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• Benghazi report authors offer to testify in public, not private

  May 16, 2013 10:30 AM

  WASHINGTON - The authors of a report on the attack on the U.S. diplomatic post in Benghazi, Libya, are telling a House Republican that they will testify in public -- but they won't submit first to private interviews with investigators for a House oversight panel. Thomas Pickering and former Joint... more »

• GOP boycotts health care advisory board

  May 9, 2013 3:15 PM

  WASHINGTON - The battle over President Barack Obama's health care law continues to play out today -- with congressional Republicans saying they won't nominate candidates for an advisory board that's supposed to play a role in holding down Medicare costs. The board would have the power to force payment cuts... more »

• Obama: We will get through cuts

  March 1, 2013 10:52 AM

  WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama says Americans will get through the automatic spending cuts kicking in Friday. Obama says the nation shouldn't be making "dumb and arbitrary" cuts. He says Republicans have allowed the cuts to happen. Obama stays he still believes the cuts can be replaced, but he wants... more »

• GOP turns to governors in post-2012 review

  January 25, 2013 1:06 PM

  GOP turns to governors in post-2012 review Eds: APNewsNow. Will be updated. KEN THOMAS Associated Press CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Looking for a new direction, many Republicans are turning to the states for ideas on how to come back from their 2012 election defeat. Republicans are promoting the tax and... more »

• Obama: Debt limit increase can't be tied to spending cuts

  January 14, 2013 12:50 PM

  WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama is demanding that Congress quickly raise the nation's $16.4 trillion debt limit, telling reporters, "we are not a deadbeat nation." At a White House news conference less than a week before he takes the oath of office for a second term, Obama warned that if... more »

• House will vote on Senate-passed 'cliff' bill

  January 1, 2013 8:17 PM

  WASHINGTON - Republicans are dropping their demands for additional spending cuts and will hold a House vote on whether to give final congressional approval to the Senate-approved compromise averting "fiscal cliff" tax increases and spending cuts. The House vote was expected Tuesday evening. A decision by the Republican-run House to... more »

• No vote in DC on taxes, fiscal cliff

  December 20, 2012 11:04 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Unable to round up enough support, House Republicans abruptly put off a vote Thursday night on legislation allowing tax rates to rise for households earning $1 million and up, complicating attempts to avoid a year-end fiscal cliff that threatens to send the economy into recession. In a... more »

• Rice removes name from consideration to be secretary of State

  December 13, 2012 3:54 PM

  WASHINGTON - Susan Rice has withdrawn her name from consideration to be the next secretary of state after the embattled U.N. ambassador ran into a standoff with Republicans over an attack on Americans in Libya. President Barack Obama, in a statement, said he accepted Rice's decision to remove her name... more »

• First cracks in GOP resolve on tax rates

  November 28, 2012 10:20 AM

  WASHINGTON - The first cracks are developing among Republicans over whether to accept a quick deal with President Barack Obama on allowing the top two income tax rates to expire. Conservative Oklahoma GOP Rep. Tom Cole has told GOP colleagues that it's better to make sure that tax cuts for... more »

• Congress returns, effort to avert tax hikes and spending cuts resumes

  November 26, 2012 5:05 PM

  WASHINGTON - Efforts to avoid the "fiscal cliff" have resumed in Washington following the long holiday weekend. Congress and President Barack Obama have until the end of the year to avoid tax increases and automatic spending cuts. White House and congressional aides say Obama spoke separately over the weekend with... more »

• House speaker says he'll consider tax increase

  November 7, 2012 6:02 PM

  WASHINGTON - House Speaker John Boehner is offering to pursue a deal with a victorious President Barack Obama that will include higher taxes "under the right conditions" to help reduce the nation's staggering debt and put its finances in order. Boehner tells reporters a day after the president's clear re-election... more »

• Biden: Dems ready to compromise on 'fiscal cliff'

  November 7, 2012 4:29 PM

  WASHINGTON - Vice President Joe Biden says he and President Barack Obama are anxious to move forward on a bipartisan solution to the looming "fiscal cliff" that could force tax increases and across-the-board spending cuts next year. Biden told reporters Wednesday the real question is what Republicans in Congress will... more »

• Louisiana voters ready for election Play Video

  November 5, 2012 10:20 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Republicans and Democrats might not be burning the midnight oil in Louisiana, but they are working to make sure people know: vote Tuesday. Monday night, Democrats were making calls on behalf of Barack Obama. Republicans said they were having volunteers make calls from their homes for Mitt... more »

• Obama makes a pitch to veterans, military families

  September 27, 2012 3:19 PM

  VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - President Barack Obama has appealed to veterans and military families in defense-focused southeast Virginia, casting himself as a president who is ending foreign entanglements and aiding returning soldiers with educational opportunities. Obama chided rival Mitt Romney for saying, in secretly taped remarks months ago, that nearly... more »

• Republicans gavel open convention

  August 27, 2012 1:17 PM

  TAMPA, Fla. - Republicans have gaveled open their convention that will culminate with the nomination of Mitt Romney to be president. Party Chairman Reince Priebus banged the gavel on an abbreviated Monday session as the threat of Tropical Storm Isaac forced the GOP to cram four days of speeches and... more »

• Democrats, Republicans face off over tax proposals in the Senate

  July 10, 2012 1:39 PM

  WASHINGTON - The tax fight isn't just playing out on the campaign trail today -- it's also taking center stage in the Senate, where leaders of both parties are belittling each other's tax-cutting plans. Democrats today are trying to advance legislation that would lower taxes for companies that hire new... more »

• Republicans, Democrats at odds on energy issues

  June 13, 2012 1:19 PM

  WASHINGTON - Republicans and Democrats seem to be living on different planets when it comes to how to meet U.S. energy needs. A new survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research of public attitudes about energy shows that Republicans in the poll overwhelmingly push for more oil... more »

• Republicans await returns in two Southern states

  March 13, 2012 2:46 PM

  MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Alabama's governor hadn't publicly made an endorsement in today's GOP primary -- but today, a spokesman says, Gov. Robert Bentley voted for Rick Santorum. The spokesman says he believes Santorum is "the most conservative candidate" in the race. Voters in Mississippi are also choosing among the... more »

• State primary registration deadline

  February 21, 2012 12:39 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Tomorrow is the deadline to register to vote or to change parties in the Louisiana presidential preference primary next month. Registered Democrats and Republicans will vote on March 24th for who they want to get their party's presidential nomination. Only those registered in a party... more »

• Republicans point toward 1st of 2 SC debates

  January 16, 2012 3:56 PM

  MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - The Republican presidential contenders are campaigning their way into the first of two debates before a decisive weekend vote in South Carolina. Hours before the candidates were to gather Monday night in Myrtle Beach, S.C., for the Fox News Channel-sponsored forum, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman... more »

• Republicans muscle tax cut bill through House

  December 13, 2011 5:56 PM

  WASHINGTON - The Republican-controlled House has passed legislation sought by President Barack Obama to extend Social Security payroll tax cuts through 2012. But the bill also includes a requirement for construction of an oil pipeline that has drawn a veto threat. The vote was 234-193. The measure now goes to... more »

• La. Democrats look to rebuild grassroots base

  December 1, 2011 12:34 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. - After a string of losses and the inability to field a slate of statewide candidates this fall, Louisiana's Democratic Party is retrenching. Party leaders say they are focused on rebuilding grass-roots support, re-establishing local leadership committees and attracting candidates with an eye to the 2012... more »

• Labor Board Gridlock from Congress

  October 28, 2011 7:35 PM

  Republicans in Congress are blocking President Obama from filling seats on the National Labor Relations Board which could cause it to lose some power to enforce workplace laws next year. The Senate is in recess and the GOP is not allowing the President to make appointments in the meantime. The... more »

• Finance reports offer insight into GOP field

  July 15, 2011 6:07 AM

  WASHINGTON- With six months to go before the first votes are cast, Republican presidential contenders are disclosing how much cash they have available - and how much debt they have to overcome - to win the GOP's nomination. Federal election reports are due today and are expected to offer an... more »

• Dems outpace GOP in Fundraising

  June 20, 2011 7:46 PM

  The Democratic National Committee says it raised $10.5 million in May compared to the $6.2 million Republicans raised in the same month. Part of the Democrats money is for a joint fund with President Obama's re-election campaign. The Obama campaign has set a goal of raising $60 million through the... more »

• GOP hopefuls descend on La.

  June 17, 2011 3:01 AM

  NEW ORLEANS- As Republicans gather in this conservative bastion to hear from the party's presidential candidates, they'll also be sending a not-so-subtle message to President Barack Obama - the South is GOP territory. No less than five GOP hopefuls were appearing at the four-day Republican Leadership Conference, planning to introduce... more »

• Sen. Reid: Deal on budget cuts, but ideology blocking it

  April 8, 2011 10:56 AM

  WASHINGTON - The top Democrat in the Senate says the White House and Republicans have agreed on a spending cut of $38 billion but a fight over federal dollars for Planned Parenthood is blocking a deal. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada told reporters Friday he's cautiously optimistic... more »

• Who Needs the Senate?

  April 1, 2011 7:39 PM

  The House passed a Republican bill that declares $61 billion in budget cuts is the law of the land even if the Senate doesn't pass it and President Obama vetoes it. Members acknowledge the bill has no practical effect but it reminds voters that they passed a budget while the... more »

• House votes to let Pentagon sponsor NASCAR races

  February 18, 2011 1:28 PM

  WASHINGTON - The House has voted to let the Pentagon continue using taxpayer dollars to sponsor NASCAR race teams. By a 281-148 vote, lawmakers rejected an effort by Minnesota Democratic Rep. Betty McCollum that would have ended the practice. McCollum aides said the Army is spending $7 million... more »

• WH: Obama wants civil discussion over spending

  February 16, 2011 12:45 PM

  WASHINGTON - The White House says President Barack Obama wants a civil and reasonable discussion with Republicans as he negotiates reductions in Social Security and Medicare spending. White House spokesman Jay Carney said Wednesday that making needed changes in the two massive programs will require compromise. He would... more »

• GOP: Debt burden hinders long-term growth

  January 8, 2011 10:44 AM

  WASHINGTON - Republicans are spotlighting steps being taken by the new GOP House majority, including trimming members' operating budgets and moving to repeal President Barack Obama's signature health care law. The GOP contends the law extending coverage to 30 million uninsured Americans is a budget-busting job-killer. In the weekly GOP... more »

• Senate passes package extending Bush tax cuts

  December 15, 2010 12:30 PM

  WASHINGTON - The Senate has passed a sweeping tax package that would save millions of Americans thousands of dollars in higher taxes for the next two years while also reducing their Social Security taxes and extending jobless benefits. The $858 billion package now goes to the House, where many... more »

• At Obama's side, Clinton backs tax deal

  December 10, 2010 3:50 PM

  WASHINGTON - Former President Bill Clinton made a surprise appearance at President Barack Obama's side on Friday to back the tax cut compromise Obama negotiated with Republicans. "I don't believe there is a better deal out there," Clinton told reporters in the White House briefing room who'd been summoned at... more »

• Senate blocks repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell'

  December 9, 2010 3:20 PM

  WASHINGTON - Senate Republicans have blocked legislation that would have repealed the military's policy of "don't ask, don't tell" and allowed gay troops to serve openly. Democrats failed Thursday to cinch a procedural deal with Republicans in the waning days of the lame-duck session. The 57-40 test vote fell three... more »

• Bill blocked to let upper-income tax cuts expire

  December 4, 2010 10:27 AM

  WASHINGTON - Senate Republicans have blocked legislation allowing taxes to rise on upper income taxpayers on Jan. 1. The vote Saturday was 53-36 - seven short of the 60 needed to advance the measure. Without action by Congress, all income tax cuts enacted when George W. Bush was... more »

• Obama optimistic about bipartisan deal on taxes

  December 2, 2010 12:55 PM

  WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama says he is optimistic that Democrats and Republicans will come to agreements on several issues in the coming weeks. Obama says the most important issue lawmakers must resolve is making sure taxes don't increase for middle-class families when Bush-era tax cuts expire at the end... more »

• House GOP blocks bill to extend jobless benefits

  November 18, 2010 1:13 PM

  WASHINGTON - Republicans in the House have blocked a bill that would have extended jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed beyond the holiday season. The most recent extension of jobless benefits expires Dec. 1. Two million people will lose benefits averaging $310 a week nationwide by the end... more »

• Obama: No political party dictates direction

  November 3, 2010 12:19 PM

  WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama says no political party will be able to dictate the direction the country will take. A day after Republicans won back control of the House and increased their numbers in the Senate, the president says each political party has certain beliefs and principles that... more »

• Obama challenges Republicans on tax cuts

  September 8, 2010 1:10 PM

  President Barack Obama says it's time to extend Bush-era tax cuts for the middle class - but the nation can't afford the Republican approach of extending tax cuts for the wealthy as well. In remarks he's prepared for a speech in Ohio, Obama directly addresses House Minority Leader John... more »

• Poll: Most say US still unprepared for disasters

  August 26, 2010 11:31 AM

  A new polls shows most people in the United States believe the government is unprepared for a natural disaster as large, or larger than Hurricane Katrina. The 5th anniversary of the storm is this coming weekend. The survey was conducted by Pew Research Center and says 6 in 10, about... more »

• Andy Griffith's new role: pitching health care law

  July 30, 2010 1:03 PM

  Actor Andy Griffith has a new role: pitching President Barack Obama's health care law to seniors in a cable television ad paid for by Medicare. The TV star - whose role as sheriff of Mayberry made him an enduring symbol of small-town American values - tells seniors that "good... more »

• Senate Republicans block campaign finance bill

  July 27, 2010 3:03 PM

  Senate Republicans have blocked legislation imposing restrictions on political activity by special interest groups. The vote was 57-41, three short of the 60 the bill needed to advance. Democratic supporters backed by the White House said the legislation was needed to force shadowy interest groups that run millions... more »

• Parties make mid-term predictions

  July 18, 2010 9:36 AM

  Democratic lawmakers leading their party's election efforts are predicting Democrats will retain control of Congress this fall. GOP leaders are looking to a strong Republican showing amid voter anger over one-party government. Republican Rep. Pete Sessions of Texas says he thinks the GOP will have a net gain... more »

• Political parties want to tighten U.S. sanctions

  June 22, 2010 10:57 AM

  Democrats and Republicans are pushing the Obama administration to give money to the legislation that would tighten U.S. sanctions on Iran. Today lawmakers asked the administration to support the bill for exports of gasoline and other petroleum products. The House and Senate reached an agreement Monday on legislation.... more »

• Sarah Palin addresses Republicans in New Orleans

  April 9, 2010 1:21 PM

  Former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin says her "Don't retreat - reload" slogan is a call for political activism, not violence. Addressing fellow conservatives at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference, Palin accused the media of twisting her words and tarnishing the reputation of the tea party movement. She... more »

• President makes recess appointments

  March 27, 2010 3:07 PM

  President Barack Obama is blaming Republicans for his decision to make 15 recess appointments. The positions include members of his economic team, the National Labor Relations Board and the head of Customs and Border Protection. Obama says Senate Republicans are not living up to their responsibility to either... more »

• President tells GOP to "Go for it"

  March 25, 2010 1:27 PM

  President Barack Obama has a message for Republicans who say they'll try to repeal his health care overhaul: "Go for it." Obama says those who try to overturn the sweeping changes will have to face voters who see immediate benefits from the law. Speaking at the University of... more »

• Expert weighs in on lawsuit against health care reform

  March 23, 2010 10:19 PM

  Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell joined 12 other states in a federal lawsuit against the health care reform plan, filed minutes after President Obama signed it into law Tuesday. Virginia filed a separate lawsuit. Health law instructor Paul Race at Southern University doubts the lawsuit has legs. But those... more »

• Senate will debate health care bill

  November 21, 2009 8:00 PM

  The Senate will debate health care legislation. Thanks in part to Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu, who's vote helped give Democrats a 60 vote majority, the controversial health care reform bill cleared an important hurdle and intense Republican opposition. The bill now goes to the Senate floor, where it... more »