Tag Archives: Senate
Administration nominees awaiting next move by GOP
WASHINGTON (AP) ? Senate Republicans are returning to Washington in an angry mood over President Barack Obama’s appointments to two key agencies during a year-end break. More than 70 nominees to judgeships and senior federal agency positions are awaiting the next move from Republicans, who can use Senate rules to block votes on some or [...]
Top Republican predicts House will kill 2-month tax (Reuters)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) ? The top Republican lawmaker on Monday effectively killed a short-term tax break and called on lawmakers to negotiate a full year payroll tax cut extension for 160 million U.S. workers. “The idea that tax policy can be done two months at a time is the kind of activity we see here in [...]
House GOP rejects 2-month payroll tax cut (AP)
WASHINGTON ? The House has rejected a plan backed by President Barack Obama to extend a 2-percentage point payroll tax cut for two months. Republicans are demanding immediate talks with the Senate on a year-long extension. Without a bill extending the cuts, payroll taxes will go up for 160 million workers on Jan. 1. Almost [...]
Senate confirms McFaul as ambassador to Moscow (AP)
WASHINGTON ? The Senate on Saturday confirmed Michael McFaul, President Barack Obama’s top adviser on Russia, to be the next U.S. ambassador to Moscow. The voice vote to elevate McFaul to the ambassador’s post came on the last day the Senate is meeting this year after several months of delay. McFaul is regarded as one [...]