Topic: Sam Brownback

Income tax help with a twist: Move to rural Kansas. No state income tax.

Income tax help in Kansas comes in the form of a five-year amnesty on state income taxes. State hopes new income tax help will lure people to rural areas.

Cut oil imports by one-third: Did Obama set the right goal for the US?

Cutting oil imports by one-third by 2025 might be less ambitious than it sounds. A better goal, some experts say, might be to more strongly encourage alternative fuels to make oil less important overall.

Arizona limits abortions: how national battle is being fought in states

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer this week signed legislation outlawing abortions performed on the basis of race or gender. Kansas and Ohio are among other states considering abortion restrictions.

State of the Union 2011: Who is Paul Ryan?

Rep. Paul Ryan has been chosen to give the Republican response to President Obama's State of the Union address. Why did Republicans choose this seven-term Congressman from Wisconsin?

Senate's 16 new members arrive on Capitol Hill: Who are they?

Starting this Monday, the Senate welcomes 16 fresh faces to the Capitol’s marbled halls. While they won’t be sworn into office until January, these newly-elected members – three Democrats and 13 Republicans – come to Washington to tour the buildings, learn rules of decorum, and meet with their future coworkers. The new Senators come largely from open seats where both parties had a new candidate on the ticket and include a handful of tea partyers.

US legislation on Congo's 'conflict minerals,' explained

A congressional staffer explains recently passed legislation that aims to reduce Congo's "conflict minerals" industry by making it easier for activists to target US companies who import minerals from the Congo.

Gargantuan financial reform bill: It's not just for banks

The financial reform bill awaiting final votes in the House and Senate encompasses everything from banking to insurance to African minerals used in high-tech gadgets. Is that a good thing?

Senate passes financial reform bill

After intense debate in the Senate, expect to see victory laps from President Obama.

Impatient Congress strikes out on its own to sanction Iran

Members of both parties proposed sanctions this week, saying the Obama administration isn't going far enough.

Latest GOP setback: Florida's Senator Martinez to retire early

Six other Republican senators have announced they’ll retire. The exits are a sign the GOP sees itself in 'back seat' for years, say analysts.

Opinion: Obama soars abroad, but America's PR doesn't

The president's stirring Cairo speech demands follow-up, amplification, and explanation.

Congress grows impatient on Iran, N. Korea, vows action

Tired of President Obama's cautious approach, lawmakers look to sanction the two regimes.

Democrats struggling for consensus on climate bills

With competing bills in the House and Senate, Democrats struggle to agree on key climate and energy reforms.

Palin group tries to derail Sebelius HHS confirmation

Associated Press wants money from Obama artist

Holder denounces waterboarding, other forms of 'torture'

Says an assessment of past political interference with the Justice Department 'has to be done'

Ohio Sen. Voinovich to retire. Could Joe the Plumber run for Senate?

Chinese hacked computers, U.S. lawmakers say

The alleged attack renews cyberwarfare concerns.