Congress

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Congress Votes to Stop Stockpiling Oil
Congress
Votes to Stop Stockpiling Oil
updated
May 13, 2008 9:44 PM CDT

Congress Votes to Stop Stockpiling Oil

House and Senate want no more sent to national reserve

(Newser) - The House and Senate voted today for a pause in deposits to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in an effort to stem rising prices, the Los Angeles Times reports. The White House expressed skepticism about the measure, but the Senate backed it 97-1 and the House passed a similar bill 385-25....

Menthol Gets Free Pass in Cigarette Bill

Other flavored smokes face ban, but industry protects cash cow

(Newser) - Congress is preparing to vote on legislation that would ban almost all flavored cigarettes—except menthol, the most prevalent flavoring of all. The bill would eliminate kinds like cloves and cinnamon that appeal to kids, but make an exception for menthol—which lures new smokers by masking the harshness of...

Rep. Frank Emerges as Political Peacemaker

Witty Mass. Democrat willing to forge deals between left-wing base, White House

(Newser) - Barney Frank has taken on a central role in Congress: that of an inter-party deal-maker. While he doesn’t hesitate to voice his strong opinions—often with a healthy dose of wit—Republicans and Democrats respect the man administration officials have called “scary smart,” the New York Times...

GM's SUVs May Get Smaller
 GM's SUVs May Get Smaller 
May 9, 2008 2:55 PM CDT

GM's SUVs May Get Smaller

Firm considers switch to car chassis

(Newser) - General Motors has long used truck chassis as the foundation of its largest SUVs: the Escalades, Tahoes, and Yukons. But with fuel costs going nowhere but up and stricter fuel standards on the horizon, GM is considering switching those models to lighter car-sized underpinnings when they come up for redesign...

Dems Score 'Safe' GOP Seat in Louisiana

Special vote costs Republicans House spot held since 1974

(Newser) - A Democrat snagged a Louisiana congressional seat long held by Republicans yesterday, strengthening Dems’ grip on the House, the AP reports. A special election followed the resignation of 20-year incumbent  Richard Baker and awarded the seat to Don Cazayoux after over 30 years of GOP control. Cazayoux took 49% of...

Food Prices May Force Cuts in Farm Subsidies

Normally 'untouchable' price supports at risk in Congress

(Newser) - Soaring food prices are putting pressure on Congress to withdraw some of the billions in  farm subsidies and ethanol incentives that have been considered politically untouchable for decades, the Los Angeles Times reports. With average farm income more than $89,000 this year—30% above the national average—the White...

Bush: $770M Needed For Food Aid

Congress must approve money, part of a larger Iraq funding measure

(Newser) - Amid rising food prices and overtaxed international reserves, President Bush proposed a new $770 million aid package today, Reuters reports. The money is part of a supplemental $70 billion measure that also includes Iraq war funding and would require a vote in Congress.

House Says No To Genetic Discrimination

Bush has pledged to sign bill; hoorays from docs and scientists

(Newser) - A long-suffering bill outlawing genetic discrimination by health insurers and in the workplace sailed through the House today, and President Bush has pledged to sign it into law, Reuters reports. The bill, forms of which have kicked around Washington for 13 years, forbids insurers from denying coverage based on genetic...

Lawmakers Give Up Guzzlers—Grudgingly

Energy bill amendment forces House reps to ditch taxpayer-funded gas-guzzlers

(Newser) - Last year's energy bill requiring House members to drive eco-friendly vehicles—if taxpayers are footing the bill—has some reps turning green at the thought of giving up their gas guzzlers, reports the Los Angeles Times. "I guarantee you my district is not upset that I'm driving a Chevy...

Heparin Victims Testify on Hill
 Heparin Victims Testify on Hill 
Apr 29, 2008 4:30 PM CDT

Heparin Victims Testify on Hill

Man outraged that drug was approved for sale

(Newser) - Relatives of some of the 81 Americans whose deaths have been linked to tainted heparin told a Congressional subcommittee about their experiences today, Reuters reports. An Ohio man wept as he told lawmakers his wife and son, who had a genetic kidney disease, died within a month after being given...

Truckers Protest Fuel Prices
 Truckers Protest Fuel Prices 
Apr 28, 2008 4:10 PM CDT

Truckers Protest Fuel Prices

List of demands includes end to oil-company subsidies

(Newser) - Truckers led a convoy of vehicles around the National Mall today in Washington to protest high fuel prices, the AP reports. Drivers from the group Truckers and Citizens United converged on DC for an afternoon rally to try to influence Congress to end oil-company subsidies, supplement supply with oil from...

Executive Privilege Goes to Court
Executive Privilege
Goes to Court
Apr 25, 2008 9:48 PM CDT

Executive Privilege Goes to Court

Ruling in lawmakers' challenge could cement power grab

(Newser) - The civil suit brought by Congress as it investigates the 2005-06 firings of US attorneys is becoming a groundbreaking constitutional tussle that could decide the true scope of executive privilege. The precedent that could be set in the ruling from a US district court is now more significant than the...

Senate Passes Bill Banning Genetic Bias

Law, approved 95-0, would protect people with hereditary risks

(Newser) - The Senate unanimously approved a bill today banning discrimination by employers and health insurers based on the results of genetic tests, the Los Angeles Times reports. Senators hope the measure will encourage testing for those who have abstained out of fear of professional or financial repercussions. The bill is expected...

Bush Plan Cuts Growth of Greenhouse Gases by 2025

President outlines broad plan to shape debate in Congress

(Newser) - President Bush set 2025 as the target date by which the US should stop the growth of greenhouse emissions from coal power plants, the AP reports. The goal is for those plant emissions to peak in 10 to 15 years, then begin declining. Bush called for legislation to introduce incentives...

Housing Bill Loaded with Corporate Tax Breaks

But little to prevent foreclosures

(Newser) - The bill was rushed through the Senate to come to the aid of homeowners facing foreclosure, but it turns out that some of its biggest beneficiaries are automakers, airlines and energy producers. The Senate’s housing bill is packed with billions in corporate tax cuts, the New York Times reports....

Greenies Find God Might Be the Answer
Greenies Find God Might Be the Answer
Apr 15, 2008 11:56 AM CDT

Greenies Find God Might Be the Answer

Eco lobby partners with the pulpit to get through to Congress

(Newser) - How much carbon would Jesus use? Not much, say the religious communities now teaming with environmentalists to lobby Capitol Hill. As a carbon-capping bill approaches the Senate, eco-advocates hope that church partnerships will re-frame the debate, and religious leaders rail against the desecration of divine creation and the suffering of...

Rumsfeld to Pen Memoirs
 Rumsfeld to Pen Memoirs 
Apr 15, 2008 6:04 AM CDT

Rumsfeld to Pen Memoirs

Proceeds will go to foundation

(Newser) - Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, one of the architects of the war in Iraq who resigned from the Bush administration when the US became mired in the insurgency, is writing his memoirs, Reuters reports. The 75-year-old former congressman won't take an advance and will donate the book's proceeds to a...

War Killing Economy, Democrat Says

Lawmaker calls war a 'leading cause' of economic woes

(Newser) - While President Bush touted a "turnaround" in Iraq today, one lawmaker called the war "a leading cause" of America's economic woes, the Swamp blog reports. Test-driving the Democrat’s new anti-war argument, Kentucky Representative John Yarmuth blasted General Petraeus for advocating “more of the same, with U....

Frank is Dems' Unlikely Lead Economy Dog
Frank is Dems' Unlikely Lead Economy Dog
Profile
Apr 10, 2008 11:37 AM CDT

Frank is Dems' Unlikely Lead Economy Dog

Mass. rep huddles with Paulson, Bernanke on housing measure

(Newser) - Democratic Rep. Barney Frank has become an unlikely power player in Washington’s “new economic trio” with Ben Bernanke and Henry Paulson, writes David Rogers in Politico. His pet plan—a “humongous housing deal” to steady an ailing market—might be a tough sell to the White House,...

Pelosi, Dems Hijack Colombia Free-Trade Deal

They change House rules to avoid a vote, angering Bush

(Newser) - Congressional Democrats thumbed their noses today at Bush's renewed efforts to pass a free-trade pact with Colombia. Bush sent the bill over Monday, mandating Congress to vote yea or nay within 90 days. Or so he thought. Nancy Pelosi is changing the House rules and won't allow a vote until...

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