Topic: Jon Tester

Payroll-tax cut not dead yet. Can the House save it?

House Republicans met behind closed doors Friday in search of common ground on the payroll-tax cut and other popular measures, set to expire Dec. 31.

New Obama jobs bill: Do too many Democrats view it as 'bailout lite'?

The White House is pushing a new $35 billion jobs bill to stave off layoffs for teachers, firefighters, and police. But moderate Democrats are balking at parts of the plan.

Plan B on Obama jobs bill is to take it up piecemeal. What will fly?

Parts that deal with tax cuts and transportation projects stand a better chance of getting enough GOP support to pass. Tax-the-rich elements and extra aid to local governments? Probably not.

President Obama jobs bill fails to pass Senate

President Obama and others expected Republicans to vote against the jobs bill but Obama says, 'we can't take 'no' for an answer.'

Why Democrats proposed a 5% surtax on millionaires that won't pass

With Republicans against higher taxes, there's virtually no chance that a surtax on millionaires will pass Congress. But there are strong political reasons for Senate Democrats to put it on the table.

Debit card fees: Will shoppers benefit from new cap?

Debit card fees paid by retailers to banks could plummet next month after the Senate failed to pass a delay Wednesday. Retailers are happy, but that might not help consumers.

Debit card fees: Senate discusses limiting swipe costs to stores

Debit card fees are the topic of debate in the Senate on Wednesday. Some lawmakers oppose a proposal from the Federal Reserve to lower the debit card fees that stores must pay when a card is swiped.

Wolf wars: Can man and predator coexist in the West?

As the gray wolf comes off the Endangered Species list, new questions swirl about whether the animal can survive without federal protection – and its impact on cattle and other wildlife. The view from one ranch.

Budget bill cuts federal wolf protection. Environmentalists howling.

After being hunted to near-extinction, wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains have recovered due to federal management under the Endangered Species Act. But wolves will be "delisted" under a rider to the recent budget bill, and environmentalists are howling.

Census data show Hispanic boom. How it could impact US politics.

The US Hispanic population grew 43 percent during the past decade to 50.5 million – more than half the country's population growth. The demographic trend could impact elections.

If Senate takeover eludes GOP on Election Day 2010, look to 2012

The 2012 election is shaping up to be a big opportunity for Republicans. If they don't win a Senate majority on Election Day 2010, they'll have plenty of vulnerable seats to contest in 2012.

Senate enters total gridlock as Election 2010 nears

Democrats failed to move forward on a bill that would have ended a tax break critics say rewards companies who send jobs abroad. Legislation is going nowhere ahead of Election 2010.

US-backed loans to expand nuclear power: a boon for overseas jobs?

A report released Thursday finds that all 18 firms lining up for tens of billions in US-backed loans for new nuclear power plants would use overseas jobs to build most of them.

Want real financial reform for Wall Street? Do this.

Senator Lincoln wants to stop big banks' risky derivative trades from being subsidized by taxpayers. Here's how to keep her measure in the financial reform bill.

Senate Democrats join Republicans in rejecting Medicare 'doc fix'

Thirteen Senate Democrats joined Republicans in rejecting a $245 billion 'doc fix’ to prevent cuts in payments to Medicare doctors.

Foreclose vs. resetting mortgages: the fight goes on

The Senate nears a vote on a bill to help ease the foreclosure crisis, as banking and real estate lobbies successfully resist efforts to let courts adjust terms of mortgages.

Hey, let's move Guantánamo up to Montana!

Congress near a Big Three deal, with strings attached

US automakers are likely to get $15 billion in federal loans, but lawmakers insist on industry restructuring.

Daily Kos founder: How you can take on the system

In a digitally democratic era, fans, bloggers, and activists can bypass traditional gatekeepers and bring about real change.