Topic: Gang of Six

Eight open US Senate seats in 2014

Here are eight senators who have opted out of a reelection bid in 2014, giving hopefuls in both parties a rare shot at a US Senate seat – and, moreover, one that could flip control of the Senate.

'Fiscal cliff': Can a liberal senator sell entitlement reform to Democrats?

Sen. Dick Durbin, in a speech Tuesday, said progressives cannot stay on the sidelines of the 'fiscal cliff' debate and must be ready to make changes to treasured programs like Medicare.

Tax reform takes bipartisan step in Senate. Could something come of it?

To 'develop trust' before taking on the heavy lifting of tax reform, Senate tax-writers are attempting to proceed along bipartisan lines, starting with the extension of a reduced number of expiring tax breaks.

Focus Is Congress to blame for a downshifting US economy?

Evidence is mounting that the economy is taking a hit because Congress can't – or won't – deal with the 'fiscal cliff' looming at year's end. The fight on Capitol Hill last summer over the national debt limit also took an economic toll. 

Hillary Clinton for president? Eight Democrats who might run next time.

In the world of presidential politics, 2016 actually isn’t that far away, especially given how much time and effort it takes to mount a serious campaign. Months before the 2012 votes were counted, speculation had started over who might run in four years – fueled by no less a figure than former President Bill Clinton. He has suggested many times that his wife, soon-to-be-ex-Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, might change her mind about not running once she’s had a break. Here are some of the other possible contenders.(Updated Dec. 11, 2012)

Try, try again: Senate 'Gang of Six' hatching plan on US debt reduction

Congress punted last year on a plan for major US deficit and debt reduction. But the bipartisan 'Gang of Six' senators is back at it, crafting a blueprint they say will be ready for consideration even before Election 2012.

A Congress with no room for Olympia Snowe and other centrists?

Sen. Olympia Snowe (R) of Maine is the latest centrist to depart Congress. For several years now, the partisans have been staying and the moderates have been either losing or leaving. 

Economist Mom The US fiscal situation can be solved

Our deficits are still being sustained at the moment, and U.S. Treasury bonds are a safe investment. But the nation must address the gap between spending and revenues to avoid a full-blown crisis.
12/01/2011 10:00 am

Obama's deficit plan is just the first for 'super committee' to consider (video)

President Obama’s plan to cut the deficit by some $3 trillion faces robust competition in a Congress already awash in competing principles to get America back to a sustainable path.
09/19/2011 11:30 am

Opinion A tax holiday for big business that both liberals and conservatives can get behind

Multinational corporations harbor and invest nearly $1.5 trillion overseas to avoid the 35 percent US corporate tax rate. Giving them a 'repatriation holiday' – a tax break if they bring that cash home and create jobs – will please both sides of the aisle and the American people.
08/31/2011 11:44 am

How vulnerable will deficit 'super committee' be to pressure from lobbyists?

With the sweep of the deficit committee's mandate potentially covering every dollar taxed or spent in the federal government, Washington’s lobby community is going on full alert.
08/12/2011 05:27 pm

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

Congress has created a special super committee to devise a way to cut at least $1.2 trillion from US spending in coming years. Its real name is the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, and its deadline is Nov. 23. If a majority of the bipartisan, bicameral committee approves the plan, it goes to the House and Senate for a vote, and they must act by Dec. 23. If the plan is voted down, automatic spending cuts are slated to occur. Here are the 12 lawmakers serving on the super committee.
08/11/2011 09:23 pm

Obama tries to calm jittery investors

The Dow plunged 634 points Monday, even as Obama sought to assure the markets that the still-gaping deficit represents a failure of politics, not of the nation's credit-worthiness.
08/08/2011 06:59 pm

Economist Mom Is this really a raw deal for Democrats?

The deal put an end to the stalemate in Washington, but it did not actually do much in terms of policymaking
08/03/2011 11:50 am

Economist Mom Debt-limit debate: Bizarro!

Debt-limit impasse has been all show and no substance. One solution to debt-limit dilemma over cuts or tax increases: 'pay as you go' for any further tax-cut extensions.
07/30/2011 09:59 pm

Economist Mom The 'Six's' sense

The Senate's "Gang of Six" has a bipartisan proposal to cut the deficit. It might just be our best option.
07/29/2011 04:34 pm

In Pictures Who's who in the US debt crisis

Obama open to short-term deal on debt ceiling. Here are five ideas.

The scramble on Capitol Hill to come up with a solution to the nation’s debt crisis produced a surprise announcement from the White House Wednesday: Contrary to previous statements, President Obama would support a short-term deal to raise the debt ceiling. White House Press Secretary Jay Carney added an important caveat, however. The president would only sign the short-term deal if it was a means to buy time to finalize a longer-term deal without running afoul of the Aug. 2 deadline. Suddenly, Washington is awash in prospects for short term deals. Here are five:
07/20/2011 10:11 pm

Gold prices plummet on debt talk

Gold prices reached a record $1,610 an ounce Tuesday. But after Obama praised bipartisan debt-limit plan, gold prices fell $25.
07/20/2011 08:02 am

'Gang of Six' plan hailed as debt-ceiling breakthrough. What's in it?

The proposal by the 'Gang of Six' senators Tuesday draws on ideas from the deficit commission. The middle-of-the-road plan will have to overcome partisan concerns and a lack of time.
07/19/2011 10:53 pm

'Gang of Six' revives hope for big deal in stalled debt-ceiling talks

President Obama's hopes for a 'grand bargain' both to raise the debt ceiling and rein in the deficit got a boost Tuesday when the Senate's 'Gang of Six' proposed $3.7 trillion in deficit reductions.
07/19/2011 05:59 pm

Obama: progress on debt limit talks

Obama praises debt limit plan from bipartisan Senate group that would cut federal spending by more than $4 trillion over the next 10 years. President warns that lawmakers nearing debt limit deadline.
07/19/2011 03:18 pm

Why the latest round of debt talks ground to a halt

On Monday, President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden will hold meetings with Sens. Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell to discuss the status of the debt talks.
06/24/2011 03:47 pm

A glint of compromise in Congress's debt limit stalemate?

Republicans say they'll raise the debt limit only if Congress passes 'real savings' in the form of spending cuts. Democrats prefer tax increases. A Senate vote Tuesday could offer a way to help bridge the divide.
06/13/2011 07:50 pm

Economist Mom Even Paul Ryan wants to broaden the tax base

Ryan has a two-pronged proposal for tax reform. The first part would reduce the deficit, but the second part isn't so helpful.
05/31/2011 11:02 am