Former Sen. Fred Thompson, had TV and film roles, dead at 73
Fred Thompson, a folksy former Republican U.S. senator from Tennessee who appeared in feature films and television including a role on “Law & Order,” died Sunday, his family said. He…
Lamar Alexander
McConnell’s role in surveillance bill bewilders his friends
By CHARLES BABINGTON and LAURIE KELLMAN Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, generally seen as a master congressional deal-maker, walked into a legislative dead end on domestic surveillance that left some…
Education secretary says he backs annual testing
By KIMBERLY HEFLING Foreshadowing what could be a contentious battle with Congress, Education Secretary Arne Duncan said Monday that rolling back federal testing requirements in math and reading would deprive…
Obama proposes publicly funded community college for all
By NEDRA PICKLER President Barack Obama wants publicly funded community college available to all Americans, a sweeping proposal that would make higher education as accessible as a high school diploma…
Republicans push to update education law
By KIMBERLY HEFLING The No Child Left Behind education law could be making a political comeback. Sen. Lamar Alexander, the Tennessee Republican who is the incoming chairman of the Senate…
Emboldened after Cantor, tea party crows
By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS and PHILIP ELLIOTT Dave Brat smiles after defeating Republican Congressman Eric Cantor in the Republican primary for the 7th Congressional District in Virginia on Tuesday, June…
HEALTH CARE DIVIDES SOME REPUBLICAN SENATE RIVALS
By BILL BARROW FILE – In this March 20, 2010 file photo, Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Ga., speaks to people demonstrating against the health care bill on the U.S. Capitol steps…
DEMOCRATS VOTE TO CURB FILIBUSTERS ON APPOINTEES
By DAVID ESPO and ALAN FRAM Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., center, with Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin of Ill., at far right,…