TheSunNews.com: Politics - Wire

House bans federal lawmakers from insider trading

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:15 EST

The House on Thursday joined the Senate in voting to explicitly prohibit members of Congress and other top officials from making investments on insider information. But an effort to bridle purveyors of Capitol Hill political intelligence could delay the bill's enactment.

House Republicans stripped out provisions from the Senate bill that would:

-Treat people who sell inside information about Congress like lobbyists and make them file reports detailing what they spend and with whom they talk.

Santorum: Obama trying to allow Iran to have nuke

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:14 EST

Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum on Thursday accused President Barack Obama of actively seeking ways to allow Iran to gain a nuclear weapon and suggested that the administration had betrayed Israel by publicly disclosing what may be a plan to attack the Muslim nation.

Santorum drew connections between the administration's opposition to the Keystone pipeline project, which would bring oil from Canada to U.S. refineries, and American dependency on foreign oil and U.S.-Israel relations.

"We're throwing Israel under the bus because we know we're going to be dependent upon OPEC," Santorum said during a speech in Oklahoma City. "We're going to say, 'Oh, Iran, we don't want you to get a nuclear weapon - wink, wink, nod, nod - go ahead, just give us your oil.' Folks, the president of the United States is selling the economic security of the United States down the river right now."

Tassimo coffee makers recalled over burn risk

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:48 EST

Home-brewed coffee lovers, take note: More than a million popular coffee makers are being recalled after dozens of reports of the brewers spraying hot liquid, coffee grounds or tea leaves onto people.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission says there have been 140 reports of problems with the Tassimo (TAH'-sih-moh) single-cup brewers dousing people, including 37 cases involving second-degree burns.

In one incident, a 10-year-old girl was hospitalized with second-degree burns to her face and neck.

Obama birth control policy divides Democrats

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:14 EST

Democrats are deeply divided over President Barack Obama's new rule that religious schools and hospitals must provide insurance for free birth control to their employees amid fresh signs that the administration was scrambling for a way out.

"This is not only unacceptable, it is un-American," says Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., a Catholic who faces re-election in November in a state where Wednesday nights are reserved for church services.

Another Catholic senator, Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, has pleaded with the administration "to correct this decision which will erode the conscience rights" that have been protected for decades. His opposition echoes the criticism of his bishop in Scranton, Rev. Joseph C. Bambera.

Obama praises Italian leader's economic efforts

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:59 EST

Eager for Europe to contain its economic troubles, President Barack Obama praised Italian Premier Mario Monti on Thursday for his efforts to lead Italy out of its fiscal quagmire. The president said Monti has boosted confidence in Italy throughout Europe and in the marketplace.

Obama said he appreciated Monti's "strong start" at the helm of the European nation. Monti, who replaced Silvio Berlusconi in November, inherited a massive national debt and international pressure to pull Italy out of its troubles.

Since then, the Yale University-educated economist has won acclaim for his initial steps, including budget cuts, tax increases and eased regulations.

Obama: Mortgage deal turns page on reckless era

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:57 EST

President Barack Obama says a $25 billion settlement between mortgage lenders and states over foreclosure abuses "will begin to turn the page on an era of recklessness that has left so much damage in its wake."

Obama says the landmark deal between the five largest mortgage lenders and 49 states won't heal the housing market by itself. But he said: "This settlement is a start."

The Justice Department announced the agreement Thursday.

Democrats propose 6-week cut in jobless benefits

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:28 EST

House-Senate negotiations on extending jobless benefits and a two percentage point cut in the payroll tax remained stalled Thursday, despite a proposal in which Democrats urged a modest six-week cut in the maximum time unemployed workers can receive jobless benefits.

Democrats, however, rejected efforts by House conservatives to require beneficiaries to enroll in GED classes or permit states to require drug tests as conditions of getting unemployment.

The Democratic proposal would allow unemployed people to receive a maximum 93 weeks of benefits in states with the highest jobless rates, rather than the 99 weeks permitted now. Republicans want to cut 20 weeks from the maximum benefit, though as a practical matter, the benefit would drop to 59 weeks under their plan because falling unemployment rates mean enrollees would lose automatically 20 weeks under program eligibility rules.

Obama, Italy's PM to meet at White House

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:48 EST

President Barack Obama hosts the prime minister of Italy this afternoon at the White House.

Obama and Prime Minister Mario Monti are expected to talk about a range of issues, including what Italy is doing to restore market confidence in the midst of Europe's financial problems. The White House says the two men are also likely to discuss Afghanistan, the Middle East, North Africa and the upcoming G8 and NATO summits in Chicago.

In the evening, the president will speak at a campaign event in a private residence in Washington.

Banks to pay $25 billion to settle foreclosure abuses

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:36 EST

State and federal regulators on Thursday announced a settlement worth at least $25 billion with Bank of America and four other large banks, ending several years of litigation over alleged foreclosure abuses. The deal offers some help to struggling homeowners, but experts view it more as a moral victory with limited impact on the broader housing market.

The announcement capped months of negotiations that involved federal regulators, state attorneys general, consumer advocacy groups and big players on Wall Street and in finance. It was the largest government-industry settlement involving states since the $200 billion-plus tobacco industry settlement in 1998.

The settlement effectively punishes the banks for alleged abuses in the foreclosure process, including robo-signing, in which fraudulent documents are used in court proceedings when trying to take back properties from homeowners who are delinquent on their mortgages.

Romney 'glitter bomber' fired from internship

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:10 EST

The college student accused of "glitter bombing" Mitt Romney after the Colorado caucuses has been fired from his unpaid internship with state Senate Democrats.

Police say 20-year-old Peter Smith threw glitter at Romney as the Republican presidential hopeful greeted supporters in Denver on Tuesday. Smith faces charges of causing a disturbance, throwing a missile and unlawful acts.

Colorado Senate majority chief of staff John Cevette says Smith was terminated Thursday. He was interning as part of a course at the University of Colorado Denver.

FBI file: Steve Jobs was considered for govt post

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:38 EST

FBI background interviews of some people who knew Apple co-founder Steve Jobs reveal a man driven by power and alienating some of the people who worked with him.

In the FBI documents released Thursday, many of those who knew Jobs praised him, speaking highly of Jobs' character and integrity and asserting that he always conducted his business dealings in a reputable manner. They recommended him for a post during the George H.W. Bush administration.

The 1991 interviews were part of a background check for an appointment to the President's Export Council.

US rallies 'Friends of Syria' for meeting

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:18 EST

The Obama administration is working with its European and Arab allies to organize the inaugural meeting of the "Friends of Syria" to explore ways to further isolate President Bashar Assad, support his foes and end ongoing violence.

The State Department said Thursday that its top Mideast envoy, Jeffrey Feltman, has been dispatched to Morocco, France and Bahrain to help put the meeting together and determine the group's membership and its mandate. Arab League foreign ministers are due to meet Sunday in Cairo and could announce a date and venue for the meeting after that.

France and Turkey, both of which have historic and commercial interests in Syria, have offered to host the meeting. Morocco, which sponsored the U.N. Security Council resolution calling for Assad to step down that Russia and China vetoed, is also a candidate.

Giffords aide to run for seat in special election

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:39 EST

Ron Barber was always the behind-the-scenes man for his boss, Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.

Then he was shot, when a gunman opened fire on the congresswoman and others at a Tucson grocery store as Barber ushered constituents to meet her. Over the year since, he became one of the most visible faces of the tragedy.

Now, he's taking one more step into the spotlight, asking voters in Giffords' southern Arizona district to elect him to replace her in Congress after she stepped down last month to focus on recovering from a gunshot wound to the head.

McCain: US must act to help Syrians under siege

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:38 EST

Sen. John McCain says the United States should find ways to help the Syrian people under siege from President Bashar Assad, without putting American "boots on the ground."

McCain tells "CBS This Morning" there are several options available, ranging from medical care and technical assistance to safe havens for refugees of the violence.

McCain says Washington "should play a very important role, along with other nations." He says the Syrian government is killing its own people, and it's an international outrage.

NRC approves first new nuclear plant in 3 decades

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:30 EST

The nation's first new nuclear power plant in a generation won approval Thursday as federal regulators voted to grant a license for two new reactors at a site in eastern Georgia.

Atlanta-based Southern Co. hopes to begin operating the $14 billion reactors at its Vogtle site south of Augusta as soon as 2016. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved the company's plans on a 4-1 vote.

The NRC last approved construction of a nuclear plant in 1978, a year before a partial meltdown of the Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Pennsylvania. After that accident, fears of a radiation release were heightened and new reactor orders were brought nearly to a halt.

Obama tells gay donors more work to be done

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:30 EST

President Barack Obama told gay and lesbian supporters at a big-ticket fundraiser Thursday that there's more work to do to ensure fairness for all, but he said he "couldn't be prouder" of his track record for them.

Citing accomplishments like overturning the ban on gays serving openly in the military, Obama said the remarkable thing is how readily the public has gone along.

"The perception was somehow that this would be this huge ugly issue," Obama said of his decision to undo the "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays in the military.

Biden 'determined' to work out birth control issue

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:53 EST

Vice President Joe Biden says he believes the Obama administration can address concerns raised by the Catholic church and religious groups about a new birth control policy that says church-affiliated employers must provide contraceptive coverage for their employees.

Biden tells a Cincinnati radio station Thursday that he's "determined to see that this gets worked out and I believe we can work it out."

Biden says there is a "lot of misunderstanding" about the rule but says there will be a "significant attempt to work this out."

Thousands join first lady for 'Let's Move' outing

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:05 EST

Wild arm swings, sharp robotic turns, pulsing fist pumps.

Michelle Obama busted out a few new moves Thursday to mark the second anniversary of her campaign against childhood obesity with a few new friends - 14,000 or so, it turns out.

The first lady rocked out with thousands of sixth- to ninth-graders at a Des Moines arena on the first stop of a three-day trip to highlight her "Let's Move" campaign. It was a giant pep rally for eating right and exercising, complete with confetti, balloons and a towering birthday cake made of fruit.

White House to promote more positive jobs outlook

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:33 EST

The White House is lauding a rosier election-year economic forecast, predicting the economy could add two million jobs this year. But the upbeat projection is based partly on the shaky premise that Congress will sign off on President Barack Obama's jobs agenda.

While the White House is wary of predicting how the new job creation would affect the nation's unemployment rate, officials point to private estimates that it could lower unemployment from the current 8.3 percent to about 8 percent, where it was when Obama took office in January 2009.

In rushing out a more optimistic jobs forecast, the White House is trying to get ahead of another, more dismal set of its own unemployment predictions. The budget Obama will release Monday forecasts an average unemployment rate of 8.9 percent in 2012.

Leaving 'No Child' law: Obama lets 10 states flee

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:20 EST

It could be the beginning of the end for No Child Left Behind.

The goal was lofty: Get all children up to par in math and reading by 2014. But the nation isn't getting there, and now some states are getting out.

In a sign of what's to come, President Barack Obama on Thursday freed 10 states from some of the landmark law's toughest requirements. Those states, which had to commit to their own, federally approved plans, will now be free, for example, to judge students with methods other than test scores. They also will be able to factor in subjects beyond reading and math.