Stories by Humberto Sanchez:
Sept. 21, 2012
As Congress returns home to campaign ahead of the November elections, they leave behind a raft of unfinished business that is likely to be revisited in the lame-duck session, including a defense authorization bill, a farm bill and domestic abuse legislation.
Sept. 20, 2012
In a move that could signal the end of judicial confirmations until after Election Day, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) objected today to an effort by Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to seek agreement to confirm 17 district court judges.
Sept. 19, 2012
With lawmakers eager to hit the campaign trail, Senate Democratic leaders struggled Wednesday evening to strike a deal with Republicans to expedite the passage of a stopgap spending bill to fund the government through March.
Sept. 19, 2012
Senate Republicans today defeated Democratic legislation designed to help veterans get jobs, complaining that the measure violates budget rules and is meant to score political points rather than help veterans.
Sept. 18, 2012
With agriculture programs headed for expiration at the end of the month, Democrats are hoping farm state Republicans will be put at a political disadvantage.
Sept. 13, 2012
With recent events in the Middle East drawing the attention of lawmakers, CIA Director David Petraeus today briefed members of the Senate Intelligence Committee and leaders of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Sept. 13, 2012
Sen. John Thune (S.D.) is still keeping his options open on whether he will run for Republican Whip or for National Republican Senatorial Committee chairman, and he doesn't expect decide on which until after the elections.
Sept. 12, 2012
With agriculture programs set to expire at the end of the month, Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) expressed frustration with House Republican leaders today over their decision not to consider a committee approved farm bill.
Sept. 12, 2012
The 112th Congress is on track to be the least productive in modern history, as partisan wrangling between the Republican-led House, the Democratic-run Senate and President Barack Obama has taken its toll on legislative action.
Sept. 11, 2012
After passing a farm bill this summer, Senate Democrats could decide to allow agriculture programs to expire at the end of the month in an effort to spur House Republican leaders to pass a farm bill and work out differences between the chambers in the next few months.
Sept. 11, 2012
House Republicans this week will begin the process of moving legislation to prevent the White House from taking steps that the GOP argues would allow for a rollback of work requirements for a low-income aid program.
Sept. 10, 2012
Congressional Republican leaders are downplaying GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney's comments that he would preserve some parts of Democrats' health care reforms, but the remarks are causing some conservatives to question whether the former Massachusetts governor is committed to fully repealing the law.
Sept. 9, 2012
With lawmakers eager to get back on the campaign trail, Congress will seek to make quick work of a six-month stopgap spending bill, which could be the vehicle for an extension of federal farm programs set to expire at the end of the month.
Sept. 7, 2012
Former Sen. Arlen Specter has been released from the hospital but continues to battle non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Sept. 4, 2012
Charging President Barack Obama with seeking to roll back work requirements for an aid program for low-income people, Congressional Republicans may seek a vote that would repeal a White House move designed to give states more flexibility in implementing the program.
Aug. 31, 2012
Looking to ramp up attention for next week’s Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., Obama campaign officials said they plan to highlight the president’s efforts to turn around the economy, including the auto industry bailout, and provide details of what still needs to be done.
Aug. 23, 2012
Working off information from a Department of Justice whistle-blower, four Republican lawmakers are seeking information on the use of FBI planes by top DOJ officials, including Attorney General Eric Holder.
Aug. 17, 2012
Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) is concerned about his political career as he battles bipolar disorder, former Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I) said after visiting Jackson at the Mayo Clinic.
Aug. 8, 2012
Presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney is taking no chances in what is expected to be a close contest for Nevada’s six electoral votes by neither opposing nor endorsing the controversial proposed Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository, though the issue will not likely be as prominent as in the past.
Aug. 4, 2012
The House and Senate headed into the August recess with a legislative languor, but both chambers said they can point to some victories they can take back home as they look to position themselves ahead of the November elections.
Aug. 2, 2012
Senate legislation that would help safeguard the nations against cyber-attacks fell prey to a partisan disagreement over what amendments would be offered to the bill.
Aug. 2, 2012
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) this evening rejected a plan offered by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to set up a vote on repealing the 2010 health care law before the end of September.
Aug. 1, 2012
The Senate tonight sent President Barack Obama legislation imposing economic sanctions on Iran and strengthening existing restrictions, part of an ongoing effort to pressure the Islamic republic to refrain from building a nuclear weapon.
Aug. 1, 2012
Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) believes that remaining executive branch appointees requiring Senate confirmation should be put off until after the elections, including the confirmation of Michael Huerta to head the Federal Aviation Administration.
July 31, 2012
Chances for passage this week of legislation to strengthen the nation’s response to cyber-attacks were further complicated today as Senate Republican leaders said they will seek to offer an amendment to repeal the health care law.
