Politics

Congress Nears the End of Session with Only 78 Laws on the Books

Jennifer Shutt / New Jersey Monitor Aug 8, 2024 With only 35 working days left before year end, the deeply divided Congress has had one of the least productive sessions in decades. Dig deeper ( 9 Min. Read )

America Faces an Epidemic of Retirement Insecurity

Tom Conway / Independent Media Institute Mar 2, 2020 A combination of pension plans, Social Security and personal savings once carried our retirees through their golden years. Not anymore. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Democrats Decry McConnell’s Impeachment Rules as ‘Cover-Up’

LISA MASCARO, ERIC TUCKER and ZEKE MILLER / The Associated Press Jan 21, 2020 “The McConnell rules seem to be designed by President Trump for President Trump,” says Sen. Chuck Schumer. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Could Washington’s Impeachment Drama Spark China Trade Deal?

PAUL WISEMAN and JOE MCDONALD / The Associated Press Sep 29, 2019 A deal with Beijing would allow Trump to claim a needed victory and divert attention from an explosive congressional investigation. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Thousands of Poor Patients Face Lawsuits From Nonprofit Hospitals

Maya Miller and Beena Raghavendran / ProPublica Sep 13, 2019 Low-income patients are overcoming stigmas about poverty to speak out about nonprofit hospitals that sue them. Officials are noticing. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Setbacks for Trump’s Drive to Lower Prescription Drug Costs

RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR / The Associated Press Jul 11, 2019 The president is now focusing his drive to curb drug costs on congressional efforts. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Congress Makes Bipartisan Push to Cut Health Care Costs

RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR / The Associated Press Jul 7, 2019 Lawmakers are trying to set aside their differences on Obamacare and reach agreement on a more immediate health care issue. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Trump Asks Citizenship and Immigration Services Head to Quit

COLLEEN LONG / The Associated Press May 26, 2019 With Lee Francis Cissna's departure, there are more than a dozen vacancies of top leadership positions at the department. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Thank TurboTax If the Government Bans Free Online Tax Filing

Justin Elliott / ProPublica Apr 9, 2019 After years of lobbying and donations, the for-profit tax preparation industry is on the verge of realizing one of its long-sought goals. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

The Senate GOP Is Confirming Judges at a Breakneck Pace

JESSICA CORBETT / Common Dreams Feb 8, 2019 Sen. Kamala Harris warns that the Trump administration is "reshaping our courts for generations to come with nominees that are extreme." Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Facing Pressure, McConnell Agrees to Criminal Justice Vote

MARY CLARE JALONICK and KEVIN FREKING / The Associated Press Dec 13, 2018 The Senate majority leader says he will bring legislation to the floor to overhaul the nation's federal sentencing laws. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Facing Pressure, McConnell Agrees to Criminal Justice Vote

MARY CLARE JALONICK and KEVIN FREKING / The Associated Press Dec 11, 2018 Amid a push from the president and bipartisan support, the Senate majority leader allows the bill to overhaul sentencing laws to proceed. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )