Topic: Eric Cantor

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What does the JOBS Act actually do? Six questions answered.

A bipartisan bill known as the JOBS Act, for 'Jumpstart Our Business Startups,' is among the GOP's priorities in Congress. It is targeted at small-business owners, but what would the bill actually do?
In Pictures: Who's who in the US debt crisis
Out of options in debt ceiling talks? Nope, here are five.

How many ways are there to resolve the debt ceiling crisis? Frustration is mounting in both political parties as an Aug. 2 deadline looms to avoid default on America's debt obligations and deficit-reduction negotiations are gridlocked. Still, at least five options for handling the matter have been discussed in recent days and months. Other possible solutions may emerge, but here’s the state of play on the options to date.
Arizona shooting: Seven times politics turned to threats or violence last year

Saturday's shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D) of Arizona wasn't the first time in recent memory that a member of Congress has been targeted for his or her views.
Five countries where the GOP victory could make a difference

Foreign policy is typically the executive branch’s domain because that is the branch that decides who the US negotiates with and what gets offered in those negotiations. However, Tuesday’s Republican victory, particularly the GOP takeover of the House and leadership of some key committees, has the ability to affect the US's dialogue, and in some cases policy, on a few key US relationships with other countries.

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GOP outlines two ways to keep rates low on student loans; Democrats see 'ruse'

On a day that Speaker Boehner reportedly called the student loan fight 'phony,' the Republican leaders outlined two ways to fund the subsidized student loan rates they say draw on Obama's own budget proposals.
Decoder Wire
What do women voters want? In a word: jobs.

Swing women voters put the economy and jobs at the top of their list of concerns, a new report shows. Presumptive GOP nominee Mitt Romney has been closing the gender gap.
What Congress has planned after Memorial Day

Congress will be racing to complete a number of priorities between Memorial Day and the August recess, all under the shadow of massive fiscal issues looming at year's end.
White House Correspondents Dinner: Obama mocks Romney, Secret Service, himself

Everyone is fair game for humorous jibes at the annual White House Correspondents Dinner. Saturday night was no exception as President Obama and MC Jimmy Kimmel made fun of the political class.
Decoder Wire
Student loans: Romney, congressional GOP race to embrace students (+video)

As President Obama puts a spotlight on student loans, Mitt Romney says that he, too, supports extending the 3.4 percent interest rate – and blames the president for poor job prospects for college graduates.
'Buffett rule' fails, but it will be back

The Buffet rule to raise taxes on millionaires couldn't get through the Senate, but both parties promise to make it a campaign issue as the nation heads toward Election 2012.
Tale of two jobs bills: a parable of gridlock in Congress

The House passed the JOBS Act, which businesses call important but incremental. The much more consequential transportation bill, however, remains in partisan gridlock.
What does the JOBS Act actually do? Six questions answered.

A bipartisan bill known as the JOBS Act, for 'Jumpstart Our Business Startups,' is among the GOP's priorities in Congress. It is targeted at small-business owners, but what would the bill actually do?
How many Romneys are voting for Ron Paul?

The Ron Paul campaign released a list of six Romneys, including several relatives of Mitt Romney, who are backing Ron Paul for president.
Why conservative critics are now backing Mitt Romney

Conservative Republican critics of Mitt Romney are now lining up behind him, in part because the bruising primary race is hurting the GOP in the eyes of voters, say polls.
Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum in dead heat in Ohio

Mitt Romney has caught up to Rick Santorum in Ohio, says the two latest polls. Is this a repeat of Michigan?
Can Mitt Romney carry his ‘Big Mo’ through Super Tuesday?

Mitt Romney is leading the GOP presidential pack in election wins, delegates, and nominations. But Super Tuesday and its ten contests – especially Ohio – could be the key to whether he keeps his momentum.
Payroll tax deal close: Why did Republicans back down? (+video)

Senate Republicans came to a realization on the payroll tax cut fight: We got the policy right but the politics wrong and it’s time to move on. Specifics of the deal are still being hashed out.
In surprise move, GOP leaders admit defeat in payroll tax battle

House GOP leaders had wanted to offset the cost of a payroll tax extension by spending cuts. But their decision Monday suggests that the political cost of a stalemate was too high.
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.
Gabrielle Giffords resigns today with standing ovation

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords has resigned from the House, to focus on her recovery, with a standing ovation from her colleagues.
Why House Republicans are balking at payroll tax cut

Republicans in the House of Representatives don't like a two-month payroll tax cut extension. But American voters aren't thrilled by the resulting payroll tax hike.
In payroll tax battle, GOP shows cracks under Democratic pressure

Democrats are ramping up the pressure on House Republicans over their refusal to pass a payroll tax deal – and some Senate Republicans are not rushing to their colleagues' aid.
Social Security tax break in jeopardy. Again.

Social Security tax deal overwhelmingly passed by Senate is opposed by House GOP. House Speaker Boehner says two-month extension of Social Security payroll tax cut is too short.
'Stimulus 2.0'? Senate rejects bid to revive parts of Obama jobs bill.

Senate Republicans and moderate Democrats blocked the first attempt by to pass a scaled-down version of the $447 billion Obama jobs bill, calling it a 'bailout.'
Why Republicans want to save parts of the Obama jobs bill

The Senate rejected the Obama jobs bill last week, but both Senate Democrats and House Republicans are trying to resurrect parts of it. Problem is, they can't agree on which parts.
Robert Reich
The rise of the regressive Right and the reawakening of America

A fundamental war has been waged in this nation since its founding, between progressive forces pushing us forward and regressive forces pulling us backward. But whenever privilege and power conspire to pull us backward, the nation eventually rallies and moves forward.
On the Economy
Bipartisan support for fixing our schools

The Historic Schools Rehabilitation Tax Credit offers developers, states, and school districts a federal tax credit to enter into public/private partnerships to help pay for modernization of schools that are on the National Register of Historic places. But is the plan too limited in scope?
Why Congress is now ready to OK three long-stalled trade agreements

The House and Senate are poised Wednesday to approve three trade agreements, crafted during the Bush administration, with South Korea, Panama, and Colombia. They'll be the first big trade pacts since NAFTA in 1993.
Senate slap of China a sign that patience is wearing thin on trade

With jobs at a premium in the US, senators from states hard-hit by job losses to Chinese manufacturing passed a bill to sanction China for manipulating its currency.