Tom Howell Jr.

George W. Bush has painted Putin, Blair and others; he’ll give a sneak peek on Friday

Former President George W. Bush will unveil 24 portraits of world leaders on Friday as part of his first art exhibit, the "Today" show said.

April 3, 2014

Obama administration tweaks Medicare to accomodate gay marriage

The Health and Human Services Department said Thursday it is taking additional steps to bring its Medicare rules in line with the 2013 Supreme Court ruling that opened up federal benefits to people in same-sex marriages.

April 3, 2014

Michael McCaul: Fort Hood shooting shows need to ‘harden’ military bases

Rep. Michael McCaul said it is too early to "completely" rule out terrorism amid the investigation into Wednesday's shooting at Fort Hood, but either way, soldiers should be able to protect themselves on base.

April 3, 2014

Former Sen. Scott Brown no longer at law firm, another sign he’s running again

Likely Senate candidate Scott Brown has left his job at a Boston law office, the Boston Globe reports.

April 3, 2014

Republican Governors Association breaks its first-quarter record for fundraising

The Republican Governors Association said Thursday it set a first-quarter fundraising record for itself by raking in $23.5 million — double the amount it raised at the same point in 2010, a comparable midterm election season.

April 3, 2014

Sen. Jim Inhofe skeptical of gun restrictions on bases after Fort Hood shooting

Sen. Jim Inhofe questioned Thursday whether restrictions on carrying firearms on Army bases left victims at Fort Hood in Texas defenseless during a mass shooting Wednesday by a suspect who was dealing with mental health issues.

April 3, 2014

‘Thermometer’ poll: N.J. Gov. Chris Christie cools off, Hillary Clinton stays hot

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is no longer the hottest politician in the nation, while former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is holding her own and Sen. Elizabeth Warren is gaining some traction, a new Quinnipiac University poll said.

April 3, 2014

Obamacare-reform bill passes key House vote

House Republicans moved along a bill Wednesday that would rewrite the health care law to define full-time work as 40 hours per week —rather than the 30 it now prescribes — out of concern the current rules give employers an incentive to slash workers' hours.

April 2, 2014

Enroll America: We’ll work right up to the next Obamacare enrollment period

Enroll America, a White House ally that spread the word about Obamacare during the past year, said it is not going to rest on its laurels now that the law's six-month enrollment period is over.

April 2, 2014

Sen. Ted Cruz tells Liberty University students to stand up for religious freedom

Sen. Ted Cruz on Wednesday told graduating students at Liberty University they should stand by their principles because religious liberty is under threat.

April 2, 2014

Scott Brown: New Hampshire Senate run to replace Shaheen

Former Sen. Scott Brown is officially running for a U.S. Senate seat in New Hampshire

April 2, 2014

Jindal unveils Obamacare replacement

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal rolled out a plan Wednesday to repeal and replace Obamacare — marking the Republican's latest attempt to claim part of the national stage as the GOP's 2016 presidential jockeying intensifies.

April 2, 2014

Many more Americans newly insured off the Obamacare exchanges: report

While the nation focuses on the 7 million people who selected a plan on the Obamacare exchanges, there are millions more newly insured people who are "hiding in plain sight," The New York Times said.

April 2, 2014

Obama approval rating at 42 percent; Americans can’t decide if he’s stronger than Putin

President Obama's overall job approval remains in negative territory but inched up 2 points to 42 percent, the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute said.

April 2, 2014

Obamacare ‘here to stay,’ president declares

President Obama on Tuesday vowed Obamacare is "here to stay" as he hailed the enrollment of more than 7 million people on the health exchanges, marking a stunning recovery after an embarrassing, glitch-filled rollout.

April 1, 2014

State Obamacare numbers trickle in; Congress is bulk of D.C. small-biz enrollees

State-run health exchanges began Tuesday to share their final Obamacare numbers, with the nation's capital reporting that more than 20 percent of its individual and family enrollments came in the last week alone before Monday's deadline.

April 1, 2014

Pharrell: Hillary Clinton will be ‘Happy’ in 2016

Williams, who is promoting his new album "G I R L," explained it as a matter of unity in a world where women are playing a more predominant role.

April 1, 2014

Debbie Wasserman Schultz: Most Americans will pay less under Obamacare

The chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee said she does not think most Americans will pay more for their insurance under Obamacare.

April 1, 2014

Rep. Tim Murphy: GM and safety officials have some explaining to do over deadly car flaw

Rep. Tim Murphy said Tuesday that both General Motors and the nation's highway safety body "messed up pretty bad" in failing to recall cars with an ignition-switch problem linked to more than a dozen deaths.

April 1, 2014

RNC: We can use the color blue if we want to; Dems can be the party of ‘red tape’

The Republican National Committee says they're no longer going to be cornered into a one-color scheme — so they're adding a little blue.

April 1, 2014