TheRepublic.com - United States House of Representatives News

Perry opposed to part of Texas budget deal

Fri, 24 May 2013 23:09:28 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - Gov. Rick Perry on Friday joined the ranks of lawmakers dissatisfied with parts of a Texas budget deal.

Okla. Legislature adjourns 2013 session week early

Fri, 24 May 2013 21:01:28 -0400

OKLAHOMA CITY - Oklahoma lawmakers adjourned the 2013 Legislature on Friday one week earlier than required, wrapping up a session that saw Gov. Mary Fallin advance her agenda to reduce taxes and overhaul the state workers' compensation system.

Kan. budget cuts to corrections criticized

Fri, 24 May 2013 20:43:31 -0400

TOPEKA, Kansas - Democrats and the Kansas corrections secretary say an agreement struck earlier in the week to cut some $12 million from public safety in the 2014 Kansas budget would put residents at risk if spending cuts are not restored.

Ill. Dems: Deal would keep school funding level

Fri, 24 May 2013 19:31:08 -0400

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois - House and Senate Democrats said Friday they've agreed on a proposed Illinois budget that avoids another cut to education funding and immediately pays bills owed to human services providers, including those who help the mentally ill, homeless and developmentally disabled.

Puerto Rico approves anti-discrimination bill

Fri, 24 May 2013 17:35:55 -0400

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Legislators in Puerto Rico on Friday approved a heavily debated bill that outlaws employment discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation.

Gov. Inslee says bridge repair will cost $15M

Fri, 24 May 2013 17:01:15 -0400

SEATTLE - The federal government promised on Friday to send $1 million to Washington state to start fixing the collapsed Skagit River bridge and more cash may be on the way to cover repairs on the state's main north-south roadway.

Alabama Rep. Davis running for 1st District seat

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:43:39 -0400

DAPHNE, Alabama - The campaign to replace U.S. Rep. Jo Bonner of Mobile has begun one day after he announced he would step down in August to take a job with the University of Alabama System.

La. ranks high in gun violence, low in gun safety

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:52:25 -0400

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana - Louisiana has the highest rate of gun violence in the nation and the weakest gun safety laws, according to a recent national study, and state lawmakers are moving to expand the already permissive statutes.

Michigan House, Senate chambers to get new carpet

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:44:50 -0400

LANSING, Michigan - The state House and Senate are in line for new carpet at the Capitol as part of a $370,000 project to spruce up the aging floor, officials said.

Rep. Duncan thanking veterans, first responders

Fri, 24 May 2013 04:07:32 -0400

LAURENS, South Carolina - U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan is touring his South Carolina district over the Memorial Day weekend to thank veterans and first responders for their service.

Rep. Jo Bonner resigning to take Ala. college post

Thu, 23 May 2013 22:41:18 -0400

MOBILE, Alabama - U.S. Rep. Jo Bonner announced Thursday that he is resigning from Congress effective in August to take a post with the University of Alabama system.

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.

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.

Rep. DesJarlais reprimanded for sex with patients

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:34:29 -0400

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - Rep. Scott DesJarlais, a licensed physician, was reprimanded and fined by the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners for having sex with patients before he was elected to Congress, according to documents released Thursday.

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.

Middlesex Sheriff eyeing Markey's US House seat

Thu, 23 May 2013 15:57:09 -0400

BOSTON - Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian has opened a congressional campaign committee account as he eyes a run for the U.S. House if Congressman Edward Markey wins the state's special U.S. Senate election.

US House subcommittee rejects base closings

Thu, 23 May 2013 15:13:25 -0400

HARTFORD, Connecticut - Communities in southeastern Connecticut that rely on the Navy submarine base as an economic engine may be breathing easier following a U.S. House subcommittee's rejection Thursday of a new round of military base closings.

NH Senate rejects tobacco tax hike

Thu, 23 May 2013 11:55:52 -0400

CONCORD, New Hampshire - The New Hampshire Senate has rejected a 20-cent increase in the tobacco tax, siding with convenience stores and grocers who said increasing the tax would be potentially disastrous to their businesses.

Peters urges probe of Detroit oil waste storage

Wed, 22 May 2013 20:40:12 -0400

DETROIT - Michigan U.S. Rep. Gary Peters has taken to the House floor to criticize the storage of piles of an oil-refining byproduct known as petroleum coke along the Detroit River.

2 Ore. timber counties reject public safety levies

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:45:20 -0400

GRANTS PASS, Oregon - Voters in two Oregon timber counties with the lowest property taxes in the state - Curry and Josephine - turned down tax increases Tuesday that would have funded law enforcement, but a jail levy passed in a third, Lane County.

RI House OKs extra tax for Woonsocket

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:41:07 -0400

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island - Residents in Woonsocket are a step closer to seeing their taxes go up.

Arizona House non-prayer sparks Christian re-do

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:41:59 -0400

PHOENIX - An atheist lawmaker's decision to give the daily prayer at the Arizona House of Representatives triggered a do-over from a Christian lawmaker who said the previous day's prayer didn't pass muster.

State lawmakers approve education policy deal

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:39:33 -0400

DES MOINES, Iowa - The state legislature has approved an education policy deal that would provide additional school funding.

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.