U.S. Congress News

WASHINGTON - Two Senate leaders trying to steer a pair of President Barack Obama's high-stakes initiatives through Congress are being dogged by re-election worries, and it's not clear whether their legislative prominence will help or hurt them.

TOPEKA, Kan. - U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore, the only Democrat in Kansas' congressional delegation, said Monday he will not seek a seventh term, calling it "time for a new generation of leadership."

Many Republicans have already announced their interest in running for the seat currently held by Rep. Dennis Moore (D-Kan.), who unexpectedly [@url@announced Monday morning@@http://www.kansascity.com/842/story/1587369.html@] that he would not run for re-election after six terms in the House.

A look at key issues in the health care debate:

WASHINGTON - Sen. Edward M. Kennedy will be a tough act to follow, even for the Kennedys. His death, coupled with the decision by family members not to seek the seat he held for nearly five decades, has prompted predictions that the family's long-running political dynasty is over.

WASHINGTON - Senate Democrats on Sunday sparred with each other over how to fix the nation's troubled health care system, the moderates threatening to scuttle legislation if their demands weren't met and the more liberal members warning their party leaders not to bend.

WASHINGTON - Two Democratic senators say the health care overhaul bill now going to the Senate floor for debate is a key to saving jobs and reducing the spiraling American budget deficit.

WASHINGTON - A leading Democratic senator says the proposed health care overhaul must pass the Senate by the end of the year, so that lawmakers can begin to concentrate on the economy and job creation.

WASHINGTON - Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer says health care reform that includes a public option can pass the Senate.

WASHINGTON - A moderate Democratic senator who voted to allow debate over a health care bill says he might not support the bill in its next hurdle in the Senate.

WASHINGTON - A Democratic senator says moderates in his party shouldn't be allowed to dictate the terms of the health care debate and that the final bill should include a government-run option for Americans lacking insurance.

WASHINGTON - A Democratic lawmaker who has been treated for breast cancer says worries that the proposed health care overhaul would limit cancer screenings are overblown.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid eked out 60 votes on a procedural motion to start the health care debate Saturday night – but there’s no guarantee he can pass a bill on the merits.

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The US Senate, torn along party lines, voted to formally launch debate on historic legislation to enact President Barack Obama's signature drive to remake US health care, handing him a win for now.

The 60-39 roll call Saturday by which the Senate voted to advance a measure overhauling health care to a full debate.

WASHINGTON - Health care bill clears first Senate hurdle on party-line vote.

WASHINGTON — The government intercepted at least 18 e-mails between the alleged Fort Hood gunman and a radical Muslim cleric, and a key senator says there could be more communications that might have tipped off law enforcement or military officials.

Nov. 21 (Bloomberg) -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid won over the last of his party’s holdouts, bringing him to the verge of victory in the first big test of whether he can keep Democrats united behind health-care legislation.

Andrew Jackson would assuredly be pleased at the rising congressional distrust of the Federal Reserve. The populist president, who won re-election in 1832 on a platform of abolishing the Second Bank of the United States, was an early hater of power concentrated in huge financial institutions.

Sen. Blanche Lincoln is a yes for debating health reform, but a no for the public option, and she and fellow centrists are making clear they expect Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to scrap his current plan for a government-run insurance program.

WASHINGTON (AFP) - President Barack Obama's signature drive to remake US health care was on track to clear a key Senate hurdle Saturday, as the last wavering Democrats agreed to vote to formally open debate on the bill.

WASHINGTON - The Senate ethics committee on Friday admonished Democratic Sen. Roland Burris for misleading investigators about his maneuvering to get Barack Obama's old Senate seat from the governor who was ousted for trying to sell it.

HALIFAX, Canada (AFP) - US Senator John McCain predicted an allied win in Afghanistan in one year to 18 months if sufficient troops are sent, as the White House mulls sending tens of thousands of reinforcements.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate ethics committee on Friday admonished Roland Burris, saying he had been less than candid about his gubernatorial appointment to the Senate seat previously held by President Barack Obama.

WASHINGTON (AFP) - A planned November hearing by the US Senate Armed Services Committee to consider ending a ban on gays serving openly in the US military will be postponed, a spokeswoman indicated Friday.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Senate Banking Committee said on Friday it will hold a hearing on Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's renomination to a second term on December 3, putting the central bank chief under scrutiny at a time when the Fed is facing intense criticism in Congress.

The Senate opened a two-day debate on its health care overhaul bill amid indications Friday morning that Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., is closing in on the 60 votes he needs to overcome an anticipated Republican filibuster and bring the measure to the floor.

Senior House Democrats have introduced legislation that would impose a surtax beginning in 2011 to cover the costs of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

ALBANY, N.Y. - Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, encouraged by many Republicans to run for governor in 2010, is instead leaning toward a run for U.S. Senate, according to two party advisers.