Congress

U.S. Budget Deficit Is Predicted to Top Over $1 Trillion Dollars for Fourth Straight Year
By Amanda L. Quick
April 12, 2012 - 4:32pm
President Obama faces new political attacks after information about this year's budget deficit was released.

While some people are talking about Rick Santorum dropping from the GOP race, many Republicans are trying to highlight a different story: the federal budget deficit will most likely top $1 trillion for a fourth straight year under President Barack Obama.

Congress Passes Payroll Tax Cut and Extends Unemployment Benefits
By Gabriela Ornelas
February 17, 2012 - 4:48pm
Decision marked a compromise between Republican and Democratic congressmen in order take congressional action before the February deadline

After weeks of negotiations, Republicans and Democrats reached an agreement in Congress this Friday with the decision to extend the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits. The legislation has been sent to President Obama for approval, marking an end to policy conflict.

The House of Representatives reached a vote of 293 to 132, and the Senate followed within an hour with a 60-36 vote. While bipartisan agreement is not so easily reached, several members of Congress said this was a clear compromise to make because of the amount of Americans it has the potential to impact.

Fixing Prison Problems in California
By Conor Hurley
October 10, 2011 - 2:39pm
Congressional mandate to decrease inmate population due to hazardous prison conditions

After an unprecedented Supreme Court decision on May 23, 2011, California prisons began moving inmates last week in order to decrease its prison population. The congressional mandate requires California to reduce the number of inmates by 11,000 over the next three months and 34,000 over the next two years. 

House passes short-term spending bill
By Katya Ana Rivera
March 1, 2011 - 6:40pm
Bill to extend federal government funding for another two weeks.

In a 335-91 vote, the House of Representatives passed a bill extending federal government funding for another two weeks, according to CNN.  This vote is a step torward avoiding a government shutdown after Friday.

Representatives who voted in favor of the bill were mostly Republican while the Democrats were split. Some Democrats said they favored a month extension. President Obama is worried a number of short-term extensions will hinder economic recovery due to uncertainty.

House of Representatives ready to pass short-term government funding bill
By Ryan McDonnell
March 1, 2011 - 4:59pm
House Republicans hopeful to pass two-week extension. Senate Democrats prefer a longer one to last a month

The House of Representatives is ready to vote on a spending bill this Tuesday that would extend federal-government funding for another two weeks.This move is an attempt to prevent a government shutdown later this week. The funding would last until March 18 and would cut $4 billion from current spending levels, according to CNN and Fox News.

President Obama and House Democrats disagree about tax cut bill
By Ethan Kwassman
December 9, 2010 - 3:43pm
The president's influence in his own party is being questioned as House Democrats voted against considering the bi-partisan tax package.

The lame-duck session of Congress has brought into focus some major disagreements between President Obama and his fellow Democrats in Washington. The latest one concerns the tax cut bill.

According to CNN, House Democrats have voted not to bring up the tax package. President Obama negotiated the bill with Republicans. House Democrats do not think that the measures taken by the White House was acceptable.

Child Nutrition Bill is approved by Congress
By Kit Rodophele
December 3, 2010 - 7:24pm
Congress passes a child nutrition bill that sets new standards for school lunch programs.

According to The New York Times, the House passed the child nutrition bill on Thursday, by a vote of 264 to 157. The bill, which the Senate had passed in August, will now go to President Obama, who plans to sign it.

Michelle Obama, who lobbied for the bill to combat childhood obesity and hunger, is overjoyed with the outcome of yesterday's vote.

New York race is only one undecided in nation
By Tony Jondreau
November 30, 2010 - 10:24pm
A Long Island congressional race is the only one still undecided in the U.S.

A New York house race is still undecided, four weeks after Election Day.  As of Tuesday, Incumbent democrat Timothy Bishop led Republican Randy Altschuler by a little more than 200 votes in the Long Island congressional race, according to The Post-Standard.  

Disputed Ballots

Update: Ann Marie Buerkle's lead narrowed in congressional race
By Ethan Kwassman
November 18, 2010 - 3:39pm
U.S. Rep Dan Maffei has picked up more votes in Syracuse since Onondaga County started counting its absentee ballots on Wednesday.

It has been more than two weeks since Election Day, but the race for the 25th Congressional District seat is only getting tighter.

According to The Post-Standard, Republican Ann Marie Buerkle's lead over U.S. Rep. Dan Maffei is now at 303 votes. Maffei has picked up 521 votes, according to unofficial numbers released by his campaign. 

“Don't Ask, Don't Tell” repeal
By Dave Holcomb
November 9, 2010 - 5:38pm
Repeal faces struggles in Congress

Time is running out for the Senate to repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy as it faces new uncertainties. Strong objections remain from the Republican party and senior ranks of the military according to The New York Times.

Even though Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said he wants to see the Senate vote on the repeal before the end of the year, the situation still seems dire.

Two main forces are working against repeal on Capitol Hill.