Hoyer cool to repealing retroactive immunity for telecom companies

October 14th, 2009 Democrats favor repealing exemption for insurersWASHINGTON — Frustrated with health insurers, Democratic lawmakers are calling for revoking the industry's antitrust exemption. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told the Judiciary Committee on Wednesday that the health insurance industry wants to continue the monopoly that it enjoys in some states.

October 9th, 2009 Pilots union rips immunity for American AirlinesFORT WORTH, Texas — The pilots' union at American Airlines said Friday it opposed antitrust immunity for the carrier's proposed joint venture with British Airways and Iberia. The Allied Pilots Association cited objections to the deal raised by European regulators, and said American refused to address job-security concerns.

October 8th, 2009 Cantor, Hoyer to talk differences on health careWASHINGTON — House Republican Whip Eric Cantor says he's going to sit down with Democratic leader Steny Hoyer and try to narrow their differences over health care. Cantor said the notion of a public option to compete with private insurance plans has been "profoundly rejected by the American people." Interviewed on CBS's "The Early Show," the Virginia congressman said, "What I think would behoove all of us in this country would be to see if we in Congress could try to work together for a change." Cantor also disputed an assertion by the Congressional Budget Office that the Senate Finance Committee's emerging plan would save $81 billion over 10 years, calling it a proposal to "rob Peter to pay Paul."

September 1st, 2009 Hoyer maintains support for public optionWALDORF, Md. — House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told cheering and jeering constituents Tuesday he still supports a public health insurance option as part of a health care overhaul.

August 7th, 2009 Telco companies to provide data for broadband mapWASHINGTON — The country's biggest phone and cable companies have agreed to hand over information about their broadband networks to help the federal government produce a national map showing where high-speed Internet connections are available across the U.S. AT&T Inc., Verizon Communications Inc.

July 24th, 2009 Hoyer suggests delay in House vote on health careWASHINGTON — The second-ranking Democrat in the House says lawmakers may not be able to vote on a health care bill next week but might remain in Washington in August to complete President Barack Obama's top domestic priority. Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland told lawmakers Friday that it might not be possible to finish the legislation, now bogged down in the Energy and Commerce Committee.

July 23rd, 2009 Romanian president wants legislator prosecutedBUCHAREST, Romania — President Traian Basescu urged a Romanian legislator on Thursday to surrender his parliamentary immunity so he can be prosecuted on corruption charges. The European Commission said Wednesday that Romania is not doing enough to fix its flawed justice system.

July 21st, 2009 Senior Democrat says no consensus on health billWASHINGTON — House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer says House Democrats are struggling to reach consensus on overhauling health care, a divide that could delay House approval of a plan beyond lawmakers' scheduled vacation in August. House leaders have said they wanted to pass a plan before they leave on a monthlong break.

July 7th, 2009 Airlines defend antitrust-immunity bidWASHINGTON — Continental, United and eight other airlines say the Justice Department's opposition to their bid for broad antitrust immunity was based on shortsighted analysis that ignored conditions in the airline industry. The airlines, part of an alliance that Continental plans to join this fall, want immunity to cooperate in setting prices and schedules on international service without violating U.S.

June 17th, 2009 New snag for Continental antitrust-immunity bidDALLAS — Continental Airlines' bid to work closely with United Airlines and others on trans-Atlantic service has hit a new snag, with the Justice Department seeking to review the plan. The Transportation Department gave preliminary approval in April to Continental's request for antitrust immunity so it could coordinate prices and schedules with United.

June 12th, 2009 Deal provides $534M in stop-loss bonusesWASHINGTON — The House and Senate have worked out a compromise to give a $500 retroactive bonus to soldiers for every month they were forced to stay in the military beyond their enlistment term since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

May 9th, 2009 Mariners put Silva on DL, activate MorrowMINNEAPOLIS — The Seattle Mariners placed struggling starter Carlos Silva on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with right shoulder inflammation. The club also activated closer Brandon Morrow from the 15-day disabled list before its game against the Minnesota Twins.

May 5th, 2009 WASHINGTON - The US-India Business Council (USIBC) has named Mythili Sankaran, former CEO of Telecom/Web startup, Koollage, as director of its coast operations to advance US-India commercial ties in western US. The California office is dedicated to advancing US-India commercial ties in the western region of the US, including developing a more robust 'two-way street' that enables US companies to succeed in India, and Indian companies to succeed in the US, the trade lobby announced Monday.

April 29th, 2009 Obama says he worries about enthusiasm to learnARNOLD, Mo. — President Barack Obama says smart is cool, and he worries the country is losing its love of learning.

March 24th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Ever since Reese Witherspoon has voiced a character in animated movie 'Monsters vs. Aliens', she has got a "cool" status in the eyes of her kids, who no longer think of her as a "gigantic dork." Although the 'Walk The Line' star has won critical accolade and an Oscar for her previous work, she hasn't really impressed her kids, Ava and Deacon.