http://www.mail.com/people/16842-john-thune.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.28/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/people/16842-john-thune.html http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2083754-senate-panel-approves-massive-farm-bill.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate Agriculture Committee on Tuesday approved a massive five-year farm bill that would cut spending while also creating new subsidies for farmers. The legislation approved 15-5 includes concessions to Southern rice and peanut farmers, thanks to a new top Republican on the committee, Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran. The bill eliminat... Tue, 14 May 2013 20:33:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2083754-senate-panel-approves-massive-farm-bill.html 2013-05-14T20:33:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/us/2069060-reports-gun-homicides-1990s.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Gun homicides have dropped steeply in the United States since their 1993 peak, a pair of reports released Tuesday showed, adding fuel to Congress' battle over whether to tighten restrictions on firearms. A study released Tuesday by the government's Bureau of Justice Statistics found that gun-related homicides dropped from 18,253 in 1993 ... Tue, 07 May 2013 23:27:33 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/us/2069060-reports-gun-homicides-1990s.html 2013-05-07T23:27:33Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2053716-officials-threatened-faa-towers-to-remain-open.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has assured lawmakers the Obama administration will prevent the closure of 149 small airport towers as well as end furloughs of air traffic controllers nationwide as a result of legislation passed by Congress, according to officials involved in negotiations on the bill. The disclosure came as senators ... Tue, 30 Apr 2013 21:07:35 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2053716-officials-threatened-faa-towers-to-remain-open.html 2013-04-30T21:07:35Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2046604-fact-check-faa-to-furlough-controllers.html WASHINGTON (AP) — With disgruntled passengers complaining about airline flight delays, Republican lawmakers and the airline industry pounced on the Obama administration. The glitch was invented by the White House for political reasons, they charged, and officials waited until the last minute to warn Congress and the airlines of the impending upheaval. The... Fri, 26 Apr 2013 16:21:51 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2046604-fact-check-faa-to-furlough-controllers.html 2013-04-26T16:21:51Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2045346-senate-passes-bill-to-ease-faa-furloughs.html WASHINGTON (AP) — With flight delays mounting, the Senate approved hurry-up legislation Thursday night to end air traffic controller furloughs blamed for inconveniencing large numbers of travelers. A House vote on the measure was expected as early as Friday, with lawmakers eager to embark on a weeklong vacation. Under the legislation, which the Senate pas... Fri, 26 Apr 2013 03:41:19 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2045346-senate-passes-bill-to-ease-faa-furloughs.html 2013-04-26T03:41:19Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2042572-white-house-its-open-to-faa-furloughs.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Under growing pressure, the Obama administration signaled Wednesday it might accept legislation eliminating Federal Aviation Administration furloughs blamed for lengthy delays affecting airline passengers, while leaving the rest of $85 billion in across-the-board spending cuts in place. The disclosure came as sentiment grew among Senate ... Wed, 24 Apr 2013 22:53:48 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2042572-white-house-its-open-to-faa-furloughs.html 2013-04-24T22:53:48Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2040048-airline-service-improves-delays.html NEW YORK (AP) — A day after flight delays plagued much of the nation, air travel was smoother Tuesday, but the government warned passengers that the situation could change by the hour as thousands of air-traffic controllers are forced to take furloughs because of budget cuts. Meanwhile, airlines and members of Congress urged the Federal Aviation Administr... Tue, 23 Apr 2013 21:27:26 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2040048-airline-service-improves-delays.html 2013-04-23T21:27:26Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2039192-lawmakers-urge-delay-control-tower-furloughs.html WASHINGTON (AP) — As airport delays spread across the country, members of Congress on Tuesday urged the administration to postpone the furloughing of air traffic controllers to give the White House and Congress time to find a less painful way of handling automatic spending cuts. Two senators, Republican Jerry Moran of Kansas and Democrat Richard Blumentha... Tue, 23 Apr 2013 21:10:16 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2039192-lawmakers-urge-delay-control-tower-furloughs.html 2013-04-23T21:10:16Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2028786-house-passes-pro-business-cybersecurity-bill.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Pro-business legislation aimed at helping companies fend off sophisticated foreign hackers sailed through the House on Thursday despite a White House veto threat and an outcry from privacy advocates and civil liberties groups that say it leaves Americans vulnerable to spying by the military. The House vote, 288-127, puts the spotlight on... Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:07:23 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2028786-house-passes-pro-business-cybersecurity-bill.html 2013-04-18T20:07:23Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2015090-gop-senator-would-broaden-gun-checks-records.html WASHINGTON (AP) — A conservative senator is proposing to greatly broaden the background check system for firearms purchasers but require no records of the transactions as the Senate braced for votes on amendments to gun control legislation next week. The plan by Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., was one of several proposals Republicans were discussing in preparat... Fri, 12 Apr 2013 21:57:14 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2015090-gop-senator-would-broaden-gun-checks-records.html 2013-04-12T21:57:14Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2011878-obama-gop-senators-discuss-issues-dinner.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Over a steak dinner, President Barack Obama dined with a dozen Republican senators at the White House on Wednesday evening in search of common ground on a range of issues, most notably the budget, entitlements and tax reform. "Our dinner with President Obama tonight was very productive," Sen. Johnny Isakson, who compiled the invitations,... Thu, 11 Apr 2013 03:21:19 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2011878-obama-gop-senators-discuss-issues-dinner.html 2013-04-11T03:21:19Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/2010990-house-committee-approves-pro-business-cyber-bill.html WASHINGTON (AP) — A House panel voted overwhelmingly Wednesday in favor of a new data-sharing program that would give the federal government a broader role in helping banks, manufacturers and other businesses protect themselves against cyberattacks. The bill, approved 18-2 by the House Intelligence Committee, would enable companies to disclose technical t... Wed, 10 Apr 2013 22:28:07 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/2010990-house-committee-approves-pro-business-cyber-bill.html 2013-04-10T22:28:07Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/1959180-charm-offensive-produces-breakthroughs.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Over dinner at a swank hotel a few blocks from the White House, Republican senators wanted to know if President Barack Obama would support a gradual increase in the age of eligibility for Medicare, set at 65 since the program's inception more than four decades ago. The president hedged, according to several at the event, recalling the di... Sat, 16 Mar 2013 08:07:26 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/1959180-charm-offensive-produces-breakthroughs.html 2013-03-16T08:07:26Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1953830-senate-gop-tells-obama-to-tone-attacks.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Polite yet firm, Senate Republicans told President Barack Obama on Thursday to tone down his political attacks and prod Democratic allies to support controversial changes in Medicare if he wants a compromise reducing deficits and providing stability to federal benefit programs. Participants at a 90-minute closed-door meeting said Obama a... Fri, 15 Mar 2013 00:42:04 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1953830-senate-gop-tells-obama-to-tone-attacks.html 2013-03-15T00:42:04Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1940210-gop-splits-immigration-terrorism-play.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Party divisions over immigration, anti-terrorism and other issues are bubbling to the surface just as President Barack Obama shows a new interest in capitalizing on GOP differences. The latest example played out Thursday on the Senate floor, where two Republican senators rebuked a third — tea party favorite Rand Paul of Kentuc... Fri, 08 Mar 2013 13:51:39 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1940210-gop-splits-immigration-terrorism-play.html 2013-03-08T13:51:39Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1909284-administration-warns-impact-broad-budget-cut.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Widespread flight delays and shuttered airports, off-limit seashores and unprotected parks. The Obama administration is painting a dire portrait of the many ways the public will feel the effects of automatic federal spending cuts due to begin March 1. The grim picture is emerging as the White House and lawmakers count down the days until... Sat, 23 Feb 2013 12:58:12 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1909284-administration-warns-impact-broad-budget-cut.html 2013-02-23T12:58:12Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1847564-obama-praises-nominees-sec-consumer-panel.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says his picks for two top posts will crack down on those whose irresponsible behavior threatens the U.S. economy and the middle class. In his weekly radio and Internet address, Obama praises his nominee to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission, Mary Jo White, and his pick for the Consumer Financial Protectio... Sat, 26 Jan 2013 10:05:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1847564-obama-praises-nominees-sec-consumer-panel.html 2013-01-26T10:05:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1789664-schumer-confident-fiscal-cliff-deal.html WASHINGTON (AP) — A Senate Democrat says he believes "odds are better than people think" that a deal can be reached to avoid automatic tax increases and spending cuts next week. New York's Chuck Schumer tells NBC's "Today" show he's encouraged that Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky is getting "actively engaged" in talks to resolve the p... Fri, 28 Dec 2012 11:25:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1789664-schumer-confident-fiscal-cliff-deal.html 2012-12-28T11:25:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1759738-cliff-movement-obama-boehner-trade-proposals.html WASHINGTON (AP) — In a test of divided government, President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner sought an elusive compromise Tuesday to prevent economy-damaging tax increases on the middle class at year's end, conferring by phone after a secretive exchange of proposals. Details were sparse and evidence of significant progress scarcer still, altho... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 01:41:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1759738-cliff-movement-obama-boehner-trade-proposals.html 2012-12-12T01:41:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1758366-fiscal-cliff-private-bargaining-public-wrangling.html WASHINGTON (AP) — In a test of divided government, the White House and congressional Republicans bargained in secret and sparred in public Tuesday over a deal to prevent year-end tax increases for middle class millions and spending cuts to the military as well as other federal programs. Officials disclosed that President Barack Obama and House Speaker Joh... Tue, 11 Dec 2012 21:35:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1758366-fiscal-cliff-private-bargaining-public-wrangling.html 2012-12-11T21:35:00Z