Topic: U.S. Senate

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Eight open US Senate seats in 2014

Here are eight senators who have opted out of a reelection bid in 2014, giving hopefuls in both parties a rare shot at a US Senate seat – and, moreover, one that could flip control of the Senate.

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Decoder Wire Why Liz Cheney may be riding for a fall in Wyoming Senate race

True, Liz Cheney will be able to raise scads of money, given her connections, to vie against incumbent Sen. Mike Enzi in Wyoming's GOP primary. But does money for ads matter in a state without a major media market? Skeptics cite other reasons, as well, that she could lose.
Decoder Wire Hillary who? Joe Biden says he still dreams of becoming president.

Everyone knows Hillary Clinton would be the presumptive Democratic front-runner for president in 2016. But Joe Biden, in a new interview, doesn't sound like he's ready to concede.
Verbal Energy Rules of English spelling – revealed!

Popular linguist David Crystal's new book, 'Spell It Out,' explains the rules of English spelling – but who knew there even were rules?
The Monitor's View What Senate filibuster deal tells young democracies like Egypt's

The Senate filibuster deal avoids the severe political backlash of the 'nuclear option' – for now. It recognizes the filibuster's historic role in protecting minority interests, a lesson for newly democratic countries like Egypt.
Blagojevich sought 'political deal ... in the public interest,' appeal says

The disgraced former governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, is appealing his conviction on corruption charges, arguing the judge barred evidence that put his actions in context.
Former governor of Montana won't run for Senate; an opening for GOP?

Brian Schweitzer, a Democrat and former governor of Montana, announced he won't seek the US Senate seat vacated by Sen. Max Baucus next year. Baucus' seat will be a target for Republicans, who need to pick up six seats to control the Senate.
Big immigration reform bill, big boost to US economy? Meh.

Analysis indicates that the Senate's big immigration reform bill, approved Thursday, would have more positive effects than negative – over time. But for the first few years, unemployment would rise and wages would fall, especially in low-skill jobs.
Markey wins a low-turnout, big-spending Mass. Senate race

Republican Gabriel Gomez was outspent and out-organized in a Massachusetts Senate race that netted a record low turnout. But Democrats working for Edward Markey were determined not to repeat Scott Brown's stunning 2010 upset.
Massachusetts Senate race: Politician defeats ex-SEAL

Longtime Democratic U.S. Rep. Edward Markey has won the U.S. Senate seat long held by John Kerry, now US Secretary of State. Markey defeated Republican political newcomer and former Navy SEAL Gabriel Gomez.
Immigration reform takes giant leap forward with Senate vote (+video)

Senators think they have to pass immigration reform overwhelmingly to persuade the House to play ball. They paved the way for that to happen by passing an important amendment Monday.
Navy football players charged with rape

If found guilty of sexually assaulting a schoolmate, three United States Naval Academy midshipmen could face court-martial. The allegations came following an investigation into an off-campus party last year.
Cory Booker the favorite for NJ Senate seat, but still has a race to win

The death of US Senator Frank Lautenberg has set off a scramble to fill the seat via a primary election in August and a special election in October. On Saturday, Newark Mayor Cory Booker entered the race.
SWAT-clad man uses assault rifle in chaotic Santa Monica shooting spree

Police have yet to identify the shooter or his motive in an attack Friday that killed four people and wounded five more in Santa Monica, Calif. The attacker was wearing SWAT-type gear and firing an assault rifle.
Backchannels NSA's data flood, through the PRISM of US interests and freedom (+video)

Do revelations about the US government snooping on citizens' telephone and Internet records make it harder for the government to advocate for Internet freedom around the world?
Senate seat scramble is on in N.J.: how Christie, GOP may benefit from it

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie named state Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa as a place holder and set a special election to replace the late US Sen. Frank Lautenberg. In a heavily Democratic state, Newark Mayor Cory Booker is the one to watch.
Massachusetts Senate debate: Both sides score points, but no knockout (+video)

In the Massachusetts Senate debate Wednesday, Republican Gabriel Gomez showed command, but Democratic Rep. Edward Markey stayed firm and revealed few cracks.
Obama turns tables on GOP: no compromise on judicial nominations

Obama slams Republicans for 'unprecedented' obstruction of his judicial nominees, and Sen. Harry Reid vows no compromise on a student loan deal, as Democrats take a page from the Republican playbook.
Decoder Wire Can White House help Democrats campaign this year? Paging Michelle Obama.

Arguably the most popular surrogate for her husband’s 2012 reelection campaign, the first lady is stumping in key 2013 races, untainted by the brouhahas polarizing Washington.
Why US Senate race in Massachusetts is Ed Markey's to lose

Ed Markey is a Democrat with high name recognition running in a blue state, and polls show him leading the GOP's Gabriel Gomez. But another US Senate race, in 2010, showed that Massachusetts voters can mete out some surprises.
Energy Voices Ernest Moniz confirmed unanimously as Energy secretary

Ernest Moniz earned bipartisan approval Thursday as the Senate voted 97-0 to confirm the nuclear physicist as the next secretary of the Department of Energy. The support for Ernest Moniz is in contrast to divided opinions over Gina McCarthy, President Obama's pick to head the EPA.
Immigration reform too late to fix one big problem, studies say

Immigration reform aims to fix a migrant worker system that all sides say is broken. But demographic and economic trends in Mexico mean the era of cheap migrant labor flooding American fields is nearing an end, two studies say.
Senate approves online sales tax. Is it fair, or a tax increase?

The Senate voted late Monday to require e-commerce businesses to collect sales taxes from buyers. The Marketplace Fairness Act may bring as much as $23 billion, by one estimate, in online sales tax revenue to states and cities. It faces an uncertain future in the House.
Immigration reform: When is family reunification also 'chain migration'?

Immigration reform legislation promises expedited reunification for millions of families awaiting visas, but critics caution that the overhaul could also produce uncontrolled 'chain migration.'
Sarah Palin: Chewing tobacco is her latest prop (+video)

Sarah Palin chewing tobacco? Speaking at the NRA annual meeting, Sarah Palin pulled out a tin of chewing tobacco to tweak NYC Mayor Bloomberg for his proposed ban on displaying tobacco products.
The New Economy Penny Pritzker steps into limelight as Commerce nominee

Penny Pritzker is first member of the wealthy family to accept a federal post. President Obama has nominated Penny Pritzker as Commerce secretary.