Apr
30
2005
A Rocky First 100 Days for New Bush Term photo
WASHINGTON (AP) – One hundred days into his second term, President Bush has lost much of the political muscle he boasted about after winning re-election. Gas prices are rising, his approval ratings are sagging and Americans are unhappy with his handling of the economy and Iraq. Now he’s trying to…
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House GOP Eye Social Security Draft photo
WASHINGTON (AP) – House Republicans injected new urgency Friday into their drive to overhaul Social Security, unveiling plans to draft legislation in June and brushing aside Democratic claims they intend to cut benefits for middle-class retirees. “I’m confident we’re going to get something done,”…
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Ex-Georgia Sen. Zell Miller Hospitalized photo
GAINESVILLE, Ga. (AP) – Former Sen. Zell Miller fell ill while giving a speech Thursday night and was taken to a hospital emergency room. His wife said he had flu-like symptoms. Miller, 73, was in stable condition at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, according to nursing supervisor Tammy Harbison….
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Negroponte Takes Over Daily Briefings
WASHINGTON (AP) – For the first time, new national intelligence director John Negroponte stepped into the Oval Office this week to present President Bush with his classified daily intelligence briefing. The Wednesday morning session came as the administration is rethinking the way the government…
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Official Says Bolton Flouted Travel Rules photo
WASHINGTON (AP) – John R. Bolton, the embattled nominee to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, regularly tried to set up meetings abroad with Russian, British and French officials without notifying the U.S. Embassy or the State Department, the outgoing head of the department’s European…
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Secretary Pick Sparks Outcry in California photo
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed the superintendent of San Diego schools Friday to be state education secretary, a pick that alarmed the teachers union and signaled continued friction between the governor and organized labor. Alan Bersin, 58, will take the job when Richard…
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Wisconsin Governor Vetoes Voter ID Bill
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Gov. Jim Doyle vetoed a bill Friday that would have required voters to show government-issued picture identification at the polls, saying it would disenfranchise elderly voters. Republicans had argued that the bill would help eliminate the potential for fraud during elections,…
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Prosecutors to Investigate L.A. Candidate
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Prosecutors said Friday they were looking into out-of-state donations to mayoral candidate Antonio Villaraigosa, one day after the city councilman said he was returning $47,000 from workers of two Florida-based companies. Mayor James Hahn had asked the city Ethics Commission to…
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Memo Describes Allegations Against Mfume
BALTIMORE (AP) – Kweisi Mfume said someone was trying to hurt his candidacy for the Senate by leaking an internal NCAAP memo that outlined claims that he gave preferential treatment to a subordinate he dated while president of the civil rights organization. “It clearly came from someone trying to…
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Ex-Senator Joins Kinky Friedman’s Campaign
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – A former senator who engineered Jesse Ventura’s surprise election as Minnesota governor is joining author Kinky Friedman’s independent bid for governor of Texas. Former Sen. Dean Barkley, who has recently been a consultant and lobbyist, will serve as campaign director and…
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Congress Passes Budget That Cuts Medicaid photo
WASHINGTON (AP) – A $2.6 trillion budget outline barely approved by Congress will cut projected spending on Medicaid for the poor, lock in tax cuts and – Republicans claim – put the country on a path toward lower federal deficits. Democrats unanimously opposed the spending outline passed late… |
Apr
29
2005
Bush Pushes for Soc. Sec., Energy Bills photo
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Bush urged Congress to enact contentious Social Security and energy legislation and confirm his controversial court nominees Thursday night, prodding lawmakers to act on an ambitious second-term agenda. “I’m not surprised that some are balking at doing hard work,” Bush…
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Congress Passes Budget That Cuts Medicaid photo
WASHINGTON (AP) – Congress narrowly passed a $2.6 trillion budget Thursday that would cut back spending on the Medicaid health care program for the first time since 1997 in a step toward trimming federal deficits. The Senate voted 52-47 to approve the blueprint of tax and spending priorities just…
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Bush Pitches Less Soc. Sec. for Better-Off photo
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Bush, trying to set off a depth charge under Social Security negotiations, on Thursday proposed asking future middle and higher-income retirees to accept smaller benefit checks than they’re currently slated to receive. In a prime-time news conference, Bush said a system…
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Ex-Georgia Sen. Zell Miller Hospitalized
GAINESVILLE, Ga. (AP) – Former Sen. Zell Miller fell ill while giving a speech Thursday night and was taken to a hospital emergency room. His wife said he had flu-like symptoms. Miller, 73, was in stable condition at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, according to nursing supervisor Tammy Harbison….
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Kansas Anti-Abortion Bill Veto Sticks
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – Anti-abortion lawmakers failed Thursday to override Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ veto of a bill imposing additional regulations on clinics that perform abortions. The state House vote was 82-42 – two votes short of the minimum needed to send the bill to the Senate, where some…
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Pentagon Shows Flag-Draped Coffin Photos photo
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Pentagon, under pressure from open-government advocates, released hundreds of images Thursday of flag-draped coffins of American soldiers. The Pentagon had previously refused to release such images, which were taken by military photographers. Nor has it allowed the news media…
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GAO: Government’s Crash Test Needs Work
WASHINGTON (AP) – The government’s crash test program for vehicles needs an upgrade to remain relevant as automobiles and safety risks change, congressional investigators said Thursday. The usefulness of the crash test program – which includes a star-rating system – has diminished with the growing…
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L.A. Mayoral Candidate Returns Donations
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Mayoral candidate Antonio Villaraigosa will return $47,000 in donations from workers and their relatives at two Miami-based companies, his campaign said Thursday. The announcement came just hours after lawyers for Mayor James Hahn requested the city Ethics Commission investigate…
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Frist Won’t Budge on Filibuster Demands photo
WASHINGTON (AP) – Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist refused to budge Thursday on his demand that Democrats forgo filibusters against all of President Bush’s past or present appeals court nominations. “Throughout this debate, we have held firm to a simple principle, judicial nominees deserve…
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Memo Describes Allegations Against Mfume
BALTIMORE (AP) – Senate candidate Kweisi Mfume on Thursday disputed allegations that he gave preferential treatment to a subordinate he dated while he was president of the NAACP. Mfume said someone was trying to hurt his Senate candidacy by leaking the internal NCAAP memo that outlined the claims….
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Calif. Attorney General Won’t Run for Gov. photo
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – California Attorney General Bill Lockyer dropped plans Thursday to run for governor, citing a wish to avoid the partisan attacks and heavy fundraising required to take on Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Lockyer said he would instead run for state treasurer. The Democrat…
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Apr
28
2005
House Votes to Reverse GOP Ethics Rules photo
WASHINGTON (AP) – The House, with grudging Republican support, voted Wednesday to reverse GOP ethics rules that Democrats charged were designed to protect Majority Leader Tom DeLay. The Republicans heeded Speaker Dennis Hastert’s call for a retreat to end a deadlock that has kept the evenly…
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House OKs Bill Toughening Abortion Consent
WASHINGTON (AP) – The House passed a bill Wednesday that would make it illegal to dodge parental-consent laws by taking minors across state lines for abortions, the latest effort to chip away at abortion rights after Republican gains in the November elections. By 270-157, the House sent the bill…
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Bush Touts Technology to Solve Energy Woes photo
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Bush called for construction of more nuclear power plants and urged Congress on Wednesday to give tax breaks for fuel-efficient hybrid and clean-diesel cars. He also said he was powerless to bring down high gasoline costs. Calling the problem one of not having enough…
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Ex-N.J. Governor Resigns From Law Firm
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) – Amid conflict of interest allegations, former Gov. James E. McGreevey resigned Wednesday from a law firm that hired him last year after he left office over a homosexual affair. The allegations involve McGreevey’s legal work on behalf of companies his administration selected…
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Salazar Backs Off ‘Antichrist’ Comment
DENVER (AP) – Colorado Democratic Sen. Ken Salazar, locked in a bitter tussle with a conservative Christian group over President Bush’s judicial nominees, referred to the group as “the Antichrist.” He backed off Wednesday, saying he regretted using the term. Salazar attacked Focus on the Family…
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Polls Find NYC Mayor Ahead of Challengers
NEW YORK (AP) – Republican Mayor Michael Bloomberg has pulled ahead of his Democratic challengers and would win another term if voters had to decide now, according to a poll released Wednesday. A Marist College Institute for Public Opinion survey found Bloomberg leading the Democratic…
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Gore Blasts GOP Bid to Block Filibusters photo
WASHINGTON (AP) – Former Vice President Al Gore on Wednesday blamed Republican “lust for one-party domination” for the GOP campaign to change Senate rules on filibustering judicial nominees, and he assailed religious zealots for driving the effort. Wading into the political fight that has roiled…
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GOP Plans Vote to Overcome Dems’ EPA Block
WASHINGTON (AP) – Senate Republicans will try this week to overcome a Democratic senator’s block on President Bush’s nominee to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. Republicans on Wednesday set up a confrontation over the hold on Stephen Johnson’s nomination imposed by Sen. Thomas Carper,…
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U.S. Says Groups Aid al-Qaida Terrorists
WASHINGTON (AP) – Freelance terror operations, either affiliated with al-Qaida or inspired by its goals, are a growing menace as the terrorist network’s loss of central leadership degrades its potency, the State Department said Wednesday. Nevertheless, Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaida remained “the…
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GOP Wants to Curb Medicaid Estate Planning
WASHINGTON (AP) – To slow the rapidly growing Medicaid program, some lawmakers would like to make it harder for the elderly to shelter their assets as a way to have the government cover more of their nursing home expenses. GOP members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee asked state Medicaid…
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Budget Negotiations to Cut Medicaid Falter
WASHINGTON (AP) – Negotiations faltered Wednesday toward a budget agreement that would slow the growth in Medicaid spending, a spokesman for a key Republican senator said. Medicaid became the central point of negotiations after the Senate, led by Oregon Republican Gordon Smith, voted to strike… |
Apr
27
2005
Partisan Divide on Social Security Widens photo
WASHINGTON (AP) – From the buttoned-down confines of a Senate hearing room to a boisterous outdoor rally nearby, Democrats took on President Bush and his Social Security proposals with gusto on Tuesday and rebuffed pleas for bipartisanship from frustrated Republicans. “If he’s going out to push…
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Committee Prepares Questions for Bolton photo
WASHINGTON (AP) – Members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee prepared a list of about 20 questions Tuesday for John R. Bolton, including requests for e-mails and telephone logs relating to confrontations he has had with intelligence analysts, according to Senate staff. Bolton, President…
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Frist Rejects Deals in Filibuster Fight photo
WASHINGTON (AP) – Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist on Tuesday rejected compromise offers that would allow minority Democrats to continue to block judicial nominees, saying all of President Bush’s past and future court choices deserve confirmation votes from the GOP-controlled Senate. “At the end…
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House GOP Weighs Ethics Panel Concessions
WASHINGTON (AP) – House Republican leaders weighed additional concessions to Democrats Tuesday night as they struggled to limit political fallout from a virtual shutdown of the ethics committee. GOP officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said party leaders were considering options…
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Bush Offers Boost to Embattled DeLay photo
GALVESTON, Texas (AP) – President Bush praised House Majority Leader Tom DeLay on Tuesday and gave him an Air Force One ride back to Washington as the administration worked to cool grumbling about the embattled Texas congressman. The White House denied that DeLay’s appearance with Bush at a Social…
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Bush Threatens Veto on Highway Bill photo
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Bush administration issued a veto threat again Tuesday against a popular highway bill, saying the president would be likely to reject any legislation that exceeds a White House-set spending ceiling or adds to the deficit. The administration, in saying the legislation “should…
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House, Senate Republicans Work on Budget
WASHINGTON (AP) – House and Senate Republicans worked Tuesday toward agreement on a budget blueprint that calls for shaving roughly $10 billion from projected Medicaid spending over the next five years, according to officials familiar with the discussions. Negotiators said no agreement had been…
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Records Show DeLay, Lobbyist Daily Contact photo
WASHINGTON (AP) – Tom DeLay and his top aides were often in daily contact with lobbyist Jack Abramoff during the mid-1990s as the lobbyist made campaign contributions and arranged travel for the House leader while seeking legislative help for a multimillion-dollar client, according to law firm…
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Senators Continue to Push Asbestos Bill
WASHINGTON (AP) – Lawmakers said Tuesday they plan to push ahead with legislation to ban asbestos liability lawsuits in exchange for a $140 billion trust fund despite lingering opposition from some interest groups. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter and the panel’s top Democrat,…
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Weld Considers Run for N.Y. Governor photo
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) – Former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld said Tuesday he is seriously considering running for governor of New York if his fellow Republican, Gov. George Pataki, does not seek a fourth term next year. Weld, who spoke to The Associated Press by telephone from Kentucky, said he…
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Rep. Benjamin Cardin Announces Senate Run
BALTIMORE (AP) – After 18 years in Congress, Rep. Benjamin Cardin on Tuesday announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat long held by retiring Sen. Paul Sarbanes. “Together with Barbara Mikulski, I intend to carry on the work of Paul Sarbanes,” Cardin said in a statement, referring to… |
Apr
26
2005
Frist, Reid Work on Judge-Approval Deal photo
WASHINGTON (AP) – In private talks with Majority Leader Bill Frist, the Senate’s top Democrat has indicated a willingness to allow confirmation of two of President Bush’s seven controversial appeals court nominees, but only as part of a broader compromise requiring Republicans to abandon threats…
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Bush Urges Saudis to Boost Oil Production photo
CRAWFORD, Texas (AP) – President Bush prodded Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Abdullah on Monday to help curb skyrocketing oil prices, and the White House expressed hope that the kingdom’s plans would ease U.S. gasoline prices that have shot above $2.20 a gallon. “A high oil price will damage markets,…
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Ex-Diplomat: Bolton Lacks Needed Qualities photo
WASHINGTON (AP) – A former colleague of John R. Bolton says President Bush’s nominee for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations “has none of the qualities needed for that job.” Bolton “has all the qualities needed to harm the image and objectives in the U.N. and its affiliated international…
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Dems Want to Focus on Other Savings Plans photo
WASHINGTON (AP) – House Democrats, emboldened by their united opposition to President Bush’s Social Security privatization proposal, are preparing to pivot soon to supporting proposals aimed on boosting personal savings outside the federal retirement program. Among the ideas being considered,…
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Base Closings Carry Political Risks
WASHINGTON (AP) – The upcoming round of military base closings must be “untarnished by political influence,” Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole declared. Then she put in a plug for her own state. North Carolina “supports a unique military infrastructure,” prime for expansion not closure, Dole told the…
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House GOP Doesn’t Plan Probe of Judges
WASHINGTON (AP) – House Republicans say they haven’t opened and don’t plan any new investigations of federal judges after Terri Schiavo’s death despite Majority Leader Tom DeLay’s promise to examine the judiciary’s conduct. Some of the issues raised by DeLay were being examined by Judiciary…
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San Diego Mayor Murphy Resigns Amid Probe
SAN DIEGO (AP) – Mayor Dick Murphy announced his resignation Monday amid a widening federal investigation into the handling of the city’s deficit-riddled pension fund. “It’s clear to me that the city needs a fresh start,” Murphy said, holding back emotion as he made the surprise announcement at…
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Money Flows More Slowly to DeLay Defense
WASHINGTON (AP) – Majority Leader Tom DeLay continued raising money for his legal defense fund early this year, but the flow of money slowed significantly compared with last year, according to reports DeLay filed Monday. DeLay raised $47,750 in the first three months of the year, far less than the…
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Huffington Invites Friends to Join Blog
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Political commentator Arianna Huffington will launch a news and opinion Web site next month including blogs written by more than 200 celebrities and leaders such as retired journalist Walter Cronkite, writer David Mamet and billionaire Barry Diller, CEO of IAC InterActive Corp….
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Conservative Southern Dems Disappearing photo
WASHINGTON (AP) – In consecutive days last month, Alabama lost two legends from a disappearing movement – Southern Democrats who were powerful in Washington because of their party’s majority and powerful back home because of their tendency to buck it. Look around Congress these days and you’ll…
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Supreme Court Declines to Hear POWs’ Case
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Supreme Court on Monday declined to consider whether U.S. prisoners of war who say they were tortured during the 1991 Gulf War should collect a $959 million judgment from Iraq. The justices let stand a lower court ruling that threw out the lawsuit by the 17 former POWs and 37… |
Apr
25
2005
Frist Hardens Effort to Stop Filibusters photo
WASHINGTON (AP) – Majority Leader Bill Frist said Sunday it was not “radical” to ask senators to vote on judicial nominees as he hardened his effort to strip Democrats of their power to stall President Bush’s picks for the federal court. Frist, speaking at an event organized by Christian groups…
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Study: 50-Somethings Rely on Soc. Sec.
WASHINGTON (AP) – A group prominent in the fight against President Bush’s plan to push for private accounts in Social Security says people near or in retirement are relying increasingly on the federal program, underscoring the need to protect their benefits. The AARP was making that point in a…
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Bolton Urged to Withdraw As U.N. Nominee photo
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Bush’s choice to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations should withdraw from consideration or risk embarrassing the president, a Senate Democrat said Sunday. The White House said it stood by John R. Bolton. A Republican colleague said “it’s too close to call” as to…
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Cheney Meets With Saudi Prince in Texas photo
DALLAS (AP) – Vice President Dick Cheney met on Sunday with Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah ahead of the Saudi’s talks Monday at President Bush’s ranch, where oil prices, terrorism and democratic reforms in the Middle East will top the agenda. Cheney and Abdullah met at a hotel where Abdullah was…
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Grams Ends Bid to Run for Senate in 2006
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Citing the potential for a divisive campaign ahead, conservative former U.S. Sen. Rod Grams said Sunday he is ending his bid to return to the Senate in 2006. Grams told The Associated Press that while he believed he could still win the Republican nomination for the seat he lost…
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Weld Said to Talk Likely Run for N.Y. Gov.
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) – Former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld has had discussions with New York Republican officials about a possible run for governor or the U.S. Senate next year in the state where he has lived since 2000, a top GOP official said Sunday. The party official, speaking to The…
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U.S. Governors Consider Medicaid Reform
The nation’s governors, weighing what to tell Congress they want from Medicaid reform, may take aim at the common practice of seniors giving away their assets so the government pays for nursing home care. They could also demand that the poor pay a share – or a greater share – of their health care…
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Bush Faces Hurdles on Energy Agenda
WASHINGTON (AP) – Running for president five years ago, George W. Bush pledged to jawbone energy-exporting nations to keep oil prices low and to win passage of legislation to spur more domestic energy production. Delivering on either count has proved difficult for the Texas oilman. Soaring oil and…
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Sparks Fly in Los Angeles Mayor Debate
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Mayor James Hahn and challenger Antonio Villaraigosa traded more verbal punches Saturday in their final debate, an edgy exchange in which both candidates said they could best lead the city to a prosperous future. As in their previous encounters, much of the debate was devoted to…
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Microsoft: No Pressure on Gay Rights Bill
SEATTLE (AP) – In an e-mail to employees, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer shot down suggestions that pressure from a local pastor triggered the company’s decision to not publicly support a gay rights bill before the state legislature this year. Microsoft Corp. wanted to focus on computer privacy,…
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Democrats: Bill Will Boost Gas Prices photo
WASHINGTON (AP) – The energy bill that passed the House on Thursday will raise gasoline prices and subsidize oil companies but fail to reduce the country’s dependence on foreign oil, Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., said Saturday. Markey, who tried unsuccessfully to force changes in the bill during…
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Apr
24
2005
Bush Faces Hurdles on Energy Agenda
WASHINGTON (AP) – Running for president five years ago, George W. Bush pledged to jawbone energy-exporting nations to keep oil prices low and to win passage of legislation to spur more domestic energy production. Delivering on either count has proved difficult for the Texas oilman. Soaring oil and…
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Bolton Finds U.N. Nomination in Jeopardy photo
WASHINGTON (AP) – Withdraw or be pushed out by the White House. Survive the test of his professional life. Suffer a rejection by the Senate. That’s about what it comes down to for John R. Bolton, President Bush’s besieged nominee to be U.N. ambassador. Bolton could weather the indignity of further…
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Bush Seeks Funding for Iraq, Afghanistan photo
CRAWFORD, Texas (AP) – President Bush is pushing Congress to provide more money for combat and reconstruction in Iraq and Afghanistan – funds the Pentagon says it needs by the first week of May. “I applaud the House and Senate for their strong support of my supplemental funding request for our…
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Democrats: Bill Will Boost Gas Prices photo
WASHINGTON (AP) – The energy bill that passed the House on Thursday will raise gasoline prices and subsidize oil companies but fail to reduce the country’s dependence on foreign oil, Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., said Saturday. Markey, who tried unsuccessfully to force changes in the bill during…
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Conservatives See Win in Rise of New Pope
Now that Americans have had a few days to absorb the election of Pope Benedict XVI, it’s clear that conservative Christians – whether Roman Catholic or not – feel they’ve won another battle in the nation’s culture wars. Liberals seem ready to concede the point, but they aren’t happy about it. The…
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Microsoft: No Pressure on Gay Rights Bill
SEATTLE (AP) – In an e-mail to employees, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer shot down suggestions that pressure from a local pastor triggered the company’s decision to not publicly support a gay rights bill before the state legislature this year. Microsoft Corp. wanted to focus on computer privacy,…
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Sparks Fly in Los Angeles Mayor Debate
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Mayor James Hahn and challenger Antonio Villaraigosa traded more verbal punches Saturday in their final debate, an edgy exchange in which both candidates said they could best lead the city to a prosperous future. As in their previous encounters, much of the debate was devoted to…
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Triumphs, Defeats Mark Gay-Rights Battle
Gay and lesbian activists are tearful in Washington state, joyful in Connecticut and angry in Texas after a series of legislative votes that reflect America’s tumultuous, seesaw debate over whether to broaden or narrow their rights. Connecticut, in a historic step last week, became the first state…
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Critics: Frist Mingling Religion, Politics
WASHINGTON (AP) – It may seem like Sen. Bill Frist has found religion in recent weeks. At least, that’s what critics say about the Senate majority leader’s recent alignment with social conservative groups on high-profile issues. Their charge is that Frist is playing to religious groups to gather…
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Probe of FDA Breast Implant Review Sought photo
WASHINGTON (AP) – Six women’s groups are asking Congress to investigate the Food and Drug Administration’s review of silicone-gel breast implants, citing an agency e-mail that they say suggests officials were under inappropriate pressure to approve the devices. Inamed Corp. and Mentor Corp. want…
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‘Justice Sunday’ Event Sparking Protests
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – A church is hosting a political event Sunday to protest Democratic lawmakers’ use of the filibuster to block President Bush’s judiciary nominees, a moved that’s prompted an outcry from Democrats and some religious leaders. “Justice Sunday” at Highview Baptist Church,… |
Apr
23
2005
Bush Urges Congress to Pass ‘Clear Skies’ photo
ALCOA, Tenn. (AP) – Heavy storms and high winds blocked President Bush’s Earth Day plan to get his hands dirty fixing trails. He missed Great Smoky Mountains National Park but still delivered his plea for better stewardship of the environment. Bush plugged his “Clear Skies” air pollution plan,…
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Activists Ask Who Led Them From Bush Event
DENVER (AP) – A lawyer for three people removed from a President Bush town hall meeting – allegedly because of a “No More Blood for Oil” bumper sticker on their car – said Friday he is seeking the identity of the man who escorted the activists out, and plans to sue. “We want to know who this…
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Cheney Backs Bolton As Ambassador Nominee photo
WASHINGTON (AP) – Known for his own acerbic style, Vice President Dick Cheney on Friday came to the defense of John R. Bolton, who is struggling to survive blistering criticism and win confirmation as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. As the Senate Foreign Relations Committee set May 12 to…
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‘Justice Sunday’ Event Sparking Protests
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – A church is hosting a political event Sunday to protest Democratic lawmakers’ use of the filibuster to block President Bush’s judiciary nominees, a moved that’s prompted an outcry from Democrats and some religious leaders. “Justice Sunday” at Highview Baptist Church,…
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White House to Enforce Abortion-Fetus Law
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Bush administration said Friday that it would enforce a nearly 3-year-old federal law that requires doctors to attempt to keep alive a fetus that survives an abortion. In making the announcement, the Department of Health and Human Services Department said it was an attempt to…
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GOP, Dems Diverge on Social Security Bill
WASHINGTON (AP) – Hope of finding a bipartisan solution to Social Security’s financial problems has diminished, with Senate Republicans planning to write a bill by themselves and Democrats promoting a rally against the private investment accounts that are the centerpiece of President Bush’s plan….
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DeLay Thanks NASA for Shuttle Efforts
HOUSTON (AP) – Republican House Majority Leader Tom DeLay thanked NASA engineers, scientists and astronauts Friday for their efforts to return the space shuttle to flight. DeLay did not mention his ongoing political problems during his keynote speech at the Rotary National Award for Space…
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Calif. Gov. on Stump for Special Election photo
ROSEVILLE, Calif. (AP) – Trying to jump-start his apparently struggling petitions campaign, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger urged workers at a Hewlett Packard plant Friday to support his effort to qualify three ballot measures for a possible fall special election. The rally, which was closed to the…
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Lawmaker Welcomes Possible Ethics Vote photo
WASHINGTON (AP) – The senior Democrat on the House ethics committee on Friday welcomed reports that House Speaker Dennis Hastert may allow a vote on new rules that have paralyzed the panel. But Rep. Alan Mollohan, D-W.Va., added that the issue won’t be resolved unless Hastert also persuades…
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Ga. Gov. Signs Voter ID Mandate Into Law
ATLANTA (AP) – Gov. Sonny Perdue on Friday signed into law a requirement that voters show photo identification before casting ballots, legislation that had prompted most black lawmakers to walk out of the state Capitol. Previously, registered voters could present a Social Security card or other…
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Chairman of Voting Reform Panel Resigns
WASHINGTON (AP) – The first chairman of a federal voting agency created after the 2000 election dispute is resigning, saying the government has not shown enough commitment to reform. DeForest Soaries said in an interview Friday that his resignation would take effect next week. Though Soaries, 53,… |
Apr
23
2005
Bush Urges Congress to Pass ‘Clear Skies’ photo
ALCOA, Tenn. (AP) – Heavy storms and high winds blocked President Bush’s Earth Day plan to get his hands dirty fixing trails. He missed Great Smoky Mountains National Park but still delivered his plea for better stewardship of the environment. Bush plugged his “Clear Skies” air pollution plan,…
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Activists Ask Who Led Them From Bush Event
DENVER (AP) – A lawyer for three people removed from a President Bush town hall meeting – allegedly because of a “No More Blood for Oil” bumper sticker on their car – said Friday he is seeking the identity of the man who escorted the activists out, and plans to sue. “We want to know who this…
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Cheney Backs Bolton As Ambassador Nominee photo
WASHINGTON (AP) – Known for his own acerbic style, Vice President Dick Cheney on Friday came to the defense of John R. Bolton, who is struggling to survive blistering criticism and win confirmation as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. As the Senate Foreign Relations Committee set May 12 to…
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‘Justice Sunday’ Event Sparking Protests
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – A church is hosting a political event Sunday to protest Democratic lawmakers’ use of the filibuster to block President Bush’s judiciary nominees, a moved that’s prompted an outcry from Democrats and some religious leaders. “Justice Sunday” at Highview Baptist Church,…
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White House to Enforce Abortion-Fetus Law
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Bush administration said Friday that it would enforce a nearly 3-year-old federal law that requires doctors to attempt to keep alive a fetus that survives an abortion. In making the announcement, the Department of Health and Human Services Department said it was an attempt to…
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GOP, Dems Diverge on Social Security Bill
WASHINGTON (AP) – Hope of finding a bipartisan solution to Social Security’s financial problems has diminished, with Senate Republicans planning to write a bill by themselves and Democrats promoting a rally against the private investment accounts that are the centerpiece of President Bush’s plan….
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DeLay Thanks NASA for Shuttle Efforts
HOUSTON (AP) – Republican House Majority Leader Tom DeLay thanked NASA engineers, scientists and astronauts Friday for their efforts to return the space shuttle to flight. DeLay did not mention his ongoing political problems during his keynote speech at the Rotary National Award for Space…
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Calif. Gov. on Stump for Special Election photo
ROSEVILLE, Calif. (AP) – Trying to jump-start his apparently struggling petitions campaign, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger urged workers at a Hewlett Packard plant Friday to support his effort to qualify three ballot measures for a possible fall special election. The rally, which was closed to the…
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Lawmaker Welcomes Possible Ethics Vote photo
WASHINGTON (AP) – The senior Democrat on the House ethics committee on Friday welcomed reports that House Speaker Dennis Hastert may allow a vote on new rules that have paralyzed the panel. But Rep. Alan Mollohan, D-W.Va., added that the issue won’t be resolved unless Hastert also persuades…
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Ga. Gov. Signs Voter ID Mandate Into Law
ATLANTA (AP) – Gov. Sonny Perdue on Friday signed into law a requirement that voters show photo identification before casting ballots, legislation that had prompted most black lawmakers to walk out of the state Capitol. Previously, registered voters could present a Social Security card or other…
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Chairman of Voting Reform Panel Resigns
WASHINGTON (AP) – The first chairman of a federal voting agency created after the 2000 election dispute is resigning, saying the government has not shown enough commitment to reform. DeForest Soaries said in an interview Friday that his resignation would take effect next week. Though Soaries, 53,…
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Apr
22
2005
Survey: Few in GOP Back Plan to Stop Dems
WASHINGTON (AP) – Private Republican polling shows scant support for a plan to stop minority Democrats from blocking judicial nominees, officials said Thursday, as two of President Bush’s most controversial appointments advanced toward a possible Senate confrontation. These officials, speaking on…
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House Approves Broad Energy Bill photo
WASHINGTON (AP) – The House approved a far-ranging energy bill Thursday that would open an Alaska wildlife refuge to oil drilling and shield makers of a controversial gasoline additive from environmental lawsuits – both issues likely to meet strong opposition in the Senate. The bill also would…
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Bush Urges Senate to Confirm Bolton photo
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Bush prodded the Senate on Thursday to confirm John R. Bolton as U.N. ambassador and blamed politics for holding up the vote. Bush’s 2004 presidential challenger said Bolton, if approved, would be weakened by the allegations against him. Two days after the…
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Ailing Specter Now Pushes Stem Cell Research
WASHINGTON (AP) – Sen. Arlen Specter is pushing legislation to expand stem cell research with the perspective of a man fighting a deadly illness. The Pennsylvania Republican has Hodgkin’s disease, a cancer of the lymph system, and is being treated with chemotherapy. He and two colleagues…
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Lawmaker Letter Links Laws, Donations
WASHINGTON (AP) – Hours before the House approved energy legislation Thursday, Democratic Rep. Ed Markey sent a fundraising pitch telling prospective donors how he planned to vote and asking them to send him campaign contributions. Markey’s fundraising e-mail noted amendments he unsuccessfully…
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DeLay Fundraisers Give Thousands to GOP photo
WASHINGTON (AP) – House Majority Leader Tom DeLay’s political fundraising committee gave $144,010 to Republican federal candidates last month, according to the committee’s latest reports. The committee, Americans for a Republican Majority, reported giving $137,701 in direct contributions to 15…
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McCain, Kennedy to Propose Fining Illegals photo
WASHINGTON (AP) – Sens. John McCain and Edward M. Kennedy are putting together an immigration bill that would subject illegal immigrants to fines, but allow them to remain in the United States and earn a chance to apply for permanent residency. The measure is an alternative to President Bush’s…
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Election Panel Fines Frist’s Volunteer PAC
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Federal Election Commission fined Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist’s political action committee $10,000 for misstating or failing to adequately report certain financial information. The FEC said Thursday the fine stemmed from an audit of Volunteer PAC’s financial activities…
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Parties Seek Gain in DeLay Ethics Scandal photo
WASHINGTON (AP) – Republicans and Democrats competed on Thursday to gain political advantage from a stubborn deadlock over the ethics committee, one day after the GOP offered to open an investigation of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay. House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California denounced…
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Bush Touts Social Security to Salesmen photo
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Bush served as pitchman in chief Thursday as he touted his Social Security plan to a roomful of salesmen. Speaking to the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America, Bush ticked off a series of figures aimed at convincing them that Social Security is headed for…
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Pa. Mayor Seeks Re-Election Amid Charges
ERIE, Pa. (AP) – Along the main drag downtown, a mayoral candidate’s signs proclaim “Honesty, Integrity, Action” from the windows of a corner building. The candidate’s slogan is more than just the usual political rhetoric. The man he is challenging, Mayor Rick Filippi, is running for re-election… |
