National Political

Ethics panel admonishes Obama Senate replacement  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:39 EST

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.

 

U.S. to tighten control of Afghan contracts: Gates  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:56 EST

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.

 

Senate leader at risk in healthcare battle  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:42 EST

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.

 

Senate announces Bernanke confirmation hearing  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:55 EST

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.

 

U.S. healthcare companies set for record lobbying in 2009  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:46 EST

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.

 

Moderate Democrat boosts Senate healthcare bill  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:44 EST

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.

 

U.S. urges Honduras de facto leader to step aside  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:40 EST

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.

 

No Obama decision on Afghan until after Thanksgiving  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:26 EST

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.

 

Nearly half of Americans rate Geithner performance "poor"  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:18 EST

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.

 

West Virginia governor to approve pension rescue, new bonds  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:26 EST

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.

 

AP sources: Giuliani leaning toward Senate run  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:19 EST

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.

 

Pelosi calls Afghan Karzai "unworthy partner"  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:41 EST

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.

 

State, local budget cuts a "time bomb" for U.S. jobs  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:15 EST

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.

 

Senate confirms long-stalled Obama judicial pick  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:14 EST

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.

 

GOP governors push for 2010 party rebirth  Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:30 EST

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.

 

House panel OKs plan to open Fed policy to audits  Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:50 EST

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.

 

EU says it has solved the Kissinger question  Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:00 EST

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?

 

Annise Parker Ignores Anti-Gay Attacks  Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:00 EST

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 Lawmaker Wants To End Gay Rights Creep  Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:00 EST

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

 

Gay Marriage On The Agenda Next Week For New Jersey?  Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:00 EST

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

 

John Kerry's daughter arrested in Hollywood  Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:35 EST

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 seeks cash to contest NY House race  Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:45 EST

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.

 

Senators seek probe into China's yuan peg  Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:41 EST

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."

 

U.S. House votes to boost Medicare pay to doctors  Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:28 EST

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.

 

GOP advisers: Giuliani leans toward a Senate race  Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:44 EST

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.

 

Busy agenda clouds hopes for immigration reform  Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:21 EST

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.

 

Congress urged to combat China trade practices  Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:19 EST

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.

 

Obama praises dissident Cuban blogger Sanchez  Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:28 EST

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."

 

Pentagon budget must rise to fund current plans  Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:29 EST

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.

 

Embattled NY governor bashed for visual impairment  Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:46 EST

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.

 

U.S. warns Iran of consequences over standoff  Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:12 EST

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.

 

Iran unrest death sentences "distressing": Clinton  Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:02 EST

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.

 

U.S. makes debut attendance at Hague war crimes court  Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:24 EST

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.

 

WTO authorizes Brazil sanctions over U.S. cotton  Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:20 EST

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.

 

Obama ready to help a non-nuclear North Korea  Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:29 EST

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.

 

Obama says starts talks with partners over Iran  Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:10 EST

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.

 

Financial reforms grind forward in Congress  Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:14 EST

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.

 

Tampa Approves Transgender Protections  Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:00 EST

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,

 

NY Court Rejects Bid To Strip Gay Couples Of Benefits  Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:00 EST

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

 

Texas Candidate: Gay Marriage Amendment Bans All Marriages  Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:00 EST

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

 

U.S. food safety likely to get overhaul in 2010  Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:35 EST

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.

 

U.S. near end of Pakistan aid review, focus on energy  Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:34 EST

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.

 

U.S. pledges to keep taking in Iraqi refugees  Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:24 EST

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.

 

Side talks on services could spur WTO: U.S. nominee  Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:23 EST

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.

 

Senate to press ahead with probe into Fort Hood  Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:15 EST

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.

 

Obama to end Asia tour with talks on North Korea  Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:14 EST

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.

 

McCain defends campaign team against Palin  Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:07 EST

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.

 

Obama's Democrats call for trade policy overhaul  Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:23 EST

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.

 

Side talks on services could spur WTO: U.S. nominee  Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:44 EST

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.

 

Democrats seek study of drug prices hikes  Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:15 EST

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.