Jacqueline Klimas

House gets only openly transgender staffer

Ben Panico was named a fellow for the LGBT Equality Caucus on Thursday, becoming the only openly transgender person working in the House.

R.I. lawmaker: U.S. still has work to do in Iraq

Rep. David Cicilline, Rhode Island Democrat, said Thursday that just because the Iraqis trapped on a mountain by a terrorist group don't need to be rescued doesn't mean the United States' job in Iraq is done.

Ron Paul: Government exaggerating Ebola claims for profit

Former Rep. Ron Paul said Thursday that he believes the government is "over-exaggerating" the Ebola outbreak, possibly to make a profit off less effective, more expensive organic phosphate medicine.

Americans ready for big change in 2016, GOP Gov. Bobby Jindal says

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal said Thursday that he believes the country is ready for a big change in 2016, though he hasn't decided yet if he'll try to be the person to do it.

Air Force Secretary: Situation in Iraq is ‘much, much better’

Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James said Thursday that humanitarian aid drops and missile strikes against a militant group in Iraq are actually working.

Iraq threat grew because of Obama campaign promise: GOP lawmaker

Rep. Robert Pittenger, North Carolina Republican, said Wednesday that the current crisis in Iraq is a directly result of the president's refusal to break a promise he made while campaigning to withdraw troops.

Obama doesn’t need permission for air strikes, Rep. Chris Van Hollen says

Government is public enemy No. 1, outraged Americans say

Politicians have been warned: Venom aimed at politicians in Washington is at a new high.

Rep. Eliot Engel: U.S. must pressure al-Maliki to step down

Rep. Eliot Engel, New York Democrat, said Tuesday that the U.S. should work with allies to put pressure on Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to step down.

Sen. Jack Reed: We can only help Iraqis if they help themselves

Sen. Jack Reed, Rhode Island Democrat, said Tuesday said the U.S. will best be able to help Iraqis if they can unite their own government — something that will be best achieved under the newly-named prime minister.

New Iraqi prime minister is ‘best of the group,’ Rep. Peter King says

Rep. Peter King, New York Republican, said Monday that Haider al-Abadi, Iraq's new prime minister, is the "best of the group," but will still face challenges in defeating the Islamic State militant group if he's even allowed to assume the position.

Pelosi to be guest judge on TLC baking show

Chocoholic Rep. Nancy Pelosi is using her sweet expertise to judge desserts on a TLC baking show this week.

Ethel Kennedy dares Obama: Take the ‘ice bucket challenge’

One of the country's iconic families accepted the "ice bucket challenge" this weekend — and nominated President Obama himself to be doused with ice water to raise awareness of ALS.

Leadership must change to drive out Islamic State: Sen. Jack Reed

Sen. Jack Reed, Rhode Island Democrat, said Monday that the Islamic State militant group can be pushed back but can not be defeated as long as Iraq's prime minister Nouri al-Maliki is in office.

U.S. must not work alone in Iraq: Rep. Gregory Meeks

Rep. Gregory Meeks, New York Democrat, said Monday that the U.S. must get allies in the Middle East involved in defeating the Islamic State militant group.

Former U.S. ambassador: ‘We knew this was coming’ in Iraq

Marc Ginsberg, former ambassador to Morocco, said Monday that the militant group in Iraq's spread to Syria is not a surprise to those familiar with the situation.

Mark Begich won’t take down ad with Lisa Murkowski

Sen. Mark Begich, Alaska Democrat, said he doesn't plan to take down a campaign ad showing him working together with his Republican colleague, Sen. Lisa Murkowski.

Government disability payments skyrocketing despite fewer veterans

Even though there are fewer veterans now than a decade ago, the government is paying nearly three times as much in disability payments as it did then, according to a budget analysis that says the war on terrorism has left troops more severely injured than previous conflicts did.

Iraq airstrikes undercut Obama peace credentials, analysts say

A little more than 24 hours after wrapping up an international summit at the Institute of Peace in Washington last week, President Obama went to war.

Rep. Peter King: Obama’s actions in Iraq are “shameful”

Rep. Peter King, New York Republican, said Sunday that the president's unwillingness to get more involved when the militant group is a direct threat to the U.S. is "a shameful abdication of American leadership."