Topic: Mitch McConnell

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Senate cybersecurity bill fails, so Obama could take charge

The Pentagon wants Congress to pass a cybersecurity bill to safeguard critical assets such as the power grid. But Senate efforts failed, meaning President Obama might issue an executive order.
Stocks finish higher on optimism over budget talks

Stocks started lower Friday but spiked higher shortly before midday as the top members of the House and Senate spoke at the White House following a closed-door session with President Obama.
No sour words after 'constructive' White House meeting on 'fiscal cliff'

'Constructive' is how top lawmakers described Friday's bipartisan meeting on ways to avoid the fiscal cliff. GOP leaders said they put new revenues on the table, with conditions. Democrat Harry Reid spoke of each side's need to 'give up' some things.
Obama kicks off 'fiscal cliff' negotiations with Congressional leaders Friday

At issue is a combination of expiring tax cuts and across-the-board spending cuts set to hit in January ifObama and Congress can't reach a deal.
Decoder Wire Has John Boehner really agreed to increase taxes on the rich?

Since the election, House Speaker John Boehner (R) has had some conciliatory-sounding words about the need to avoid the 'fiscal cliff.' While he's said 'new revenue' might be part of the solution, it's problematic to assume he means higher taxes on the rich.
GOP gives a top House spot to a woman (+video)

One of the top leadership positions in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives will go to Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who represents Washington state. The move comes after Republicans fared poorly with female voters in last week' election.
Stocks slide as impasse over budget deficit looms

Stocks fell sharply Wednesday despite a signal from the Federal Reserve that it could launch a program to speed job growth.
What Obama will accomplish with a visit to Myanmar

With the Myanmar visit, President Obama will showcase one of his foreign-policy accomplishments and will underscore a US commitment to supporting Asia’s political and economic development.
Obama calls bipartisan meeting on 'fiscal cliff,' digs in on tax hike

Obama, in first remarks from White House since reelection, says he will compromise with Republicans to avoid the fiscal cliff, but won't agree to a plan that doesn't raise taxes on wealthiest Americans.
Congress: Will fiscal cliff, election results lead partisans to stand down?

Post-election, the GOP-led House still sees its mandate as tax-hike prevention. Obama and the Democrats still want to raise taxes for the wealthy. But if they don't work together, the looming 'fiscal cliff' – which no one wants to see – may doom them all.
Election 2012: why status quo result could mean more Washington gridlock

Serious business awaits the nation's lawmakers, the 'fiscal cliff' foremost. But the results of Election 2012 could give Washington's main players cause to dig in their heels.
How the 2014 elections tip prospects for a 'grand bargain' on US deficits

Whoever wins the White House – President Obama or Mitt Romney – will need help from the other side of the aisle in the Senate to reach a deal on meaningful debt- and deficit-reduction. But key senators up for reelection in 2014 face wrenching tradeoffs.
Cover Story Election 2012: How another Obama term might be different

Would four more years of Obama change the Washington dynamic? A two-part election 2012 report profiles the stark differences and interesting similarities of a second-term Obama White House vs. a Romney White House – either of which would have to deal with a highly polarized Congress.
Robert Reich The looming specter of jobs and debates

With the first presidential debate on Wednesday and a crucial jobs report on Friday, it's a big week ahead for Obama and Romney. Reich argues that the jobs report will be the biggest election news of the week.
How many will pay health-care tax penalty? CBO estimate rises 50 percent.

Citing a gloomier economic outlook, and to a lesser extent the Supreme Court ruling on Medicaid expansion, the CBO now estimates 6 million people will pay the health-care tax penalty by 2016.
Aung San Suu Kyi to meet with Obama

Myanmar democracy activist, Aung San Suu Kyi, one of the world's most prominent political prisoners of the past two decades, is scheduled to meet Wednesday with President Obama, and will be presented with a Congressional Gold Medal.
Everything you need to know about budget 'sequestration' – except the consequences

The White House has reported on the $1.2 trillion in automatic budget cuts that are part of last year's debt ceiling deal. But how the cuts will impact individual programs remains unclear.
Libya attacks made political: Barack Obama and Mitt Romney spar (+video)

Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney criticized the Obama Administration's reaction to the attacks in Libya. President Obama retorted that Romney would, 'shoot first and aim later.'
Obama response to Egypt mob 'disgraceful'? Most Republicans steer clear.

Mitt Romney strongly criticized an Obama administration tweet about the protests that threatened the US embassy in Egypt. But most congressional Republicans struck a gentler tone.
Ron Paul's swan song: Has he launched an enduring movement? (+video)

After three runs for the White House, US Rep. Ron Paul is retiring. Will his libertarian brand of Republican politics survive without him? A younger generation of elected officials and activists say it will.
Deadline intensifies pressure on Rep. Todd Akin after rape remarks (+video)

Congressman Todd Akin vowed to fight on despite the storm over his comments that women's bodies can prevent pregnancies in cases of 'legitimate rape.' He was once seen as a strong challenger to incumbent Democrat Claire McCaskill in Missouri.
Will Todd Akin quit Senate race? The GOP wants to know (+video)

Republicans worry Representative Todd Akin's ill-conceived comments about pregnancy and rape will cost them a Senate race in Missouri. Akin's comments played into an assertion of Democrats, that Republicans are out of touch with women's rights.
Republicans urge Akin to leave Senate race (+video)

Following comments U.S. Representative Todd Akin made over the weekend about rape, the GOP is encouraging him to give up his nomination in a Senate race in Missouri. Akin has lost Republican financial backing, but he has so far resisted stepping down.
How Missouri Senate primary fits into tea party strategy for Election 2012

Three Republican candidates – all with tea party ties – are vying in Tuesday's Missouri primary for the chance to take on Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill in the fall. GOP takeover of the Senate is a top tea party aim.
Political infighting blocks Senate passage of cybersecurity bill despite dire warnings

Deep divisions between the two parties over the right approach to cybersecurity will make it difficult to forge a compromise.