WASHINGTON (AP) — The budding new alliance between Donald Trump and congressional Republicans hides a tougher reality: Even with unified GOP control of Washington, the president-elect’s priorities may have trouble getting through Congress. And in some cases Republicans themselves might be the barrier. Building a border wall and restricting immigration from terror-stricken nations? Don’t count … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is leaving the White House in a few months, but the troubles of his signature health care law continue to make headlines. With premiums rising by double digits and many consumers scrambling to replace coverage because their insurer bailed out, the 2017 sign-up season that starts Nov. 1 looks … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — Facing new challenges to a legacy law, the Obama administration on Wednesday, October 19, 2016, set its goals for the president’s final health care sign-up season. Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell said she expects 13.8 million people to sign up. This is shaping up to be the most difficult sign-up … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is making it clear that if the African-American community fails to turn out for the presidential election and support Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, he’s taking it personally. Obama delivered his final keynote address to the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Saturday night and said his name may not be … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — Judge Merrick Garland found himself back on Capitol Hill on Thursday in a familiar place — meeting with a Democratic senator who complained about Republicans’ inaction on President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court nominee. Garland’s appearance was part of a campaign-season effort by Democrats to call voters’ attention to issues they want the … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation’s progress in getting more people covered by health insurance slowed significantly this year, the government confirmed Wednesday in a report that tempers a historic achievement of the Obama administration. About 1.3 million fewer people were uninsured the first three months of this year, driving the uninsured rate to a record … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama on Friday expanded a national monument off the coast of Hawaii, creating a safe zone for tuna, sea turtles and thousands of other species in what will be the world’s largest marine protected area. Obama’s proclamation quadrupled in size a monument originally created by President George W. Bush in … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — After a three-month delay, the Senate is acting on President Barack Obama’s request for money to combat the Zika virus. The Senate is slated to vote Tuesday, February 16 on three competing plans to battle the virus, with a bipartisan plan that cuts Obama’s $1.9 billion request to $1.1 billion having the … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — They work for the government and even their closest relatives have no idea what they do. It’s not because they’re spies or nuclear scientists, but because their jobs are so arcane: trying to reinvent Medicare to improve it, and maybe save taxpayers money. In a sprawling, nondescript office park near Baltimore, some … Continue reading
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — After years of anti-American posturing by its leader, Argentina has a new president whose outstretched hand has been eagerly accepted by the United States. President Barack Obama on Wednesday rewarded the South American nation with a state visit aimed at keeping that promising trajectory on track. Obama has made no … Continue reading
CATONSVILLE, Md. (AP) — President Barack Obama paid his first visit to a U.S. mosque on Wednesday, Feb. 3, appealing for tolerance for America’s millions of Muslims and calling to confront the bias and stereotyping that he says is on the rise amid tough talk on terrorism in the presidential campaign. At the Islamic Society … Continue reading
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — President Barack Obama is planning to visit a refugee center in Malaysia, casting a spotlight on the plight of those fleeing violence and persecution from Myanmar to Syria. Obama’s tour of the Dignity for Children Foundation on Saturday comes amid a raging debate back home over Obama’s plan to allow … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama’s nominee to lead the Food and Drug Administration defended his record Tuesday as senators pressed him about rising drug prices, slow approval times for new drugs and his ties to the pharmaceutical industry. Dr. Robert Califf, 64, is currently the No. 2 official at the agency, which regulates consumer … Continue reading
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — When President Barack Obama gathered his partners in a new trade deal to celebrate finalizing the massive accord, the group posed for a fast photo, shook some hands and got back to work. Such is the nature of Obama’s trade tour through Asia this week. Even as he marks a major … Continue reading
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Aggressive action to fight climate change will be a boon for businesses in Asia and beyond, President Barack Obama has asserted as he reaches for a global climate change agreement he hopes will burnish his environmental legacy. World leaders are just weeks away from a deadline for an unprecedented carbon-cutting deal … Continue reading
Spartan Echo 