Democrats put health care bill on brink of passage
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats pushed sweeping health care legislation to the brink of Senate passage Wednesday, crushing a year-end Republican filibuster against President Barack Obama's call to remake the nation's health care system. The 60-39 vote marked the third time in as many days Democrats have posted a supermajority needed to advance the legislation. Final passage, set for about dawn on Thursday, was a certainty, and will clear the way for talks with the House on a final compromise. Those negotiations likely will stretch into February.
Abortion looms as possible block to health bill
WASHINGTON (AP) — The way abortions are covered under health care reform is a major obstacle to finalizing the legislation, even though the House and Senate both agree that no federal money should be used. The stumbling block is whether insurance plans that get federal money are completely barred from covering abortions, or whether they can cover it as long as they require customers to write separate checks for the procedure using their own money.
Guantanamo prison may have to stay open until 2011
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama's commitment to close the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, by next month may be delayed until 2011 because it will take months for the government to buy an Illinois prison and upgrade it to hold suspected terrorists. The drawn-out construction timetable shows the political risk of Obama's pledge, a delay that could even be extended by congressional opposition to funding the purchase and upgrades for the Thomson Correctional Center, an underused state facility about 150 miles west of Chicago.
US anti-drug effort in Afghanistan criticized
WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department's internal watchdog on Wednesday criticized the agency's nearly $2 billion anti-drug effort in Afghanistan for poor oversight and lack of a long-term strategy. The department's inspector general said the Afghanistan counter-narcotics program is hampered by too few personnel and rampant corruption among Afghan officials.
Yemen is growing front in al-Qaida battle
WASHINGTON (AP) — The secretive U.S. air strike against suspected al-Qaida in Yemen last week is the latest in what has been a fast-growing campaign to better equip and fund Yemeni forces so they can eliminate the expanding al-Qaida safe havens there. The Pentagon has poured nearly $70 million in military aid to Yemen this year, a massive financial infusion compared to nothing in 2008.
Geithner: Job growth should resume by springtime
WASHINGTON (AP) — Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner says he believes it's reasonable to expect "positive job growth" by spring and that people should have confidence about an improving economic climate. In an interview broadcast on ABC's "Good Morning America," Geithner (GYT'-nur) also said he believes many banks around the country still have work ahead of them to regain the public's faith. He said, "They need to work very hard to shore it up" and said he wasn't certain that "all banks get it."
Obama: climate change disappointment justified
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says the public is justified in its disappointment with the outcome of the United Nations climate change summit. Despite statements from his advisers proclaiming the summit's nonbinding agreement a great step forward, Obama says it didn't take the steps necessary to combat the effects of climate change.
Dodd, Shelby voice optimism on banking regulations
WASHINGTON (AP) — The top Senate Democrat and Republican negotiating new Wall Street regulation said Wednesday they expect to resolve their differences before the end of January, an optimistic outlook for a bill that had seemed mired in partisan conflicts. Sens. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., and Richard Shelby, R-Ala., issued a joint statement saying bipartisan negotiations have resulted in "meaningful progress." The Senate Banking Committee could consider a compromise bill as early as Jan. 26, people familiar with the discussions said.
Judge allows wild horse roundup in Nevada
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration said Wednesday it is going forward with a contentious plan to round up about 2,500 wild horses in Nevada. A spokeswoman for Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said herds in the Calico Mountains Complex in northwestern Nevada are overpopulated and need to be reduced to protect the horses and the rangelands that support them.
Ex-President Carter offers apology to Jews
ATLANTA (AP) — Former President Jimmy Carter apologized for any words or deeds that may have upset the Jewish community in an open letter meant to improve an often-tense relationship. He said he was offering an Al Het, a prayer said on Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement. It signifies a plea for forgiveness.
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