http://www.mail.com/people/15718-richard-durbin.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.29/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/people/15718-richard-durbin.html http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2157906-chicagos-us-attorney-faces-urgent-dilemma.html CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago's next U.S. attorney faces a dilemma sprung from the twin evils bedeviling America's third-largest city. Should he zero in on Illinois' deep pool of political corruption with the resolve of his predecessor, who sent two governors to prison? Or should he devote even more resources to the gang- and drug-related violence that has claim... Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:42:12 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2157906-chicagos-us-attorney-faces-urgent-dilemma.html 2013-06-18T13:42:12Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2143256-senate-passes-farm-bill-moving-debate-to-house.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The last time Congress passed a farm bill, Democrats had control of the House and the food stamp program was about half the size it is today. That was five years ago. Conservatives calling for an overhaul of the domestic food aid program will try to trim the nation's nearly $80 billion grocery bill when the House weighs in on farm legisl... Tue, 11 Jun 2013 14:46:56 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2143256-senate-passes-farm-bill-moving-debate-to-house.html 2013-06-11T14:46:56Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2144048-hagel-budget-forces-review-contracts.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says the Pentagon is reviewing all private contractors as the department deals with budget cuts and the lucrative payment to an NSA leaker casts a spotlight on the outside work. Hagel said on Tuesday that the department has no choice as it faces a cut in projected spending of $37 billion this year from autom... Tue, 11 Jun 2013 14:40:35 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2144048-hagel-budget-forces-review-contracts.html 2013-06-11T14:40:35Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2142356-house-dem-pushes-repeal-military-force-law.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama and Congress need to rethink the broad authority for the use of military force in the war on terror, a law written when many U.S. troops now on the battlefield were on playgrounds, a House Democrat who wants the law repealed said Monday. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., a member of the House Intelligence committee, plan... Mon, 10 Jun 2013 20:44:24 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2142356-house-dem-pushes-repeal-military-force-law.html 2013-06-10T20:44:24Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2134022-house-passes-measure-to-deport-young-immigrants.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The Republican-controlled House voted Thursday to resume the deportation of hundreds of thousands of immigrants brought illegally to the United States as children, a largely symbolic move in the first immigration-related vote in either chamber of Congress this year and a measure of the daunting challenge facing supporters of a sweeping overhaul of existing ... Thu, 06 Jun 2013 21:35:14 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2134022-house-passes-measure-to-deport-young-immigrants.html 2013-06-06T21:35:14Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2128940-nuke-missile-crews-cite-morale-sapping-pressures.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Officers with a finger on the trigger of the Air Force's most powerful nuclear missiles are complaining of a wide array of morale-sapping pressures, according to internal emails obtained by The Associated Press. The complaints shed fresh light on dissatisfactions roiling this critical arm of the Air Force, an undercurrent that has captur... Tue, 04 Jun 2013 18:07:08 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2128940-nuke-missile-crews-cite-morale-sapping-pressures.html 2013-06-04T18:07:08Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2111164-senator-fire-commanders-allowing-sex-assault.html WASHINGTON (AP) — From Congress to the White House, pressure is mounting to hold military commanders accountable for the rising number of sexual assaults in the armed services. "This needs to end," Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and a member of the Armed Services Committee, said Sunday. "When a victim comes forward, they should have an advocate to walk them... Sun, 26 May 2013 20:40:39 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2111164-senator-fire-commanders-allowing-sex-assault.html 2013-05-26T20:40:39Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2111080-gop-continues-to-slam-obama-war-approach.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans keep slamming President Barack Obama's push to move the government away from a war footing and refine and recalibrate counterterrorism strategy. Capitol Hill Republicans like Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina say Obama is projecting weakness at a time when the United States needs to show resolve against terror networks li... Sun, 26 May 2013 15:12:48 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2111080-gop-continues-to-slam-obama-war-approach.html 2013-05-26T15:12:48Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/2110960-high-tech-industry-big-immigration-bill-winner.html WASHINGTON (AP) — More than any other group, the high-tech industry got big wins in an immigration bill approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee last week, thanks to a concerted lobbying effort, an ideally positioned Senate ally and relatively weak opposition. The result amounted to a bonanza for the industry: unlimited green cards for foreigners with c... Sun, 26 May 2013 12:35:12 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/2110960-high-tech-industry-big-immigration-bill-winner.html 2013-05-26T12:35:12Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/2106652-senate-votes-to-cut-crop-insurance-aid-wealthy.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate on Thursday voted to limit the amount of government subsidies the wealthiest farmers receive when purchasing crop insurance. The vote was one small victory this week for critics of a massive, five-year farm bill that would cost almost $100 billion a year and includes generous subsidies for the nation's biggest crops. Supporter... Thu, 23 May 2013 22:07:33 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/2106652-senate-votes-to-cut-crop-insurance-aid-wealthy.html 2013-05-23T22:07:33Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2099474-senate-panel-approves-immigration-bill.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Far-reaching legislation to grant a chance at citizenship to millions of immigrants living illegally in the United States cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee on a solid bipartisan vote Tuesday night after supporters somberly sidestepped a controversy over the rights of gay spouses. The 13-5 vote cleared the way for an epic showdown on... Wed, 22 May 2013 00:36:12 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2099474-senate-panel-approves-immigration-bill.html 2013-05-22T00:36:12Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2097434-senators-require-fingerprinting-30-airports.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate supporters of far-reaching immigration legislation accepted minor changes in public while negotiating over more sweeping alterations in private Monday as they drove toward expected Judiciary Committee approval by mid-week. In a long day of drafting, the panel voted to begin phasing in a requirement for foreigners to undergo finger... Mon, 20 May 2013 22:23:23 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2097434-senators-require-fingerprinting-30-airports.html 2013-05-20T22:23:23Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2090950-house-immigration-group-reaches-deal.html WASHINGTON (AP) — A bipartisan group of House members announced a deal Thursday on sweeping immigration legislation, a breakthrough that could boost chances for one of President Barack Obama's top second-term priorities. It came after months of secretive talks among the four Republican and four Democratic House members had seemed to stall in recent days e... Fri, 17 May 2013 00:27:37 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2090950-house-immigration-group-reaches-deal.html 2013-05-17T00:27:37Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2091516-congress-rethinks-911-law-military-force.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress is rethinking the broad authority it gave the president to wage a war on terror after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in light of how President Barack Obama has used the power to target suspected terrorists with lethal drone strikes. Senior Pentagon officials insisted on Thursday that the law should remain unchanged as the... Thu, 16 May 2013 20:17:14 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2091516-congress-rethinks-911-law-military-force.html 2013-05-16T20:17:14Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2082632-high-tech-pushes-immigration-bill.html WASHINGTON (AP) — High-tech companies looking to bring more skilled workers to the U.S. pushed Monday for more concessions in an immigration bill pending in the Senate. Labor unions said the Silicon Valley had already gotten enough in the legislation and further changes risked chipping away at protections for U.S. workers. The clash is set to play out in ... Tue, 14 May 2013 02:50:29 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2082632-high-tech-pushes-immigration-bill.html 2013-05-14T02:50:29Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2080096-review-chairman-clinton-benghazi-call.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The seasoned diplomat who penned a highly critical report on security at a U.S. outpost in Benghazi, Libya, defended his scathing assessment but absolved then-Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. "We knew where the responsibility rested," Thomas Pickering said Sunday. "They've tried to point a finger at people more senior than wher... Sun, 12 May 2013 18:53:17 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2080096-review-chairman-clinton-benghazi-call.html 2013-05-12T18:53:17Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2073412-coalition-immigration-bill-clears-tests.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The bipartisan coalition behind a contentious overhaul of immigration laws stuck together on a critical early series of test votes Thursday, turning back challenges from conservative critics as the Senate Judiciary Committee refined legislation to secure the borders and grant eventual citizenship to millions living in the United States illegally. ... Thu, 09 May 2013 21:26:40 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2073412-coalition-immigration-bill-clears-tests.html 2013-05-09T21:26:40Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2073334-general-orders-extra-review-nuke-crew-failings.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The general who commands the nation's nuclear forces said Thursday he has ordered further review of failings discovered among Air Force officers who operate nuclear missiles. But he told Congress he was not alarmed by their shortcomings. Gen. Robert Kehler, commander of U.S. Strategic Command, told a House Armed Services panel that the A... Thu, 09 May 2013 14:52:55 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2073334-general-orders-extra-review-nuke-crew-failings.html 2013-05-09T14:52:55Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2070504-study-immigration-bill-would-help-social-security.html WASHINGTON (AP) — A bipartisan immigration bill pending in the Senate would strengthen the Social Security trust fund by adding millions of workers to tax rolls, and provide a boost to the overall economy, according to an analysis Wednesday by the Social Security Administration. The finding came in a letter to Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., who requested the a... Thu, 09 May 2013 04:04:34 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2070504-study-immigration-bill-would-help-social-security.html 2013-05-09T04:04:34Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2070570-ap-exclusive-commander-cites-rot-nuke-force.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel demanded more information Wednesday after the Air Force removed 17 launch officers from duty at a nuclear missile base in North Dakota over what a commander called "rot" in the force. The Air Force struggled to explain, acknowledging concern about an "attitude problem" but telling Congress the weapons were secure. ... Wed, 08 May 2013 21:41:13 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2070570-ap-exclusive-commander-cites-rot-nuke-force.html 2013-05-08T21:41:13Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2071790-gay-rights-plan-threat-to-immigration-bill.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Religious leaders said Wednesday that adding a gay rights proposal to immigration legislation could risk their support for the bill, setting up a potential Senate showdown. "We're extremely hopeful that this bill will remain an immigration bill and not get tangled up with the issue of gay rights," said Richard Land, a leader of the South... Wed, 08 May 2013 18:37:22 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2071790-gay-rights-plan-threat-to-immigration-bill.html 2013-05-08T18:37:22Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2069748-gop-stronger-borders-immigration-bill-will-die.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Landmark immigration legislation is doomed to fail in Congress unless border-security provisions are greatly strengthened, Republican senators bluntly warned on Tuesday. "If in fact the American people can't trust that the border is controlled, you're never going to be able to pass this bill," declared Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, top Re... Wed, 08 May 2013 00:58:28 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2069748-gop-stronger-borders-immigration-bill-will-die.html 2013-05-08T00:58:28Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/2065546-senate-passes-bill-letting-tax-online-sales.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate sided with traditional retailers and financially strapped state and local governments Monday by passing a bill that would widely subject online shopping — for many a largely tax-free frontier — to state sales taxes. The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 69 to 27, getting support from Republicans and Democrats alike. But oppo... Mon, 06 May 2013 23:36:34 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/2065546-senate-passes-bill-letting-tax-online-sales.html 2013-05-06T23:36:34Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2066318-san-francisco-city-attorney-sues-monster-beverage.html NEW YORK (AP) — San Francisco's city attorney is suing Monster Beverage for marketing its energy drinks to children, saying the products pose severe health risks. City Attorney Dennis Herrera said Monday that Monster is the "industry's worst offender" in the extent to which it targets youth and children. The action comes after Monster last week sued Herre... Mon, 06 May 2013 19:47:40 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2066318-san-francisco-city-attorney-sues-monster-beverage.html 2013-05-06T19:47:40Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2058104-violence-mars-day-rally-seattle.html LOS ANGELES (AP) — Supporters of immigration reform rallied across the nation on May Day in lively gatherings that were marred by a burst of violence in Seattle, where police fired pepper spray at rock-throwing protesters in clashes that left 17 people arrested. Thousands joined May Day rallies in dozens of cities from Concord, N.H., to Bozeman, Mont., ma... Thu, 02 May 2013 12:51:36 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2058104-violence-mars-day-rally-seattle.html 2013-05-02T12:51:36Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2055400-immigration-debate-life-to-annual-rallies.html LOS ANGELES (AP) — Demonstrators demanded an overhaul of immigration laws Wednesday in an annual, nationwide ritual that carried a special sense of urgency as Congress considers sweeping legislation that would bring many of the estimated 11 million people living in the U.S. illegally out of the shadows. Thousands joined May Day rallies in dozens of cities... Thu, 02 May 2013 06:54:46 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2055400-immigration-debate-life-to-annual-rallies.html 2013-05-02T06:54:46Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2046154-internet-sales-tax-bill-to-hit-roadblock-house.html WASHINGTON (AP) — A bill to require Internet shoppers to pay sales taxes for online purchases may be cruising through the Senate but it will soon hit a roadblock in the House. "There's a lot of political difficulty getting through the fog of it looking like a tax increase," said Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., one of the main sponsors of the bill in the House.... Fri, 26 Apr 2013 16:28:38 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2046154-internet-sales-tax-bill-to-hit-roadblock-house.html 2013-04-26T16:28:38Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/2043434-senate-advances-bill-to-tax-internet-sales.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate moved closer Thursday to passing a bill to tax purchases made over the Internet. But a final vote in the Senate was delayed until senators return from a weeklong vacation. Although opponents hope senators will hear from angry constituents over the next week, they have a steep hill to climb to defeat the bill in the Senate. The... Thu, 25 Apr 2013 22:58:22 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/2043434-senate-advances-bill-to-tax-internet-sales.html 2013-04-25T22:58:22Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2044370-crossing-red-line-us-syria-used-poison.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House declared Thursday that U.S. intelligence indicates Syrian President Bashar Assad has twice used deadly chemical weapons in his country's fierce civil war, a provocative action that would cross President Barack Obama's "red line" for a significant military response. But the administration said the revelation won't immediately change its stanc... Thu, 25 Apr 2013 22:18:43 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2044370-crossing-red-line-us-syria-used-poison.html 2013-04-25T22:18:43Z