WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate voted 59-38 Monday to resurrect federal jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed, and a small band of Republican supporters swiftly appealed to a reluctant Speaker John Boehner to permit election-year action in the House as well. Steps are needed “to restore unemployment benefits to struggling Americans,” seven House Republicans wrote […]
Author Archives: David Espo
AP Special Correspondent
Posted inNational News
Unemployment Benefits Bill Clears Initial Senate Hurdle
WASHINGTON (AP) — White House-backed Legislation to renew jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed unexpectedly cleared an initial Senate hurdle on Tuesday, but the bill’s fate remained in doubt. The vote was 60-37 to limit debate on the legislation, with a half-dozen Republicans siding with the Democrats on the test vote. At the same time, […]
Posted inElection 2012
OBAMA POWERS TO RE-ELECTION DESPITE WEAK ECONOMY
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama won re-election Tuesday night despite a fierce challenge from Republican Mitt Romney, prevailing in the face of a weak economy and high unemployment that encumbered his first term and crimped the middle class dreams of millions. “This happened because of you. Thank you” Obama tweeted to supporters as he […]
Posted inNational News
Obama Appeals for Debt-limit Compromise
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama on Monday night criticized a newly minted Republican plan to avert an unprecedented government default and said congressional leaders must produce a compromise that can reach his desk before the Aug. 2 deadline. “The American people may have voted for divided government, but they didn’t vote for a dysfunctional […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Obama Threatens Veto of House GOP Spending Cuts
WASHINGTON (AP) — Courting confrontation and compromise alike, House Republicans shrugged off President Barack Obama’s threat to veto legislation to cut federal spending by trillions of dollars on Monday while simultaneously negotiating with him over more modest steps to avert a potential government default. The Republican bill demands deep spending reductions and congressional approval of […]
Posted inNational News
Analysis: GOP Resurrects Marshall as Target
WASHINGTON (AP) — Dead nearly two decades, the late Justice Thurgood Marshall looms improbably over Elena Kagan’s nomination to the Supreme Court, a resurrection in liberal robes courtesy of Republicans eager to cast President Barack Obama’s selection as a judicial activist-in-waiting. “Justice Marshall is a historic figure in many respects,” Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., said […]