BarackObama

Obama Wants Small-Business Bill This Year

Seeking cooperation in a polarized climate, President Barack Obama called on Congress Tuesday to act quickly on bipartisan measures that would extend tax breaks for small businesses and help startup companies raise money. He said he would sign the legislation "right away."

Obama Decries Rising Cost of College Education

President Barack Obama called Friday for an overhaul of the higher education financial aid system, warning that colleges and universities that fail to control spiraling tuition costs could lose federal funds.

Beyond Santorum's Sweater: 2012's Best Campaign Swag

This week, Rick Santorum grabbed headlines when he offered campaign donors the sweater vest off his back. But the former senator faces a tough fight in the campaign merchandise contest. As GOP primary season heats up, here's our rundown of the winners and losers in the battle of the campaign swag.

Will Budget Cuts Leave Our Nation Defenseless? Hardly

President Obama's proposed cuts to national defense spending have critics in a panicked tizzy. But while the document outlining his plan suggests that real change is afoot, it clearly contradicts the outlandish claims of its detractors.

Obama Bucks GOP, OKs Consumer Watchdog

In a defiant display of executive power, President Barack Obama on Wednesday will buck GOP opposition and name Richard Cordray as the nation's chief consumer watchdog even though the Senate contends the move is inappropriate, senior administration officials told The Associated Press.

Tea Party Rep. Spends Big Bucks to Feed His Family

What do Tea Partiers feed their families? On Monday, Rep. John Fleming (R-La.), met with MSNBC's Chris Jansing to discuss President Obama's proposed tax hikes on the wealthy. Rep. Fleming only brings home $600,000 a year, and his explanation of why that just isn't enough offers an interesting glimpse into the world of Tea Party economic theory.

What New Consumer Agency Will Do for You

On Thursday, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau officially opens for business. Even as the political fight continues over just how potent the agency will be, at root, its mission is to make clear the prices and risks of financial products and services. Here's where it will focus its early effort.

The Financial Landscape: SEC Fines JPM Over CDOs

The news across the financial world is good for unions, which will find organizing a bit easier; adequate for Greece, which will find getting bailed out a bit easier, and bitter for JPMorgan which had to accept a $153.6 million SEC fine for misleading investors about a mortgage securities transaction.

Can William Daley Boost Obama's Business Reputation?

For the most part, the business community has cheered the president's appointment of Wall Street banker -- and former secretary of commerce -- William Daley as the new White House chief of staff. Daley is widely expected to enhance the administration's business reputation, but that's hardly a cake walk, even for a businessman.

Obama Urges House to Pass $26 Billion Jobs Bill for Teachers

President Obama urged lawmakers to pass a $26 billion jobs bill that Democrats say would save the jobs of 160,000 teachers across the country, as well as 150,000 first-responders, including police officers and firefighters. Republicans blasted the plan as a hand-out to unions.

Democrats Aim for Final Vote on Financial Reform

Congressional Democrats are aiming for a final vote on the financial reform bill soon, which they say will prevent future financial meltdowns like the one that plunged the economy into a devastating recession.