Congress concerned about privacy breaches over cable’s new plan to roll out targeted ads

September 24th, 2009 Capitol Hill publications lay off 44 from newsroomA deal that united two publications focused on Congress and its political battles is sending more reporters and editors to the nation's unemployment line. The joint owner of the Congressional Quarterly and Roll Call reduced the combined newsroom staff by nearly 20 percent Thursday, laying off 44 people.

September 9th, 2009 Health care issues: Government spendingA look at key issues in the health care debate: THE ISSUE: Can taxpayers afford new subsidies to provide health insurance for millions in such a weak economy? THE POLITICS: With a comprehensive insurance policy averaging nearly $13,000 a year for a family, covering nearly 50 million uninsured doesn't come cheap. Estimates range from $100 billion to $150 billion a year.

September 8th, 2009 Key Dem moderate turns against public planWASHINGTON — A leader of a pivotal group of moderate House Democrats says he can no longer support a new public insurance plan in a health overhaul bill. Rep. Mike Ross of Arkansas made the announcement Tuesday as members of Congress returned from Washington after their August recess.

July 30th, 2009 American Samoa gov. seeks help with minimum wagePAGO PAGO, American Samoa — The governor of American Samoa is traveling to Washington, D.C., in hopes of putting the brakes on federally mandated minimum wage increases in the U.S.

July 24th, 2009 Transcripts: Agents targeted during Hoffa trialNASHVILLE, Tenn. — Newly released grand jury transcripts say associates of late Teamsters boss Jimmy Hoffa plotted to ambush a group of FBI agents during his 1962 trial in Nashville.

July 21st, 2009 Abortion rights group endorses Sotomayor for courtWASHINGTON — The abortion rights group NARAL ProChoice America says it's endorsing Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. NARAL says Sotomayor's (SUHN'-ya soh-toh-my-YOR') testimony during her confirmation hearings shows President Barack Obama's first high court choice is a stronger supporter of privacy rights than either Chief Justice John Roberts or Justice Samuel Alito, the previous two nominees.

July 21st, 2009 Senate Roll Call: Senate roll call on fighter jetsThe 58-40 roll call Tuesday by which the Senate voted Tuesday to halt further production of the Air Force's missile-eluding F-22 Raptor fighter jets. A "yes" vote is a vote in favor of an amendment to halt further production of the planes.

July 21st, 2009 Senate roll vote on fighter jet productionThe 58-40 roll call Tuesday by which the Senate voted Tuesday to halt further production of the Air Force's missile-eluding F-22 Raptor fighter jets. A "yes" vote is a vote in favor of an amendment to halt further production of the planes.

July 15th, 2009 Key senators open to revamping secure ID plansWASHINGTON — Leading senators from both parties expressed a willingness Wednesday to revamp the nation's stalled plan to secure driver's licenses in an effort to thwart terrorists. But some senators raised concerns about elements of a new plan supported by the Obama administration.

July 14th, 2009 Auditors: Privacy lacking at some VA hospitalsWASHINGTON — Veterans Affairs Department hospitals and clinics aren't always making sure female veterans have privacy when they bathe and receive exams, government auditors said Tuesday. As thousands of women return from Iraq and Afghanistan and enter the VA's health system, the Government Accountability Office reported that no VA hospital or outpatient clinic under review is complying fully with federal privacy requirements.

July 12th, 2009 Gretzky fights request to view his tax returnsPHOENIX — Lawyers for Phoenix Coyotes coach Wayne Gretzky are trying to keep his personal finances out of the team's bankruptcy case. Responding to a motion by the City of Glendale to review Gretzky's income tax returns, Gretzky's attorneys argue that he is a California resident and is entitled to that state's privacy protections.

July 8th, 2009 Democrats skeptical of consumer protection agencyWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama's plan to create a new government agency to protect consumers from risky mortgages and credit cards ran into resistance from several House Democrats on Wednesday. House lawmakers who oversee the Federal Trade Commission said they were concerned the proposal would weaken the FTC and suggested that the commission be given more resources instead.

July 3rd, 2009 US wants privacy in new cyber security systemWASHINGTON — The Obama administration is moving cautiously on a new pilot program that would both detect and stop cyber attacks against government computers, while trying to ensure citizen privacy protections. The pilot program, known as Einstein 3, was supposed to launch in February.

June 17th, 2009 Top senator: NSA not violating surveillance lawWASHINGTON — The chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee on Wednesday disputed a newspaper report that the National Security Agency conducted more widespread intercepts of private U.S. conversations in 2008 and early this year than has been acknowledged.

April 22nd, 2009 Congress to hold hearing on cable advertisingPHILADELPHIA — Cable operators will sit in the hot seat Thursday as Congress reviews their plans to roll out targeted advertising amid fears that consumer privacy could be infringed if the companies were to track and record viewing habits. The House subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet will hold a hearing that will look at new uses for digital set-top boxes, the devices that control channels and perform other tasks on the TV screen.