Rep. Jan Schakowsky announces re-election bid for House, passes on Senate run

October 9th, 2009 Pa. close to ending longest budget stalemate in USHARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Senate approved a $27.8 billion spending bill, moving the state closer to ending the nation's longest budget stalemate.

September 30th, 2009 House passes registry for convicted arsonistsWASHINGTON — The House has passed a bill sought by California lawmakers that would create a national registry of convicted arsonists. The House passed a similar bill two years ago, but the effort stalled in the Senate.

September 22nd, 2009 Mass. Senate to debate Kennedy successor billBOSTON — The Massachusetts Senate is scheduled to debate a bill that would allow the governor to name an interim replacement to fill the late Edward Kennedy's U.S. Senate seat.

September 2nd, 2009 Brazil Senate passes speedy Internet divorce billBRASILIA, Brazil — The Brazilian Senate has approved a bill that would allow consensual divorces to be filed and resolved on the Internet. The Senate's official news agency says the bill would speed divorce proceedings, allowing couples to split without lawyers or having to wait in line in court.

July 22nd, 2009 Ex-Sen. DeWine announces bid for Ohio atty generalXENIA, Ohio — U.S. Senator Mike DeWine has formally announced that he's a candidate for Ohio attorney general.

July 10th, 2009 CIA Director terminated secret programWASHINGTON — CIA Director Leon Panetta has terminated a "very serious" covert program the spy agency kept secret from Congress for eight years, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, a House Intelligence subcommittee chairwoman, said Friday.

July 10th, 2009 Lawmaker says CIA director ended secret programWASHINGTON — CIA Director Leon Panetta has terminated a "very serious" covert program the spy agency kept secret from Congress for eight years, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, a House Intelligence subcommittee chairwoman, said Friday.

July 2nd, 2009 Texas Senate passes bill to keep agencies runningAUSTIN, Texas — In special session, the Texas Senate has passed a bill to keep key state agencies running — a matter shoved aside during partisan bickering in the regular session. The bill the Senate quickly passed after convening Wednesday morning extends the Department of Transportation, the Department of Insurance and three smaller agencies until Sept.

June 18th, 2009 Senate passes apology for slavery, segregationWASHINGTON — The Senate has unanimously passed a resolution apologizing for slavery and racial segregation and sent the measure to the House. Iowa Democrat Tom Harkin first introduced the measure years ago but wanted it passed Thursday on the eve of Juneteenth - a day of celebration commemorating the end of the Civil War and the release of African Americans from slavery.

June 8th, 2009 Former NH Sen. Smith to run for Senate in Fla.SARASOTA, Fla.

June 6th, 2009 Republican Congressman Kirk announces divorceNORTHBROOK, Ill. — U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk's office has announced that the Republican congressman and his wife are divorcing.

May 8th, 2009 Senate acts on Pentagon's weapons buying practicesWASHINGTON — The Senate has acted to tighten Pentagon purchasing practices that have contributed to billions of dollars in cost overruns and long delays in getting weapons to people at war. The Senate bill would create a new office to independently assess the costs of weapons programs and would strengthen rules that allow for the termination of programs that exceed original cost estimates.

May 6th, 2009 New Democrat Specter loses committee seniorityWASHINGTON — Arlen Specter's switch to the Democratic Party has cost him his seniority on Senate committees. The Senate passed a resolution Tuesday night that made him the most junior Democrat on the committees on which he serves.

February 13th, 2009 WASHINGTON - The US House of Representatives Friday approved the $787 billion stimulus package, an unprecedented attempt by the American government to aid the country's economy. The package was approved by a vote of 246- 83 but with no Republican support.

February 9th, 2009 WASHINGTON - The US' economic recovery package overcame a decisive hurdle in the Senate, which voted to close debate on an $827-billion compromise bill that would be the largest in US history. The Senate Monday voted 61-36 to invoke cloture on the stimulus legislation, setting the stage for a final vote in the chamber Tuesday.