Barbara Mikulski

Draconian budget cuts set to kick in automatically in two weeks will severely hinder American diplomacy at a time of growing threats around the world, US Secretary of State John Kerry has warned.

Congress on Monday finally approved more than $50 billion in emergency disaster aid for victims of Hurricane Sandy, 13 weeks after the superstorm ravaged much of the coastal US northeast and left thousands homeless.

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are on the brink of letting their nation slide over the so-called fiscal cliff -- leaving senators to fume that nobody does dysfunction better than the US Congress.

Daniel Inouye of Hawaii was one of the last World War II heroes in Congress, a loyal voice for minorities and the disenfranchised who eventually became the longest-serving member of the US Senate.

The site where twin NASA spacecraft impacted the moon on Monday has been named in honor of the late Sally Ride. The site where twin NASA spacecraft impacted the moon on Monday has been named in honor of the late Sally Ride. Ebb and Flow, the two spacecraft? comprising NASA's Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission, were commanded to descend into low orbit and impact on a mountain near the moon's north pole. Ebb and Flow, which were launched in September 2011 to orbit the moon, were running out of fuel to continue their scientific missions. ?Sally was all about getting the job done, whether it be in exploring space, inspiring the next generation, or helping make the GRAIL mission the resounding success it is today,? GRAIL principal investigator Maria Zuber of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge said in a statement. ?As we complete our lunar mission, we are proud we can honor Sally Ride's contributions by naming this corner of the moon after her.? ?Sal

US senators called for a comprehensive probe into security protocols at US facilities worldwide Friday after protests that left four Americans dead and several missions torched or breached.

A US lawmaker's fight for his political life after shock comments about "legitimate rape" put Republicans on the defensive Tuesday ahead of White House hopeful Mitt Romney's nomination.

Sally Ride, the first American woman to journey into space, died on Monday after a 17-month battle with pancreatic cancer, her foundation announced. She was 61.

Sally Ride, the first American woman to journey into space, died on Monday after a 17-month battle with pancreatic cancer, her foundation announced. She was 61.

US Senate Republicans blocked a bill that would have made it easier for women to sue their employers to ensure pay equality, a move President Barack Obama called "incredibly disappointing".

She stands 4'11" (1.5 meters) and had trouble being seen over the microphones when elected. Thirty-five years later, Barbara Mikulski is a towering figure in the Senate, the longest-serving female lawmaker in the US Congress.

Nearly half of all U.S. Democratic senators support an effort to add marriage equality to the 2012 Democratic Party Platform. ?Nearly half of all U.S. Democratic senators support an effort to add marriage equality to the 2012 Democratic Party Platform, gay weekly The Washington Blade reported. Last month, Freedom to Marry launched the Democrats: Say I Do campaign, which calls on the Democratic National Committee (DNC) to endorse marriage equality in this year's platform. The DNC will ratify the document during its national convention, which begins September 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The effort has been endorsed by seven Obama for America co-chairs and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Twenty-two senators expressed support, including Michael Bennet of Colorado, Chris Coons of Delaware, Dianne Feinstein of California, Barbara Mikulski of Maryland, Ron Wyden of Oregon, Ben Cardin of Maryland, John Kerry of Massachusetts, Carl Levin of Michigan, Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Patty Murray

(Reuters) - Senator Olympia Snowe's decision to not seek re-election in November has roiled politics in Maine with both of the state's U.S. House members and at least two former governors considering runs for her seat.

(Reuters) - Senator Olympia Snowe's decision against seeking re-election in November has roiled politics in Maine with both of the state's U.S. House members and at least two former governors considering runs for her seat.

BELLEFONTE, Pa (Reuters) - Former Penn State University assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky on Tuesday abruptly waived his right to a preliminary hearing on child sex abuse charges, meaning his case will go straight to trial.

BELLEFONTE, Pa (Reuters) - Former Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky on Tuesday abruptly waived his right to a preliminary hearing on child sex abuse charges, delaying by several months the first public testimony from his accusers.

BELLEFONTE, Pa (Reuters) - Former Penn State University assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky on Tuesday abruptly waived his right to a preliminary hearing on child sex abuse charges, meaning his case will go straight to trial.

Two high-profile US child sex abuse cases involving college assistant coaches have sparked calls for more background checks and tighter scrutiny on adults working with youth in sports.

US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke on Thursday briefed the US Senate's Democratic majority on the danger to the United States from the eurozone crisis threatening the world economy, lawmakers said.

Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski will co-sponsor a bill that would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski on Thursday announced she will co-sponsor a bill that would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which forbids federal agencies from recognizing the legal marriages of gay and lesbian couples. Last month, Freedom to Marry presented Mikulski with a petition signed by more than 3,000 people urging the senator to back the bill. Mikulski announced her decision on Facebook and Twitter. ?I am proud to co-sponsor legislation to repeal key provisions of the Defense of Marriage Act,? Mikulski told gay weekly the Washington Blade. ?I believe all Americans are entitled to equal protection under the law and all of our citizens deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.? Gay marriage supporters believe a Maryland delegation united in favor of DOMA repeal would assist in passage of a state marriage equality bill to be introduced by Governor Marti