Obama rakes in the California cash

By Dave Boyer - The Washington Times

Fresh from advocating for more blue-collar factory jobs, President Obama roared through California on Thursday for a series of star-studded campaign fundraisers that will rake in at least $8 million. Published February 16, 2012 Comments

Congressional leaders sign off on payroll-tax deal

By Sean Lengell - The Washington Times

updated 5 minutes ago

Congressional leaders signed off on a final deal Thursday to extend the payroll-tax cuts and enhanced unemployment benefits through the rest of this year, setting up fights in both chambers as they struggle to convince rank-and-file lawmakers in both parties to support an agreement few like. Published February 16, 2012 Comments

Santorum voted to preserve NEA funding

By Seth McLaughlin - The Washington Times

When social conservatives were fighting to stop funding the National Endowment for the Arts in the 1990s, Rick Santorum was in Congress voting to preserve taxpayer funding - pitting him against many of the high-profile culture warriors with whom he is now most identified. Published February 16, 2012 Comments

Inside the Beltway

By Jennifer Harper - The Washington Times

Talk about military bearing: The U.S. Army is asking male noncommissioned officers (NCOs) to go through a three-day Pregnancy Postpartum Physical Training Exercise Leaders Course. Published February 16, 2012 Comments

Catholic Bishop joins contraception mandate debate

By Paige Winfield Cunningham - The Washington Times

Pointing to growing unease that President Obama’s proposed contraception coverage rule doesn’t protect religious freedom sufficiently, a Catholic bishop told Congress on Thursday the church will throw its weight behind House legislation releasing any employer from the mandate on religious or moral grounds. Published February 16, 2012 Comments

Postal Service to push retirements hard

By Jim McElhatton - The Washington Times

More than a quarter-million U.S. Postal Service workers are eligible for retirement, and a restructuring plan proposed Thursday relies heavily on getting many of them to quit. Published February 16, 2012 Comments

Boehner says payroll-tax bill won’t add jobs

By Alan Fram - Associated Press

A compromise bill extending a payroll-tax cut and jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed should be enacted, but it’s not going to help the economy very much, House Speaker John A. Boehner said Thursday. Published February 16, 2012 Comments

Kennedy redux in Massachusetts

By Bob Salsberg - Associated Press

The family name may help generate a steady flow of campaign cash and assure key endorsements for Joseph P. Kennedy III’s run for a U.S. House seat. Published February 16, 2012 Comments