Congress Facing Busy Agenda, Funding Deadline

After July Fourth fireworks and parades, members of Congress return to work Tuesday facing a daunting summer workload and a pending deadline to fund the government or risk a shutdown in the fall.

Polygamous Montana Trio Applies for Wedding License

A Montana man said Wednesday that he was inspired by last week’s U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage to apply for a marriage license so that he can legally wed his second wife.

Record 93,626,000 Americans Not in Labor Force

A record 93,626,000 Americans 16 or older did not participate in the nation’s labor force in June, as the labor force participation rate dropped to 62.6 percent, a 38-year low, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Keystone Pipeline Divides Congress as Deadline Nears

With a decision looming, both sides of the Keystone XL pipeline debate are making last-ditch appeals to President Obama, with opponents saying the project fails the White House’s climate test and supporters arguing it’s a no-brainer that will spur U.S. energy independence and economic growth.

Obama to Reopen Cuba Embassy Despite Opposition

Reversing more than a half-century of U.S. policy, President Obama announced Wednesday that the U.S. and Cuba have agreed to reopen their embassies this summer and restore full diplomatic ties over vehement objections from lawmakers in both parties of Congress.

US Helped Release Iranian Prisoners As Sweetener for Nuclear Talks

The Obama administration helped to secure the release of several Iranians detained in the United States and the United Kingdom, some convicted of illegal arms smuggling, according to a report that comes as U.S. prisoners languish in Iranian jails.

Dow Plunges 350 Points, Worst Drop of 2015

U.S. markets got hammered Monday as the Greek debt crisis deepened, with investors pushing the Dow down 350 points — and back in the red for 2015 — after steeper sell-offs in Asia and Europe.

US Supreme Court Backs Same-Sex Marriage

The Supreme Court ruled Friday that same-sex couples have a right to marry nationwide, in a historic decision that invalidates gay marriage bans in more than a dozen states.

FBI Rounding Up Islamic State Suspects

The FBI has been rounding up more potential “lone wolf” terrorists, Congressional leaders and the Justice Department say, in response to the perception of a mounting threat of domestic attacks inspired by the Islamic State.

Congress Moves to Impose Sanctions on Iran

Sens. Mark Kirk (R., Ill.) and Robert Menendez (D., N.J.) revived on Thursday long-stalled legislation to impose and extend sanctions on Iran for a period of at least 10 more years, according to sources familiar with the move.

Obamacare Tax Subsidies Upheld by Supreme Court

The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the nationwide tax subsidies that are a core component of President Barack Obama’s health-care law, rejecting a challenge that had threatened to gut the measure and undercut his legacy.

Most Illegal Immigrants From Border Surge Skipped Court Date After Release

Tens of thousands of illegal immigrant women and children streamed across the U.S. border last year seeking asylum and protected status, claiming a “credible fear” of going home to the violence in Central America. President Obama addressed the crisis through increased border enforcement, more detention beds, more immigration judges and pressure on political leaders in their home countries.

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