S.A. Miller

Teamsters buck Senate health bill over tax

The powerful Teamsters union on Thursday broke with President Obama over Senate Democrats' health care bill that would slap an excise tax on insurance companies for so-called "Cadillac" health plans, the high-priced and benefit-rich coverage that unions have fought hard to win for their members.

November 19, 2009

Giuliani: Terror trials leave U.S. ‘very vulnerable’

Former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani said Wednesday that the Obama administration had put the country on a vulnerable, defensive footing against terrorism by deciding to try accused September 11 terror plotters in a civilian New York City court.

November 18, 2009

Obama gets delay of Fort Hood probe

The Obama administration on Tuesday had the president's National Security Council take control of congressional briefings on the Fort Hood killings and asked Democratic leaders to delay a probe, as top Republicans said intelligence shortcomings blamed for failing to prevent the 9/11 attacks are re-emerging.

November 18, 2009

Obama’s union drive stumbles in N.H.

President Obama's moves to boost the labor movement suffered a setback, when the administration was forced to cancel the first federal construction contract in more than a decade requiring union representation of workers.

November 12, 2009

DeMint tries to ban ‘permanent politicians’

Sen. Jim DeMint is reintroducing a bill that would put term limits on members of Congress — a measure that has little chance of passage.

November 11, 2009

Health care debate risky for moderates

With the debate over health care moving to the Senate, several moderate Democrats will find themselves in a tough spot over the proposed reform.

November 10, 2009

Lawmakers fight raw-oyster ban under FDA rule

Gulf Coast lawmakers have a message for the administration: Keep your mitts off my raw oysters.

November 9, 2009

House OKs health reform bill

The Democrat-led House late Saturday passed landmark legislation that would fulfill President Obama's call to dramatically reshape the country's health care system, passing it with just one Republican vote.

November 8, 2009

U.S. trials OK’d for 9/11 suspects

The Senate on Thursday gave the green light to President Obama to transfer the accused plotters of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to the United States to be tried in civilian courts.

November 6, 2009

Congress OKs jobless benefits, housing credit

The House gave final approval Thursday to an extension of unemployment benefits by up to 20 weeks, ending weeks of partisan wrangling, while sweetening a federal subsidy to boost the national housing market.

November 5, 2009

Election a costly lesson for billionaires

It was a bad year for billionaires - at the polls, at least.

November 5, 2009

Tough day at polls for wealthy candidates

It was a bad year for billionaires — at the polls, at least.

November 4, 2009

Independents fuel GOP victories in Va., N.J.

The independent voters who powered President Obama and Democrats to victory in 2008 fled to Republicans in Tuesday's elections.

November 4, 2009

Christie delivers N.J. GOP victory

Republican Chris Christie won New Jersey's closely watched governor's race Tuesday, ousting an unpopular Democratic governor in the solidly blue state and delivering an embarrassing setback to President Obama.

November 4, 2009

GOP eyes 3-state sweep of key contests

Voters are preparing to cast ballots in the first major elections since President Obama took office, offering a glimpse into how they think the president and his party have handled issues such as health care and the economy.

November 3, 2009

Third-party candidates sending messages

The outcome Tuesday in New Jersey's neck-and-neck race between Democrat Gov. Jon Corzine and Republican challenger Christopher J. Christie hinges on a third-party candidate whose draw at the polls will help both parties gauge the mood of nation's electorate heading into the 2010 midterm contests.

November 3, 2009

Obama puts clout to test in N.J.

President Obama campaigned Sunday across this solidly blue state, trying to save the struggling re-election bid of Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine, whose loss in Tuesday's vote would cast doubts over the president's ambitious agenda and signal trouble ahead for other Democratic candidates next year.

November 2, 2009

GOP takes wait-and-see tack on health

Capitol Hill Republicans, hammered repeatedly by the Democratic majority for nitpicking President Obama's health care overhaul but not offering an alternative, say they're keeping their cards close to the vest until the endgame on the House floor.

November 1, 2009

Grayson’s remarks drive voters ‘Nuts’

A group of outraged Florida voters has launched the Web site MyCongressmanIsNuts.com in a drive to oust Democratic Rep. Alan Grayson, the outspoken lawmaker who grabbed national headlines after it was revealed that, among other comments, he called an adviser to the Federal Reserve chairman a "K Street whore" in a radio interview in September.

October 31, 2009

Critics denounce Dem. lawmaker as ‘nuts’

A group of angry Florida voters has launched the Web site MyCongressmanIsNuts.com in a drive to oust Democrat Rep. Alan Grayson, the outspoken congressman who grabbed national headlines earlier this month by calling an adviser to the Fed chairman a "K Street whore."

October 30, 2009