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• Senators: Reports of immigration deal premature

  March 31, 2013 11:25 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Two of the lawmakers negotiating an immigration overhaul in Congress say a final deal is at hand but caution that the bipartisan group working on a proposal hasn't finished its work. Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York and Republican Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona said on... more »

• Jesse Jackson: Voting rights continue to be threatened

  March 3, 2013 12:36 PM

  SELMA, Ala. (AP) - Civil rights leader Jesse Jackson says current threats to voting rights make this year's Bridge Crossing Jubilee in Alabama more than a commemoration. The annual event taking place Sunday in Selma commemorates the beating of voting rights marchers on "Bloody Sunday" in 1965 as they began... more »

• Senate confirms Lew as Treasury secretary

  February 27, 2013 8:49 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate confirmed Jacob "Jack" Lew to be Treasury secretary, affirming President Barack Obama's choice of a budget expert at a time when Congress and the White House are at odds over sharp government spending cuts. The Senate voted 71-26 to support the nomination. Lew, 57, had... more »

• Obama will submit his budget in March

  February 11, 2013 2:00 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - An administration official says President Barack Obama plans to submit his 2014 budget plan to Congress in mid-March. The budget was supposed to have been released last week but the White House says it's been delayed by passage of legislation last month to avert the so-called fiscal... more »

• Council tightens fire code; tables TOPS Play Video

  January 9, 2013 12:41 AM

  COLORADO SPRINGS - On a 6-2 vote Tuesday, the Colorado Springs City Council passed stricter fire codes for any new homes built in the foothills of Colorado Springs. Smoke alarms, sprinkler systems and fire resistant Class A roofing materials are now required. Wooded siding and shake shingles are prohibited... more »

• Scramble ahead of fiscal cliff deadline

  December 31, 2012 8:37 PM

  The uncertainty leading up to the midnight deadline for Congress for the fiscal cliff is creating a lot of hustle and bustle in southern Colorado. Some locals seem to be bracing for the impact if we completely fall off. Monday was a busy morning at the Goodwill donation center... more »

• National Parks face deep cuts if US goes of 'fiscal cliff'

  December 16, 2012 1:36 PM

  DENVER (AP) - The National Park Service is trying to find at least an 8 percent cut in spending in case Congress fails to reach a decision on the "fiscal cliff." The Denver Post reports Colorado, home to 17 National Park Service properties, could see cuts that impact the state's... more »

• Fiscal cliff would cost local seniors meals, transportation Play Video

  December 14, 2012 5:51 PM

  COLORADO SPRINGS - The inability of Congress to reach a deal to avoid automatic sequestration spending cuts could end up hurting the elderly in our community. Guy Dutra-Silveira, executive director of the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging, is anticipating a loss in funding for up... more »

• Makings of a US fiscal deal behind hot rhetoric

  December 5, 2012 12:58 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - One central question, after all the bluster is cut away, stands between the White House and Republicans in Congress reaching a deal that would prevent the U.S. economy from falling off the so-called "fiscal cliff" - the issue of taxes. President Barack Obama insists that government income... more »

• Expert panel: NASA seems lost in space, needs goal

  December 5, 2012 12:39 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - A panel of outside experts says NASA is adrift without a coherent vision for where it should be going. The report is by the National Academy of Sciences. But the panel doesn't blame the space agency. It faults the president, Congress and the nation. President Barack Obama... more »

• Udall pressing for wind tax credit extension

  November 28, 2012 12:10 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Sen. Mark Udall is joining other lawmakers pressing for an extension of the Wind Production Tax Credit. Udall and other members of Congress are holding a news conference Wednesday to push for the tax credit, which is due to expire at the end of this year unless... more »

• Farm bill could hinge on budget talks

  November 10, 2012 12:45 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - A farm bill that stalled in Congress before the election could see quick action by the end of the year if congressional leaders decide they need its spending cuts to make a deal for averting the "fiscal cliff." The farm bill passed by the Senate in June... more »

• Third Congressional District candidate Sal Pace campaigns in Pueblo

  November 3, 2012 7:38 PM

  Sal Pace, who's running for the Third Congressional District, walked and campaigned around many parts of Pueblo today. He made several stops on the east side and downtown to meet voters on the streets and talk to those who are canvassing neighborhoods and making phone calls. They say they want... more »

• Third Congressional District candidate Scott Tipton campaigns in Meeker

  November 3, 2012 7:34 PM

  Congressman Scott Tipton spoke today at a ceremony for a special tree here in Colorado. Tipton took the chance to talk to potential voters just a few days before the election in Meeker. That's where the 2012 Capitol Christmas Tree Harvest took place. He's running for the Third Congressional... more »

• Q&A: Could Sandy postpone the election?

  October 30, 2012 8:04 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - One week before a close election, superstorm Sandy has confounded the presidential race, halted early voting in many areas and led some to ponder whether the election might even be postponed. It could take days to restore electricity to more than 8 million homes and businesses that... more »

• Dairy farm safety net dies with farm bill

  October 21, 2012 11:46 AM

  DANVILLE, VT (AP) - Small dairy farmers in the Northeast and Wisconsin say a tough year has been made worse by Congress' failure to pass a new farm bill before the old one expired. Many dairy farms were already struggling with low milk prices and high fuel and feed costs... more »

• Expect tiny '13 Social Security benefit increase

  October 14, 2012 12:33 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Social Security recipients shouldn't expect a big increase in monthly benefits come January. Preliminary figures show the pay raise will be between 1 percent and 2 percent, which will be among the lowest since automatic adjustments were adopted in 1975 The raise will be made official Tuesday,... more »

• 13 defense executives bemoan uncertainty of cuts

  September 10, 2012 2:46 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Thirteen defense executives are complaining that the threat of automatic, across-the-board cuts to military spending is creating uncertainty that's already affected their industry. Seven senators released copies of the executives' letters on Monday. The six Republicans and independent Joe Lieberman are trying to ratchet up the political... more »

• Congress returns for short pre-election session

  September 9, 2012 2:48 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Fresh off a five-week vacation, lawmakers return to Washington on Monday for a brief pre-election session in which Congress will do what it often does best: punt its problems to the future. There's a slew of deadlines and the prospect of a debilitating "fiscal cliff" in January.... more »

• Battle-tested, female war vets run for Congress

  August 22, 2012 9:03 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - One flew an A-10 Warthog over Iraq and Afghanistan. Another was part of the 29th Infantry Brigade's medical operations near Baghdad. A third lost both legs and partial use of an arm in a rocket-propelled grenade attack in Iraq. All are war veterans aiming to serve in... more »

• Obama: Military budget deal unlikely by November

  August 20, 2012 9:09 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama says he doesn't believe Congress can reach a deal before the November elections that avoids deep cuts in military spending, but says he is optimistic that reductions won't occur. Obama says he has made sure that service members don't lose pay or benefits and... more »

• Ranchers lose hope drought aid will come in time

  August 19, 2012 4:07 PM

  OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Ranchers stricken by drought are expressing frustration at Congress' failure to pass disaster aid legislation before taking a five-week break. And some say by the time members return and pass a bill, it will be too late. Ranchers have been hoping for an aid package that... more »

• Obama pledges all-out response to drought

  August 11, 2012 12:11 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama is pledging a wide-ranging response to the worst drought in a quarter-century. In his weekly radio and Internet address, Obama says his administration is giving farmers and ranchers access to low-interest emergency loans, is opening more federal land for grazing and is distributing $30... more »

• Drought remains, farm bill still questionable Play Video

  August 1, 2012 8:46 PM

  The ground is drier than ranchers have seen in years, and it's causing problems for farmers and ranchers across the country. "There's just no moisture; there's no moisture and no grass has grown at all," says Dixie Boyer, an eastern El Paso County rancher. "I think this at least... more »

• Defense official: Cuts hit warfighters, weapons

  August 1, 2012 11:15 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - A top Pentagon official says automatic cuts in defense spending would force the military to reduce training for warfighters and trim the number of weapons purchased. Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter outlined the impact of the $55 billion in across-the-board reductions that would hit Jan. 2 if... more »

• AP sources: House GOP won't extend farm bill

  July 31, 2012 6:59 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - House GOP aides say party leaders have dropped plans to extend the current farm program and instead are going to press for immediate help for livestock producers whose federal protections against drought losses expired last year. The decision Tuesday comes as Republicans feel pressure to extend relief... more »

• Senate panel OKs $604 billion defense bill

  July 31, 2012 12:29 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - A Senate panel has approved a $604 billion defense spending bill that reverses proposed Pentagon cuts in Air Force personnel and equipment. The Appropriations defense subcommittee approved the bill by voice vote Tuesday. The measure would provide $511 billion for the base budget and $93.3 billion for... more »

• House to vote on drought relief, farm bill

  July 27, 2012 4:52 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The House next week will take up legislation to provide disaster relief to livestock producers and others hit by the drought. The legislation will also extend for one year the long-term farm and food bill set to expire at the end of September. House Republican leaders have... more »

• States ask help collecting Internet sales taxes

  July 24, 2012 7:37 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The nation's governors are asking Congress to help states recover an estimated $20 billion in sales taxes that go uncollected by out-of-state online merchants every year. Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam told the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday that it isn't fair to local businesses to exempt online... more »

• Dealing with drought and trying to hold on Play Video

  July 24, 2012 6:59 PM

  Nearly 1,300 counties across the country are considered disaster areas because of drought, including all of Colorado. The Department of Agriculture's federal administrator for the Farm Service Agency, Juan Garcia, is in Colorado. The Farm Service Agency, among other roles, helps distribute disaster assistance to farmers and ranchers. Garcia... more »

• Defense firms warn of job losses from budget cuts

  July 18, 2012 11:28 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The head of a major defense contractor is warning that he might have to lay off 10,000 workers if Congress fails to agree on an alternative to automatic budget cuts. Robert J. Stevens, chairman and chief executive officer of Lockheed Martin Corp., delivered that message Wednesday in... more »

• Possibly dangerous chemical now banned from baby bottles

  July 17, 2012 11:23 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The federal government says baby bottles and sippy cups can no longer contain the controversial chemical bisphenol-A, or BPA. The U.S. chemical industry's chief association, the American Chemistry Council, had asked the Food and Drug Administration to change its rule in October, after determining that all manufacturers... more »

• GOP House votes again to kill health law

  July 11, 2012 7:15 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Pressing an election-year point, Republicans pushed yet another bill through the House on Wednesday to repeal the nation's two-year-old health care law, a maneuver that forced Democrats to choose between President Barack Obama's signature domestic achievement and a public that is persistently skeptical of its value. The... more »

• Senator sees Goodell, calls off NFL bounty hearing

  June 20, 2012 6:04 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - A high-ranking senator is calling off a proposed hearing on bounties in professional sports because he is satisfied with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's response to the issue, including setting up an anonymous hotline. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the No. 2 Senate Democrat, met with Goodell on... more »

• Sex offender residing at lawmakers home

  June 18, 2012 8:12 AM

  DENVER (AP) - Court records show a state lawmaker who voted against a comprehensive rewrite of Colorado's sex-offender registration laws has a convicted sex offender living at his house. The Denver Post reports 32-year-old Michael Frierson lives at Republican Rep. Randy Baumgardner's address in Hot Sulphur Springs. Frierson pleaded guilty... more »

• President Obama highlighting student loan repayment option

  June 6, 2012 8:15 PM

  President Barack Obama is taking steps to help thousands of Americans better manage their federal student loan debt. Details of Obama's plan were announced by the White House on Wednesday and include streamlining the application process for those who want to enroll in income-based repayment plans. The repayment plans were... more »

• New farm bill would end direct payments to farmers

  June 3, 2012 11:36 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - A program that puts billions of dollars in the pockets of farmers whether or not they plant a crop may disappear with hardly a protest from farm groups and the politicians who look out for their interests. The Senate is expected to begin debate this week on... more »

• Obama calls on Congress to help small businesses

  May 16, 2012 11:32 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama says Congress could help sustain the economy's "momentum" by passing legislation that would give businesses a 10 percent income tax credit if they create new jobs or increase wages this year. Obama made his pitch during a roundtable discussion with small business leaders in... more »

• Plan to close post offices put on hold... for now

  April 22, 2012 1:54 PM

  GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) - A plan to shutter 53 post offices across Colorado and hundreds of others elsewhere in the nation has been put on hold - at least for now. David Rupert, spokesman for the U.S. Postal Service's Colorado operations, tells the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel the service... more »

• Congress gets rough treatment at Supreme Court health care debate

  March 31, 2012 10:25 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court left little doubt during last week's marathon arguments over President Barack Obama's health care overhaul that it has scant faith in Congress' ability to get anything done. The views about Congress were evident in the questions from the justices. The justices appear to be... more »

• Divided Congress settles for below-the-radar bills

  March 25, 2012 10:52 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Congress is finding it hard to do what used to be easy. The Washington divide, hardened by election-year politics, has stifled the agendas of both parties. Lawmakers are limited to below-the-radar bills and modest ambitions. Complicating the legislative process are emboldened congressional conservatives, their ranks larger after... more »

• US preparing to restart military aid to Yemen

  March 10, 2012 12:38 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The Pentagon is developing plans to restart programs that would fund military training and equipment in Yemen, nearly a year after they were shut down due to escalating chaos in the embattled country. While no agreements have been cemented, U.S. defense officials say military assistance, which could... more »

• Supreme Court hears Stolen Valor arguments; local case hangs in the balance Play Video

  February 22, 2012 8:34 PM

  The U.S. Supreme Court is taking up the question of whether the Stolen Valor Act is constitutional. It's a law designed to punish people who lie about being war heroes. The case, hearing arguments on Wednesday, is against Xavier Alvarez; a man who falsely claimed at a public meeting... more »

• Congressional offices receive mailed threats

  February 22, 2012 6:11 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Some congressional offices outside Washington and media organizations have received threatening letters containing a suspicious powdery substance that was tested and proved to be harmless, the FBI and the Senate's top law enforcement officer said Wednesday. Sergeant-at-Arms Terrance Gainer said in a memo to Senate offices that... more »

• Pres. Obama pushes for payroll tax cut extension

  February 14, 2012 12:30 PM

  After a heated showdown between Congress and the White House, back in December, the 2% payroll tax cut was extended for two months. Now, that extension is about to run out, and President Obama is asking for an extension for the remainder of 2012. Today, President Obama took his... more »

• Colorado lawmakers try to save wind tax credit

  February 7, 2012 4:25 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Colorado lawmakers from both parties are trying to save a federal incentive for the wind industry. Eight members of the congressional delegation signed a letter Tuesday asking for an extension of the wind energy production tax credit. A conference committee is negotiating the fate of the... more »

• Tearful Giffords says goodbye to Congress

  January 25, 2012 4:52 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) -- The applause rolled through the big chamber, growing ever louder as hundreds of Republicans and Democrats suddenly realized Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was back in the House. But this time she had come to say goodbye. Fellow lawmakers gave her a fitting send-off: cheers, hugs, a... more »

• Wikipedia may black out Wednesday in protest

  January 16, 2012 8:16 PM

  Wikipedia may black out its website Wednesday to protest anti-piracy legislation under consideration in Congress. Founder Jimmy Wales announced on Twitter Monday that the popular site will shut down its English versions for 24 hours in protest. Wikimedia, the foundation behind the site, says it is still collecting public... more »

• Debate ramps up on payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits, again

  January 15, 2012 10:59 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - How will the White House and Congress come up with the money to extend an average $20-a-week Social Security payroll tax cut without adding to the government's long-term debt. Republicans are trying to cut federal employee benefits. President Barack Obama wants to hit airline passengers with... more »

• White House concerned over online piracy bills, censorship

  January 14, 2012 11:56 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The Obama administration says it would oppose pending legislation that would undermine "the dynamic, innovative global Internet." The White House says in a blog post Saturday that while online piracy by foreign websites presents a "serious problem," it is concerned with legislation that "reduces freedom of... more »

• Congress clears $662 billion defense bill

  December 15, 2011 8:51 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Congress has cleared a $662 billion defense bill and will send the measure to President Barack Obama for his signature. The Senate voted 86-13 for the sweeping bill on Thursday. The bill would authorize money for military personnel, weapons systems, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and... more »

• Romney says Attorney General Holder should quit

  December 3, 2011 3:53 PM

  MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) - Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is calling on President Barack Obama's attorney general to resign because of the flawed law enforcement initiative aimed at dismantling major arms trafficking networks on the Southwest border. Romney tells reporters after a rally in New Hampshire that Eric Holder... more »

• Fitch keeps AAA US credit rating but dims outlook

  November 28, 2011 7:56 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Fitch says it will keep its rating for long-term U.S. debt at the top AAA level, despite a congressional panel's failure to agree on long-term deficit cuts. But it is lowering its outlook to negative. The rating agency says it has less confidence in the federal... more »

• Local jobs at stake in budget stalemate Play Video

  November 22, 2011 7:58 PM

  Thousands of local jobs are in jeopardy after the Congressional "Supercommittee" failed to agree on spending cuts. The stalemate triggered $1 trillion in automatic cuts to Medicare and defense spending. Economist Fred Crowley of Southern Colorado Economic Forum says any cuts in defense spending will have a direct, negative... more »

• Congress easily OKs bill for vets, contractors

  November 16, 2011 6:04 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Congress has overwhelmingly approved a bill helping government contractors and unemployed veterans, finally giving President Barack Obama the chance to sign the first, tiny shred of his $447 billion jobs bill into law. The House consented to the popular legislation Wednesday 422-0 as Democrats and Republicans... more »

• Obama touts aid for emergency service workers

  October 19, 2011 3:30 PM

  NORTH CHESTERFIELD, Va. (AP) - President Barack Obama is pressing for Congress to spend billions of dollars to help firefighters facing layoffs. Obama said Wednesday that while the private sector continues to add jobs, financially strapped state and local governments are doing the opposite and cutting firefighters, teachers and... more »

• High court to rule on Stolen Valor Act

  October 17, 2011 11:34 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court will decide whether a law making it a crime to lie about having received military medals is constitutional. The justices said Monday they will consider the validity of the Stolen Valor Act, which passed Congress with overwhelming support in 2006. The federal appeals... more »

• House approves free trade pact with South Korea

  October 12, 2011 7:41 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The House has approved a free trade agreement with South Korea, the world's 13th largest economy and the seventh largest trading partner with the U.S. The South Korea vote Wednesday came after the House also passed free trade agreements with Colombia and Panama. The Senate was... more »

• Federal ski bill would allow summer recreation

  October 12, 2011 2:48 PM

  STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - A bill making its way through Congress would make it clear that ski resorts are not just for winter activities. The Ski Area Recreation Opportunity Enhancement Act has already passed the U.S. House of Representatives and now heads to the Senate. Current federal... more »

• Congress set for votes on trade bills next week

  October 6, 2011 9:10 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Congress is set to approve free trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama next week. The House Rules Committee has voted on procedures for taking up the long-delayed agreements, the last step before they go to the House floor. The House is expected to begin the... more »

• Some say trouble in Congress, started long ago

  October 1, 2011 9:41 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - People might be shocked that Congress can barely agree to keep government offices open, let alone tackle big problems confronting the country. Veteran lawmakers and scholars use words like "unprecedented" to describe the current level of dysfunction and paralysis. There's no single culprit, it seems.... more »

• White House aide: Time for Congress to act on jobs

  September 8, 2011 8:06 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - A top aide to President Barack Obama says it's time for Congress to take action to create jobs. White House chief of staff Bill Daley says that in the president's speech to lawmakers Thursday evening, he will propose innovative ideas for growing the economy. He says... more »

• Some wish they were working this Labor Day

  September 6, 2011 12:27 AM

  Labor Day -- in some years -- can be an overlooked holiday, but with the nation's focus on the economy and jobs it has different meaning this year. Many people were happy to get Monday off from work, but there's also a large group out there of people who are... more »

• US Chamber spells out its own job agenda

  September 5, 2011 3:54 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is issuing an open letter to Congress and the White House calling for measures designed to increase employment, including greater oil drilling, quick road and bridge construction and temporary corporate tax breaks. The chamber estimates its proposals could encourage corporations to... more »

• White House wants quick jobs action by Congress

  September 4, 2011 5:15 PM

  NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - The White House says President Barack Obama hopes that when Congress returns this coming week from its summer break, lawmakers will share his sense of urgency in taking steps to create jobs and help the economy. Obama plans a prime-time speech to Congress on Thursday... more »

• Congressman plans to boycott Obama speech

  September 3, 2011 1:07 PM

  PALATINE, Ill. (AP) - An outspoken Republican congressman from Illinois is defending his decision to boycott President Barack Obama's jobs speech next week. U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh said Saturday that Obama is abusing his power as president by calling a joint session of Congress for the address. Walsh said at... more »

• August jobs report shows little change

  September 2, 2011 9:14 AM

  The job report is out, and employers added no net workers last month and the unemployed rate was unchanged. This is a sign that many were nervous the U.S. Economy is a risk of slipping into another recession. The Labor Department says total payrolls were unchanged in August, the... more »

• President Obama wants highway bill extended

  August 31, 2011 12:06 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama is urging Congress to pass an extension of a federal highway bill that expires at the end of September. Obama says failing to extend the bill would cause 4,000 workers to be furloughed without pay immediately, and could lead to 1 million workers losing... more »

• Jury finds naval officer guilty in 9/11 fraud case

  August 29, 2011 4:36 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - A retired naval officer honored for his valor during the Sept. 11 attack on the Pentagon has been found guilty of defrauding the victims' compensation fund by exaggerating his injuries. A jury found retired Cmdr. Charles Coughlin guilty Monday of fraud and stealing public money after... more »

• Feds resist control for 2nd most-abused pain drug

  August 20, 2011 5:13 PM

  NEW YORK (AP) - Drug control advocates say the federal government has been dragging its feet for 12 years on whether to restrict the second most-abused medicine in the United States. The drug is hydrocodone, and it's the key ingredient in Vicodin, Norco and other painkillers. Emergency room... more »

• Bachmann says she's a proven leader

  August 14, 2011 3:29 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - A day after winning a test poll of voters in Iowa, Rep. Michele Bachmann is seeking to distinguish herself from another tea party favorite and GOP presidential hopeful, Gov. Rick Perry of Texas. Interviewed Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union," the Minnesota Republican says that... more »

• Gingrich blasts Obama's planned bus tour on jobs

  August 6, 2011 3:50 PM

  TIFFIN, Iowa (AP) - GOP presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich is criticizing President Barack Obama's plan to take a three-day bus tour through the Midwest to discuss the economy. The former House speaker told a Republican Party dinner in Iowa on Friday that Obama should act like a president and... more »

• Lawmakers trade blame for downgrade

  August 6, 2011 8:33 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) Lawmakers trade blame for downgrade One of the world's three major credit rating agencies says there's too big a gulf between Republicans and Democrats when it comes to dealing with debt, so it's giving the government a downgrade. Standard & Poor's has bumped the U.S. credit rating... more »

• After accidents, tougher pipeline rules proposed

  August 4, 2011 5:31 PM

  Republican and Democratic lawmakers are considering plans that could spur major upgrades to the nation's aging energy pipelines, driven by a string of recent oil spills, deadly natural gas blasts and what they call federal regulators' inaction. Since last summer, major pipeline accidents have destroyed neighborhoods in California and... more »

• In debt drama, voters play key, if overlooked role

  July 31, 2011 4:10 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Dear voter: Want to know why Democrats and Republicans in Congress find it so hard to work together to solve tough problems like the debt ceiling, health care and Social Security? Look in the mirror. Americans gripe about cowardly, self-serving politicians, and Congress doubtlessly has... more »

• President sends message to Congress to reach a deal

  July 30, 2011 10:43 AM

  In a weekly radio address President Barack Obama made reference to a ticking clock counting down to a Tuesday deadline proclaiming that the disagreements are not that great in urging Democratic and Republican lawmakers to work together in reaching a deal that would avoid a default in the US government... more »

• Boehner hopes to have outline of plan soon

  July 24, 2011 3:52 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - House Speaker John Boehner is working on a plan to prevent the first government default in U.S. history. He hopes to have at least a framework of a deal ready this afternoon. Boehner says if Democrats don't go along, Republicans will act alone. The government will... more »

• Airport may shelve runway rebuilding project

  July 21, 2011 3:58 PM

  LOVELAND, Colo. (AP) - Officials at the Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal Airport say they will cancel a crucial runway rebuilding project unless Congress approves funding by next week. Officials say that could cause intermittent shutdowns of the airport throughout the coming year for emergency repairs. The $7 million project... more »

• Tea party debt plan takes center stage

  July 18, 2011 12:13 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The next step in the wrangling over how to increase the government borrowing authority is to let the tea party forces in the House try it their way. A Republican plan known as "cut, cap and balance" is set for a House vote on Tuesday. It... more »

• Bachmann says she's not worried about U.S. debt default

  July 11, 2011 6:21 PM

  INDIANOLA, Iowa (AP) - Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann says she's not worried about the nation defaulting if the debt ceiling isn't increased. The Minnesota congresswoman says there are several options to keep the government running if the debt ceiling isn't raised by August. She says members of Congress... more »

• Senate GOP blocks hearing on free trade bills

  June 30, 2011 3:40 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Senate Republicans have blocked a hearing on three trade bills because they don't want to link the deals to an extension of a program that retrains workers hurt by foreign trade. Thursday's hearing was set for Senate Finance Committee. At issue were long-stalled trade agreements with... more »

• Cantor says Congress will find assistance funds

  May 29, 2011 1:44 PM

  JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) - House Majority Leader Eric Cantor says the people in Joplin, Mo., won't have to worry about federal assistance following a monster tornado one week ago. Speaking on CBS' Face the Nation, Cantor said Congress will find the money, and that it's waiting for President Barack... more »

• Apple details iPhone tracking for Congress

  May 10, 2011 5:14 PM

  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Apple is telling Congress that its iPhone location tracking is meant to improve service, not stalk customers. The company outlined its stance in a letter released Monday by the House of Representatives. An Apple Inc. vice president, Guy Tribble, is set to testify Tuesday before... more »

• House acts to cut funds for key part of health law

  May 3, 2011 10:10 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - House Republicans have advanced their effort to dismantle the new health care law piece by piece by voting to disrupt the flow of funding for health insurance exchanges, an integral part of the law's goal of expanding insurance coverage. The bill would take away the free... more »

• Redistricting talks collapse

  April 25, 2011 4:59 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Bipartisan talks to draw new congressional district boundaries for Colorado have collapsed after a legislative committee failed to meet a self-imposed deadline. Now Republicans and Democrats are vowing to draw their own maps to redraw the state's seven districts as required after every census. If the... more »

• Reapportionment efforts continue

  April 12, 2011 1:25 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Former Republican State Rep. Rob Witwer of Genesee has been appointed to the panel working to redraw the boundaries of Colorado's state legislative districts. GOP House Speaker Frank McNulty announced the appointment Monday. Witwer will serve on the 11-member Colorado Reapportionment Commission. The commission is separate... more »

• Redistricting hearings continue

  March 11, 2011 6:50 PM

  Five more meetings are planned in the coming week on redrawing boundaries of Colorado's seven congressional districts. Every ten years following the Census, the state legislature is required to redraw boundary lines of the districts according to population. This is known as redistricting. A 10-member committee is evaluating... more »

• President defends his budget proposal

  February 15, 2011 2:05 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama says he expects there will be some "posturing on television," but he's confident that congressional leaders will try to find room to compromise on the budget issues in the coming months. Obama says it will take both parties working together to figure out... more »

• Udall says seating plan at State of the Union Address has support

  January 17, 2011 7:22 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Colorado Sen. Mark Udall says a campaign to get Democrats and Republicans to sit together rather than by party during the president's State of the Union address is gaining support. The Democrat said Monday that 22 senators and nine House members have signed a letter endorsing... more »

• Giffords has surgery on eye socket

  January 17, 2011 4:54 PM

  TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - Doctors have successfully performed surgery on Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' eye socket to remove bone fragments as the wounded congresswoman showed more signs of improvement. There were no complications from the surgery, and Giffords is improving so much that she was able to give her husband... more »

• Congresswoman in intensive care with gunshot wound

  January 10, 2011 9:21 AM

  TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - Doctors say the Arizona congresswoman who was shot in the head Saturday is responding to simple commands. But they say it could take weeks to months before they know the full damage done to Gabrielle Giffords' brain. Six people, including a 9-year-old girl and a... more »

• New Colorado Congressman wants to spend less

  January 6, 2011 12:59 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Cory Gardner is set to deliver his first speech in Congress. The Colorado Republican will speak Thursday in the U.S. House of Representatives in support of cutting Congressional budgets. The former state lawmaker from Yuma was sworn into his new job in Congress on Wednesday along... more »

• Congress reads Constitution out loud

  January 6, 2011 11:40 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - And let it be said, on this second day following the convening of the 112th Congress, newly sworn members of the House shall stand and read aloud the Constitution of the United States. And so it was Thursday, as lawmakers took turns reciting each verse and... more »

• A familiar ring as GOP welcomes 2011

  January 1, 2011 10:27 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - One of the new Republican lawmakers arriving in Washington says her party is in a good position to "change business-as-usual in Washington." Senator-elect Kelly Ayotte (AY'-aht) of New Hampshire says Republicans will be focusing on cutting spending and helping businesses grow and hire. She delivered... more »

• In Congress, a harder line on illegal immigrants

  December 26, 2010 12:22 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The end of the year means a turnover of House control from Democrats to Republicans and, with it, a likely shift in Congress' approach to immigration. A tougher approach to immigration issues should resonate with the GOP faithful who helped swing the House in Republicans' favor.... more »

• Congressman Rangel censured by peers

  December 2, 2010 7:35 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - New York Democratic Rep. Charles Rangel says the House's overwhelming vote to censure him for financial misdeeds was political. A relieved and defiant Rangel told reporters that he is at peace with himself and convinced that when history is written, people will recognize that the 333-79... more »

• Boehner: We must listen to the people

  November 3, 2010 3:25 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Rep. John Boehner says the GOP takeover of the House brings "a new majority" to Congress with a mandate to listen to the people. Appearing with fellow Republicans at a Capitol news conference, Boehner said it's "time for us to roll up our sleeves and get... more »