2chambers - Breaking news and analysis from Capitol Hill.

Posted at 11:10 PM ET, 07/30/2011

Reid postpones vote on debt ceiling until Sunday afternoon

By Felicia Sonmez

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Saturday night postponed a vote on his plan to raise the country’s debt ceiling, a move that suggests a compromise between congressional leaders and the White House aimed at averting a default may be close at hand.

By Felicia Sonmez | 11:10 PM ET, 07/30/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:06 PM ET, 07/30/2011

Reid: No debt deal yet

By Felicia Sonmez

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said after a meeting at the White House on Saturday that congressional leaders and President Obama were no closer to a deal on the debt ceiling.

By Felicia Sonmez | 07:06 PM ET, 07/30/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:10 PM ET, 07/30/2011

The White House and the 14th Amendment: Why not?

By Felicia Sonmez

The case can be made that a congressional stalemate – followed by a unilateral move by the White House to prevent default – could present the best-case scenario for the president’s political fortunes.

By Felicia Sonmez | 05:10 PM ET, 07/30/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:35 PM ET, 07/30/2011

43 Republican senators announce opposition to Reid debt-limit plan

By Felicia Sonmez

The move ensures that the measure will fall short of the 60-vote threshold necessary to avoid a filibuster.

By Felicia Sonmez | 01:35 PM ET, 07/30/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:12 PM ET, 07/30/2011

Three days until the debt deadline: What to expect on the Hill today

By Felicia Sonmez

Will leaders be able to work out a bipartisan deal that can pass both chambers and be signed into law by President Obama before Tuesday?

By Felicia Sonmez | 01:12 PM ET, 07/30/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:26 AM ET, 07/30/2011

With Senate debt talks in turmoil, Democratic leaders make their pitch to GOP rank and file

By Felicia Sonmez

Senate Democratic leaders argue that rank-and-file Republicans are open to compromise and that Mitch McConnell has been denying them their “permission slip” to support a bipartisan plan.

By Felicia Sonmez | 09:26 AM ET, 07/30/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:42 PM ET, 07/29/2011

House passes Boehner debt-ceiling plan

By Felicia Sonmez

The House on Friday narrowly approved Speaker John Boehner’s (R-Ohio) debt-ceiling framework, one day after leaders postponed the vote and re-worked the measure in order to secure support from conservative members and four days before the deadline for Congress to raise the federal borrowing limit or else send the country into default.

By Felicia Sonmez | 07:42 PM ET, 07/29/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:46 PM ET, 07/29/2011

House Democrats: Debt crisis shows ‘tea party is not fit to govern’

By Felicia Sonmez

House Democratic leaders on Friday seized on the tumult among the House Republicans over the debt-ceiling plan, saying ti shows the tea party movement’s shortcomings.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:46 PM ET, 07/29/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:00 PM ET, 07/29/2011

Changes to House debt bill convince some skeptics

By Felicia Sonmez and Rosalind S. Helderman

House Republican leaders presented members on Friday with a re-worked plan to raise the country’s debt ceiling, convincing some skeptics.

By Felicia Sonmez and Rosalind S. Helderman | 12:00 PM ET, 07/29/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:06 PM ET, 07/28/2011

Holdouts on debt bill force Republican leaders to delay vote

By Felicia Sonmez

Five hours after postponing a vote on Speaker John A. Boehner’s debt-ceiling plan and then working to persuade holdout Republicans to support the bill, House GOP leaders threw in the towel, saying that there would be no vote on the proposal on Thursday night.

By Felicia Sonmez | 08:06 PM ET, 07/28/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:34 PM ET, 07/28/2011

As debt vote looms, House Republican leaders whip up support

By Felicia Sonmez

Thursday’s debt vote represents a make-or-break moment for the House Republican whip team.

By Felicia Sonmez | 06:34 PM ET, 07/28/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:29 PM ET, 07/28/2011

Reid move wouldn’t technically kill Boehner debt plan

By Felicia Sonmez

If the Senate defeats the House speaker’s debt-reduction plan, does that mean that the Boehner plan is dead? Not exactly.

By Felicia Sonmez | 04:29 PM ET, 07/28/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:19 PM ET, 07/28/2011

Reid: Senate will vote down Boehner debt plan as early as tonight

By Felicia Sonmez

The Senate is prepared to reject Speaker John Boehner’s debt-ceiling plan immediately if it passes the House, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Thursday.

By Felicia Sonmez | 01:19 PM ET, 07/28/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:02 PM ET, 07/28/2011

Business leaders say debt agreement must happen this week

By Felicia Sonmez

A group of the country’s top business executives on Thursdaywar5ned that the consequences of inaction this week on the debt ceiling “would be very grave.”

By Felicia Sonmez | 01:02 PM ET, 07/28/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:04 PM ET, 07/27/2011

Senate Democrats say they’re united against Boehner debt plan

By Felicia Sonmez

The Senate Democratic caucus united Wednesday in opposition to the debt-ceiling plan drafted by House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio).

By Felicia Sonmez | 07:04 PM ET, 07/27/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:38 PM ET, 07/27/2011

Boehner’s new debt plan would save $915 billion

By Felicia Sonmez

By Felicia Sonmez | 06:38 PM ET, 07/27/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:52 PM ET, 07/27/2011

House Democrats to Obama: Raise debt limit by invoking 14th Amendment if necessary

By Felicia Sonmez

A trio of House Democratic leaders is calling on President Obama to move unilaterally to raise the country’s debt ceiling next week if no long-term deal is reached.

By Felicia Sonmez | 04:52 PM ET, 07/27/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:57 PM ET, 07/27/2011

Uproar among House Republicans after members targeted Boehner debt plan

By Felicia Sonmez

Several House Republicans were livid Wednesday after hearing that a staffer for a group of conservative lawmakers had conducted a campaign to pressure members to oppose Boehner’s debt-ceiling plan.

By Felicia Sonmez | 02:57 PM ET, 07/27/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:50 AM ET, 07/27/2011

CBO: Reid plan would cut deficit more than Boehner proposal

By Felicia Sonmez

The Congressional Budget Office says the debt-ceiling plan drafted by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid would produce more deficit savings than House Speaker John Boehner’s plan.

By Felicia Sonmez | 11:50 AM ET, 07/27/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:07 AM ET, 07/27/2011

The Boehner plan whip list

By Felicia Sonmez

House Republican leaders can afford to lose the support of 23 of their 240 members before they will need some Democrats to help pass the measure.

By Felicia Sonmez | 08:07 AM ET, 07/27/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:21 PM ET, 07/26/2011

Budget office says Boehner plan falls short; leaders vow to re-work plan

By Felicia Sonmez

House Speaker John Boehner’s debt-ceiling plan was dealt a blow late Tuesday when the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said that the proposal came up short of the Ohio Republican’s projected figure for spending cuts, one day before the House was set to take up the measure in a closely-watched vote.

By Felicia Sonmez | 07:21 PM ET, 07/26/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:35 PM ET, 07/26/2011

Jim Jordan: Boehner plan won’t pass House on Republican support alone

By Felicia Sonmez

A leading House conservative said Tuesday that he believes that enough Republicans oppose the debt-ceiling plan drafted by the House speaker to make Democratic support crucial.

By Felicia Sonmez | 01:35 PM ET, 07/26/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:11 PM ET, 07/26/2011

Members of Congress flooded with calls after Obama, Boehner debt speeches

By Felicia Sonmez

The Capitol switchboard was on the verge of overload with calls from across the country Tuesday after President Obama called on Americans to contact their members of Congress.

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:11 PM ET, 07/26/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:58 AM ET, 07/26/2011

Both Reid and Boehner debt plans face tough odds

By Felicia Sonmez

Whether either of the debt-ceiling plans proposed by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid or House Speaker John Boehner can make it through Congress is an open question.

By Felicia Sonmez | 09:58 AM ET, 07/26/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:48 AM ET, 07/26/2011

At $30M a day, FAA partial shutdown could cost more than program at center of dispute

By Felicia Sonmez

Think the federal government has averted a shutdown this year? Think again.

By Felicia Sonmez | 08:48 AM ET, 07/26/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:40 PM ET, 07/25/2011

Obama and Boehner’s debt-limit remarks to the nation

By Felicia Sonmez

The text of Obama and Boehner’s remarks to the nation, as prepared for delivery.

By Felicia Sonmez | 09:40 PM ET, 07/25/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:12 PM ET, 07/25/2011

Most House Republicans wait to size up Boehner’s debt-reduction plan

By Felicia Sonmez and Rosalind S. Helderman

Most rank-and-file House members expressed tentative support or declined to weigh in immediately on the House speaker’s debt-ceiling plan after a closed-door conference meeting Monday afternoon.

By Felicia Sonmez and Rosalind S. Helderman | 06:12 PM ET, 07/25/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:58 PM ET, 07/25/2011

Cut, Cap and Balance Coalition pans Boehner’s debt ceiling proposal

By Felicia Sonmez

No sooner did House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) unveil his plan to raise the country’s debt ceiling and avoid default than a coalition of conservative groups and lawmakers panned the proposal.

By Felicia Sonmez | 04:58 PM ET, 07/25/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:59 PM ET, 07/25/2011

Among House Republican freshmen, debt-ceiling uncertainty reigns

By Felicia Sonmez, David A. Fahrenthold and Rosalind S. Helderman

Rank-and-file House Republican members haven’t figured out which way to turn now that their preferred option is off the table, and leaders have yet to show them the path forward.

By Felicia Sonmez, David A. Fahrenthold and Rosalind S. Helderman | 02:59 PM ET, 07/25/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:02 PM ET, 07/25/2011

Democrats cool to John Boehner’s debt plan

By Felicia Sonmez

The full details of the House speaker‘s plan for raising the country’s debt ceiling have yet to be unveiled, but Democratic leaders aren’t happy with the outlines.

By Felicia Sonmez | 02:02 PM ET, 07/25/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:45 AM ET, 07/25/2011

Pelosi formally requests ethics investigation into Rep. David Wu

By Felicia Sonmez

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has formally requested an ethics investigation of the Oregon Democrat.

By Felicia Sonmez | 11:45 AM ET, 07/25/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:29 AM ET, 07/25/2011

The week ahead on the Hill: Two chambers, two debt-limit plans

By Felicia Sonmez

Eight days remain until the Aug. 2 deadline for raising the nation’s legal limit on borrowing, and Congress has a long way to go.

By Felicia Sonmez | 10:29 AM ET, 07/25/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:05 PM ET, 07/24/2011

Senate Democrats prepare $2.7 trillion debt-limit plan

By Felicia Sonmez

With the progress of talks on raising the country’s debt limit in a state of flux, Senate Democrats are preparing to introduce legislation that would avert a national default on Aug. 2 and achieve $2.7 trillion in deficit savings over the next decade without raising taxes.

By Felicia Sonmez | 11:05 PM ET, 07/24/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:33 PM ET, 07/24/2011

Amid stalemate in debt-limit talks, Americans take their frustrations to Twitter

By Felicia Sonmez

That Americans are incensed at Washington is no surprise: There have been rallies upon rallies and polls upon polls. And now, there is a hashtag.

By Felicia Sonmez | 06:33 PM ET, 07/24/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:32 AM ET, 07/24/2011

Boehner: Too early to say whether bipartisan debt plan is possible

By Felicia Sonmez

If a bipartisan approach is not possible, Boehner added, “I and my Republican colleagues in the House are prepared to move on our own today.”

By Felicia Sonmez | 11:32 AM ET, 07/24/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:28 PM ET, 07/23/2011

Pelosi: No comment on whether David Wu should resign

By Felicia Sonmez

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Saturday night that she had no comment on whether Rep. David Wu should resign.

By Felicia Sonmez | 08:28 PM ET, 07/23/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:20 PM ET, 07/22/2011

Boehner’s letter to House Republicans on debt talks

By Felicia Sonmez

The speaker sent a letter to members of the House Republican conference Friday night as debt talks collapsed.

By Felicia Sonmez | 06:20 PM ET, 07/22/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:05 PM ET, 07/22/2011

Boehner on debt talks: Republicans, White House ‘like two groups of people from two different planets’

By Felicia Sonmez

House Speaker John Boehner said Friday that there’s been “a lot of frustration” in the ongoing talks between the White House and congressional leaders on raising the country’s debt limit.

By Felicia Sonmez | 06:05 PM ET, 07/22/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:06 PM ET, 07/22/2011

Labor, liberal groups mobilizing against White House on debt deal

By Felicia Sonmez

Groups are incensed at reports that President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) may be nearing agreement on a debt-ceiling deal that would involve cuts to entitlement programs but no immediate provisions to raise taxes.

By Felicia Sonmez | 05:06 PM ET, 07/22/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:25 PM ET, 07/22/2011

McConnell: Progress on trade deals ahead of August recess not likely

By Felicia Sonmez

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Friday that it’s unlikely that three key trade deals will make their way through Congress before the August recess.

By Felicia Sonmez | 04:25 PM ET, 07/22/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:56 PM ET, 07/22/2011

Huckabee to visit Capitol Hill next week

By Felicia Sonmez

Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee (R) will be visiting Capitol Hill next week.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:56 PM ET, 07/22/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:25 PM ET, 07/22/2011

House defeats effort to slash ethics office funding

By Ben Pershing

The House easily beat back an effort to slash funding for the Office of Congressional Ethics, as a majority of both parties teamed up to protect it.

By Ben Pershing | 01:25 PM ET, 07/22/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:21 AM ET, 07/22/2011

Senate rejects balanced budget amendment plan

By Felicia Sonmez

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Friday that Senate will not be in session this weekend after it rejects “cut, cap, balance.”

By Felicia Sonmez | 11:21 AM ET, 07/22/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:51 PM ET, 07/21/2011

Democrats fuming at reported Obama-Boehner debt-limit compromise

By Felicia Sonmez

House Democrats and liberal groups were livid Thursday at news of a debt-limit deal reportedly in the works that wouldn’t immediately include new tax revenue.

By Felicia Sonmez | 05:51 PM ET, 07/21/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:29 PM ET, 07/21/2011

Reid: House recess would hurt chances of debt-limit ‘grand bargain’

By Felicia Sonmez and Rosalind S. Helderman

The prospect that the House might skip weekend sessions brought new warnings from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid that time is running short for a big debt deal.

By Felicia Sonmez and Rosalind S. Helderman | 12:29 PM ET, 07/21/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:10 PM ET, 07/21/2011

Allen West: Apology to Wasserman Schultz ‘is not happening’

By Felicia Sonmez

Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) says he is not apologizing to Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz for attacking the Florida Democrat in an e-mail.

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:10 PM ET, 07/21/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:00 PM ET, 07/20/2011

House Democratic women seek rebuke of Rep. Allen West

By Felicia Sonmez

A group of five House Democratic women on Wednesday called on Republican leaders to rebuke Rep. Allen West for his comments about Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

By Felicia Sonmez | 05:00 PM ET, 07/20/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:23 PM ET, 07/20/2011

As ‘Gang of Six’ continues to brief members, Cantor and Boehner huddle with Obama Wednesday to talk debt limit

By Felicia Sonmez

The top two House Republicans are set to visit the White House Wednesday evening for their latest debt-limit meeting with President Obama.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:23 PM ET, 07/20/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:30 PM ET, 07/20/2011

Under fire, House Ethics panel hires outside counsel for Waters probe

By Ben Pershing

By Ben Pershing | 01:30 PM ET, 07/20/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:25 PM ET, 07/20/2011

House Democrats: Balanced budget amendment is ‘anti-democratic’

By Felicia Sonmez

As the House prepares to hold a largely-symbolic vote Tuesday on a measure to “cut, cap and balance” the federal budget in exchange for raising the debt ceiling, House Democrats sharply criticized the move, which they argued violates basic democratic principles.

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:25 PM ET, 07/20/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:08 PM ET, 07/20/2011

Democrats using Allen West’s rant against Debbie Wasserman Schultz for fundraising

By Felicia Sonmez

National Democrats are seizing on Rep. Allen West’s (R-Fla.) e-mail tirade against Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Fla.) in an effort to raise money and mobilize their supporters.

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:08 PM ET, 07/20/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:08 PM ET, 07/19/2011

By the numbers: The House ‘Cut, Cap and Balance Act’ vote

By Felicia Sonmez

A look at the House ‘cut, cap and balance’ vote by the numbers.

By Felicia Sonmez | 09:08 PM ET, 07/19/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:17 PM ET, 07/19/2011

Report: Rep. Allen West rants against Wasserman Schultz in personal e-mail

By Felicia Sonmez

Freshman Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) is coming under fire after reportedly sending a scathing personal e-mail to Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz in which he contends that the Florida Democrat is “vile,” “despicable,” “not a Lady” and should “shut the heck up.”

By Felicia Sonmez | 08:17 PM ET, 07/19/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:57 PM ET, 07/19/2011

Waters’s attorneys call for dismissal of ethics case after leaked emails, reports of partisan infighting

By Felicia Sonmez

One day after a report threw further doubt on the House Ethics Committee’s handling of its investigation into Rep. Maxine Waters, the California Democrat’s legal team is calling for the panel to dismiss the case – and is threatening to sue if the committee proceeds with the matter.

By Felicia Sonmez | 07:57 PM ET, 07/19/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:37 PM ET, 07/19/2011

House may be in session over the weekend as debt-limit deadline draws near

By Felicia Sonmez

Congress may be working overtime as the clock ticks ever closer to the deadline for reaching a deal to raise the country’s debt ceiling.

By Felicia Sonmez | 07:37 PM ET, 07/19/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:25 PM ET, 07/19/2011

House Republicans, the debt ceiling and the McConnell-Reid plan

By Felicia Sonmez

Based on their past voting history, a full 168 House Republicans (of the 240 total GOPers), or nearly 70 percent of the House Republican Conference, may be amenable to a compromise bill.

By Felicia Sonmez | 06:25 PM ET, 07/19/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:39 PM ET, 07/19/2011

Leahy hails Obama support for Defense of Marriage Act repeal

By Felicia Sonmez

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy praised the White House’s announcement that President Obama supports repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:39 PM ET, 07/19/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:59 PM ET, 07/18/2011

Nearly 30 percent of House skips votes as debt-limit deadline looms

By Felicia Sonmez

The House was in session Monday – but some lawmakers were quicker to return to Washington than others.

By Felicia Sonmez | 07:59 PM ET, 07/18/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:02 PM ET, 07/18/2011

Poll: Republicans have more confidence in Boehner than in Cantor during debt debate

By Felicia Sonmez

Republicans are more confident in House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) than in House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) when it comes to the ongoing negotiations on raising the country’s debt limit, according to a new Washington Post-Pew Research Center poll.

By Felicia Sonmez | 07:02 PM ET, 07/18/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:14 PM ET, 07/18/2011

Watchdog calls for investigation into House Ethics Committee

By Felicia Sonmez

The release of new details regarding the House Ethics Committee’s alleged mishandling of the Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) case has led to calls for a new investigation – this time, into the panel itself.

By Felicia Sonmez | 06:14 PM ET, 07/18/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:04 PM ET, 07/18/2011

Boehner, Cantor met with Obama on Sunday

By Felicia Sonmez

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) met Sunday with President Obama to discuss the path forward on the debt ceiling.

By Felicia Sonmez | 04:04 PM ET, 07/18/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:54 PM ET, 07/18/2011

Tom Coburn unveils plan to achieve $9 trillion in deficit savings over next decade

By Felicia Sonmez

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) Monday released a plan that he says would achieve $9 trillion in deficit savings over the next decade through a combination of spending cuts, entitlement reform and increased tax revenue.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:54 PM ET, 07/18/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:30 PM ET, 07/18/2011

The week ahead on the Hill: No recess for the Senate

By Felicia Sonmez

A look at the week ahead on Capitol Hill.

By Felicia Sonmez | 02:30 PM ET, 07/18/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:23 PM ET, 07/18/2011

Reid: Senate will stay in session until debt-limit deal passes

By Felicia Sonmez

The majority leader announced that the Senate will not recess, even on weekends, until Congress passes a deal.

By Felicia Sonmez | 01:23 PM ET, 07/18/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:47 PM ET, 07/15/2011

Four senators welcome administration’s recognition of Libyan rebels

By Felicia Sonmez

Four of the Senate’s top voices on foreign policy voiced their support for the Obama administration’s move to formally recognize Libyan rebel leaders.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:47 PM ET, 07/15/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:19 AM ET, 07/15/2011

House Republicans plan to vote on ‘cut, cap and balance’ measure next week

By Felicia Sonmez

House Republicans on Friday introduced a new factor in the debt-ceiling negotiation calculus by announcing that they will vote next week on a plan to “cut, cap and balance” the budget.

By Felicia Sonmez | 11:19 AM ET, 07/15/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:13 PM ET, 07/14/2011

Obama gives leaders ’24 to 36 hours’ to come to debt agreement

By Felicia Sonmez

Shortly after President Obama and congressional leaders ended their meeting on the debt ceiling, the White House announced a Friday-morning news conference.

By Felicia Sonmez | 07:13 PM ET, 07/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:45 PM ET, 07/14/2011

The political strategy behind Republicans’ push for a balanced budget amendment

By Felicia Sonmez and Paul Kane

Next week's votes on such an amendment votes will likely have many benefits for congressional Republicans — but affecting the debt-limit talks is not likely to be one of them.

By Felicia Sonmez and Paul Kane | 06:45 PM ET, 07/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:56 PM ET, 07/14/2011

Boehner leaves door open to McConnell ‘back-up’ plan on debt

By Felicia Sonmez

By Felicia Sonmez | 04:56 PM ET, 07/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:20 PM ET, 07/14/2011

Boehner defends Cantor from Democratic criticism in debt limit talks

By Felicia Sonmez

House Speaker John Boehner rallied to House Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s defense Thursday afternoon, dismissing criticism of the number-two House Republican by congressional Democrats seeking to capitalize on GOP discord in the high-stakes battle over the country’s debt.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:20 PM ET, 07/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:08 PM ET, 07/14/2011

Despite rumors, no Camp David meeting on debt in the works

By Felicia Sonmez

As the deadline nears for the White House and negotiators in Congress to draw up a plan to raise the country’s debt limit, congressional leaders Thursday morning dismissed rumors that a Camp David summit might be in the works.

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:08 PM ET, 07/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:59 PM ET, 07/13/2011

After Cantor proposes two debt-limit votes, Obama ‘abruptly’ walks out of meeting

By Felicia Sonmez

President Obama became “very agitated” after House Republicans proposed splitting up the vote to raise the federal borrowing limit into two separate votes, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) said Wednesday evening.

By Felicia Sonmez | 07:59 PM ET, 07/13/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:54 PM ET, 07/13/2011

McConnell warns default could ‘destroy’ GOP brand

By Felicia Sonmez

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) warned Wednesday that a potential default would not only be a dangerous thing for the country, but could also have damaging political repercussions for the Republican Party.

By Felicia Sonmez | 04:54 PM ET, 07/13/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:00 PM ET, 07/13/2011

Senate rejects symbolic measure on ‘shared sacrifice’

By Felicia Sonmez

The Senate on Wednesday blocked a resolution that would have called for “shared sacrifice” from the wealthy in resolving the ongoing debt-limit impasse.

By Felicia Sonmez | 02:00 PM ET, 07/13/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:47 PM ET, 07/13/2011

Pelosi, Reid say McConnell debt-limit 'back-up plan' a step in right direction

By Felicia Sonmez

Democratic leaders responded positively to a “back-up plan” proposed by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) that would allow the debt ceiling to be raised but would make President Obama and congressional Democrats bear the brunt of the political fallout.

By Felicia Sonmez | 01:47 PM ET, 07/13/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:46 AM ET, 07/13/2011

GOP lawmakers: Don’t believe Obama on debt ceiling

By Felicia Sonmez

A trio of conservative Republicans, including Rep. Michele Bachmann, said Wednesday House Speaker John Boehner should not believe President Obama on raising the debt ceiling.

By Felicia Sonmez | 11:46 AM ET, 07/13/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:41 AM ET, 07/13/2011

McConnell: Debt ceiling will not get ‘a single Republican vote’

By Felicia Sonmez

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said Wednesday that his party is united in opposing any effort to raise the debt ceiling.

By Felicia Sonmez | 10:41 AM ET, 07/13/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:38 PM ET, 07/12/2011

Boehner: ‘I don’t know’ what happens if debt deal isn’t reached

By Felicia Sonmez

House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) on Tuesday said he was not certain what might happen if congressional leaders and the White House don’t come up with a debt-limit agreement by an Aug. 2 deadline.

By Felicia Sonmez | 08:38 PM ET, 07/12/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:20 PM ET, 07/12/2011

Inhofe blocks commerce secretary nominee over environmental record

By Felicia Sonmez

A Republican senator on Tuesday announced he was placing a hold on President Obama’s candidate to succeed Gary Locke as commerce secretary over concerns about the nominee’s record on environmental issues.

By Felicia Sonmez | 07:20 PM ET, 07/12/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:46 PM ET, 07/12/2011

McConnell unveils debt limit ‘Plan B’

By Felicia Sonmez

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Tuesday unveiled a “back-up plan” for raising the debt ceiling in case the ongoing negotiations fail to reach a deal by Aug. 2.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:46 PM ET, 07/12/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:18 PM ET, 07/12/2011

Steny Hoyer to Republicans: Sitting down at the table is not a compromise

By Felicia Sonmez

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) struck back Tuesday against House Republicans’ argument that they have compromised in ongoing debt-limit talks with the White House, calling it “extraordinary” for GOP leaders to claim that sitting down at the negotiating table itself is a concession.

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:18 PM ET, 07/12/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:06 AM ET, 07/12/2011

Republicans dig in on debt limit

By Felicia Sonmez

Republican leaders had sharp criticism for President Obama and Democrats on Tuesday ahead of their latest meeting aimed at tackling the country’s debt problem.

By Felicia Sonmez | 11:06 AM ET, 07/12/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:10 PM ET, 07/11/2011

Medicare cuts discussed, rejected in debt talks

By Felicia Sonmez

In Monday’s debt-limit talks, House Republicans brought up a plan that would save $250 billion in cuts to Medicare over the next decade, but the White House and congressional Democrats rejected the idea.

By Felicia Sonmez | 07:10 PM ET, 07/11/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:02 PM ET, 07/11/2011

Hatch calls for meeting to resolve Colombia, South Korea, Panama trade deals

By Felicia Sonmez

The top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee on Monday called for a meeting to work out differences on key trade deals with South Korea, Panama and Colombia.

By Felicia Sonmez | 06:02 PM ET, 07/11/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:57 PM ET, 07/11/2011

Boehner: Debt-limit differences with Obama a matter of policy, not personalities

By Felicia Sonmez

House Speaker John Boehner said Monday that any differences he has with President Obama are matters of policy, not of personality.

By Felicia Sonmez | 02:57 PM ET, 07/11/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:09 PM ET, 07/11/2011

The week ahead on the Hill: Short-term debt limit deal off the table

By Felicia Sonmez

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:09 PM ET, 07/11/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:14 PM ET, 07/08/2011

Democrats incensed with White House over Social Security, Medicare

By Felicia Sonmez

Long-simmering tensions between the White House and congressional Democrats on how best to address the country’s debt boiled over Friday, with leaders and rank-and-file members alike fuming at reports that President Obama is mulling cuts to Social Security and Medicare as part of a bipartisan debt-limit deal.

By Felicia Sonmez | 01:14 PM ET, 07/08/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:45 AM ET, 07/08/2011

House cancels July recess, moves up balanced budget vote

By Felicia Sonmez

With the White House-set deadline for resolving the country’s debt-limit impasse looming, House Republican leaders announced that they are canceling planned week-long recess.

By Felicia Sonmez | 11:45 AM ET, 07/08/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:49 PM ET, 07/07/2011

Pelosi, Obama to hold White House meeting on Friday

By Felicia Sonmez

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and President Obama will meet at the White House on Friday, according to a Democratic source.

By Felicia Sonmez | 04:49 PM ET, 07/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:22 PM ET, 07/07/2011

House narrowly rejects measure to defund Libyan mission

By Felicia Sonmez

The House on Thursday rejected a measure that would have withdrawn funding for U.S. military operations in Libya, although the amendment drew broad bipartisan support, including from a majority of Republicans.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:22 PM ET, 07/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:33 PM ET, 07/07/2011

‘Cut, cap, balance’ pledge complicates debt-limit calculus

By Felicia Sonmez

A debt-limit pledge put forth by conservatives has made congressional leaders’ task of rounding up votes for a measure to raise the federal borrowing limit more complicated.

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:33 PM ET, 07/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:06 PM ET, 07/07/2011

Senators push deal to end ethanol subsidies this month

By Rosalind S. Helderman

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 12:06 PM ET, 07/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:14 AM ET, 07/07/2011

What to watch for on the debt limit today

By Felicia Sonmez

2CHAMBERS | Obama and Biden meet with top congressional leaders on working toward a deal to raise the country’s debt limit.

By Felicia Sonmez | 10:14 AM ET, 07/07/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:43 PM ET, 07/06/2011

McCain opposes balanced-budget amendment in debt deal

By Felicia Sonmez

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) on Wednesday said he opposes efforts by some conservatives to tie a debt-limit vote to congressional passage of a balanced budget amendment.

By Felicia Sonmez | 05:43 PM ET, 07/06/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:29 PM ET, 07/06/2011

Senate panel to take up Colombia, Panama, South Korea trade deals on Thursday

By Felicia Sonmez

One week after Senate Republicans boycotted a meeting on three long-stalled trade deals, the panel’s chairman on Wednesday set a new date for the consideration of the pacts.

By Felicia Sonmez | 04:29 PM ET, 07/06/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:01 PM ET, 07/06/2011

Cantor won’t sign ‘Cut, Cap, Balance’ pledge

By Felicia Sonmez

The House majority leader declined Wednesday to commit to a conservative pledge to raise the country’s debt ceiling.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:01 PM ET, 07/06/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:00 PM ET, 07/06/2011

House Democrats to hold discussion on the impact of a potential debt default

By Felicia Sonmez

House Democrats announced Wednesday that they would hold an event on Thursday to discuss the potential impact on the U.S. economy if the nation defaults on its debt obligations early next month.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:00 PM ET, 07/06/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:29 PM ET, 07/05/2011

House panel defies White House on trade deals with Colombia, Panama and South Korea

By Felicia Sonmez

House Republicans are moving forward this week with plans to consider three key trade deals without including a program for workers who have lost their jobs due to outsourcing.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:29 PM ET, 07/05/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:11 PM ET, 07/05/2011

The week ahead on the Hill: The Senate votes on Libya; Democrats to talk debt with Biden

By Felicia Sonmez

The Senate votes on Libya; Democrats to talk debt with Biden.

By Felicia Sonmez | 01:11 PM ET, 07/05/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:22 PM ET, 07/01/2011

House ethics panel extends consideration over cases of Reps. Meeks and Schmidt

By Felicia Sonmez

The House ethics committee announced Friday that it is extending its consideration of whether two members violated the chamber’s rules.

By Felicia Sonmez | 04:22 PM ET, 07/01/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:27 PM ET, 07/01/2011

Rep. Thaddeus McCotter launches longshot presidential bid

By Felicia Sonmez

Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.) will enter the 2012 White House race on Saturday, becoming the third sitting House member this year to seek the GOP’s presidential nomination.

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:27 PM ET, 07/01/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:27 PM ET, 07/01/2011

Deadline tightens for Congress, White House on debt limit

By Felicia Sonmez

Can Congress and the White House reach a debt-limit deal by July 22?

By Felicia Sonmez | 03:27 PM ET, 07/01/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:52 PM ET, 06/30/2011

Senate panel postpones action on trade deals after GOP boycott

By Felicia Sonmez and Howard Schneider

A protracted battle over three trade deals got longer Thursday after Republicans abruptly boycotted a key Senate panel meeting.

By Felicia Sonmez and Howard Schneider | 04:52 PM ET, 06/30/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:45 PM ET, 06/30/2011

Senate cancels July 4 holiday recess to work on debt deal

By Rosalind S. Helderman

The Senate will cancel a planned recess next week, returning to Washington after the long Fourth of July weekend to get back to work on a deal to raise the nation’s legal borrowing limit.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 03:45 PM ET, 06/30/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:07 PM ET, 06/30/2011

Reid: Senate expected to vote on a Libya resolution next week

By Paul Kane and David A. Fahrenthold

The Senate is likely to take up a resolution that would authorize the conflict in Libya next week, Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) said Thursday afternoon.

By Paul Kane and David A. Fahrenthold | 03:07 PM ET, 06/30/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:19 PM ET, 06/30/2011

Senate Democrats invite Obama, Biden to talk debt next week

By Felicia Sonmez

Senate Democratic leaders have invited President Obama and Vice President Biden to meet with their caucus members next week to discuss negotiations on raising the debt ceiling.

By Felicia Sonmez | 01:19 PM ET, 06/30/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:38 PM ET, 06/30/2011

Hatch: Congress may not pass trade deals

By Felicia Sonmez

Ahead of the Senate Finance Committee’s first hearing on three pending trade deals, the panel’s leading Republican issued a warning Thursday that passage of the deals could be imperiled by the Obama administration’s inclusion of a program aimed at aiding workers who have lost their jobs due to outsourcing.

By Felicia Sonmez | 12:38 PM ET, 06/30/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:11 AM ET, 06/30/2011

McConnell to Obama: Visit the Capitol

By Rosalind S. Helderman

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) wants President Obama to visit the Capitol to meet with Senate Republicans about raising the debt ceiling.

By Rosalind S. Helderman | 11:11 AM ET, 06/30/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

2chambers: July, 2011