Texas House passes abortion law: why it matters beyond Lone Star State
Legislation passed Wednesday that would ban abortion after 20 weeks and impose other restrictions. Texas has played an outsized part in keeping the issue on the national agenda.
Linda Feldmann
Keystone XL pipeline: Did Obama just drop a big hint about his decision?
Obama said the Keystone XL pipeline would only be approved if it won’t increase greenhouse gas emissions. That cheered some foes of the project, but others see the president finding a way to say yes.
Gay rights bombshell: Why key ‘gay conversion’ group is closing
Exodus International, a leading practitioner of ‘gay conversion’ therapy, is closing after 37 years, as its president apologizes for causing ‘pain and hurt.’ A new ministry will replace it, leaving gay rights advocates wary.
Might Chris Christie put a Democrat in Frank Lautenberg’s Senate seat?
New Jersey Sen. Frank Lautenberg’s passing Monday gives Gov. Chris Christie a juicy opportunity to help Republicans cut into the Democratic majority in the Senate. But one can’t rule out that he’ll name a Democrat.
Kermit Gosnell trial: Will it affect abortion rights?
The sensational trial of Philadelphia abortionist Kermit Gosnell has shined a light on regulation of abortion facilities. Both sides of the debate point to the Gosnell case as evidence they are correct.
Alabama joins flood of states restricting abortion. What’s behind this?
The Alabama and Virginia legislatures just passed new measures, following stricter actions in North Dakota and Arkansas. To understand this latest wave, look to the tea party.
As clock ticks on ‘sequester,’ Washington runs short on ideas
President Obama takes to the bully pulpit again to blame Republicans even before sequester spending cuts begin. He’s positioning himself for the debate to come, not to prevent the cuts from starting March 1.
White House, gun advocates find small piece of common ground
President Obama’s FY2014 budget will double funding for the national ballistic imaging system, an aid to law enforcement. A participant in the Jan. 10 meeting with Biden had suggested the move.
Unveiling gun control initiative, Obama cites ‘common-sense measures’
Top of the president’s list: banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, making schools safer, and improving mental health services.
Obama warns of ‘disaster’ if House GOP doesn’t raise debt ceiling
In the final press conference of his first term, President Obama called on House Republicans to pay the bills Congress has already racked up. He also reiterated that he will not negotiate over the debt ceiling.
Gun control: Biden sees early consensus, but NRA cries foul
Vice President Joe Biden met with a number of groups Thursday, but the NRA objected to the focus of the meeting it attended. Universal background checks and limits on high-capacity magazines are two ideas emerging.
Why Susan Rice withdrew her name as secretary of State
Republican senators had vowed a fight if Obama nominated Susan Rice to be his next secretary of State. Their opposition centered on her erroneous public statements about the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya.
White House rejects GOP plan: Tax rates for top 2 percent must go up
It did not take long for the White House to dismiss the Republican deficit-cutting proposal, which raised revenues by capping deductions. Now both sides have laid down their markers.
Fiscal cliff: White House steps up pressure on GOP to reach a deal
White House economists warn that unless Congress extends expiring middle-class tax cuts ‘without delay,’ consumer confidence will take a hit at a critical holiday season for retailers.
Immigration reform: Obama predicts action, calls to ‘seize the moment’
In his first press conference since winning reelection, President Obama predicted quick action in Congress on comprehensive immigration reform after his inauguration in January.
For women at GOP convention, a mission to overcome Romney’s gender gap
At the GOP convention, some women are baffled that more females aren’t flocking to Mitt Romney. Others are organizing networks to contact friends who may need a nudge to support the Republican.
Todd Akin now trails Claire McCaskill by 10 points, poll shows
The latest Rasmussen poll shows Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri beating Rep. Todd Akin by 10 points, 48 percent to 38 percent. Before Akin’s comment on ‘legitimate rape,’ he was ahead.
Which side is winning the battle to define Paul Ryan?
The wisdom of adding Ryan to the ticket could be decided by how well he and Romney resolve their unsettled message on Medicare.
Are Romney and Ryan in sync on Medicare? It’s a work in progress
Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan appear to be very in tune on a personal level, but they are still working out the kinks of their different policy pronouncements — particularly on Medicare.
AFL-CIO chief’s message to Obama: ‘jobs, jobs, and more jobs’
Richard Trumka says President Obama will have to hammer home a message of ‘jobs, jobs, and more jobs’ to keep the support of white working-class men this election.