msnbc.com: Capitol Hill

Landmark health insurance bill passes House

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 06:07:51 GMT

Triumphant Democrats pass landmark health care legislation in the House, spurred by a summons from President Barack Obama to "answer the call of history."

Jobless, homebuyer aid extensions advance

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 19:33:33 GMT

Congress took further steps to right the economy by expanding a tax credit for homebuyers and extending unemployment checks for the people running out of benefits with few job prospects.

Ex-CEO Fiorina announces bid for U.S. Senate

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 18:37:24 GMT

Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina says she'll run for the U.S. Senate seat held by California incumbent Barbara Boxer.

One year later, big test for big government

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 14:21:17 GMT

After a year of sweeping governmental action to revive the economy, is the country better off and on the road to recovery? Some voters get to decide today.

Republican senators boycott climate bill

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 20:13:09 GMT

Senate Republicans boycotted a committee debate Tuesday on a bill to curb greenhouse gases, protesting that the bill's costs have not been fully examined.

Merkel calls for strong deal on climate change

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 18:50:36 GMT

German Chancellor Angela Merkel marked the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall by exhorting the world in a speech to Congress on Tuesday to reach a deal to combat global warming.

What do you remember about the '08 election?

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 13:55:49 GMT

How much do you remember about 2008 race for the White House?

Reid signals timetable for health care may slip

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 01:08:01 GMT

The Senate Democratic leader indicated Tuesday that lawmakers may not complete health care legislation this year. At the same time, House Republicans have produced a draft proposal of their own.

Biden stumps for Dem in hotly contested race

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 20:12:58 GMT

Vice President Joe Biden is campaigning for the Democratic candidate in a special congressional election that has suddenly become a referendum on the Republican Party.

House health bill totals $1.2 trillion

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 00:40:32 GMT

The health care bill headed for a vote in the House this week costs $1.2 trillion or more over a decade, according to Democratic officials and figures contained in an analysis by experts.

Estimate: Public health option would cover few

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:15:19 GMT

What's all the fuss about? After all the noise over Democrats' push for a government insurance plan to compete with private carriers, coverage numbers are finally in: Two percent.

Senate, White House agree on reporter protections

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:51:36 GMT

Senate supporters of a bill protecting a reporter's right to protect confidential sources in federal court said Friday they've reached a compromise with the Obama administration and media groups.

Pelosi unveils $894 billion House health plan

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:42:37 GMT

House Democrats roll out legislation to extend health care to millions who lack coverage, impose new restrictions on the insurance industry and create a government-run option.

End-of-life counseling remains in health bill

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:47:07 GMT

The Medicare end-of-life planning provision that 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin said was tantamount to 'death panels' for seniors is staying in the latest Democratic health care bill unveiled Thursday.

Geithner: We can prevent more bailouts

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:27:35 GMT

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said Thursday that giving the government the power to dismantle mammoth financial firms like Lehman Brothers will prevent future bailouts.

Congress passes temporary spending bill

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:09:35 GMT

Congress approves a stopgap funding measure to keep the government running through Dec. 18.

Congress awards honor to former Sen. Brooke

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:16:49 GMT

Former Sen. Edward Brooke receives the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest award Congress has to honor civilians for achievements and contributions to society.

Obama inks defense, hate crimes bill

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:36:41 GMT

The bill signed by the president kills some costly weapons projects and expands war efforts and includes a provision that makes it a federal hate crime to assault people based on sexual orientation.

CQ: Politics of health care: Republicans vs. AARP

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:22:59 GMT

House Republicans trying to thwart Democrats’ plans for a health care are questioning the motives of AARP, the seniors’ organization that the GOP accuses of putting its own interests ahead of its members’.

McCain to Obama: Make Afghan decision now

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:45:28 GMT

The Arizona Republican says that the war policy in Afghanistan "has been reviewed time and again" and that it's now time to act.

House Democrats to unveil health bill

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:58:23 GMT

House Democrats reach agreement on key elements of a health care bill that would require requiring virtually universal sign-ups and offer a new government-run insurance option.

NBC/WSJ poll: Support for Afghan surge rises

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:51:30 GMT

The latest NBC/Wall Street Journal poll finds that a plurality of Americans now backs a troop increase in Afghanistan, and that there is slightly more support for a government-run health insurance option.

Businessman gets 3 years in Alaska bribery cases

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:36:45 GMT

The oil services executive at the center of a federal investigation of corruption in Alaska politics was sentenced Wednesday to three years in prison and fined $750,000.

Senate hearing kicks off climate bill

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:39:54 GMT

Top Obama administration officials and Senate Democrats on Tuesday began a three-day process aimed at swaying Republicans to back a bill that aims to curb global warming and invest in cleaner energy.

‘Die quickly’ Democrat apologizes for remark

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:27:47 GMT

The Florida Democrat who said Republicans want sick people to "die quickly" is apologizing again for his inflammatory rhetoric, this time for insulting a senior Federal Reserve adviser.

Dodd wants rate freeze on credit cards

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:59:02 GMT

Senate Banking Committee chairman Chris Dodd proposed an immediate interest rate freeze on the 700 million credit cards in circulation.

NYT: U.S. eyes reining in ‘too big to fail’ firms

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:40:02 GMT

Congress and the White House will take up the issue of how to deal with companies that are so big that the government has no choice but to rescue them when they get in trouble.

Senate health bill to include public option

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:28:13 GMT

Health care legislation heading for the Senate floor will give millions of Americans the option of purchasing government-run insurance coverage, Majority Leader Harry Reid announces.

Patience, patients in health care game

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 03:45:08 GMT

In a time of lingering recession, there is no more compelling pocketbook issue than health care overhaul. It's an effort that's intensely personal because it could affect every American.

GOP tackles health care in weekly address

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 16:35:55 GMT

Republicans are asking voters a basic question about Democratic proposals to overhaul the nation's health care system: "Will this improve your life?"

House health care bill exceeds $1 trillion

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 02:03:07 GMT

Health care legislation taking shape in the House carries a price tag of at least $1 trillion over a decade, significantly higher than the target President Barack Obama has set, congressional officials say.

Hate crimes law poised to cover gays

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:39:17 GMT

Physical attacks on people based on their sexual orientation will join the list of federal hate crimes under legislation Congress has approved and sent to President Barack Obama.

3.4 percent military pay hike passes Congress

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:06:33 GMT

Military personnel will get an above-inflation pay raise of 3.4 percent under a Pentagon policy bill the Senate passed Thursday and sent to President Barack Obama for his signature.

Dem majority no guarantee of health plan win

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:00:50 GMT

The Democrats' control of a hefty majority in the Senate — plus the House — would suggest that President Barack Obama is within reach of overhauling the nation's health care system this fall.

House panel OKs consumer protection agency

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:06:39 GMT

A House committee voted Thursday to create a federal agency devoted to protecting U.S. consumers from predatory lending, abusive overdraft fees and unfair rate hikes.