Politics

House GOP puts off vote on 'Plan B'
Confronted with a revolt among the rank and file, House Republicans abruptly scrapped a vote Thursday night on legislation allowing tax rates to rise ...
White House: Obama hopeful for bipartisan deal
The White House says President Barack Obama is willing to continue bargaining for a bipartisan solution to avert the "fiscal cliff" after House ...
Texas town allows teachers to carry concealed guns
In this tiny Texas town, children and their parents don't give much thought to safety at the community's lone school — mostly because some of the ...
AP Exclusive: Palestinians aim to isolate Israel
Weeks ahead of Israeli elections, Palestinian officials are already plotting a series of tough steps against Israel to be taken if, as polls predict, ...
Groups urge probe of $12 million mystery donation
Two election watchdog organizations on Thursday urged the Justice Department and Federal Election Commission to investigate more than $12 million in ...
Final Capitol tribute to late Hawaii Sen. Inouye
Sen. Daniel Inouye, the second-longest serving senator in U.S. history, was remembered Thursday as a man who gallantly defended his country on the ...
Obama to hold moment of silence for Conn. victims
President Barack Obama plans to observe a moment of silence at the White House on Friday morning in honor of the victims of the Connecticut elementary ...
House approves $633 billion defense bill
The House on Thursday overwhelmingly passed a $633 billion defense bill for next year despite Pentagon complaints that it spares outdated but ...
Biden: 'We have to take action' on gun control
The Obama administration will push to tighten gun laws in response to last week's schoolhouse massacre in Connecticut, Vice President Joe Biden said ...
Lawmakers, State officials tangle over Libya raid
The State Department on Thursday acknowledged major weaknesses in security and errors in judgment exposed in a scathing independent report on the ...
Obama holding 2 inaugural balls, least in 60 years
With his nation under financial strain, President Barack Obama is restricting the inaugural balls to the lowest number in 60 years, with just two ...
Armored backpacks and a rush on guns after Conn.
When Ken Larson's 1-year-old son starts school in a few years, he'll be carrying an armored backpack. After the Connecticut school shooting, Larson ...
Surveillance authority expiring unless Senate acts
The government's authority to intercept electronic communications of foreigners — both spies and terrorist targets — will expire at year's end unless ...
Booker won't run for NJ gov, eyes US Senate seat
Newark Mayor Cory Booker, perhaps New Jersey's highest-profile Democrat, has ruled out a bid for governor next year and is eyeing a run for U.S.
AP source: Syria again using Scud missiles on foes
The Obama administration says the Syrian government is continuing to fire Scud missiles at rebels and regime opponents as they make territorial gains.
Smallest state goes big on Miss Universe pride
The city of Cranston is known — sort of — for being the one-time home of the Narragansett Brewing Company, and it scored a mention in the Jim Carrey ...
Boehner: Obama not standing up to Democrats
House Speaker John Boehner says President Barack Obama is not standing up to his fellow Democrats as the clock ticks down on the dispute over the ...
Holder to meet with first responders in Newtown
Attorney General Eric Holder is heading to Newtown, Conn., to meet with first responders and law enforcement officials about last week's school ...
Gun laws show difficulty of stemming violent acts
One early focus of new gun regulations by President Barack Obama and some lawmakers would reinstate a federal ban on assault weapons, a law widely ...
US Army seeks death sentence in Afghan rampage
The U.S. Army is seeking the death penalty against a soldier accused of killing 16 Afghan villagers in a predawn rampage in March, a punishment some ...
Ex-nurse wants aiding-suicide conviction reversed
An attorney for a former Minnesota nurse convicted of going online and encouraging two people to kill themselves said in a court document Wednesday ...
Reported sex assaults spike at military academies
Reported sexual assaults at the nation's three military academies jumped by 23 percent overall this year, but the data signaled a continued reluctance ...
State Dept security chief resigns after Benghazi
Four State Department officials resigned under pressure Wednesday, less than a day after a damning report blamed management failures for a lack of ...
Watchdog: Fannie, Freddie may have lost over $3B
A federal watchdog has found that government-controlled Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may have lost more than $3 billion from big banks' alleged rigging ...
US Army seeks death penalty in 16 Afghan killings
The U.S. Army said Wednesday it will seek the death penalty against the soldier accused of killing 16 Afghan villagers in a predawn rampage in March, ...