http://www.mail.com/people/28712-susan-collins.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/28712-susan-collins.html http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2106634-tea-party-vs-guard-gop-senate-rift.html WASHINGTON (AP) — A long-simmering feud between establishment Republicans and tea partyers broke into full view Thursday, with Sen. John McCain accusing younger colleagues of overplaying their hands and tempting Democrats to change Senate rules that protect the minority party. Tactics for dealing with the government's budget and debt became the latest qua... Thu, 23 May 2013 22:51:16 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2106634-tea-party-vs-guard-gop-senate-rift.html 2013-05-23T22:51:16Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2102282-house-panel-moves-to-curb-military-sexual-assaults.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Members of a House panel angry over the growing epidemic of sexual assaults in the military took a key step toward tackling the problem by passing legislation Wednesday that would strip commanding officers of their longstanding authority to unilaterally change or dismiss court-martial convictions in rape and assault cases. Lawmakers believe the revision wil... Wed, 22 May 2013 21:06:51 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2102282-house-panel-moves-to-curb-military-sexual-assaults.html 2013-05-22T21:06:51Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2080078-senator-irs-targeting-tea-party-chilling.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans said Sunday that the Internal Revenue Service's heightened scrutiny of conservative political groups was "chilling" and further eroded public trust in government. Lawmakers said President Barack Obama personally should apologize for targeting tea party organizations and they challenged the tax agency's blaming of low-level wo... Sun, 12 May 2013 16:53:13 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2080078-senator-irs-targeting-tea-party-chilling.html 2013-05-12T16:53:13Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2069276-labor-official-blamed-job-corps-problems-quits.html WASHINGTON (AP) — A top Labor Department official who took the blame for budgeting mistakes and cost overruns at the federal Job Corps program has resigned. Jane Oates said in an email to employees on Monday that she is leaving her position as assistant secretary of the agency's Employment and Training Administration at the end of the month. The email, ob... Tue, 07 May 2013 20:23:32 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2069276-labor-official-blamed-job-corps-problems-quits.html 2013-05-07T20:23:32Z 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/2046132-controllers-to-return-flight-delays-sway-congress.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Furloughed air traffic controllers will soon be heading back to work, ending a week of coast-to-coast flight delays that left thousands of travelers frustrated and furious. Unable to ignore the travelers' anger, Congress overwhelmingly approved legislation Friday to allow the Federal Aviation Administration to withdraw the furloughs. The... Fri, 26 Apr 2013 21:55:33 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2046132-controllers-to-return-flight-delays-sway-congress.html 2013-04-26T21:55:33Z 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/news/us/2040532-lawmakers-intel-blocked-boston-bombs.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers are again asking whether a failure to share intelligence contributed to a deadly attack on U.S. soil, after senior officials briefed them Tuesday on the investigation into last week's bombings at the Boston Marathon. None of the lawmakers are saying — yet— that better sharing could have stopped the bombings, as Congress did aft... Wed, 24 Apr 2013 01:25:18 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/us/2040532-lawmakers-intel-blocked-boston-bombs.html 2013-04-24T01:25:18Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2037920-labor-dept-ends-job-corps-enrollment-freeze.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The Labor Department said Monday it has ended its freeze on new enrollments in the nation's federal Job Corps program, but budget constraints mean fewer youths will be admitted in the future. The temporary freeze, which began on Jan. 28, prevented more than 10,000 disadvantaged and at-risk youth from getting job training at 125 job cente... Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:23:31 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2037920-labor-dept-ends-job-corps-enrollment-freeze.html 2013-04-23T00:23:31Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2031620-gun-votes-carry-big-risks-dems-rural.html WASHINGTON (AP) — There is little mystery, from a campaign viewpoint, at least, about the eight senators who crossed party lines in Wednesday's showdown vote on background checks for gun buyers. The four Democrats who voted against broader background checks are from largely rural states that voted heavily against President Barack Obama last fall. Three of... Fri, 19 Apr 2013 18:29:03 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2031620-gun-votes-carry-big-risks-dems-rural.html 2013-04-19T18:29:03Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2024990-gun-control-loses-expanded-background-checks.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans backed by a small band of rural-state Democrats scuttled the most far-reaching gun control legislation in two decades Wednesday, rejecting tighter background checks for buyers and a ban on assault weapons as they spurned pleas from families of victims of last winter's school massacre in Newtown, Conn. "This effort isn'... Thu, 18 Apr 2013 03:57:21 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2024990-gun-control-loses-expanded-background-checks.html 2013-04-18T03:57:21Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2019928-gun-background-check-deal-jeopardy-senate.html WASHINGTON (AP) — A bipartisan proposal to expand background checks to more gun buyers seemed in jeopardy Monday as a growing number of Republican senators expressed opposition to the proposal, perhaps enough to derail it. But there was plenty of time for lobbying and deal-making to affect the outcome, and the sponsors seemed willing to consider carving out at least one exem... Tue, 16 Apr 2013 01:48:43 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2019928-gun-background-check-deal-jeopardy-senate.html 2013-04-16T01:48:43Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2018594-close-vote-background-checks-gun-buyers.html WASHINGTON (AP) — A bipartisan Senate proposal to expand background checks for gun buyers gained the backing of one Republican and the potential support of a second Sunday as sponsors said the vote expected this week was too close to call. The plan would "strengthen the background check system without in any way infringing on Second Amendment rights," Mai... Mon, 15 Apr 2013 02:45:45 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2018594-close-vote-background-checks-gun-buyers.html 2013-04-15T02:45:45Z 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/news/politics/2007394-senate-showdown-vote-gun-curbs-set-thursday.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate's top Democrat has set Congress' first showdown vote for Thursday on President Barack Obama's gun control drive as a small but mounting number of Republicans appear willing to buck a conservative effort to prevent debate from even beginning. Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada announced his decision Tuesday as the White Hous... Wed, 10 Apr 2013 01:08:26 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2007394-senate-showdown-vote-gun-curbs-set-thursday.html 2013-04-10T01:08:26Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1994722-rare-republican-sen-collins-remains-optimistic.html WASHINGTON (AP) — She is alone in a political class facing extinction on Capitol Hill. Yet, GOP Sen. Susan Collins of Maine personifies the moderation that national Republicans increasingly say is necessary for the party's survival. "Of course I would like to see more Republicans from not only New England but from the entire Northeast, where we have a tra... Wed, 03 Apr 2013 07:12:49 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1994722-rare-republican-sen-collins-remains-optimistic.html 2013-04-03T07:12:49Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1985408-obama-shame-us-congress-forgets-newtown.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama pressed Congress on Thursday not to forget the heartbreak of the Newtown elementary school massacre and "get squishy" on tightened gun laws, though some lawmakers in his own Democratic Party remain a tough sell on an approaching Senate vote to expand purchasers' background checks. "Shame on us if we've forgotten," ... Thu, 28 Mar 2013 21:52:24 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1985408-obama-shame-us-congress-forgets-newtown.html 2013-03-28T21:52:24Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1983930-obama-shame-us-newtown-forgotten.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama urged lawmakers Thursday to remember the children gunned down in America and not "get squishy" in the face of powerful forces against gun control legislation, as supporters struggle to win over moderate Democrats before a Senate vote expected next month. Obama, flanked by grim-faced mothers who have lost their chil... Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:58:13 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1983930-obama-shame-us-newtown-forgotten.html 2013-03-28T16:58:13Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1955346-bill-intended-to-curb-jamaica-lottery-scams.html KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Jamaican officials said Thursday that they are hopeful new legislation will finally result in a stream of convictions and lengthy sentences for fraudsters behind a multimillion-dollar lottery scam that has swindled mostly elderly Americans out of their retirement savings for years. National Security Minister Peter Bunting told rep... Thu, 14 Mar 2013 22:47:03 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1955346-bill-intended-to-curb-jamaica-lottery-scams.html 2013-03-14T22:47:03Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1948694-erratic-north-korea-poses-serious-threat.html WASHINGTON (AP) — An erratic North Korea, with its nuclear weapons and increasingly belligerent tone, poses a serious threat to the United States and East Asia nations, the director of National Intelligence warned Tuesday in the annual accounting of the threats worldwide. In his extensive overview, James R. Clapper told Congress that a less decentralized ... Wed, 13 Mar 2013 03:43:01 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1948694-erratic-north-korea-poses-serious-threat.html 2013-03-13T03:43:01Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1948066-senate-panel-approves-gun-background-check.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats gave a boost Tuesday to the pillar of President Barack Obama's plans for reducing gun violence, pushing a bill requiring nearly universal federal background checks for firearms buyers through the Senate Judiciary Committee over solid Republican opposition. The proposal still faces a difficult path through Congress, where GOP la... Tue, 12 Mar 2013 21:45:01 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1948066-senate-panel-approves-gun-background-check.html 2013-03-12T21:45:01Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1941878-democrats-face-challenging-senate-landscape.html WASHINGTON (AP) — After a surprising string of victories last fall, Democrats now face a challenging terrain as they look to hold onto their Senate majority in 2014 and prevent Republicans from gaining full control of Congress during President Barack Obama's final two years. His party must defend a hefty 21 seats, including seven in largely rural states that the president lo... Sat, 09 Mar 2013 09:26:15 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1941878-democrats-face-challenging-senate-landscape.html 2013-03-09T09:26:15Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1937500-obama-signs-expanded-violence-women.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama signed expanded protections for domestic violence victims into law Thursday, renewing a measure credited with curbing attacks against women a year and a half after it lapsed amid partisan bickering. The revitalized Violence Against Women Act also marked an important win for gay rights advocates and Native Americans... Thu, 07 Mar 2013 21:14:43 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1937500-obama-signs-expanded-violence-women.html 2013-03-07T21:14:43Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1934720-too-money-spent-iraq-too.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Ten years and $60 billion in American taxpayer funds later, Iraq is still so unstable and broken that even its leaders question whether U.S. efforts to rebuild the war-torn nation were worth the cost. In his final report to Congress, Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction Stuart Bowen's conclusion was all too clear: Since the ... Wed, 06 Mar 2013 18:01:55 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1934720-too-money-spent-iraq-too.html 2013-03-06T18:01:55Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1922766-lawmakers-push-measure-israels-self-defense.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States would back Israel militarily if the Mideast ally were to attack Iran in self-defense, a bipartisan group of senators said Thursday in introducing a forceful resolution. "No one wants another conflict anywhere in the world militarily, but we also don't want a nuclear-capable Iran," said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., at a ... Thu, 28 Feb 2013 21:21:36 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1922766-lawmakers-push-measure-israels-self-defense.html 2013-02-28T21:21:36Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1922210-intel-committee-to-vote-week-cia-nominee.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate Intelligence Committee is scheduled to vote early next week on John Brennan's nomination to be director of the CIA, the panel's leaders said Thursday. The Democratic leader of the committee had hoped to hold the vote Thursday. But Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., the committee's vice chairman, said consideration of Brennan's nomin... Thu, 28 Feb 2013 21:18:20 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1922210-intel-committee-to-vote-week-cia-nominee.html 2013-02-28T21:18:20Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1915236-senate-panel-to-vote-this-week-cia-pick.html WASHINGTON (AP) — A White House commitment to provide lawmakers with additional information about the attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, may have cleared the way for a vote later this week on President Barack Obama's nominee for CIA director, the chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee said Monday. Republicans had demanded t... Tue, 26 Feb 2013 00:44:10 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1915236-senate-panel-to-vote-this-week-cia-pick.html 2013-02-26T00:44:10Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1906734-hagel-support-defense-secretary.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Barring any new, damaging information, Chuck Hagel has secured the necessary votes for the Senate to confirm him to be the nation's next defense secretary. A vote ending the bitter fight over President Barack Obama's choice for his revamped second-term, national security team is expected next week. Hagel cleared the threshold when five-t... Thu, 21 Feb 2013 23:43:31 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1906734-hagel-support-defense-secretary.html 2013-02-21T23:43:31Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1891148-senate-gop-blocks-hagel-vote.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans on Thursday blocked the nomination of former GOP senator Chuck Hagel as the nation's next defense secretary over unrelated questions about President Barack Obama's actions in the aftermath of the deadly raid on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Libya. Obama accused Republicans of playing politics with national security during wartime, and De... Fri, 15 Feb 2013 00:05:30 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1891148-senate-gop-blocks-hagel-vote.html 2013-02-15T00:05:30Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1890348-hagel-nomination-heading-to-vote-senate-floor.html WASHINGTON (AP) — A moderate Republican senator once thought to be a possible backer of Chuck Hagel's nomination to be secretary of defense said she'll oppose his confirmation, while other GOP senators signaled they may delay a floor vote on the nomination unless the White House provides more information about the deadly attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya. Thu, 14 Feb 2013 00:07:35 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1890348-hagel-nomination-heading-to-vote-senate-floor.html 2013-02-14T00:07:35Z