Politics | MyFOX Spokane

Senate rejects bid to let states run food stamps

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on May 22nd

By MARY CLARE JALONICKAssociated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate on Wednesday rejected a Republican bid to turn the federal food stamp program over to the states. Known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, the food stamp program is administered by the Agriculture Department

House preserves its own budget as others face cuts

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on May 22nd

By ANDREW TAYLORAssociated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - House lawmakers are moving to protect Capitol Hill's budget even as they're working to slash other programs like education, health research, water projects and housing aid for the poor. The effort by the House Appropriations Committee

House Republicans promote 20-week abortion ban

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on May 22nd

By JIM ABRAMSAssociated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - House Republican who oppose abortion promoted legislation Wednesday that would ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. These Republicans want to move ahead despite recent court decisions that have struck down similar state laws. The GOP lawmakers

Pentagon to seek new vets record system

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on May 22nd

By LOLITA C. BALDOR AND PAULINE JELINEKAssociated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - The Pentagon has decided to buy a new computerized health records system to be able to better share and merge its data with the Department of Veterans Affairs, but officials cautioned that it was part of a "long-term

Others who took the 5th: McGwire, Abramoff, North

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on May 22nd

WASHINGTON (AP) - Lois Lerner of the IRS joins a diverse roll call of people who have invoked Fifth Amendment protections against self-incrimination in refusing to answer questions at congressional hearings over the years. A few of the well-known names: ___ -Former St. Louis Cardinals slugger Mark

Kerry: US, allies, ready to step up aid rebels

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on May 22nd

By BRADLEY KLAPPERAssociated Press AMMAN, Jordan (AP) - The United States and its Arab and European allies will step up their support for Syria's opposition to help them "fight for the freedom of their country" if President Bashar Assad's regime doesn't engage in peace talks in good

More doctors, hospitals using electronic records

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on May 22nd

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Obama administration says more doctors and hospitals are embracing technology as adoption of computerized medical records reaches a "tipping point" in America. A report Wednesday from Health and Human Services says more than 50 percent of doctors' offices and 4 in 5

FBI: Man fatally shot in Boston bombing probe

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on May 22nd

By KYLE HIGHTOWERAssociated Press ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - A Chechen immigrant was shot to death by authorities while being questioned in the Boston Marathon bombing case early Wednesday after he lunged at an FBI agent with a knife, officials said. Ibragim Todashev, a 27-year-old mixed martial arts

Czech president settles dispute over gay rights

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on May 22nd

PRAGUE (AP) - The Czech president says he will no longer block a university professorship for a gay rights activist who had been critical of him. Milos Zeman has been under fire after suggesting over the weekend that his reason for denying the promotion to Charles University literary historian

FEMA Chief: Feds won't go 'when the cameras leave'

Submitted by Fox First at Ten on May 22nd

WASHINGTON (AP) - The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency says U.S. officials are "going neighborhood to neighborhood" to make sure Oklahoma gets the help it needs. FEMA's Craig Fugate promises in an interview that officials won't desert Oklahoma, saying "We don't leave here