Overview for The Feed

Powerful Earthquake Strikes Japan

The Huffington Post reports : A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake has reportedly struck off Japan's eastern coast. Tsunami advisories have now been issued following the Japan earthquake , Tokyo Breaking News reports. According to Reuters, Fukushima nuclear plant workers evacuated …

Written by FrumForum News on Saturday July 9, 2011

Boehner Rejects Obama's Debt Ceiling Bargain

The Huffington Post reports : House Speaker John Boehner is rejecting President Obama's offer to make historic cuts to the federal government and the social safety net, saying in a statement Saturday evening that he can not agree to the tax increases Democrats insisted on as part of the …

Written by FrumForum News on Saturday July 9, 2011

Military Now Accepts Openly Gay Recruits

Talking Points Memo reports : The Pentagon announced Friday that it is suspending its "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy of banning openly gay servicemen and women. The em> Army Times

Written by FrumForum News on Saturday July 9, 2011

Pawlenty Downplays Iowa

Talking Points Memo reports : Tim Pawlenty and his top staff are increasingly downplaying the importance of Iowa in interviews, a strange turn given its central importance to his campaign so far. Pawlenty told reporters that "this week is the first time that I've campaigned in earnest in …

Written by FrumForum News on Saturday July 9, 2011

Top U.S. Military Officer Starts 4-Day China Trip

Reuters reports : The top U.S. military officer begins a four-day trip to China on Sunday in another sign of warming military ties between the two countries after a break in relations following a $6.3 billion U.S. arms deal with Taiwan. Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs …

Written by FrumForum News on Friday July 8, 2011

Senate Dems Draft Debt-Reduction Plan

The Washington Post reports : Senate Democrats have drafted a sweeping debt-reduction plan that would slice $4 trillion from projected borrowing over the next decade without touching the expensive health and retirement programs targeted by President Obama . Instead, Senate Democrats …

Written by FrumForum News on Friday July 8, 2011

Perry Plans Donor Meeting, Iowa Outreach

Politico reports : Rick Perry has started calling Iowa Republicans and a former RNC finance chairman is helping to convene a meeting of national donors later this month in Austin to discuss financing a potential 2012 campaign — signs that the Texas governor and his allies are stepping …

Written by FrumForum News on Friday July 8, 2011

Obama Calls On Boeing, Workers To Resolve Dispute

The Associated Press reports : President Barack Obama is calling once again for Boeing Co. and its workers to resolve their differences without "wasting a lot of time in court." Obama was asked about the National Labor Relations Board's lawsuit against the aerospace giant in a KING-TV …

Written by FrumForum News on Friday July 8, 2011

U.S. Education Dept. Joins Probe of DC Test Scores

The Associated Press reports : The U.S. Department of Education has joined an investigation of possible cheating on standardized tests, and District of Columbia leaders said Friday they welcome the scrutiny. "I actually think that that is a huge step in ensuring that we have a thorough, …

Written by FrumForum News on Friday July 8, 2011

IMF Approves Loan For Greece

Reuters reports : The International Monetary Fund's executive board on Friday approved a disbursement of about 3.2 billion euros to help Greece pay debts due this month and return to positive economic growth in 2012. In announcing the payment, part of a 110 billion euro IMF-European Union …

Written by FrumForum News on Friday July 8, 2011

UN: U.S. Execution of Mexican Citizen Was Illegal

The Associated Press reports : The United States broke international law when it executed a Mexican citizen, the United Nations' top human rights official said Friday. The Texas execution of Humberto Leal "raises particular legal concerns," including whether he had access to consular …

Written by FrumForum News on Friday July 8, 2011

Former First Lady Betty Ford Dies At 93

The New York Times reports : Betty Ford, the outspoken and much-admired wife of President Gerald R. Ford who overcame alcoholism and an addiction to pills and helped found one of the most well-known rehabilitation centers in the nation, has died at 93. Chris Chase, Mrs. Ford's biographer, …

Written by FrumForum News on Friday July 8, 2011

Pelosi returns to debt ceiling talks

Politico reports House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi is back at the bargaining table — but it’s not yet clear whether she’s willing to make a deal. Burned by President Barack Obama’s decision to keep her out of negotiations on last year’s tax deal and this spring’s budget bill, …

Written by FrumForum News on Friday July 8, 2011

House Cancels July Recess

The Hill reports : Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) announced Friday that the House would stay in session to work on the debt talks and cancel a recess set to begin July 18. Cantor told members to expect a vote the week of July 18 on the balanced-budget amendment, which had been …

Written by FrumForum News on Friday July 8, 2011

Health Tax Break on the Table in Debt Talks

Reuters reports : Deficit-reduction negotiators are looking at imposing new limits on existing tax breaks for employer-provided health insurance, a senior Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives said on Friday. "I think limiting the deduction for the higher income brackets is …

Written by FrumForum News on Friday July 8, 2011

Libyan Rebels Set for Renewed Push to Tripoli

Reuters reports : Libyan rebels renewed their push against leader Muammar Gaddafi's forces on Friday, coming under heavy fire just days after making hefty advances toward Tripoli on two fronts. Tens of thousands of supporters of the defiant Gaddafi rallied in Tripoli's Green Square for …

Written by FrumForum News on Friday July 8, 2011

House Passes $649 Billion Defense Bill

The Associated Press reports : The House on Friday overwhelmingly passed a $649 billion defense spending bill that boosts the Pentagon budget by $17 billion and covers the costs of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The strong bipartisan vote was 336-87 and reflected lawmakers' intent to ensure …

Written by FrumForum News on Friday July 8, 2011

Tribe: Debt Ceiling is Constitutional

Laurence Tribe writes : ON May 16, the United States hit its legal debt limit of $14.3 trillion. Unless that limit is raised, the Treasury will, on Aug. 2, be unable to pay its bills. It will then have to either stop spending money on government programs, or default on paying the nation’s …

Written by FrumForum News on Friday July 8, 2011

Boehner: Quick Debt Deal Is Unlikely

The New York Times reports : The Speaker of the House, John A. Boehner , said on Friday that no budget deal with President Obama and Congressional Democrats was imminent, while Mr. Obama also acknowledged “real differences” as the leaders prepared for a weekend of further talks. “I'm …

Written by FrumForum News on Friday July 8, 2011

Huntsman Picks Bush Official as Policy Chief

Politico reports : Jon Huntsman has tapped a former George W. Bush environmental official as his presidential campaign's top policy director. Mark McIntosh will split his time between Huntsman's Orlando headquarters and the GOP policy world in Washington coordinating expert advice on a …

Written by FrumForum News on Friday July 8, 2011