Politics | MyFOX Spokane

Boehner says book accusations are baseless

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on March 7th

WASHINGTON (AP) - House Speaker John Boehner says former Republican colleague Bob Ney is a disgraced congressman who went to jail and that Ney's criticisms of Boehner in a new book are "baseless and false." Boehner was asked at a news conference Thursday about Ney's reported accusations in

Report: VA sent data over unsecured networks

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on March 7th

WASHINGTON (AP) - A government watchdog says the Veterans Affairs Department has been sending sensitive data - including electronic health records - over unencrypted networks, making them vulnerable to theft or misuse. The VA's inspector general says it has been common practice for the agency

Boehner says Obama outreach is hopeful sign

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on March 7th

By The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - House Speaker John Boehner says that President Barack Obama's recent outreach to congressional Republicans is a "hopeful sign" that progress could be made in breaking the recent impasse over how to reduce the federal deficit. Boehner says at a news

General: Many of Ghadafi's weapons unaccounted for

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on March 7th

By ROBERT BURNSAP National Security Writer WASHINGTON (AP) - The chief of the U.S. Africa Command is telling Congress that thousands of shoulder-fired anti-aircraft weapons from the arsenal of deposed Libyan leader Moammar Ghadafi remain unaccounted for in Africa and beyond. Army Gen. Carter Ham

What's a filibuster?

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on March 7th

By The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - The filibuster - used this week by Republican Sen. Rand Paul to oppose John Brennan's nomination as CIA director - is a parliamentary tactic used to block or delay legislative action. Using a filibuster, a senator can essentially hold the floor to

Group backing Obama won't take corporate money

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on March 7th

By KEN THOMASAssociated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - Reversing course amid criticism, a nonprofit group run by former advisers to President Barack Obama said Thursday it would not accept corporate donations and would disclose the specific amount of money it receives from donors after being accused of

Flight attendants protest new policy on knives

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on March 7th

WASHINGTON (AP) - The vice president of a flight attendants union says a new policy that would allow airline passengers to carry small knives is "outrageous." Sara Nelson, vice president of the Association of Flight Attendants, says they have to deal with "unruly passengers every day." She says

Obama invites budget writers to White House lunch

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on March 7th

By JULIE PACEAP White House Correspondent WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama has invited the top House budget writers for lunch at the White House. The White House announced Thursday Obama was having lunch in his private dining room with the Budget Committee chairman, Republican Rep. Paul

Obama to sign expanded Violence Against Women Act

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on March 7th

By JOSH LEDERMANAssociated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama is signing into law a bill extending and expanding domestic violence protections, ushering in a legislative victory for gay rights advocates and Native Americans. Flanked by domestic-violence survivors, lawmakers, law

Senator uses old-style filibuster on CIA nominee

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on March 7th

By RICHARD LARDNERAssociated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - A Republican senator and tea party favorite from Kentucky used an old-style filibuster lasting nearly 13 hours to take control of the chamber and block Senate confirmation of John Brennan's nomination to be CIA director. Sen. Rand Paul ended