Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ

December 20, 2015

Senate passes $612 billion defense policy bill

Over White House objections, the Senate on Thursday passed a $612 billion defense policy bill that calls for arming Ukraine forces, prevents another round of base closures and makes it harder for President Obama to close the prison for terror suspects at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

December 20, 2015

Not extinct: 'Jurassic Pork' report flags projects that survived earmark ban

From a railroad theme park in Pennsylvania to a science center in San Francisco, a range of earmark projects have lived on long after the kind of earmarks that spawned them were banned, according to a new report released Thursday called "Jurassic Pork."

December 20, 2015

Obama signs bill to resume, overhaul NSA surveillance

President Obama Tuesday night signed legislation that passed Congress only hours earlier, restarting -- but also overhauling -- controversial government surveillance programs that went dark over the weekend after lawmakers missed a key deadline. 

December 20, 2015

Senate set to vote Thursday on Loretta Lynch confirmation after deal reached on anti-trafficking bill

The long-awaited confirmation vote on the nomination of Loretta Lynch for attorney general has been set for Thursday after Senate leaders reached a deal on an unrelated anti-human trafficking bill.

December 20, 2015

Beer battle brewing in Congress as craft producers seek tax break

A battle over beer is brewing on Capitol Hill. And it's over ... what else? Taxes.

December 20, 2015

Bill to undo Obama immigration actions, fund DHS fails in Senate test vote

A bill that would fund the Department of Homeland Security while also unraveling President Obama's immigration actions failed on a test vote in the Senate on Tuesday, likely forcing majority Republicans to come back with an alternative plan ahead of a looming funding deadline.

December 20, 2015

Dems block anti-human trafficking bill, GOP vows Lynch vote on hold until measure passes

Senate Democrats on Tuesday blocked a bill meant to help human-trafficking victims over objections to a controversial abortion provision, fueling a standoff that in turn is delaying a confirmation vote for President Obama's attorney general nominee.

December 20, 2015

GOP-led Senate fails to override Obama's Keystone veto, lawmakers say fight not over

The GOP-controlled Senate failed Wednesday to override President Obama’s veto of Keystone XL pipeline legislation but vowed to continue to fight to complete the project.

December 20, 2015

NSA bulk phone data collection program expires after Senate misses deadline

The National Security Agency's ability to collect the phone records of millions of Americans in bulk expired late Sunday after the Senate failed to strike a deal before the midnight deadline.

December 20, 2015

Final votes on Patriot Act, trade deal bill set dramatic stage for Congress’ return

The Senate’s failure to extend the USA Patriot Act will bring the legislation on NSA phone-record collection and other key surveillance activities perilously close to expiring on June 1, forcing senators to return early from recess for a rare Sunday session.