Topic: U.S. House of Representatives

Chapter & Verse
Bob Woodward will release book on Obama and the economy

Bob Woodward's new title, 'The Price of Politics,' will arrive in bookstores next month.

The Paul Ryan budget: your guide to what's in it

Rep. Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney's running mate, is best known for drawing up a series of spending-and-tax plans meant to challenge the Obama administration's policies from the right. But it's been some time since his latest budget, which Mr. Ryan terms a "path to prosperity," was released. Here's a primer on what's in it.

Obama announces federal aid to help drought-hit farmers

The US government is planning an emergency purchase of up to $ 170 million of meat and fish to soothe the needs of the drought-ravaged agriculture industry. Announcing that, Obama also takes first aim at Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan.

In joining Romney, will Paul Ryan get his 'clear choice' campaign? (+video)

Back in February, long before he got the vice presidential nod, Rep. Paul Ryan urged Mitt Romney to run an 'affirmative' campaign, laying out how he differs from Obama. Picking Ryan may signal Romney's intent to do just that.

Things you probably didn’t know about Paul Ryan

Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan is a 'gym rat' who considered becoming a pro skier before turning to politics. He's a budget hawk and strongly antiabortion, but he's gone against the GOP on some issues. And what about his job driving the Wienermobile?

We know Paul Ryan is a budget hawk. But what about other issues?

As a seven-term member of Congress, Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan has a record on issues other than the federal budget – abortion, immigration, national security, and gay rights, for example.

Romney's Paul Ryan pick energizes GOP (+video)

In his first campaign speech as Mitt Romney’s VP pick, Paul Ryan warned that the US is in a 'different, difficult, dangerous moment' which the GOP presidential team won’t shrink from. So far, Republicans say they’re very impressed.

Postal Service unstoppable in rain, snow. But red ink?

Postal Service reports $5.2 billion quarterly loss, most of it from defaulted payment for retiree benefits. Postal Service warns it could run out of cash in October.  

Congress goes on summer break: Top 5 things it left undone

Members of Congress have skedaddled for the month of August, leaving behind a long list of unfinished business.

What did Congress leave in the lurch? Here are five of the top pressing issues.

Opinion: The best pick for Romney vice president? The one no one's talking about.

Speculation over Mitt Romney's pick for vice president repeats the same few names. But there’s another VP Mr. Romney should consider, someone who could help him with the Jewish vote and gain him support in a crucial swing state: House Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Virginia.

Texas runoffs see tea party, mainline GOP clash

Both candidates blitzed Texas airwaves with ads and interviews on Monday, hoping to get supporters to the polls in the heat of the summer.

How much cyber security is enough? Companies wary as Senate weighs bill.

The Senate on Monday takes up a cyber security bill affecting companies that own power systems, water facilities, and other critical infrastructure. Though new security standards would not be mandatory, the private sector remains cautious.

Opinion: Pass a Violence Against Women Act that protects American Indian women

Eighty-six percent of the perpetrators of sexual offenses against American Indian women are non-Indian, but tribal police have no authority to detain them. The House must pass a reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act that includes key protections for American Indian women.

Tax cuts: Obama, Hatch trade barbs

Tax cuts were subject of Obama's Saturday radio address, where he urged GOP to extend Bush-era tax cuts for all but the wealthy. Republican Sen. Hatch blasted Democrats for trying to raise taxes on businesses.  

Ron Paul's last hurrah: a big, bipartisan vote to 'Audit the Fed'

Today's vote marks a high point for Paul, who is retires at the end of the year. His signature bill requires a full audit of the Federal Reserve – a move that critics, including Fed chair Ben Bernanke, dub 'nightmarish.'

Gabrielle Giffords visits CERN atom smasher

Former Arizona lawmaker Gaby Giffords, the victim of a 2011 Arizona shooting that left six dead, visited the CERN and the French Alps with her astronaut husband, Mark Kelly.

Opinion: Voter ID laws are inherently reasonable, not racist or Republican

Analogies between voter ID laws and Jim Crow poll taxes are absurd. That pockets of citizens lack ID is a compelling argument for active voter registration drives, not damning attempts to curb fraud. Ensuring the integrity of our electoral process ought not to be a partisan issue.

Defense cuts: three things Americans should know

The US House approved a bill in July that’s likely to spark a showdown on military spending.

Asian-Americans take higher profile in congressional races

The 2012 campaign cycle marks the highest number of viable Asian-American candidates ever – and not just on the West Coast. Their success could help Democrats regain ground in the House.

How GOP could be forced to raise taxes this December

Twenty leading congressional conservatives are imploring GOP leaders to head off any Democratic attempt to use the threat of a government shutdown to force Republicans to accept tax hikes.  

What will federal budget cuts mean for local economies?

Former Vice President Dick Cheney visited Republican senators on Capitol Hill to convey his message that defense spending cuts will hurt the U.S. military. Local mayors are concerned that lost government contracts will threaten their local businesses. 

Opinion: Push in Congress to ban biofuels in military has big long-term costs

The US armed services is working hard to wean itself off of fossil fuels and foreign oil. Yet some in Congress, for short-term savings, want to ban them from purchasing biofuels. Cutting investments in long-term solutions like alternative fuel will cost America dearly in the future.

Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr.'s 'mood disorder' raising questions (+video)

Just hours after Democratic leaders in Congress ratcheted up pressure on Jackson to reveal more information, his office released a brief statement from his doctor.

House may prosecute journalists for reporting leaked information

After recent New York Times stories containing information that some considered a threat to national security the House is considering revising the Espionage Act, and allowing journalists to be prosecuted for disclosing sensitive information.