Senate opens showdown with Obama over Iran sanctions
By DEB RIECHMANN Senators in both parties squared off with the Obama administration Wednesday about whether the threat of new sanctions would scuttle nuclear talks with Iran as House Speaker…
Legislation
Obama’s address to pitch tax proposals to help middle class
By JULIE PACE President Barack Obama is turning to his biggest television audience of the year to pitch tax increases on the wealthiest Americans and put the new Republican Congress…
Arizona students must pass US citizenship test on civics
By BOB CHRISTIE Arizona high school students face the nation’s first requirement to pass the U.S. citizenship test on civics before they can graduate after the legislation sailed through the…
Rethinking the big speech that isn’t so big anymore
By JULIE PACE and NANCY BENAC The State of the Union just isn’t what it used to be. Sure, the pageantry and theatrics of the annual presidential address will all…
Senate Democrats look to tweak bill on Keystone XL pipeline
By DINA CAPPIELLO Democrats plan to use Senate consideration of the Keystone XL oil pipeline to get Republicans on the record about climate change and to resurrect parts of a…
Deciphering Obama’s chemistry with Congress _or lack of it
By NANCY BENAC He hardly ever calls. When he does, it’s all business. And that’s President Barack Obama’s vibe with top Democrats on Capitol Hill. With Republicans, there’s even less…
Boehner’s embrace of GOP rebels nudges House caucus to right
By CHARLES BABINGTON Die-hard House conservatives, after bungling a coup against House Speaker John Boehner, now look like winners who are pushing their Republican caucus farther right. Rather than punish…
House Republicans poised to pass pipeline bill as Senate wrangles
By DINA CAPPIELLO House Republicans are on track to easily pass legislation to authorize the construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline, moving the GOP-led Congress closer to a clash…