Republican Party

IRS official at center of scandal put on leave

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:56:23 +0000

By Kim Dixon and Patrick Temple-West WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Lois Lerner, an Internal Revenue Service official at the center of the scandal over the agency's extra scrutiny of conservative groups, was put on administrative leave on Thursday after she refused to resign, a senator said. Republican Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa said new acting IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel asked for Lerner's resignation. An IRS spokesman declined to comment on Lerner's status, citing privacy concerns. However, an internal memo supplied by the agency named Lerner's replacement. …

Original post by Reuters and software by Elliott Back

IRS official at center of scandal put on administrative leave

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:20:33 +0000

By Kim Dixon and Patrick Temple-West WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Lois Lerner, an Internal Revenue Service official at the center of the scandal over the agency's extra scrutiny of conservative groups, was put on administrative leave on Thursday after she refused to resign, a U.S. senator said. Republican Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa said new acting IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel was the one who asked for Lerner's resignation. An IRS spokesman declined to comment on Lerner's status, citing privacy concerns. However, an internal memo supplied by the agency named Lerner's replacement. …

Original post by Reuters and software by Elliott Back

U.S. Commerce nominee poised for swift Senate approval

Thu, 23 May 2013 23:28:41 +0000

By Doug Palmer WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Chicago billionaire Penny Pritzker on Thursday appeared on her way to becoming U.S. commerce secretary, after a top Republican lawmaker said she had answered most of his questions about her role in the failure of an Illinois bank and her family's use of an offshore tax haven. "I can't see that there is anything that would keep her from getting through the process in pretty good shape," Senator John Thune of South Dakota, the top Republican on the Senate Commerce Committee, said after a hearing on her nomination. …

Original post by Reuters and software by Elliott Back

Maine Medicaid expansion passes but governor sets veto

Thu, 23 May 2013 22:44:10 +0000

By Dave Sherwood BOWDOINHAM, Maine (Reuters) - Maine’s Democratic-controlled legislature on Thursday passed a bill to expand access to its Medicaid program as outlined by the Affordable Care Act, setting up a showdown with the state’s Republican governor, who immediately began veto procedures. At issue is lawmakers’ effort to link expanded access to the health insurance program for low-income residents to a plan to pay the state’s share of $484 million in debt owed to Maine’s hospitals. …

Original post by Reuters and software by Elliott Back

‘Obamacare’ Ads to Begin Airing in Mitch McConnell’s Home State

Thu, 23 May 2013 21:32:13 +0000

As part of the multimillion-dollar implementation of ‘Obamacare,’ the health exchange where Kentucky residents can shop for insurance will launch a media campaign next month, and the state’s senior Republican is none too pleased about it.

Original post by National Journal and software by Elliott Back

GOP Ariz. rep. who supports Medicaid is threatened

Thu, 23 May 2013 21:18:20 +0000

PHOENIX (AP) — A Republican member of the Arizona House says she received an obscene and threatening voicemail at her office because she supports Gov. Jan Brewer’s push to expand Medicaid.

Original post by Associated Press and software by Elliott Back

Medea Benjamin’s Two-Step Verified Trick to Sneaking Around Washington

Thu, 23 May 2013 21:02:24 +0000

Code Pink protester Medea Benjamin got herself inside the National Defense University in Washington on Thursday for President Obama’s big speech about drones, even though she’s been a famous heckler in Washington for a decade. Indeed, she’s been seen and heard at many big political events over the last year: at CIA chief John Brennan’s confirmation hearing, the NRA’s Wayne LaPierre’s press conference, the Republican National Convention. As Financial Times reporter Anna Fifield tweeted, “amazing how Medea Benjamin of @codepink gets in to all these speeches. …

Original post by The Atlantic Wire and software by Elliott Back

Michigan budget panel OKs fund boost for colleges

Thu, 23 May 2013 20:41:10 +0000

Michigan’s community colleges and universities could receive roughly 2 percent more in overall funding next fiscal year. Republican-led conference committees approved the community college and higher education …

Original post by Associated Press and software by Elliott Back

House backs variable rate student loans

Thu, 23 May 2013 20:40:59 +0000

WASHINGTON (AP) — Dismissing a veto threat from President Barack Obama, lawmakers in the Republican-led House approved legislation that links student loan rates to the ups and downs of the financial markets.

Original post by Associated Press and software by Elliott Back

House GOP leaders pledge action on immigration

Thu, 23 May 2013 20:04:15 +0000

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Republican leaders of the House of Representatives are pledging to act to fix the nation's immigration system but making clear that they will not simply accept legislation passed by the Senate.

Original post by Associated Press and software by Elliott Back