Leadership - Page 22

December 20, 2015

Leahy says Senate will push for NSA legislation, suggests Obama didn't go far enough

Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said Sunday the upper chamber will continue working on legislation to limit NSA spying, suggesting President Obama has not gone far enough in making changes to protect Americans’ privacy.

December 20, 2015

'War on coal:' GOP Senate group moves to block EPA power plant rules

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and 39 fellow Republicans are attempting to use a rarely used legislative tactic to block planned Environmental Protection Agency greenhouse gas standards that would limit the amount of carbon new power plants can emit.

December 20, 2015

Senate delays vote on jobless benefits as Reid tries to wrangle crucial Republican votes

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid delayed a key vote Monday on restoring long-term jobless benefits to nearly 1.4 million unemployed Americans, as he wrangles behind closed doors with Republicans over a potential deal to win their crucial support.

December 20, 2015

Reid retreats on blocking GOP changes to unemployment bill

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid retreated Friday from his refusal to allow votes on Republican-backed changes in legislation resurrecting benefits for the long-term unemployed. A spokesman said Reid is "absolutely willing for the Senate to consider a reasonable number of relevant amendments from Republicans."

December 20, 2015

Unemployment benefits extension hits snag in Senate

Senate Democrats’ plan to extend long-term jobless benefits ran into political turbulence on Thursday as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid pushed a reworked version but blocked Republicans from offering any changes. The dispute threatened to stall the legislation, two days after it narrowly cleared a Senate hurdle.

December 20, 2015

Jobless benefits bill clears key Senate hurdle, over GOP complaints on cost

A controversial jobless benefits bill narrowly cleared a key Senate hurdle on Tuesday, over the objections of Republicans who complain the $6 billion measure is not paid for and accuse Democrats of playing politics.

December 20, 2015

Effort to restore jobless benefits begins with uncertain Senate vote

The effort on Capitol Hill to restore long-term unemployment benefits to 1.3 million Americans is set to begin Monday with a critical first vote in the Senate.

December 20, 2015

Extreme cold strands senators, delaying Capitol Hill vote on unemployment benefits

A preliminary Senate vote to extend unemployment benefits was postponed Monday night after the extreme cold across much of the country prevented some senators from traveling back to Washington.

December 20, 2015

Hill Democrats, Republicans set 2014 agendas with midterm elections in mind

Congressional Democrats and Republicans sharpened their political knives Sunday as lawmakers return to Washington this week to begin executing legislative agendas designed to help their respective parties in the November elections.

December 20, 2015

New GOP Congress sets sights on Keystone, immigration and jobs

With control of the House and now the Senate, Republicans will return to Congress next week looking for early victories on such key issues as immigration and domestic energy to set the tone for the next two years and position their party to win the White House in 2016.