WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate ethics committee on Friday admonished Roland Burris, saying he had been less than candid about his gubernatorial appointment to the Senate seat previously held by President Barack Obama.
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia (Reuters) - The United States must tighten control of Afghan aid contracts as a first step toward stemming rampant corruption, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Friday.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Other than President Barack Obama, perhaps no one's political future is riding more on the Senate battle to revamp the healthcare system than the chamber's Democratic majority leader, Harry Reid.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Senate Banking Committee will hold a confirmation hearing on Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's nomination to a second term as chief of the U.S. central bank December 3, the panel said on Friday.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - It's not just spending on U.S. healthcare that's hitting record levels. Drugmakers, insurers and industry groups are on track to spend an all-time high of more than $500 million this year to influence Congress' revamp of the U.S. healthcare system.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - One of three wavering U.S. Senate Democrats said on Friday he would vote to start the chamber's healthcare debate, bolstering the chances for a broad overhaul one day before its first crucial test.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Honduras' de facto leader should make good on an offer to step aside for a week so voters can focus on November 29 polls and resolve the country's political crisis, the U.S. State Department said Friday.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's announcement of a new strategy on Afghanistan will not take place until after the Thanksgiving holiday next week, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Friday.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Adding to lawmaker criticism of U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner's performance is a new survey released on Friday showing 42 percent of Americans say he has done a "poor job" handling the credit crisis and federal bailout programs.
MIAMI (Reuters) - West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin expects to sign bills giving the state's large cities pension-funding relief and approving the sale of $225 million in stimulus bonds, a spokesman said on Friday.
NY Republican advisers say Giuliani more interested in running for US Senate than governor. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, encouraged by many Republicans to run for governor in 2010, is instead leaning toward a run for U.S. Senate, according to two party advisers.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Afghan President Hamid Karzai is an "unworthy partner" who does not deserve a big boost either in U.S. troops or civilian aid, U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Budget shortfalls pose a direct threat to millions of U.S. jobs, many in the private sector, as state and local governments lay off workers and cut spending on contracts and other business services, a think tank said on Thursday.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Democratic-led U.S. Senate, having smashed through a Republican wall of opposition, confirmed on Thursday U.S. President Barack Obama's first and longest-stalled judicial nominee.
Republican governors seek victories in 2010 as GOP looks to rebuild. Thrilled with twin victories this month, Republican governors are looking to lead a party-wide resurgence in 2010 and shape the GOP for years to come.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. congressional panel on Thursday approved a measure to open the Federal Reserve's monetary policy decisions to government audits, a surprise blow to the central bank's efforts to shield its independence and a signal of frustration with the central bank.
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union says it finally has the answer to a question long attributed to former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger: Who do I call if I want to call Europe?
Conservatives heighten anti-gay attacks on openly gay Houston mayoral candidate Annise Parker. Conservatives in Houston who oppose the mayoral candidacy of Annise Parker because she is lesbian have mounted an anti-gay campaign to derail it. Parker and former city attorney Gene Locke were the two top vote-getters out of a field of seven on November 3 and will face each other in a December 12 runoff. The winner will lead the nation's fourth largest city. About 35,000 fliers featuring Parker being sworn into office as city controller while her partner of 20 years, Kathy Hubbard, looks on have been sent to voters, the 'Houston Chronicle' reported. ?Is this the image Houston wants to portray?? the flier asks. On the back, the flier includes the caption: ?Just because Annise Parker is a lesbian doesn't maker her qualified to be mayor of Houston.? The flier was the idea of long-time gay foe Dave Wilson, a 62-year-old sign company owner, who in 2001 formed the political action committee that p
Utah Senator Chris Buttars is looking to sponsor legislation that would limit gay rights. Utah Senator Chris Buttars is looking to sponsor legislation that would limit cities and counties in the state from enacting gay rights legislation, the 'Salt Lake Tribune' reported. Buttars, a fierce opponent of gay rights, said Thursday he'll consider supporting a bill modeled after Salt Lake City's recently approved measure that bans discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in the areas of housing and employment. The Mormon Church surprisingly supported the legislation, which was approved unanimously. ?Maybe we ought to have a statewide bill that allows those things,? he said. But Buttars, who is prominently featured in the new Reed Cowan documentary 8:The Mormon Proposition saying gay people are ?the meanest buggers I have ever seen,? is more likely attempting to limit gay rights in Utah. ?A person has a right to have a house or a job without worrying about their s
One lawmaker says gay marriage will be on the New Jersey Legislature's agenda next week. The New Jersey Legislature convenes for its lame duck session Monday and a gay marriage bill will be on the agenda, says one lawmaker. State Senator Loretta Weinberg says Senate leaders have assured her the bill will reach the Senate floor for a vote, nj.com reported. Weinberg, a Democrat, ran as Governor Corzine's running mate. Just last week, Senator Paul Sarlo, who chairs the Judiciary Committee overseeing the bill, said he would not bring up the bill unless enough committee members favored passing the bill on to the Senate floor. ?Today, as I stand here, we do not have the votes in the Judiciary Committee,? Sarlo, a Democrat from Wood-Ridge, told reporters. ?Until somebody can demonstrate that we have the votes in the Judiciary Committee, it will not be posted. I'm not going to put people in harm's way where they have to vote 'yes' or 'no' when we don't have the votes to get it out [of the comm
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - U.S. Senator John Kerry's elder daughter, Alexandra, who made a red-carpet splash at the Cannes film festival five years ago in a see-through dress, was arrested in Hollywood on Thursday on suspicion of drunken driving.
Conservative candidate who withdrew concession seeks cash to contest NY House race. A Conservative Party candidate is writing to supporters saying he lost a New York race for a U.S. House of Representatives seat because of scheming and needs money in case he lodges a legal challenge.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Expressing frustration over the Obama administration's light touch on China's yuan exchange rate, two U.S. senators asked the Commerce Department on Thursday to investigate alleged Chinese currency "manipulation."
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives voted on Thursday to boost Medicare payments to physicians in a move that could help shore up support from doctors for a sweeping Democratic-backed healthcare overhaul.
Republican advisers say Giuliani leaning toward Senate bid instead of governor's race. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has not decided whether to run for governor but is becoming more interested in running for U.S. Senate, two Republican advisers said Thursday.
PHOENIX (Reuters) - Some U.S. Democrats see momentum building for an overhaul of immigration laws that would legalize millions of undocumented workers, but analysts say a crowded agenda and struggling economy may once again sink hopes for reform next year.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States must combat China's trade-distorting industrial and currency policies with U.S. trade laws and by using the World Trade Organization, a congressional advisory body said on Thursday.
HAVANA (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama praised dissident Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez and said in a posting on her website on Thursday that he looks forward to the day "all Cubans can freely express themselves."
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. defense spending in coming years must rise roughly 6 percent on average from the record sum sought by President Barack Obama this year just to meet current plans, Congress's budget office said Wednesday.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York Governor David Paterson, facing a tough battle to keep his job, has fallen so low in public opinion that even his visual impairment that once earned him respect is being held against him.
SEOUL/MANILA (Reuters) - World powers could have a package of measures against Iran "within weeks," U.S. President Barack Obama said on Thursday, warning Tehran of consequences for its failure to respond to an offer of a nuclear deal.
KABUL (Reuters) - Death sentences imposed by Iran over unrest after disputed elections in June were unfortunate and distressing, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Thursday.
THE HAGUE (Reuters) - U.S. ambassador-at-large for war crimes issues Stephen Rapp made a debut appearance for the United States at the world's war crimes court Thursday and said the U.S. remained wary of politically driven prosecutions.
GENEVA (Reuters) - The World Trade Organization authorized Brazil Thursday to impose trade sanctions on the United States over its support for cotton, as Brazil ratcheted up pressure on Washington over the illegal subsidies.
SEOUL (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama said he was willing to help North Korea repair its economy and end decades of international isolation if Pyongyang stopped a cycle of threats and finally moved toward nuclear disarmament.
SEOUL (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama said on Thursday he had started talks with partners about the consequences of Iran's failure to respond to the offer of a nuclear deal.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Congress edged closer on Wednesday to creating new government powers to break up giant financial firms, which Europe is already doing, while a U.S. derivatives market crackdown got more complicated.
City leaders in Tampa, Florida have decided in favor of outlawing transgender discrimination. City leaders in Tampa, Florida have decided in favor of outlawing transgender discrimination. The City Council approved the measure that bans discrimination based on gender identity and expression in the areas of employment, housing and public accommodations with a 5-1 vote. District 6 Council member Charlie Miranda altered his previous yes vote during a November 19 second reading of the bill. Miranda was not available for comment. Gay groups Pride Tampa Bay, Equality Florida and Organizations United Together (OUT) rallied in favor of the legislation. ?In 38 states it's legal to fire otherwise qualified employees because of their gender identity or expression,? R. Zeke Fread, director of Pride Tampa Bay, said in an email. ?By adding gender identity and expression [to the list of protected classes] our council members are sending a clear and strong message that discrimination in the workplace,
New York's top court has rejected a bid to strip state employees who are gay of some benefits. New York's top court has rejected a bid to strip state employees who are gay of some benefits, the AP reported. The Christian-based Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) had challenged the state's gay marriage-recognition law, arguing such marriages are similar to incest and polygamy. The New York Court of Appeals' 4-3 decision, however, stops short of declaring that gay couples are entitled to all the rights of other married couples. The ruling comes on the heels of a similar ruling in California that declared the federal government's denial of spousal benefits to a gay public defender was unconstitutional. The California ruling, however, might have nationwide implications, while New York's is limited to the Empire State. The ruling could prompt the New York Senate to act on a gay marriage bill waiting for its approval to become law. Democratic leaders in the chamber have promised a vote on the bill b
A Texas candidate for attorney general says a clause in the state's gay marriage ban forbids all marriages. A Texas candidate for attorney general says a clause in the state's gay marriage ban forbids all marriages, the 'Star-Telegram' reported. Houston attorney Barbara Ann Radnofsky says the gay marriage amendment bans all marriages in the Lone Star state. ?You do not have to have a fancy law degree to read this and understand what it plainly says,? Radnosfsky told the paper referring to Subsection B, which says: ?This state or a political subdivision of this state may not create or recognize any legal status identical or similar to marriage.? The amendment defines marriage as ?the union of one man and one woman.? The amendment was approved by the Texas Legislature before being put up for a vote in 2005. Voters overwhelmingly approved the measure. Radnosfsky, a Democrat, says the wording of Subsection B effectively ?eliminates marriage in Texas,? including common-law marriages and bla
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. Senate committee voted unanimously on Wednesday to increase government oversight of food safety but the first significant overhaul in 50 years may not happen until 2010.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States expects to complete a review on how to spend $7.5 billion in proposed aid for Pakistan by the end of this month, with an early focus on the country's decrepit energy sector, senior U.S. officials said on Wednesday.
DAMASCUS (Reuters) - The United States will take in "substantial" numbers of Iraqi refugees next year, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Eric Schwartz said Wednesday.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The United States is eyeing side talks with key partners on services trade as a way to spur flagging World Trade Organization talks, the Obama administration's nominee for WTO ambassador said.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two U.S. senators vowed on Wednesday not to interfere with a criminal probe of the Fort Hood shootings but said they must move ahead with their own hearing into the rampage.
SEOUL (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama will discuss luring a reluctant North Korea back to nuclear dealings and a long-delayed trade pact with Seoul in talks with President Lee Myung-bak on Thursday at the end of his Asian tour.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Republican Senator John McCain on Wednesday strongly defended the top advisers from his 2008 presidential campaign in the face of sharp criticism from his vice presidential running mate, Sarah Palin.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Some of President Barack Obama's fellow Democrats urged him on Wednesday to abandon the Doha round of global trade talks and start over with an agenda to protect labor rights and environmental standards.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The United States is eyeing side talks with key partners on services trade as a way to spur flagging World Trade Organization talks, the Obama administration's nominee for WTO ambassador said.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senior Democrats in the House of Representatives are seeking a government investigation into recent price increases of brand-name prescription drugs, as Congress finalizes health reform overhaul.
