Reuters Politics Index - The New York Times

10 Minute Update

Politics Index From Reuters

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Ethics Panel Admonishes Obama Senate Replacement 29 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate ethics committee on Friday admonished Roland Burris, saying he had been less than candid about his gubernatorial appointment to the Senate seat previously held by President Barack Obama.

U.S. To Tighten Control Of Afghan Contracts: Gates 3:56 PM ET

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia (Reuters) - The United States must tighten control of Afghan aid contracts as a first step toward stemming rampant corruption, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Friday.

Senate Leader At Risk In Healthcare Battle 3:42 PM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Other than President Barack Obama, perhaps no one's political future is riding more on the Senate battle to revamp the healthcare system than the chamber's Democratic majority leader, Harry Reid.

Senate Announces Bernanke Confirmation Hearing 2:55 PM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Senate Banking Committee will hold a confirmation hearing on Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's nomination to a second term as chief of the U.S. central bank December 3, the panel said on Friday.

U.S. Healthcare Companies Set For Record Lobbying In 2009 2:46 PM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - It's not just spending on U.S. healthcare that's hitting record levels. Drugmakers, insurers and industry groups are on track to spend an all-time high of more than $500 million this year to influence Congress' revamp of the U.S. healthcare system.

Moderate Democrat Boosts Senate Healthcare Bill 2:44 PM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - One of three wavering U.S. Senate Democrats said on Friday he would vote to start the chamber's healthcare debate, bolstering the chances for a broad overhaul one day before its first crucial test.

U.S. Urges Honduras De Facto Leader to Step Aside 2:40 PM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Honduras' de facto leader should make good on an offer to step aside for a week so voters can focus on November 29 polls and resolve the country's political crisis, the U.S. State Department said Friday.

No Obama Decision on Afghan Until After Thanksgiving 2:26 PM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's announcement of a new strategy on Afghanistan will not take place until after the Thanksgiving holiday next week, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Friday.

Nearly Half Of Americans Rate Geithner Performance "Poor" 2:18 PM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Adding to lawmaker criticism of U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner's performance is a new survey released on Friday showing 42 percent of Americans say he has done a "poor job" handling the credit crisis and federal bailout programs.

West Virginia Governor to Approve Pension Rescue, New Bonds 1:26 PM ET

MIAMI (Reuters) - West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin expects to sign bills giving the state's large cities pension-funding relief and approving the sale of $225 million in stimulus bonds, a spokesman said on Friday.

Pelosi Calls Afghan Karzai "Unworthy Partner" 12:41 PM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Afghan President Hamid Karzai is an "unworthy partner" who does not deserve a big boost either in U.S. troops or civilian aid, U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.

State, Local Budget Cuts A "Time Bomb" For U.S. Jobs 8:15 AM ET

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Budget shortfalls pose a direct threat to millions of U.S. jobs, many in the private sector, as state and local governments lay off workers and cut spending on contracts and other business services, a think tank said on Thursday.

Senate Confirms Long - Stalled Obama Judicial Pick 8:14 AM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Democratic-led U.S. Senate, having smashed through a Republican wall of opposition, confirmed on Thursday U.S. President Barack Obama's first and longest-stalled judicial nominee.

India PM Heads to U.S. In Test Of Ties With Obama 8:07 AM ET

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's prime minister and U.S. President Barack Obama meet next week to strengthen ties, with the emerging Asian power increasingly playing a bigger role on global issues such as climate change and trade.

House Panel OKs Plan to Open Fed Policy to Audits 7:50 PM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. congressional panel on Thursday approved a measure to open the Federal Reserve's monetary policy decisions to government audits, a surprise blow to the central bank's efforts to shield its independence and a signal of frustration with the central bank.

EU Says It Has Solved The Kissinger Question 7:00 PM ET

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union says it finally has the answer to a question long attributed to former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger: Who do I call if I want to call Europe?.

John Kerry's Daughter Arrested In Hollywood 6:35 PM ET

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - U.S. Senator John Kerry's elder daughter, Alexandra, who made a red-carpet splash at the Cannes film festival five years ago in a see-through dress, was arrested in Hollywood on Thursday on suspicion of drunken driving.

Senate Nears First Healthcare Vote 6:15 PM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats in the U.S. Senate geared up for a fierce battle over a new healthcare reform plan on Thursday as Republicans condemned the bill's price tag and tax hikes before the first crucial test vote on Saturday.

Senators Seek Probe Into China's Yuan Peg 5:41 PM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Expressing frustration over the Obama administration's light touch on China's yuan exchange rate, two U.S. senators asked the Commerce Department on Thursday to investigate alleged Chinese currency "manipulation.".

U.S. House Votes to Boost Medicare Pay to Doctors 5:28 PM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives voted on Thursday to boost Medicare payments to physicians in a move that could help shore up support from doctors for a sweeping Democratic-backed healthcare overhaul.

Busy Agenda Clouds Hopes For Immigration Reform 4:21 PM ET

PHOENIX (Reuters) - Some U.S. Democrats see momentum building for an overhaul of immigration laws that would legalize millions of undocumented workers, but analysts say a crowded agenda and struggling economy may once again sink hopes for reform next year.

Congress Urged to Combat China Trade Practices 4:19 PM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States must combat China's trade-distorting industrial and currency policies with U.S. trade laws and by using the World Trade Organization, a congressional advisory body said on Thursday.

Obama Praises Dissident Cuban Blogger Sanchez 2:28 PM ET

HAVANA (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama praised dissident Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez and said in a posting on her website on Thursday that he looks forward to the day "all Cubans can freely express themselves.".

Pentagon Budget Must Rise to Fund Current Plans 1:29 PM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. defense spending in coming years must rise roughly 6 percent on average from the record sum sought by President Barack Obama this year just to meet current plans, Congress's budget office said Wednesday.

Embattled NY Governor Bashed For Visual Impairment 12:46 PM ET

NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York Governor David Paterson, facing a tough battle to keep his job, has fallen so low in public opinion that even his visual impairment that once earned him respect is being held against him.

Obama In Asia - Building Block Or Bow? 12:31 PM ET

* Debt load saps U.S. bargaining power with China.

U.S. Warns Iran Of Consequences Over Standoff 12:12 PM ET

SEOUL/MANILA (Reuters) - World powers could have a package of measures against Iran "within weeks," U.S. President Barack Obama said on Thursday, warning Tehran of consequences for its failure to respond to an offer of a nuclear deal.

Iran Unrest Death Sentences "Distressing": Clinton 11:02 AM ET

KABUL (Reuters) - Death sentences imposed by Iran over unrest after disputed elections in June were unfortunate and distressing, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Thursday.

U.S. Makes Debut Attendance At Hague War Crimes Court 10:24 AM ET

THE HAGUE (Reuters) - U.S. ambassador-at-large for war crimes issues Stephen Rapp made a debut appearance for the United States at the world's war crimes court Thursday and said the U.S. remained wary of politically driven prosecutions.

WTO Authorizes Brazil Sanctions Over U.S. Cotton 10:20 AM ET

GENEVA (Reuters) - The World Trade Organization authorized Brazil Thursday to impose trade sanctions on the United States over its support for cotton, as Brazil ratcheted up pressure on Washington over the illegal subsidies.