Gallup: Half Says Govt. ‘Immediate Threat’ to Freedom
A hair shy of half of Americans believe the federal government presents “an immediate threat to the rights and freedoms of ordinary citizens,” a new Gallup Poll finds.
US News
Pope’s visit will produce largest security operation in U.S. history
Federal authorities are mobilizing one of the largest security operations in U.S. history ahead of Pope Francis’s arrival Tuesday, an effort that is straining law enforcement resources in Washington, New York and Philadelphia.
Contraception opt-out violates religious freedom: U.S. appeals court
A U.S. appeals court has ruled that President Barack Obama’s healthcare law violates the rights of religiously affiliated employers by forcing them to help provide contraceptive coverage even though they do not have to pay for it.
Wildfires, flooding, earthquake hit California
As firefighters began to make significant progress on two of the 12 deadly wildfires raging in drought-stricken areas of California, emergency crews on Tuesday had to also contend with a small earthquake near one of the wildfires and flooding in Los Angeles.
$2.88 Trillion: Gov’t Collects Record-High Taxes in First 11 Months of FY 2015
The federal government collected a record amount of taxes in the first 11 months of fiscal year 2015, exceeding $2.88 trillion in revenue, according to the latest monthly Treasury Department statement. Despite the revenue, which is still a record amount when adjusted for inflation, the federal government ran a deficit of $529 billion.
U.S. to accept at least 10,000 Syrian refugees
The U.S. will take in “at least 10,000” refugees from Syria in fiscal 2016, which starts Oct. 1, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said on Thursday.
Democrats clinch critical votes for Iran nuclear deal
Pressing their advantage, the White House and insistent Senate Democrats locked up the votes Tuesday to frustrate attempts by outraged Republicans to pass a legislative rebuke to the Iran nuclear accord.
Why Can’t the Kentucky Clerk Get Bail?
Rowan County, Kentucky Clerk Kim Davis has been jailed without bail since Thursday for refusing to allow her office to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Judge Orders Defiant Kentucky Clerk to Jail for Standing by Her Christian Beliefs
A Kentucky county clerk was jailed on Thursday for refusing to issue marriage licenses to gay couples, and a full day of court hearings failed to put an end to her two-month-old legal fight over a U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholding same-sex marriage.
Obama secures votes to preserve Iran nuclear deal despite majority opposition
President Obama’s intense lobbying on Wednesday secured support from a 34th Senate Democrat, ensuring his Iranian nuclear deal will survive a veto battle with Congress and setting into motion the extraordinary imposition of a foreign agreement over the objections of large numbers of voters and big majorities in both the House and Senate.
Judge eager to re-enter NSA surveillance fight
Warning that the constitutional rights of tens of millions of Americans are being violated, a federal judge said Wednesday that he’s eager to expedite a lawsuit seeking to shut down the National Security Agency’s controversial program to collect data on large volumes of U.S. telephone calls.
Obama Needs Just One More Vote to Seal Iran Deal
Supporters of the international nuclear agreement with Iran moved within one vote of mustering enough support to protect the deal in the U.S. Congress on Tuesday when two more Democratic senators said they would support the pact.
U.S. stocks suffer 3rd-worst drop of year on weak China data
U.S. stocks suffered their third-worst loss of the year on Tuesday as part of a global rout sparked by a new round of weak Chinese economic data.
Dow posts worst August decline in 17 years
The month of August can be pretty rough for stock investors. But this August has earned its place in the record books, as stocks were unsettled by uncertainty over the state of affairs in the world’s second largest economy, China.
Washington prepares for pivotal September vote in Congress on Iran nuclear deal
Advocates and skeptics of the Iran nuclear deal are plotting their final moves for support as Congress prepares to return from August recess next week to a consequential vote on the accord.
31 Senators Back Iran Deal, 3 Short to Sustain Veto
U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, a Democrat from Oregon, said Sunday he would support the nuclear deal with Iran, moving President Barack Obama a step closer to having sufficient backing to ensure the deal stands.
Senators to watch on 20-week abortion ban
Abortion opponents are concerned that the controversy surrounding videos targeting Planned Parenthood might steal attention from a big, line-in-the-sand abortion vote they have been pushing for a long time.
Planned Parenthood admits it manipulates rules on fetal organ sales to maximize profit
In a letter to Congress intended to defend its practices and attack its hidden-video critics, Planned Parenthood wound up lending credence to accusations that it manipulates rules on selling fetal organs to maximize profit.
Corker: Senate Republicans Have a ‘Plan B’ For Iran Nuke Deal
Tennessee Republican Sen. Bob Corker thinks it’s unlikely Congress will be able to derail the Iran nuclear deal, but he and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell reportedly may have fallback plans.
200 Retired Generals and Admirals Urge Congress to Reject Iran Nuclear Deal
A group of nearly 200 retired generals and admirals sent a letter to Congress on Wednesday urging lawmakers to reject the Iran nuclear agreement, which they say threatens national security.