http://www.mail.com/people/3014-mitch-mcconnell.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/3014-mitch-mcconnell.html http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2143250-immigration-debate-clears-procedural-senate-hurdle.html WASHINGTON (AP) — In Spanish and English, the Senate pushed contentious immigration legislation over early procedural hurdles with deceptive ease on Tuesday as President Barack Obama insisted the "moment is now" to give 11 million immigrants in the United States illegally a chance at citizenship. Despite the lopsided votes, Republicans served notice they ... Wed, 12 Jun 2013 02:06:55 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2143250-immigration-debate-clears-procedural-senate-hurdle.html 2013-06-12T02:06:55Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2145032-nyc-bomb-plot-details-settle-nsa-debate.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration declassified a handful of details Tuesday that credited its PRISM Internet spying program with intercepting a key email that unraveled a 2009 terrorist plot in New York. The details, declassified by the director of national intelligence, were circulated on Capitol Hill as part of government efforts to tamp down c... Tue, 11 Jun 2013 19:58:35 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2145032-nyc-bomb-plot-details-settle-nsa-debate.html 2013-06-11T19:58:35Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2135240-dems-pouring-money-obama-mass-senate-race.html BOSTON (AP) — Fearful of another surprise Republican victory, Democrats are pouring money into the Massachusetts Senate race to succeed John Kerry and dispatching President Barack Obama to the state to rally party loyalists two weeks before Election Day. Republicans are watching closely to see if the contest tightens enough to justify spending big on TV a... Thu, 06 Jun 2013 22:30:36 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2135240-dems-pouring-money-obama-mass-senate-race.html 2013-06-06T22:30:36Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2125898-jersey-sen-lautenberg-dead-89.html TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — The next time a flight attendant reminds you there's no smoking or you witness a teenager getting carded at a liquor store, think of Frank Lautenberg. The liberal Democratic senator from New Jersey left his mark on the everyday lives of millions of Americans, whether they know it or not. In the 1980s, he was a driving force behind the... Mon, 03 Jun 2013 23:33:34 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2125898-jersey-sen-lautenberg-dead-89.html 2013-06-03T23:33:34Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2115068-partisan-showdown-looms-dc-circuit-nominees.html WASHINGTON (AP) — A partisan showdown is looming over what is known as the nation's second-highest court, with President Barack Obama poised to nominate as many as three choices for the understaffed U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington in the face of a Republican proposal to distribute its vacancies to other parts of the country. The District of Columbia C... Tue, 28 May 2013 21:49:28 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2115068-partisan-showdown-looms-dc-circuit-nominees.html 2013-05-28T21:49:28Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2102180-key-house-chairman-slams-senate-immigration-bill.html WASHINGTON (AP) — A key House committee chairman on Wednesday sharply criticized a wide-ranging immigration bill just passed by a Senate committee, underscoring the difficulties ahead as the politically volatile measure moves forward in a divided Congress. Separately, a bipartisan House group that has been working behind the scenes to craft its own immigr... Wed, 22 May 2013 21:36:42 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2102180-key-house-chairman-slams-senate-immigration-bill.html 2013-05-22T21:36:42Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2102184-govt-dysfunction-baked-system.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The works do seem to be "gummed up" on Capitol Hill. And President Barack Obama isn't the only one to say so. Yet despite years of hand-wringing in both parties, little progress has been made toward changing congressional rules on filibusters, senatorial "holds" on presidential nominees and other stalling ploys. Inhib... Wed, 22 May 2013 07:24:44 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2102184-govt-dysfunction-baked-system.html 2013-05-22T07:24:44Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2100320-key-senator-to-myanmar-sanctions-bill-lapse.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell, easing up on his long-held tough stance on Myanmar, said Tuesday he planned to allow key sanctions legislation against the Southeast Asian nation to lapse because of the country's progress toward democracy. McConnell, R-Ky., made the announcement after meeting with Myanmar President Thein Sein, who is m... Tue, 21 May 2013 22:10:55 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2100320-key-senator-to-myanmar-sanctions-bill-lapse.html 2013-05-21T22:10:55Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2097428-ap-ceo-calls-records-seizure-unconstitutional.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The Associated Press' president and chief executive says the government's secret seizure of two months of reporters' phone records has already had a chilling effect on newsgathering, a week after the subpoenas were revealed publicly. Gary Pruitt on Sunday called the Justice Department's actions "unconstitutional" and said the AP hasn't r... Mon, 20 May 2013 07:58:27 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2097428-ap-ceo-calls-records-seizure-unconstitutional.html 2013-05-20T07:58:27Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2090854-obama-walking-familiar-path-irs-allegations.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The Internal Revenue Service controversy dogging President Barack Obama is hardly the first time a White House and the tax agency have been accused of political meddling and bias. Nor is it the first time that political and social advocacy groups have searched for and exploited loopholes and fine points in the federal tax code. Over the ... Thu, 16 May 2013 19:25:35 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2090854-obama-walking-familiar-path-irs-allegations.html 2013-05-16T19:25:35Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2087680-irs-commissioner-ousted-tea-party-targeting.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Hurrying to check a growing controversy, President Barack Obama ousted the acting commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service late Wednesday amid an outcry over revelations that the agency had improperly targeted tea party groups for scrutiny when they filed for tax-exempt status. Obama said Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew had asked for an... Wed, 15 May 2013 23:53:10 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2087680-irs-commissioner-ousted-tea-party-targeting.html 2013-05-15T23:53:10Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2088536-senate-confirms-nurse-to-medicare.html WASHINGTON (AP) — A former intensive care nurse with a businesslike approach to a politically divisive public policy area won Senate approval Wednesday to run Medicare and other major health insurance programs. By an overwhelming 91-7 vote, the Senate confirmed Marilyn Tavenner to oversee Medicare, Medicaid, children's health insurance and coverage for th... Wed, 15 May 2013 21:43:19 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2088536-senate-confirms-nurse-to-medicare.html 2013-05-15T21:43:19Z 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/business/finance/2076726-irs-apologizes-targeting-tea-party-groups.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The Internal Revenue Service is apologizing for what it acknowledges was "inappropriate" targeting of conservative political groups during the 2012 election to see if they were violating their tax-exempt status. IRS agents singled out dozens of organizations for additional reviews because they included the words "tea party" or "patriot" ... Sat, 11 May 2013 07:44:10 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2076726-irs-apologizes-targeting-tea-party-groups.html 2013-05-11T07:44:10Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2076062-obama-declared-health-care-law-is-to-stay.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Caught between nervous Democrats and emboldened Republicans, President Barack Obama on Friday stepped up the sales pitch on his health care overhaul as the final elements of his top domestic achievement go into effect. With his legacy and the law's success at stake, Obama said: "The law is here to stay." Behind the scenes, the White Hous... Fri, 10 May 2013 21:23:47 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2076062-obama-declared-health-care-law-is-to-stay.html 2013-05-10T21:23:47Z http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/2077580-white-house-wrong-irs-to-target-tea-party.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says it was inappropriate for the Internal Revenue Service to target tea party groups for additional reviews during last year's presidential election to see if they were violating their tax-exempt status. White House spokesman Jay Carney said he did not know when administration officials learned of the practice. The IRS a... Fri, 10 May 2013 20:15:52 GMT http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/2077580-white-house-wrong-irs-to-target-tea-party.html 2013-05-10T20:15:52Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2073602-obama-texas-presses-middle-class-jobs-agenda.html AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Offering a more upbeat view of the economy, President Barack Obama resurrected his jobs proposals Thursday, advancing modest initiatives as he pushed for action on more ambitious efforts that face resistance from congressional Republicans. "We're poised for progress," he declared. The president chose the bustling Texas capital as a ba... Thu, 09 May 2013 22:51:21 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2073602-obama-texas-presses-middle-class-jobs-agenda.html 2013-05-09T22:51:21Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2074394-gop-boycotts-health-care-advisory-board.html WASHINGTON (AP) — House and Senate Republican leaders told President Barack Obama Thursday that they will refuse to nominate candidates to serve on an advisory board that is to play a role in holding down Medicare costs under the new health care act. House Speaker John Boehner, who joined Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell in boycotting the Independ... Thu, 09 May 2013 19:30:05 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2074394-gop-boycotts-health-care-advisory-board.html 2013-05-09T19:30:05Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2044804-justice-dept-appeals-recess-case-to-supreme-court.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration on Thursday urged the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a lower court decision that found the president's recess appointments to a labor agency unconstitutional. In a petition seeking review, the Justice Department said the decision undermines a key presidential power that has been used for more than a century to ap... Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:23:15 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2044804-justice-dept-appeals-recess-case-to-supreme-court.html 2013-04-25T21:23:15Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2030732-obama-boston-capture-closes-chapter-tragedy.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama declared Friday night that the capture of a second suspect in the Boston Marathon bombings "closed an important chapter in this tragedy." But he acknowledged that many unanswered questions remain about the motivations of the two men accused of perpetrating the attacks that unnerved the nation. "The families of thos... Sat, 20 Apr 2013 03:03:27 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2030732-obama-boston-capture-closes-chapter-tragedy.html 2013-04-20T03:03:27Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2015854-liberal-ky-group-tied-to-secret-mcconnell-tape.html FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A liberal political fundraising group in Kentucky is being tied to a secret recording of a campaign meeting held by U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell in which his aides disparaged actress Ashley Judd. The leader of Progress Kentucky and a volunteer were outside of the February campaign meeting and "never left a public hallway," said attorney... Fri, 12 Apr 2013 18:05:44 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2015854-liberal-ky-group-tied-to-secret-mcconnell-tape.html 2013-04-12T18:05:44Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2011774-senate-endorses-sally-jewell-interior-chief.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Sally Jewell, CEO of outdoor retailer Recreational Equipment Inc., won easy Senate confirmation Wednesday to be the nation's next interior secretary. The Senate approved her nomination, 87-11, with all the no votes coming from Republicans. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., was among those who opposed Jewell. At Interior, Jew... Wed, 10 Apr 2013 23:05:59 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2011774-senate-endorses-sally-jewell-interior-chief.html 2013-04-10T23:05:59Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2011560-obamas-budget-straddle.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama's first budget of his new term is a political straddle, aimed at enticing Republicans into a new round of deficit negotiations while trying to keep faith with Democrats who favor higher taxes in service of more government spending. That gives everyone something to dislike if they are so inclined — and many in divid... Wed, 10 Apr 2013 21:16:13 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2011560-obamas-budget-straddle.html 2013-04-10T21:16:13Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2008450-fbi-probes-recording-mcconnell-hardball-talks.html FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Campaign aides to Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell proposed using actress Ashley Judd's past bouts with depression against her if she had decided to challenge him in his re-election bid next year, according to a secret recording posted by a magazine. Mother Jones released a recording Tuesday along with an article about a priv... Wed, 10 Apr 2013 02:14:05 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2008450-fbi-probes-recording-mcconnell-hardball-talks.html 2013-04-10T02:14:05Z 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/2008176-obama-to-nominate-package-labor-board-members.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama on Tuesday nominated three candidates for full terms on the National Labor Relations Board, which has been in limbo since a federal appeals court invalidated his recess appointments to the agency. Obama urged the Senate to move swiftly in confirming the members — two Republicans and one Democrat — along with two ot... Tue, 09 Apr 2013 22:25:23 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2008176-obama-to-nominate-package-labor-board-members.html 2013-04-09T22:25:23Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2009134-obama-budget-hit-left-alike.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Even before it is unveiled, President Barack Obama's new budget is opening to poor reviews from liberal allies entrenched in their opposition to shaving benefit programs and GOP opponents equally opposed to new tax increases. The double-edged criticism comes even though the plan reprises a framework that once held the promise of a long-sought "grand bargain... Tue, 09 Apr 2013 20:50:38 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2009134-obama-budget-hit-left-alike.html 2013-04-09T20:50:38Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2004790-obama-hes-determined-ever-gun-bill.html HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — With time running out on the chance to pass gun control legislation, President Barack Obama on Monday warned Congress not to use delaying tactics against tighter regulations and told families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims that he's "determined as ever" to honor their children with tougher laws. Obama's gun con... Tue, 09 Apr 2013 02:52:49 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2004790-obama-hes-determined-ever-gun-bill.html 2013-04-09T02:52:49Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1997304-bracketracket-rejection-underdog-2-chains.html Welcome back to BracketRacket, the one-stop shopping place for all your NCAA needs. Today's edition includes the sting of being rejected by famous people, an underdog on underdogs, Kevin Ware's popularity on Facebook and the actual location of next year's Final Four. That and some Bracket Bits that includes Tom Izzo and 2 Chains — together, of course. ... Thu, 04 Apr 2013 12:50:28 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1997304-bracketracket-rejection-underdog-2-chains.html 2013-04-04T12:50:28Z