Topic: U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary

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Immigration reform bill: Top 8 changes GOP senators want

More than 300 amendments were submitted for possible inclusion in a sweeping immigration reform package – at least 100 of them from two Republicans, Sens. Charles Grassley of Iowa and Jeff Sessions of Alabama. Here are eight notable changes GOP lawmakers want to see in bill, as the Senate Judiciary Committee takes up amendments between now and Memorial Day.

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In Senate, emotional appeal to restore 'heart and soul' of Voting Rights Act

Rep. John Lewis of Georgia, a leader of the 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery, urged the Senate Judiciary Committee to restore a key section of the Voting Rights Act struck down by the Supreme Court.
After DOMA ruling, few fighting words from congressional GOP on gay marriage

One by one, leading Republicans offered statements after the Supreme Court's DOMA ruling that showed they were ready, by and large, to leave the gay marriage fight to the states.
Opinion Hey, Congress: It's comprehensive immigration reform or nothing

Some members of Congress argue that the Senate immigration reform bill should be broken up and considered piecemeal. But only comprehensive legislation will pull together the strange-bedfellow coalition necessary to secure enough votes to pass both the House and Senate.
Will government probe of AP phone records cost Eric Holder his job?

Attorney General Eric Holder has alienated Republicans before. But the Justice Department's seizure of AP phone records is generating bipartisan concern.
Officials seize AP's phone logs: What are they looking for?

The Associated Press is now in the news as well as covering it: Justice Department officials secretly obtained two months of telephone records from AP reporters and editors.
Immigration reform bill: Top 8 changes GOP senators want

More than 300 amendments were submitted for possible inclusion in a sweeping immigration reform package – at least 100 of them from two Republicans, Sens. Charles Grassley of Iowa and Jeff Sessions of Alabama. Here are eight notable changes GOP lawmakers want to see in bill, as the Senate Judiciary Committee takes up amendments between now and Memorial Day.
Immigration reform promises border security. Prove it, Republicans say. (+video)

The Senate immigration reform bill aims to apprehend 90 percent of potential border-crossers in high-risk areas within five years after passage, but Republicans question the plan.
Senate, House pursue sharply different paths to immigration reform

Senate's bill is sweeping, and it's moving fast. The House so far is taking up immigration reform piecemeal, and is proceeding at a, well, deliberative pace. Why are the approaches are so different?
Obama's immigration plan makes the US safer, says Napolitano

Lawmakers worried about border security loopholes revealed by the Boston bombing, but Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said they were already addressed by Obama's proposed immigration plan.
Boston Marathon bombing moves from solidarity to partisan politics

Partisanship was absent in the days following the Boston Marathon bombing. Now, political issues are entering into the discussion, including gun control, immigration, and national security.
Immigration reform and Boston bombing: why some make a connection

Should the Boston bombing be part of the debate on immigration reform? Some say the proposal would make the US more vulnerable, but others say the discussion should not be so narrow.
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.
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.
Sen. Marco Rubio to Jay-Z: Get your facts straight on Cuba (+video)

Immigration reform pushed by the bipartisan 'Gang of Eight' hits the Senate this week. Sen. Marco Rubio is a key player, and he was all over the news shows Sunday talking about that.
Luis Gutierrez: pivot man on House immigration 'gang'

How the Illinois Democrat and others work in groups behind closed doors as part of the new dealmaking in Congress.
Gang of Eight seem on the verge of bipartisan immigration bill

Both Senators John McCain, R-Ariz., and Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. indicated the bipartisan committee working on immigration reform may be close to proposing a bill.
Legislation follows a slew of canines killed by police in Colorado

After a number of dog deaths at the hands of police officers, the Colorado legislature is pushing a bill that would mandate three hours of online training for officers statewide in understanding dog behavior and how to handle dogs while on duty.
Fear Itself

Ira Katznelson has produced an exceptionally engaging and thoughtful account of the New Deal era.
Focus Drones over America: public safety benefit or 'creepy' privacy threat?

Drones are not just for tracking terrorists abroad. Some 327 are authorized to fly in US airspace – most for military training. But as their numbers grow, so is domestic scrutiny.
Rand Paul's drone filibuster shakes up Republicans

Sen. Rand Paul's filibuster got results: The White House acknowledged that killing US citizens suspected of being terrorists must follow the rule of law. But it also shook up the Republican caucus.
Gun trafficking bill passes Senate panel. Is that it for Obama gun agenda?

A gun-trafficking bill picked up important Republican support Thursday, improving its chances for passing the full Senate. But other parts of President Obama's gun-control agenda are in limbo.
Attorney General Holder promises more openness about drone attacks (+video)

The White House is under pressure about targeting terrorists with drones, including a filibuster by Sen. Rand Paul. Attorney General Eric Holder told a Senate committee, 'I heard you and the president heard you.'
Steven Tyler Act passes: New curbs on paparazzi

Steven Tyler Act passes Hawaii senate: The bill tries to protect celebrities, such as Steven Tyler, from zealous photographers. Steven Tyler owns a home in Maui.
Decoder Wire Brennan CIA nomination clears panel. What did White House have to divulge?

The nomination of John Brennan to head the CIA had languished in the Senate Intelligence Committee. Panel members were keen to know about the legal defense of the secret US drone program.
Gun control: This time, it's bipartisan

Gun control: A bipartisan group of representatives and senators have proposed laws banning gun trafficking and purchasing guns for criminals.