TheRepublic.com - U.S. Republican Party News

Improving economy alters political landscape

Sat, 25 May 2013 03:11:25 -0400

WASHINGTON - Alleged misbehavior by the Internal Revenue Service and other federal agencies gives the GOP something else to talk about and investigate as the economy clearly, if slowly, recovers on President Barack Obama's watch and robs Republicans of a central argument against Democrats.

Kan. tax negotiators agree on 6 percent sales tax

Fri, 24 May 2013 23:12:11 -0400

TOPEKA, Kansas - Republican negotiators in the Kansas Legislature agreed Friday on a plan to cut income taxes further and set the state's sales tax at 6 percent, but a Senate leader doubted it could pass both chambers.

Arizona investigating angry email sent lawmakers

Fri, 24 May 2013 21:50:27 -0400

PHOENIX - Arizona's bitter debate over a signature part of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul has sparked an investigation into lawmakers' safety after at least nine legislators received a threatening email over Gov. Jan Brewer's push to expand Medicaid access.

No change of heart on Maine hospital debt

Fri, 24 May 2013 19:01:51 -0400

AUGUSTA, Maine - Gov. Paul LePage and Democratic lawmakers had no change of heart Friday on a bill to repay a $484 million debt to Maine hospitals and expand Medicaid.

Buono lands GOP support; Christie controls cash

Fri, 24 May 2013 17:23:53 -0400

SPOTSWOOD, New Jersey - New Jersey state Sen. Barbara Buono received her first cross-party endorsement from a Republican mayor Friday, as Gov. Chris Christie showed he would maintain his commanding fundraising lead over the upstart Democrat through the June 4 primary.

Dewhurst wants special session on failed GOP bills

Fri, 24 May 2013 03:10:32 -0400

FORT WORTH, Texas - With legislative adjournment looming on Monday, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said he wants Gov. Rick Perry to call a special session to seek passage of failed legislation insisted upon by conservative Republicans.

GOP Ariz. rep. who supports Medicaid is threatened

Thu, 23 May 2013 19:58:38 -0400

PHOENIX - A Republican member of the Arizona House who supports GOP Gov. Jan Brewer's push to expand Medicaid received an obscene and threatening voicemail at her office, a sign that the rancorous debate over embracing a signature component of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul in the state is far from over.

Tea party vs. old guard in GOP Senate rift

Thu, 23 May 2013 18:52:36 -0400

WASHINGTON - A long-simmering feud between establishment Republicans and tea partyers broke into full view Thursday, with Sen. John McCain accusing younger colleagues of overplaying their hands and tempting Democrats to change Senate rules that protect the minority party.

It's now House's turn to create NC state budget

Thu, 23 May 2013 18:14:46 -0400

RALEIGH, North Carolina - Senate Republicans handed off their vision of North Carolina's state budget to their counterparts Thursday in the House, who are likely to take issue with several proposals and listen to what GOP Gov. Pat McCrory wants in a final plan.

Gun measure triggers Republican fight in House

Thu, 23 May 2013 18:14:02 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - A move to give lawmakers the right to carry handguns anywhere they wish sparked an angry debate among Republicans in the Texas House on Thursday, with conservatives lambasting their colleagues for giving themselves special privileges.

House backs variable rate student loans

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:58:20 -0400

WASHINGTON - Dismissing a veto threat from President Barack Obama, lawmakers in the House passed legislation that links student loan rates to the ups and downs of the financial markets in a vote largely along party lines.

House immigration group resolves dispute

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:17:45 -0400

WASHINGTON - House members writing a bipartisan immigration bill said Thursday they had patched over a dispute that threatened their efforts, even as they and the rest of Congress prepared to return home for a weeklong recess where many could confront voters' questions on the issue.

Senate confirms Obama nominee to key appeals court

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:09:52 -0400

WASHINGTON - After five years of trying, President Barack Obama has placed his first nominee on a key appeals court in Washington.

House backs variable rate student loans

Thu, 23 May 2013 15:56:12 -0400

WASHINGTON - Dismissing a veto threat from President Barack Obama, lawmakers in the Republican-led House approved legislation that links student loan rates to the ups and downs of the financial markets.

Former Rep. Tancredo running for Colorado governor

Thu, 23 May 2013 13:06:13 -0400

DENVER - Former U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo has become the latest Republican to announce plans to challenge Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper.

Ex-UT Gov. Huntsman launches new PAC to back GOP

Thu, 23 May 2013 11:21:07 -0400

SALT LAKE CITY - Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman is creating a new political action committee to raise money for like-minded, Republicans across the country.

Democratic leaders take aim at GOP pick Jackson

Wed, 22 May 2013 21:23:48 -0400

RICHMOND, Virginia - Virginia Democrats continued focusing their fire in November's bellwether statewide elections not at the top of the Republican ticket but in the middle, at the outspoken conservative black minister nominated by GOP delegates for lieutenant governor.

House passes GOP bill to speed pipeline approval

Wed, 22 May 2013 20:41:33 -0400

WASHINGTON - House Republicans pushed through a bill Wednesday to bypass the president to speed approval of the Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada to Texas. Democrats criticized the legislation as a blatant attempt to allow a foreign company to avoid environmental review.

Obama threatens veto of House student loan plan

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:37:25 -0400

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama on Wednesday threatened to veto legislation by House Republicans that would avert a doubling of student loan interest rates on July 1 but allow them to vary with the markets going forward.

Ohio House upholds GOP rep's win in disputed race

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:00:30 -0400

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Republican-controlled Ohio House has voted to uphold a GOP candidate's victory last year in a disputed race for state representative.

House Republicans promote 20-week abortion ban

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:38:58 -0400

WASHINGTON - House Republican who oppose abortion promoted legislation Wednesday that would ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

GOP questions IRS scrutiny of anti-abortion groups

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:19:58 -0400

IOWA CITY, Iowa - When a small anti-abortion group in Iowa sought nonprofit status, the Internal Revenue Service asked its board to promise not to organize protests outside Planned Parenthood and demanded to know how its prayer meetings and protest signs were educational.

Labor board nominees advance

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:39:32 -0400

WASHINGTON - A Senate panel has endorsed President Barack Obama's slate of five nominees to sit on the National Labor Relations Board. Two of them advanced despite strong GOP opposition.

Republican divisions may hinder party's momentum

Wed, 22 May 2013 07:24:24 -0400

WASHINGTON - A string of unrelated events is highlighting divisions among Republicans just when they'd like to show a united front and take full advantage of President Barack Obama's latest political problems.

Republican Bucshon seeks southern Ill. House seat

Wed, 22 May 2013 04:05:33 -0400

O'FALLON, Illinois - An Illinois Army National Guard veteran and former sports journalist says he's running for a southern Illinois congressional seat.