Senate Set to Pass Bill Allowing States to Tax Internet Purchases
The Senate is expected to pass legislation Monday that would allow states to collect sales taxes for Internet purchases, but the bill faces opposition in the House.
Senate
Senate Passes Bill to End Air Traffic Control Furloughs
The Senate moved quickly late on Thursday to end air traffic controller furloughs that were causing widespread airline flight delays related to federal spending cuts.
Obama Nominates Group of Labor Relations Board Members
Obama is nominating three candidates for full terms on the National Labor Relations Board, left in limbo after a court ruling invalidated the president's recess appointments.
Sequestration Imminent, Senate Rejects Stopgap Efforts
The Senate swatted aside last-ditch plans to block $85 billion in broad-based federal spending reductions Thursday as President Barack Obama and Republicans blamed each other for the latest outbreak of gridlock and the administration readied plans to put the cuts into effect.
Elizabeth Warren Likely Headed to Senate Banking Panel
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid wants Massachusetts Sen.-elect Elizabeth Warren to join the Banking Committee. A Senate Democratic official confirmed Tuesday that Warren's appointment was likely, but cautioned nothing was final until the Democratic caucus approves the move.
Senate Set for Symbolic Showdown on Tax Cuts
The Senate is bracing for a tax-cut showdown that is all about Democrats and Republicans showing voters their differences over taxing the well-off while accusing each other of threatening to shove the government over a fiscal cliff.
Consumer Advocate Elizabeth Warren Entering Massachusetts Senate Race
Consumer advocate and Democrat Elizabeth Warren will enter the Massachusetts Senate primary for a shot at challenging incumbent Republican Scott Brown for his seat. Warren will formally declare she's running on Wednesday, Kyle Sullivan, a Warren spokesman, said. She plans to greet commuters in Boston and make other stops during the day across the state.
What's Going On With Next Year's Federal Budget?
It has been a long, confusing summer for the federal budget: The FAA shutdown, the debt ceiling crisis, the Deficit "Supercommittee." But all of that was just prelude to the battles ahead over the 12 major appropriations bills to fund the government's "discretionary" spending.
Who Wins and Who Loses If the Government Shuts Down
Unless lawmakers can agree on budget legislation to keep the federal government running, a shutdown at midnight Friday looms. If it happens, there will be a few clear winners, some who break even and a whole lot of losers.
Will Senate Repeal an Unpopular Tax-Reporting Requirement?
The U.S. Senate is schedule to vote Tuesday on a bill that would repeal an unpopular tax-reporting requirement enacted as part of last year's health-care law. The House of Representatives approved the bill last month.
How an Oil Baron's Heir Cleaned Up a Slimy Internet Scam
For the past decade, a few clever companies have been running an online scheme that tricked consumers into joining so-called membership clubs and charged their credit cards without their consent. But thanks to Sen. John Rockefeller, the era of this $1.4 billion con is coming to an end.
The Millionaire Class: Most New U.S. Senators are Rich
Approximately 60% of first-year U.S. senators and 40% of House of Representatives freshmen are worth at least $1 million, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. That makes them far richer than most of the Americans they represent: Just 1% of the country's population has reached the $1 million mark.
Senators Propose a New Law to Address Drug Shortages
Health care providers have been reporting unprecedented shortages of prescription drugs, including vital medications such as chemotherapies and antibiotics. Under current law, the FDA has no power to act, so two senators have introduced a bill to help government get a handle on the problem.
