Topic: Chuck Grassley

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Who's who on Congress's debt 'super committee'

Congress has created a special super committee to find at least $1.2 trillion in US budget cuts. If the plan is voted down, automatic spending cuts are slated to occur. Here are the 12 lawmakers named to the super committee.
Top 10 senators seeking earmarks

The omnibus spending bill died Thursday in the Senate amid controversy over the practice of earmarking, or inserting funding for pet projects into legislation. Here are the senators who sought the most spending for their states, ranked by the monetary value of proposed earmarks, whether alone or with others.
The 10 weirdest political ads of 2010

From demon sheep to witchcraft denials, this has been one crazy election season. And nowhere has the looniness been more on display than in the candidates' carefully crafted TV spots. Here is our list of the top 10 weirdest ads of 2010.

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On renewal of Violence Against Women Act, Senate Democrats have upper hand

After passing the Senate unanimously in years past, the Violence Against Women Act, with revisions, faces strong partisan opposition. Still, Republicans don't want to be tagged as waging a 'war on women.'
Secret Service scandal forces delicate touch

No one in either party is entirely comfortable politicizing the agency paid to protect for the President.
Prostitution scandal now implicates twelfth member of military

With a dozen Secret Service personnel also implicated, the total number of individuals involved in the prostitution scandal has reached 25.
Secret Service scandal becomes diplomatic embarrassment

The prostitution scandal involving Secret Service agents and military personnel seems not to have caused security breaches. But it is an embarrassment to both institutions, which may be just as serious an offense.
White House defends Secret Service director

Press secretary Jay Carney said the President's security was never compromised.
Secret Service tries to quell outcry, scandal takes political turn

The Secret Service did not identify the agents being forced out or eight others who remain on administrative leave. In a statement, the service said one supervisor was allowed to retire, and another will be fired for cause. A third employee, who was not a supervisor, has resigned.
Secret Service begins swift crackdown on carousing agents

As Congress demands action, the Secret Service is moving rapidly to punish agents connected to the scandal involving prostitutes in Colombia. Three have been forced out so far.
Secret Service's Colombia scandal has election-year implications

The growing scandal surrounding Secret Service and military personnel's association with prostitutes in the run-up to the Summit of the Americas is a scandal the President would rather not have.
Violence Against Women Act: A political opening for Democrats?

Senate Democrats aim to extend the Violence Against Women Act, adding services for illegal immigrants and same-sex couples, a move Republicans say is out to score political points.
Supreme Court on TV? Senate panel advances bill requiring cameras in high court.

The Senate committee's vote comes as the Supreme Court prepares to hear five and a half hours of argument in March in a challenge to President Obama’s health-care reform law.
Despite complaints, House passes insider-trading ban 417-2

STOCK Act does not include measure that would regulate those who sell 'political intelligence' to Wall Street, upsetting Democrats and some Republicans. Senate insider-trading ban passed last week with the provision.
PIPA and SOPA: What you need to know

As PIPA and SOPA work their way through Congress, the controversial bills have raised many questions. The most common: Wait, what are PIPA and SOPA?
The Vote
SOPA and PIPA protest power: why Marco Rubio backed off piracy bill

Sen. Marco Rubio was one of the original co-sponsors of the Senate's anti-piracy bill, but he reversed course Wednesday amid a flurry of protests against PIPA and SOPA.
As Obama tweaks policy on illegal immigrants, will Latino voters swoon?

Obama moves to make it easier for some illegal immigrants to obtain legal status, dismantling hurdles set by congressional Republicans. The step is likely to shore up his support among Latino voters, but it could also polarize the country.
The Vote
Iowa caucus results: Where does Ron Paul go from here? (+Video)

To hear the Ron Paul people tell it, the Iowa caucus results show that their guy is now the chief alternative to Mitt Romney. But Mr. Paul is still running behind Newt Gingrich in national polls.
Jon Corzine downfall: Even after 2008, banking sector has untamed risks. (VIDEO)

Former CEO Jon Corzine testified before Congress on the bankruptcy of investment firm MF Global. Its swift collapse in late October recalled events leading to the financial crisis of 2008.
AG Holder threatened with impeachment over 'Fast and Furious'

US Attorney General Eric Holder faced criticism from a congressional committee Thursday over the Justice Department's handling of the 'Fast and Furious' gun program.
Is Eric Holder's grip on the 'Fast and Furious' fiasco slipping? (video)

As calls grow for Eric Holder's resignation, the embattled attorney general faces what one Republican promised would be 'fast and furious' questions Thursday from the House Judiciary Committee.
Can Congress force Supreme Court to let in cameras?

The Cameras in the Courtroom Act of 2011 would require TV coverage of all open sessions at the Supreme Court. Any legal challenge to the mandate would ultimately arrive at the Supreme Court – prompting a constitutional showdown.
Latin America Monitor
Burma sanctions should be model for Cuba embargo

The byzantine Cuba embargo in many ways ties the US's hands, says guest blogger Anya Landau French, so maybe it’s time to apply the Burma sanctions model – defend it or lose it – to Cuba.
Congressman raises stakes in 'Fast and Furious' probe, targeting Eric Holder

Rep. Lamar Smith (R) of Texas wants a special counsel to investigate whether Attorney General Eric Holder told Congress the truth about Operation Fast and Furious, a now-discredited gun-tracking program aimed at Mexico's drug lords.
After ouster of ATF head, where does Fast and Furious probe go now?

ATF acting head Ken Melson stepped down Tuesday amid a probe into the ill-fated Fast and Furious gun tracing program. But Congressional investigators believe there's more blame to go around.
Justice Sotomayor – not guilty of 'empathy'

During confirmation hearings in 2009, GOP senators questioned Sonia Sotomayor about her supposed 'empathy standard' and partiality. Since becoming a Supreme Court justice, her views on two capital cases show no cause for the concern, but rather attention to a fair legal process.
The Vote
Has Rick Perry proved he's a better campaigner than Michele Bachmann?

At a Republican dinner in Iowa Sunday night, recently announced candidate Rick Perry appeared to outshine the straw poll winner, Michele Bachmann. His campaign team is receiving accolades too.
Who's who on Congress's debt 'super committee'

Congress has created a special super committee to find at least $1.2 trillion in US budget cuts. If the plan is voted down, automatic spending cuts are slated to occur. Here are the 12 lawmakers named to the super committee.