Tom Howell Jr.

Putin to Snowden: We don’t collect droves of data on everyone like the U.S.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said his country conducts surveillance with court permission on "specific citizens" but does not collect bulk surveillance data on its people, comments of note because of who was asking — Edward Snowden.

April 17, 2014

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford’s re-election launch party will be ‘history in the making,’ brother says

Embattled Toronto Mayor Rob Ford will kick off his re-election bid Thursday with an event that will be "history in the making," his brother and campaign manager said, promising free swag and for-sale memorabilia that cashes in on the mayor's odd fame, the Globe and Mail said.

April 17, 2014

Louisiana group hits back at Sen. Mary Landrieu campaign ad with ‘Actress Mary’ spot

A group called Keep Louisiana Working released a television ad titled "Actress Mary" on Thursday to call out Sen. Mary Landrieu for recreating comments from a Senate hearing so she could use them in a 60-second campaign spot.

April 17, 2014

Uninsured rates lower in states that embraced Obamacare

A survey released Wednesday says the uninsured rate has declined more significantly in states that fully embraced Obamacare than in states that did not, a finding that, while unsurprising, could buoy Democrats in the short-term as they work to overcome the health law's rocky rollout and retain vulnerable Senate seats this fall.

April 16, 2014

Pelosi to speak at Bard commencement, Bachmann at Oral Roberts

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi will deliver the commencement address May 24 at Bard College, a liberal arts school nestled in the Hudson Valley about 100 miles north of New York City.

April 16, 2014

Minnesota the latest to employ Deloitte to fix Obamacare tech issues

Minnesota has inked a contract with Deloitte to stabilize and manage its Obamacare exchange as it prepares for the second round of enrollment this fall, joining a growing list of states that have decided to turn to the consulting company in hopes of turning around its tech fortunes.

April 16, 2014

Law firm that cleared N.J. Gov. Christie in ‘Bridgegate’ gave 10K to RGA, which he heads

The firm that performed an in-house review of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's possible involvement in the George Washington Bridge scandal donated $10,000 to the Republican Governor's Association, which Mr. Christie heads, nine days before its lawyers issued a report that cleared the governor, according to a new report.

April 16, 2014

New debate: Should Congress use technology to spend less time in D.C.?

Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell of California said Wednesday that Congress should be more forward-thinking and allow lawmakers to do more of their work remotely, rather than crisscrossing the nation every week to get to Capitol Hill.

April 16, 2014

Americans prefer Democrats’ approach to health care: poll

Americans increasingly think Democrats have a better handle on health care than Republicans, according to a Retuers/Ipsos poll released Wednesday.

April 16, 2014

Despite Obamacare problems, some Democrats want Sebelius to run for Senate: report

Despite the rocky rollout of HealthCare.gov and her decision to leave President Obama's cabinet next month, Democrats are urging Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to run for a Senate seat in Kansas against her old friend, Republican Sen. Pat Roberts, The New York Times said.

April 16, 2014

Uninsured rate dropping faster in places that embraced pillars of Obamacare, survey shows

The uninsured rate among American adults 18 and older has declined more significantly this year in states that chose to both expand Medicaid and set up their own Obamacare exchanges than in states that decided not to, Gallup said.

April 16, 2014

Hawaii, D.C. give residents two more weeks to sign up under Obamacare

Hawaii and Washington, D.C., are giving their residents two more weeks to seek private health coverage under Obamacare, once again extending the deadline for consumers who had a hard time on the state-run insurance portals.

April 16, 2014

Many states avoiding paying for glitchy health care sites

Glitches in the Obamacare rollout last year weren't limited to the federal government. A number of states whose health care exchanges were riddled with errors now are withholding or trying to claw back more than $100 million from the contractors they blame for the foul-ups.

April 15, 2014

Joe Biden hails strength of survivors of Boston bombings, says America will never stand down

Vice President Joseph R. Biden on Tuesday hailed Bostonians who helped each other recover from the marathon bombings that rocked their city one year ago, calling them an inspiration to the world and proof that Americans will never back down from adversary.

April 15, 2014

Mass. Gov. Deval Patrick recalls day of Boston bombing one year ago

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick recalled Tuesday he was on his way home to work in the garden when his daughter called him one year ago with news of a loud "boom" downtown.

April 15, 2014

Senior House Democrat open to GOP Obamacare fix

Rep. Charlie Rangel, the influential New York Democrat who frequently defends Obamacare from the dais, said he is open to letting Americans shop for insurance across state lines — a key talking point for GOP lawmakers who want to repeal and replace the president's health care law with their own reforms.

April 15, 2014

No Jolly-Sink rematch in Florida this year: report

Democrat Alex Sink of Florida has decided not to run for Congress this fall, meaning she will not attempt to avenge her special-election loss last month to Republican David Jolly, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

April 15, 2014

Conservatives mark Tax Day by ripping IRS, say reforms are needed

Conservatives are using the tax filing deadline to take aim at Washington's policy and the IRS, which has been steeped in scandal for nearly a year because of allegations it targeted right-leaning groups seeking favorable tax status.

April 15, 2014

New campaign ad for Sen. Mary Landrieu touts her work for Louisiana oil and gas workers

Sen. Mary Landrieu, one of several Democrats waging tough re-election bids this year, put out a campaign ad Tuesday that touts her support for Louisiana's oil and gas workers.

April 15, 2014

One year later, Boston bombing suspect spends days in isolation: report

The surviving suspect in the Boston Marathon bombings that stunned Americans one year ago spends his days in isolation at a federal medical center in Massachusetts.

April 15, 2014