http://www.mail.com/people/8052-mark-kirk.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/8052-mark-kirk.html http://www.mail.com/news/world/2072010-senate-rejects-firearms-federal-lands.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate rejected an effort Wednesday to expand the use of firearms on some of the nation's most frequently visited federal lands, handing gun control advocates a modest success. The measure, backed by the National Rifle Association, represented one of two efforts Wednesday by gun rights supporters to take the offensive in Congress. Ac... Wed, 08 May 2013 22:13:12 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2072010-senate-rejects-firearms-federal-lands.html 2013-05-08T22:13:12Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2037678-suburbs-playing-key-role-gun-legislation.html QUAKERTOWN, Pa. (AP) — In the emotional politics of gun control, the suburbs seem to be emerging as a new sphere of influence. The Senate's defeat last week of firearms restrictions underscored the nation's shifting demographics and a pronounced divide on the gun issue between Americans in rural areas and residents of suburban enclaves, like Quakertown, o... Mon, 22 Apr 2013 21:35:43 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2037678-suburbs-playing-key-role-gun-legislation.html 2013-04-22T21:35:43Z 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/world/2028238-kerry-disappointed-talks-with-iran.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State John Kerry called for patience despite widespread frustration with the recent failure of negotiations between six world powers and Iran over its disputed nuclear program and growing fears of Tehran developing a weapon of mass destruction. Testifying Thursday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Kerry said he ... Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:42:39 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2028238-kerry-disappointed-talks-with-iran.html 2013-04-18T15:42:39Z 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/news/politics/2017986-ill-gop-chairman-survives-latest-ouster-attempt.html TINLEY PARK, Ill. (AP) — Illinois' GOP chairman emerged from another ouster attempt Saturday and said his party must be more welcoming of diversity and inclusive of people who disagree if it's going to grow and win future elections. More conservative members of Illinois' Republican Party have been trying to oust Pat Brady for months, largely because he to... Sat, 13 Apr 2013 22:26:40 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2017986-ill-gop-chairman-survives-latest-ouster-attempt.html 2013-04-13T22:26:40Z 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/2006520-sd-sen-johnson-supports-gay-marriage.html SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota Sen. Tim Johnson, who announced his retirement last month, has reversed his position on gay marriage, saying Monday that he supports the legalization of same-sex unions. The 66-year-old Democrat has said for years that he doesn't support gay marriage, and he voted for the 1996 federal law that defined marriage as the ... Mon, 08 Apr 2013 23:40:59 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2006520-sd-sen-johnson-supports-gay-marriage.html 2013-04-08T23:40:59Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2006340-stalled-talks-with-iran-nukes-boost-sanctions.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The failure of negotiations between six world powers and Iran over its disputed nuclear program has jumpstarted the congressional push for even tougher sanctions aimed at crippling the economy in Tehran. The latest talks this past weekend in Kazakhstan proved inconclusive as the United States, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany p... Mon, 08 Apr 2013 19:57:51 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2006340-stalled-talks-with-iran-nukes-boost-sanctions.html 2013-04-08T19:57:51Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2004712-senators-work-deal-expanding-background-checks.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Talks between two influential senators have emerged as the most promising route for a bipartisan breakthrough on expanding federal background checks for gun buyers, a pivotal part of President Barack Obama's plan for combating gun violence. One possibility being discussed by Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W. Va., and Pat Toomey, R-Pa., would invol... Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:54:28 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2004712-senators-work-deal-expanding-background-checks.html 2013-04-08T12:54:28Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2003536-dem-gop-senators-work-background-check-deal.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Two influential senators, one from each party, are working on an agreement that could expand background checks on firearms sales to include gun shows and online transactions, Senate aides said Sunday. If completed, the effort could represent a major breakthrough in the effort by President Barack Obama and his allies to restrict guns foll... Mon, 08 Apr 2013 02:50:40 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2003536-dem-gop-senators-work-background-check-deal.html 2013-04-08T02:50:40Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2000486-heitkamp-donnelly-support-gay-marriage.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Two freshman Democratic senators from conservative states, Joe Donnelly of Indiana and Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, have joined the growing chorus of lawmakers who say they support gay marriage. In separate statements released minutes apart on Friday, the senators said their views on the issue had evolved. They joined a rapidly growin... Fri, 05 Apr 2013 16:11:22 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2000486-heitkamp-donnelly-support-gay-marriage.html 2013-04-05T16:11:22Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1993130-gop-sen-kirk-announces-support-gay-marriage.html CHICAGO (AP) — GOP Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois on Tuesday became the second sitting Republican senator to endorse gay marriage — a move that also could shift the political debate over legalizing gay marriage in Kirk's home state. Kirk, who has opposed a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, said in a post on his blog that "same-sex couples should ... Tue, 02 Apr 2013 22:08:05 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1993130-gop-sen-kirk-announces-support-gay-marriage.html 2013-04-02T22:08:05Z 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/politics/1972096-reid-background-checks-will-senate-gun-bill.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats who vowed a crackdown on guns after the horrific Newtown, Conn., school shooting are touting prospects for Senate passage of expanded federal background checks, even as they acknowledge there isn't enough support to restore a ban on assault-style weapons. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Thursday that a measure likely to ... Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:36:13 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1972096-reid-background-checks-will-senate-gun-bill.html 2013-03-22T14:36:13Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1943876-illinois-gop-backs-attempt-to-oust-chairman.html CHICAGO (AP) — The Illinois Republican Party's central committee backed off an attempt to fire party chairman Pat Brady on Saturday, amid concern that ousting him because of his support for gay marriage could damage GOP efforts to appeal to more moderate voters. Brady became a target of some socially conservative members of the party when he spoke out in ... Sun, 10 Mar 2013 01:04:19 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1943876-illinois-gop-backs-attempt-to-oust-chairman.html 2013-03-10T01:04:19Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1941840-gop-chairman-lawmaker-take-heat-gay-marriage.html SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Two Illinois Republicans are finding out that for all the talk nationally of the GOP becoming more inclusive and appealing to voters by softening stances on social issues, it's difficult to actually follow through. The state Republican Party's central committee will meet Saturday to consider firing chairman Pat Brady, largely beca... Fri, 08 Mar 2013 21:48:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1941840-gop-chairman-lawmaker-take-heat-gay-marriage.html 2013-03-08T21:48:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1937444-senate-panel-casts-years-votes-gun-curbs.html WASHINGTON (AP) — In Congress' first gun votes since the Newtown, Conn., nightmare, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted Thursday to toughen federal penalties against illegal firearms purchases, even as senators signaled that a deep partisan divide remained over gun curbs. The Democratic-led panel voted 11-7 to impose penalties of up to 25 years for peopl... Thu, 07 Mar 2013 22:14:46 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1937444-senate-panel-casts-years-votes-gun-curbs.html 2013-03-07T22:14:46Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1936668-dems-halt-background-check-talks-with-sen-coburn.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats set aside their effort Wednesday to win support from conservative Sen. Tom Coburn for requiring federal background checks for nearly all gun purchases, at least temporarily hurting President Barack Obama's chances for pushing one of his top priorities through Congress. Democrats' failure to resolve a final dispute with t... Thu, 07 Mar 2013 01:38:15 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1936668-dems-halt-background-check-talks-with-sen-coburn.html 2013-03-07T01:38:15Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1934250-deal-elusive-expanding-gun-background-checks.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Despite signs of stepped-up White House involvement, a bipartisan compromise over expanded background checks for gun buyers remained elusive Tuesday as a Senate committee prepared for votes this week on curbing firearms. Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., has been the lead Republican negotiating with Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and other Democrat... Tue, 05 Mar 2013 23:35:58 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1934250-deal-elusive-expanding-gun-background-checks.html 2013-03-05T23:35:58Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1918234-world-powers-coax-iran-saving-nuclear-talks.html ALMATY, Kazakhstan (AP) — World powers offered broader concessions than ever to Iran in attempts Wednesday to keep alive diplomatic channels that seek to rein in the Islamic Republic's nuclear program and prevent it from building an atomic weapon. The offer was hailed by Saeed Jalili, Iran's top official at diplomatic talks in Kazakhstan, who said it repr... Wed, 27 Feb 2013 22:58:22 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1918234-world-powers-coax-iran-saving-nuclear-talks.html 2013-02-27T22:58:22Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1912636-lawmakers-dispute-records-private-gun-sales.html WASHINGTON (AP) — A dispute over whether to require record keeping for private gun sales is holding up a compromise between Republican and Democratic senators over expanding background checks for firearms transactions, one of President Barack Obama's top gun control priorities, people familiar with the private talks said Sunday. Two GOP and two Democratic... Mon, 25 Feb 2013 01:35:46 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1912636-lawmakers-dispute-records-private-gun-sales.html 2013-02-25T01:35:46Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1885556-obama-nation-stronger-gop-plans.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Uncompromising and politically emboldened, President Barack Obama urged a deeply divided Congress Tuesday night to embrace his plans to use government money to create jobs and strengthen the nation's middle class. He declared Republican ideas for reducing the deficit "even worse" than the unpalatable deals Washington had to stomach during his first term. ... Wed, 13 Feb 2013 03:15:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1885556-obama-nation-stronger-gop-plans.html 2013-02-13T03:15:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1888058-signs-unity-divided-congress.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama's State of the Union address on Tuesday night produced fleeting moments of bipartisanship in a divided Congress. Republicans sat with Democrats. Republicans hugged Democrats. Republicans even warmly greeted a Democratic president. After Obama slowly walked down the center aisle, he made a special effort to talk to ... Wed, 13 Feb 2013 03:08:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1888058-signs-unity-divided-congress.html 2013-02-13T03:08:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1876922-senators-seek-pact-gun-buy-background-checks.html WASHINGTON (AP) — A cornerstone of President Barack Obama's drive to check gun violence is gathering bipartisan steam as four senators, including two of the National Rifle Association's congressional champions, privately seek compromise on requiring far more firearms purchasers to undergo background checks. The talks are being held even as Obama's call to... Fri, 08 Feb 2013 19:27:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1876922-senators-seek-pact-gun-buy-background-checks.html 2013-02-08T19:27:00Z