schools to opt out of healthier school meal standards championed by first lady Michelle Obama, as House Republicans had sought. But it would ease standards that require more whole grains in school foods.

December 20, 2015

With new majorities, GOP prepares for veto showdowns with Obama

After taking control of the Senate and widening their majority in the House of Representatives in the recent midterm elections, Republicans are preparing for new battles with the Obama administration, this time over vetoes. 

December 20, 2015

Wyden: No more ‘back doors’ in Americans’ computers, phones

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon wants to ban the practice of requiring tech companies to integrate back doors into their devices, allowing the federal government to snoop on Americans.

December 20, 2015

Congress sends Obama bill to stop Nazi benefits

A bill that would block suspected Nazi war criminals from receiving Social Security benefits is heading to President Barack Obama for his signature.

December 20, 2015

Senators seek, then postpone, new war authorization

Senators raised but then postponed an effort Thursday to advance a new legal justification for U.S. military operations against the Islamic State, highlighting the difficulty of carrying out what lawmakers say is their constitutional duty to declare war.