WRAL.com Politics

Split N.C. delegation votes 8-5 against health care bill

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:31:43 -0500

Eight of North Carolina's 13 representatives – three Democrats and five Republicans – voted against the health care overhaul bill approved by the House of Representatives Saturday.

Landmark health bill passes House on close vote

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 10:01:06 -0500

The Democratic-controlled House has narrowly passed landmark health care reform legislation, handing President Barack Obama a hard won victory on his signature domestic priority.

Obama confronts an Asia reshaped by China's rise

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 10:55:22 -0500

President Barack Obama's trip to Asia could be his most challenging overseas journey yet. He'll find a region outgrowing a half-century of U.S. supremacy and questioning America's relevance to its future.

2010 elections: Democratic fears, Republican hopes

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:56:55 -0500

Nervous Democrats are on defense, and emboldened Republicans sense opportunity heading into 2010 and the midterm elections. It was just three years ago that the GOP lost the House and Senate, as well as governors' races, in a Democratic wave.

Homeland chief warns against anti-Muslim backlash

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:56:54 -0500

U.S. Homeland Security officials are working with groups around United States to head off any possible anti-Muslim backlash following the shootings at Fort Hood in Texas, the agency's chief said Sunday.

N.C. Democrat says he'll vote against House health care bill

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:16:24 -0500

As President Barack Obama went to Capitol Hill to woo lawmakers Saturday, Democratic N.C. Rep. Mike McIntyre announced that he will vote against a proposed $1.2 trillion health-care overhaul bill.

North Carolinians await health care vote

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:50:50 -0500

As the House opens debate Saturday on President Barack Obama's landmark health care overhaul, people in the Triangle are talking about what extending insurance to tens of millions of Americans means for them.

Obama praises those who ended Fort Hood violence

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:09:31 -0500

President Barack Obama will attend a memorial service Tuesday honoring victims of the Ford Hood shootings, an attack he described as "all the more heartbreaking and all the more despicable" because it occurred on the nation's largest Army post.

House passes health care bill

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:27:29 -0500

In a victory for President Barack Obama, the Democratic-controlled House narrowly passed landmark health care legislation Saturday night to expand coverage to tens of millions who lack it and place tough new restrictions on the insurance industry.

Shortage of military therapists creates strain

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:49:22 -0500

Amputations. Combat stress. Divorce. Suicide. For troubled service members, military therapists are at their sides.

Iran, North Korea top Clinton's overseas agenda

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:15:34 -0500

Nuclear impasses with Iran and North Korea are the dominant issues for Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on her trip to Europe and Asia, which begins with a stopover in Germany to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Berlin Wall's fall.

Obama arrival in Tokyo delayed by a day

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:57:15 -0500

President Barack Obama is attending a memorial service at Fort Hood on Tuesday and now won't get to his planned first stop in Asia next week until one day later than expected.

Basnight endorses Nesbitt for N.C. Senate post

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:43:05 -0500

The North Carolina Senate's top leader is endorsing Sen. Martin Nesbitt, of Buncombe County, to become his top lieutenant.

Some N.C. jobless to get extended unemployment benefits

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:35:14 -0500

Obama's signature on a bill extending unemployment benefits is good news for unemployed North Carolinians whose benefits run out this year. It's unclear, though, what will happen to those whose benefits run out next year.

Obama signs homebuyer, jobless bill assistance

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:46:19 -0500

President Barack Obama signed a $24 billion economic stimulus bill into law Friday, giving tax incentives to prospective homebuyers and additional jobless benefits to those idled by the business slump.

Hillary Clinton to represent US at Berlin Wall

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:41:18 -0500

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will lead a U.S. delegation to Germany for next week's 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the White House said Friday.

Frank takes dig at colleague in health care debate

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:41:18 -0500

Democratic Rep. Barney Frank took a dig Friday at the Republican lawmaker who organized a protest by conservatives against health care legislation.

House votes to strengthen chem plant security

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:21:08 -0500

The House approved legislation Friday aimed at making chemical and water treatment facilities less vulnerable to terrorist attack.

House Dems push for votes on health bill

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:32:52 -0500

A House Democratic leader acknowledged Saturday that they don't have the votes to pass a health care overhaul bill as planned on Saturday. The vote could be pushed back to Sunday or early next week.

Pending inmate releases could prompt legislative session

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:08:06 -0500

As the court battle to keep 27 inmates in prison brews, some state officials are considering a back-up plan to address the issue.

Congress votes for more aid to jobless, homebuyers

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:26:43 -0500

Congress took further steps to right the staggering economy by expanding a popular tax credit for homebuyers and extending unemployment checks for the growing legions of people running out of benefits with few job prospects.

People already lining up to succeed Rand

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:41:20 -0500

People are already lining up to replace Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand one day after he announced he was leaving the Legislature for North Carolina's parole commission.

New Afghan violence makes Obama decision tougher

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:06:18 -0500

President Barack Obama's next move on Afghanistan is growing more difficult by the day. Deadly attacks this week deepened British and U.N. alarm over their commitments, and fresh worries about Iraq could delay the exit of U.S. troops there, squeezing an already overstretched military.

Liberal lawmakers defy Obama on Patriot Act

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:33:26 -0500

Defying the Obama administration, the House Judiciary Committee voted Thursday to remove from the USA Patriot Act a tool for tracking non-U.S. citizens in anti-terrorism investigations.

Senate rejects bid aimed at Sept. 11 terrorists

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:39:07 -0500

The Democratic-controlled Senate on Thursday turned back a GOP-led effort to bar Sept. 11 terrorists from being prosecuted in civilian federal courts.

Majority leader: House will pass health bill

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:04:11 -0500

The second-ranking House Democrat predicted that historic health care legislation will be passed Saturday as the AARP, the nation's premier lobbying group for the elderly, announced it was signing on to the bill.

North Carolinians rally on opposing sides of health care debate

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:24:53 -0500

While some North Carolinians headed to Washington, D.C., to oppose to a Democrat-sponsored health care bill Thursday, others gathered at the State Capitol to say why they think the overhaul is vital.

Ethics panel clears Shuler in TVA probe

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:41:20 -0500

Congressional ethics investigators have concluded that North Carolina Rep. Heath Shuler did not act inappropriately while a residential development that he was involved in sought lake-access rights from the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Thousands rally to protest health care bill

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:12:36 -0500

Chanting "Kill the bill," thousands of conservatives rallied at the Capitol on Thursday against the Democrats' health care overhaul plan, labeling it a government takeover of the nation's medical system.

Voters to pols: Give us jobs, results, not spats

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:17:31 -0500

Voters' memo to politicians: We're angry and fearful, mostly about jobs and the economy. We want tangible solutions, not partisan bickering or intraparty spats. And we'll vote either party out of office if we don't think you're listening.

Hagan withdraws nomination for judge

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:32:44 -0500

U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan has withdrawn support for a possible lifetime federal appointment for a state judge who ruled in favor of a company that includes her husband.

Obama: U.S. must reverse course with Indians

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:33:34 -0500

President Barack Obama assured American Indians on Thursday that they have a place in his White House and on his agenda, telling tribal leaders their marginalized community deserves more from its government.

Wake school board vows to work together after contentious election

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:59:27 -0500

John Tedesco's election to the District 2 seat on the Wake County Board of Education means the majority of the board favors neighborhood schools.

Rand to leave legislature for parole commission

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:11:20 -0500

Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand, one of the most powerful politicians in North Carolina, said he is stepping down from his legislative seat to accept an appointment to the state parole commission.

No encore for Roanoke Rapids mayor, councilmen

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:01:43 -0500

Three politicians involved in the decision to open a music theater in Roanoke Rapids lost in landslide elections Tuesday.