WASHINGTON — When it comes to budgets, balance is in the eye of the congressional beholder. To House Republicans, it means a balanced budget in a decade, achieved by $4.6 trillion in spending cuts and without any tax increases. To Senate Democrats, it means a balanced plan, about $975 billion in higher taxes and a […]
Obama
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Obama, Israeli leader find common ground on Iran, Syria
JERUSALEM — Seeking a fresh start to a strained relationship, President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday demonstrated solidarity on the key issues that have stirred tensions between them. The U.S. president vowed he would do “what is necessary” to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, while Netanyahu reaffirmed that […]
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President passes on Maine lobster, chips, pie at Senate luncheon
President Barack Obama apparently passed on Maine lobster, potato chips and blueberry pie at a Senate luncheon last week catered by Sen. Susan Collins. The president met with Senate Republicans on Thursday for a wide-ranging policy discussion over lunch, according to The Hill. The luncheon’s menu was decided by Collins, who chose lobster salad from […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Obama aim: Keep Mideast troubles from boiling over
WASHINGTON (AP) — When President Barack Obama steps into the Middle East’s political cauldron this coming week, he won’t be seeking any grand resolution for the region’s vexing problems. His goal will be trying to keep the troubles, from Iran’s suspected pursuit of a nuclear weapon to the bitter discord between Israelis and Palestinians, from […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Obama wants research to wean vehicles off oil
Obama proposed the idea of an energy security trust last month in his State of the Union address, but he was putting a price tag on the idea during a trip Friday to the Argonne National Laboratory outside Chicago — $2 billion over 10 years. The White House said the research would be paid for […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Republicans urge Obama: Work with us and stop attacks
WASHINGTON (AP) — Polite yet firm, Senate Republicans told President Barack Obama on Thursday to tone down his political attacks and prod Democratic allies to support controversial changes in Medicare if he wants a compromise reducing deficits and providing stability to federal benefit programs. Participants at a 90-minute closed-door meeting said Obama acknowledged the point […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Nixon wished for total handgun ban
WASHINGTON (AP) — Few presidents in modern times have been as interested in gun control as Richard Nixon, of all people. He proposed ridding the market of Saturday night specials, contemplated banning handguns altogether and refused to pander to gun owners by feigning interest in their weapons. Several previously unreported Oval Office recordings and White […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Senate panel votes to approve Obama’s CIA nominee
WASHINGTON — The Senate Intelligence Committee voted Tuesday to approve President Barack Obama’s pick to lead the CIA after winning a behind-the-scenes battle with the White House over access to a series of top-secret legal opinions that justify the use of lethal drone strikes against terror suspects, including American citizens. John Brennan’s installation at the […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
President pours on charm in drive to get GOP budget support
WASHINGTON — Shifting course in the face of political gridlock, President Barack Obama is making rare overtures to rank-and-file Republicans, inviting GOP senators to dinner Wednesday, planning visits to Capitol Hill and working the phones with lawmakers. Obama’s efforts are aimed at jumpstarting budget talks and rallying support for his proposals on immigration and gun […]
Posted inBusiness, Nation / World, sj-web
Obama names picks for Energy secretary, EPA chief, Budget director
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Monday nominated MIT professor Ernest Moniz as energy secretary, Environmental Protection Agency official Gina McCarthy as EPA administrator and Wal-Mart executive Sylvia Mathews Burwell as White House budget director. In a ceremony at the White House with all three nominees, Obama hailed their predecessors and said he was confident […]