Topic: U.S. Senate
Top galleries, list articles, quizzes
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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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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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Voter turnout: the 6 states that rank highest, and why
Which state will have the highest voter turnout on Nov. 6?On average, about half (51.6 percent) of eligible US voters cast ballots, but six states averaged more than 60 percent. The policies and attitudes in these states may hold lessons for those trying to get out the vote around the country.
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Can Republicans increase their ranks of governors? Four races to watch.
With only 11 races for governor this year, there’s no big sea change to anticipate. With Republicans hoping to add to the 29 states under their banner, the four races to watch are in Washington, New Hampshire, Montana, and North Carolina.
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Columbus Day: Your guide to the top 5 political events today
Election season doesn’t stop for Columbus Day, and the action isn’t limited to the presidential contest. Here are your top five political events to watch this Columbus Day.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.'
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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.
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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.
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Could Gabriel Gomez pull a 'Scott Brown' and win Massachusetts Senate race?
Massachusetts Democrats are resolved not to repeat the mistakes of 2010, which allowed a GOP moderate with a fresh face and some charisma to prevail in a solid blue state. But GOP candidate Gabriel Gomez, like Scott Brown before him, is generating buzz.
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Gabriel Gomez, GOP candidate for Sen., rejects 'people's pledge'
Gabriel Gomez said Markey has spent decades in Congress building up a campaign war chest of special-interest money. Gomez said it's the 'height of hypocrisy' for Markey to talk about a pledge to limit spending.
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Boston bombings a wild card in Massachusetts Senate primary today
Ed Markey leads heading into Tuesday's Massachusetts Senate primary, but Stephen Lynch hopes to gain ground by attacking Markey's record on security, especially after the Boston bombings.
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Decoder Wire Did Mark Sanford blow his last best chance to win votes in House race?
Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch delivered some body blows to GOP rival Mark Sanford during Monday's debate. The South Carolina rivals for a US House seat have a week left to campaign.
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Colbert Busch trades jabs with Sanford in S.C. debate
During tonight's debate, Stephen Colbert's sister, Elizabeth Colbert Busch, criticized ex-Gov. Mark Sanford's policies as a member of Congress. Mr. Sanford pointed out that she contributed to his post-congressional campaign for governor, so "I don't think it must have bothered her that much."
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USA Update Flight delays coming to an end? House votes next on FAA furloughs.
The Senate voted Thursday to let the FAA repurpose money so it can halt furloughs of 15,000 air traffic controllers and end flight delays, tweaking rules of the 'sequester.' The House votes on the bill Friday.
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Modern Parenthood Obama's tattoo plan for the girls: 'Mommy and me will get the same exact tattoo'
President Obama's tattoo plan for Sasha and Malia is pre-emptive. Obama said he and Michelle told the girls their tattoo plan is to get the same ink the girls do, show it off on YouTube as a family tattoo.
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Veteran dealmaker Max Baucus announces Senate retirement
A centrist Democrat in a conservative state, Max Baucus has taken many tough votes over his six terms in the Senate, but battles over guns and health care loomed large in his reelection bid.
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'No more hurting people.' Will a safer future follow Boston tragedy's wake?
Martin Richard, the 8-year-old boy killed in the Boston Marathon bomb attack, once held a sign that said 'peace' and 'no more hurting people.' Research finds a pattern of lessening violence as human history moves forward.
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North Korea leans toward talks, but restates intention to keep nuclear weapons
North Korea has exhibited signs it may be willing to discuss some nuclear disarmament, and negotiate to lift U.N. sanctions. But Saturday, the country reiterated its intention not to completely denuclearize.
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Immigration reform bill may hang on economic effect of legalizing millions
Friday's testimony at first Senate hearing on the bipartisan immigration reform bill presented economic pros and cons of legalizing some 11 million people. A chief concern is wage suppression for low-skill Americans.
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Obama goes from scolder in Washington to comforter in Boston
In Washington, President Obama is locked in a battle with many voices in Congress over gun control, but at a moment of national tragedy, such as the Boston Marathon bombings, the president stands alone.
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USA Update Mississippi man charged in ricin attacks was an Elvis impersonator
Paul Kevin Curtis has been arrested and charged with making threats against the president and sending letters threatening to injure other persons. Relatives, who call him a 'super entertainer,' are shocked.
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Senate's failure to pass meaningful gun control 'shameful,' Obama says (+video)
The Senate on Wednesday failed to get the 60 votes necessary to pass a bipartisan bill that would have expanded gun-control background checks to gun shows and Internet sales.
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Marco Rubio crafts conservative argument for immigration reform. Will it sell?
GOP Sen. Marco Rubio is out front as the 'gang of 8' releases its immigration reform plan. The move puts him toe to toe with conservative talk-show hosts and could make or break a presidential run in 2016.
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Voices of Newtown: How gun violence victims became effective lobbyists (+video)
The testimony of Newtown parents and others who have lost loved ones to gun violence has become a potent political force on Capitol Hill as lawmakers debate stronger gun safety measures.
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Tax reform: Why Rep. Dave Camp won't rest until it's done
GOP Rep. Dave Camp, chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, says he's willing to 'walk down every street' to build consensus in Congress on tax reform.
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Energy Voices EPA nominee Gina McCarthy says coal a 'significant' energy source (Sponsor content)
Gina McCarthy, President Obama’s pick to lead the EPA, told a Senate panel on Thursday that coal will remain important in the US energy mix and that if confirmed that she will be flexible in applying new pollution rules for coal-fueled power plants.
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