Topic: U.S. Congress
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10 influential authors who came to the US as immigrants
These 10 immigrant authors have all made significant contributions to US literature and culture.
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6 reasons why President Obama will defeat the NRA and win universal background checks
Something is going to happen this session in the US Congress that hasn’t happened in more than a decade: The National Rifle Association (NRA) is going to lose on a top priority issue. Here are six reasons why President Obama will win a victory on universal background checks.
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Four job trends for 2013
With unemployment still high, many Americans are looking to find a job, change careers, or update their skills. Here are four trends for 2013 that can help you make smart career moves.
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Senate freshmen: What the 14 new members bring to Capitol Hill
A freshman Senate class was sworn in Jan. 3, bringing diverse skills and experience – not to mention agendas – to the legislative body. Whether the 14 newest senators help break partisan gridlock, or refuse to work across the aisle, will be the test for the 113th Congress.Twelve were elected on Nov. 6, including three Republicans, eight Democrats, and an independent. In addition, a Republican and a Democrat were appointed to vacant seats after the election. Here is a look at the 14 and what they bring to the Senate:
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Jobs report: 3 views on the best way to create jobs in the US
The Labor Department reported Friday that the economy added 171,000 jobs in October, while unemployment rose to 7.9 percent. As the eighth and final installment of our One Minute Debate series for election 2012, three writers give their brief take on the best way to create jobs in the United States.
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'Don't ask, don't tell' repeal goes to Senate again. Has anything changed?
Last week, Senate Republicans blocked a repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell.' Now the House has passed the repeal in a different form. But the result in the Senate could be the same.
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Why House Republicans might vote against Obama tax deal
The Senate overwhelmingly passed the GOP-Obama tax deal Wednesday. But in the House, both parties are balking, which means conservative 'blue dog' Democrats could be crucial.
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Will Harry Reid keep the Senate in session through Christmas?
Senate majority leader Harry Reid wants to take up a slew of important issues after the tax deal is passed – from a $1.2 trillion budget bill to a repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell.'
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Cancún climate change deal falls flat, Kyoto Protocol on life support
Two weeks of Cancún climate change talks ended Saturday, with a vague deal to help poor countries deal with climate change and the original Kyoto Protocol all but dead.
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What Glenn Beck and WikiLeaks' Julian Assange have in common
The philosophy that appears to drive WikiLeaks' Julian Assange lies in a deep-seated distrust of governments – something that bridges any left-right divide.
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Urban economics: Superstar cities vs. 'mellow' cities
Do smaller urban centers promise a better life than a congested megalopolis?
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Can Obama, Lee sell lawmakers on US-South Korea free trade deal?
Just as hopes were fading for the US-South Korea Free Trade Agreement, negotiators came to terms on prying open the South Korean motor vehicle market to placate angry US carmakers and labor unions.
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Who will get Bush tax cuts? Congress can't decide.
Unable to agree on who should be eligible to continue to receive the Bush tax cuts, which expire Jan. 1, President Obama and congressional leaders decided to convene a panel Tuesday.
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Relic of Iran Contra scandal now a hip eatery
In Costa Rica, a plane purchased by Nicaraguan Contras with money from the US has been transformed into a popular restaurant and bar.
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Congress eyes DREAM Act: Fair to illegal immigrants or back-door amnesty?
Senate majority leader Harry Reid has said he will take up the DREAM Act next week. The bill would open a path to citizenship for some young illegal immigrants.
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Copenhagen one year after: Did global warming talks accomplish anything?
A new report finds that the much maligned Copenhagen Accord could give negotiators at global warming talks in Cancun, Mexico, next week something to build upon.
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Earmark ban: Common sense budget reform or 'tremendous step backwards'?
Senate Republicans decide to swear off earmarks. Now, they will try to persuade the Democrats to do the same. But many Democrats – and some Republicans, too – are wary.
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Earmark ban: Why GOP freshmen might just be getting started
The size of the GOP freshman class in both the House and Senate means that Republican leadership will have to take it seriously. The earmark ban in the Senate, adopted by Republicans Tuesday, represents an early victory.
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Letters to the Editor – Weekly Issue of November 15, 2010
Readers write in about issues of food safety, Britain's budget cuts, and help for Pakistan's landless poor.
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Curtain closes on G20 summit. What was achieved – and what wasn't.
The G20 summit in Seoul failed to deliver any agreement on cutting global 'currency imbalances' but hands more economic influence to emerging-market countries.
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Obama fails to seal trade deal with South Korea
A potential free trade deal between the United States and South Korea stumbled Thursday over disputes on American beef and automobile exports to Asia's fourth-largest economy.
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Obama's Asia trip: the free trade conundrum
Obama will press for countries at the G20 summit to adopt measures for addressing trade imbalances. Also, the Obama administration recently stepped up talks with South Korea on modifying the free trade agreement with the US.
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After GOP victory, emboldened Israel declares new building in East Jerusalem
Israel publicized plans to build more than 1,300 new homes in East Jerusalem, angering Palestinians and disappointing the US on the eve of a Netanyahu visit.
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10 women in Congress who won’t be back
The 2010 elections were tough on all Democrats, but particularly on female lawmakers. The upcoming 112th Congress may see fewer women in office on Capitol Hill than last session. Yet-to-decided races in the House and Senate will determine if that happens, but if it does, it would be the first time in 32 years that the number of women in Congress declines from one session to the next. What's already clear is that 10 women are not returning. Most of the congresswomen defeated Tuesday were House freshmen. Two had served multiple House terms, and one was a Senate veteran. Some lost to tea party favorites and conservatives backed by Sarah Palin, while others were bested by standard-issue Republicans. Here are the women, some familiar and some not, we will not see on Capitol Hill come January as a result of Election Day losses. Source: CNN, National Journal‚ Almanac of American Politics, Politico
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After 'shellacking,' can foreign policy be a bright spot for Obama?
The foreign policy front, including the issues of trade and arms control, could present opportunities for Obama to boost his standing with the US electorate. But pitfalls and challenges also loom.
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The Monitor's View: A nuclear offer Iran can't refuse?
The United States and its allies are reportedly preparing a new offer to dissuade Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. Much has changed since a year ago, when the international community made its last offer. Or has it?
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Economics bloggers: Unemployment would be worse without the stimulus
The Kauffman Foundation surveyed 200 economics bloggers about the status of the economy and the recovery. Here's what they said.
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Why Obama is talking about working with Republicans
Polls now show that Republicans will gain control of the House of Representatives. As President Obama campaigns for Democrats, he says he can work with the GOP after the Nov. 2 elections.
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Down to the wire, party leaders predicting victory for each side
On Sunday talk shows, GOP chief Michael Steele and Democratic Party chairman Tim Kaine gave very different views of how next week's elections will turn out. Trying to buck up Democrats, President Obama has just dashed through five states.
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Pakistan aid: US offers $2 billion more -- but attaches conditions
Privately, the US warned Pakistan that it risks losing this and other American aid if it does not adopt a more aggressive stance toward militants. The Pakistan aid package was announced Friday.
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