Senate set for first health care votes Thurs.
WASHINGTON (AP) — After three days of angry debate, the Senate was poised to cast its first vote Thursday on remaking the nation's health care system, with Democrats and Republicans offering amendments that address Americans' fears about women's health and Medicare. Under the agreement that allowed the votes to take place, the amendments will require 60 votes to pass — making each step in the debate a test of Democratic Party unity.
Congress worries about Obama's plan for Pakistan
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama's planned troop buildup in Afghanistan came in for more skepticism on Capitol Hill Thursday with lawmakers zeroing in on how the U.S. will deal with terrorist havens in neighboring Pakistan. "What happens in Pakistan ... will do more to determine the outcome in Afghanistan than any increase in troops or shift in strategy," said Sen. John Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Pelosi: Bailout money to fund jobs initiative
WASHINGTON (AP) — The top Democrat on Capitol Hill says Congress will tap unused funds from the Wall Street bailout to pay for new spending on infrastructure projects and other steps aimed at boosting jobs. California Democrat Nancy Pelosi said money from the bailout should be used to pay for jobs legislation that would funnel billions of dollars to road, bridge and other infrastructure projects and also help struggling state and local governments retain public employees such as firefighters, police officers and teachers. She also promised help for small businesses.
FBI adds 4 hijackers to wanted terrorists list
WASHINGTON (AP) — Four men wanted for the 1986 hijacking of a Pan Am plane have been added to the FBI's most wanted terrorist list — with a $5 million reward for each. The suspects were allegedly part of the Abu Nidal terrorist group when they attacked Flight 73 during its stop in Karachi, Pakistan — leading to the deaths of 20 passengers and crew, including two Americans. Pakistan tried and convicted the men, but they were apparently released in January 2008.
Obama rejoining economic debate with jobs summit
WASHINGTON (AP) — Under pressure from Republicans and an impatient public to fix the sputtering economic recovery, President Barack Obama is refocusing on this politically potent issue by talking job creation with business and labor leaders at the White House. The White House has lacked a unified economic message in recent weeks, with its attention focused instead on health care and Obama's three-month review of the Afghanistan war. With unemployment in double digits for the first time in decades, Democratic lawmakers are suggesting a second economic stimulus aimed directly at job creation may be needed.
Thompson relieved US avoided 'night of horror'
WASHINGTON (AP) — The head of the Secret Service asserted Thursday that the security breach at last week's White House state dinner was an aberration and President Barack Obama was never at risk. Mark Sullivan said three uniformed officers have been put on administrative leave. The chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, Rep. Bennie Thompson, said the country is fortunate the affair didn't end in a "night of horror."
Poll finds sexting common among young people
WASHINGTON (AP) — Think your kid is not "sexting"? Think again. Sexting — sharing sexually explicit photos, videos and chat by cell phone or online — is fairly commonplace among young people, despite sometimes grim consequences for those who do it. More than a quarter of young people have been involved in sexting in some form, an Associated Press-MTV poll found.
Secret Pentagon e-mails: Trust Canada? 'Who knows'
WASHINGTON (AP) — How much does the U.S. government really trust Canada? Maybe less than you think. Espionage warnings from the Defense Department caused an international sensation a few years ago over reports of mysterious coins with radio frequency transmitters, until they were debunked. The culprit turned out to be a commemorative quarter in Canada.
House to vote on extending tax on wealthy estates
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House approached a vote Thursday on permanently extending a 45 percent inheritance tax on estates larger than $3.5 million, canceling a one-year repeal of the tax set to begin next month. A similar effort is afoot in the Senate, but the health care debate there could preclude action on it before Congress breaks later this month for holidays. There are also disagreements among senators over the tax rate and the size of estates that should be exempt, further clouding the bill's prospects.
Congress, Obama spar over paying for Afghan plan
WASHINGTON (AP) — Amid soaring budget deficits, President Barack Obama is running into congressional qualms over how to pay for his troop buildup in Afghanistan. Military strategy aside, the $30 billion cost is causing concern on both sides of the aisle. Still, leaders in Congress predicted Wednesday that Obama would prevail in winning funding for the war escalation. Some Democrats, favoring the 30,000 troop increase, are supporting a "war tax." But the White House and most lawmakers appeared unwilling to take such a step.
