Deal between Democratic leaders and conservatives will give lawmakers time to review bill

October 1st, 2009 WASHINGTON - US lawmakers were forced to attach strict terms and conditions in the Kerry Lugar aid bill over fears that Pakistan was not doing enough in the fight against terrorism and nuclear proliferation. While the aid bill has now been sent to President Barack Obama for his final nod following the approval by the Congress, American lawmakers were skeptical over Pakistan's sincerity in carrying out operations against the extremists operating from its soil, during the final drafting of the bill before its approval.

August 31st, 2009 Trumka warns lawmakers on health care overhaulWASHINGTON — The man expected to become the AFL-CIO's next president said Monday that lawmakers would pay a political price if they abandon a government-run option in any health care overhaul. "We need to be a labor movement that stands by our friends, punishes its enemies and challenges those who, well, can't seem to decide which side they're on," said Richard Trumka, currently the AFL-CIO's secretary-treasurer.

August 23rd, 2009 Senator: Single health care bill a better approachWASHINGTON — A key Democrat in the health care debate says separating out the various issues and putting them in different bills isn't likely to work. Some lawmakers have suggested that a separate bill with changes that are supported by Republicans and Democrats would be one route toward progress on the health care overhaul.

July 31st, 2009 House Democrats patch up health care differencesWASHINGTON — Democrats on a key House committee said Friday they have patched up their differences on a health care overhaul, and went back to work confident they can advance the complex legislation. "We have agreed we need to pull together," said Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman, D-Calif.

July 31st, 2009 AP Sources: Dems want to limit insurance increasesWASHINGTON — House Democrats are taking steps to limit annual price increases for insurance policies sold under a sweeping bill to extend health care to nearly all the 50 million uninsured Americans, officials told The Associated Press on Friday. The legislation taking shape in the Energy and Commerce Committee also would permit the government to negotiate directly with pharmaceutical companies for lower prices on drugs under Medicare, the officials said.

July 29th, 2009 A look at the deal worked out on health careWASHINGTON — The White House, Democratic leaders and four fiscally conservative House lawmakers worked out a deal Wednesday to move ahead on sweeping health care legislation. The agreement would allow a committee vote, preserving momentum on President Barack Obama's top domestic priority.

July 28th, 2009 No deal yet on House health care billWASHINGTON — There's no deal yet on a health care bill in the House as moderate and conservative Democrats are balking over specifics and a monthlong August recess looms. Democratic leaders were hoping to vote on legislation before lawmakers leave Friday, but dissension among rank-and-file has stalled work on President Barack Obama's top domestic priority.

July 28th, 2009 Summary Box: Arbitration key in union bill disputeSHIFTING DEBATE: The clash over a bill that would make it easier to form unions is shifting as labor leaders and lawmakers try to fashion a compromise that can garner 60 votes in the Senate. CARD CHECK DROPPING? For months, business groups have focused on the bill's "card check" plan that would let workers sign cards to organize unions instead of voting by secret ballot.

July 17th, 2009 House panels OK sweeping health care billWASHINGTON — Health care legislation atop President Barack Obama's domestic agenda cleared two House committees on Friday, but the White House as well as rebellious Democratic conservatives called quickly for changes to rein in the skyrocketing cost of care. Given the complexities, as well as fresh calls for delay in the Senate, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., opened the door to pushing off a vote past an early August timeline she and Obama laid out weeks ago.

June 25th, 2009 Obama: Now is time to pass climate change billWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is pressing again for passage of legislation that would confront the problem of global warming head-on. Speaking in the Rose Garden of the White House, Obama said Washington must not miss the opportunity to work on cleaning the air and at the same time creating new "green" energy jobs.

June 25th, 2009 White House likes chances on House energy billWASHINGTON — The White House says it likes its chances as the climate bill heads toward a House vote. President Barack Obama is calling lawmakers to seek their support and he spoke in the Rose Garden on Thursday to build momentum.

June 18th, 2009 Spanish bishops wade into abortion fightMADRID — Spain's bishops are urging Catholic lawmakers to vote against a bill that would ease the country's abortion law. The Spanish Bishops Conference complained that legislation sponsored by the Socialist government describes abortion as a right that must be protected by the state.

June 2nd, 2009 AP source: Dems strike tentative war funding dealWASHINGTON — A House Democratic aide says top House and Senate Democrats have reached a tentative agreement on a nearly $100 billion war funding bill, with a generous new line of credit for the International Monetary Fund. At the core of the measure is President Barack Obama's war spending request, which included $76 billion for Pentagon operations.

April 23rd, 2009 Conn. lawmakers pass update of gay marriage lawHARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut state lawmakers have passed a bill that updates the state's marriage laws to conform with a state court ruling allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry.

February 11th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Racing against the clock to meet President Barack Obama's Monday deadline, Congressional leaders have struck a deal on a $789 billion stimulus plan after scaling down the versions passed by both houses. 'The difference between the Senate and House versions we've resolved,' Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told reporters Wednesday.