Santorum on Portman's gay marriage support
In an exclusive interview with CNN's Dana Bash, Ohio Senator Rob Portman announced he has changed his stance on same-sex marriage because his 21-year-old son is gay. CNN asked his conservative colleagues at CPAC to react to his reversal on the issue.
For more on Portman's decision, read One conservative's dramatic reversal on gay marriage
 |
Post by: Filed under: Congress • Gay & Lesbian Issues • Gay Rights • Raw Politics |
Gergen: Give Obama credit for reaching out
David Gergen, Margaret Hoover and Peter Beinart discuss the authenticity of the president's outreach to Republicans.
|
|
Post by: Filed under: Congress • David Gergen • Margaret Hoover • Peter Beinart • President Barack Obama • Raw Politics |
Sen. Paul: Happy with answer from Holder
Sen. Rand Paul ended his quest Thursday to block a vote on the nomination of John Brennan to be CIA director after he received an answer from the Obama administration about his question on drones.
Paul's decision to back down cleared the way for a final Senate vote this afternoon, and the chamber confirmed Brennan in a 63-34 vote that crossed party lines.
In a letter to Paul Thursday afternoon, Attorney General Eric Holder said that the president does not have the authority to use a drone to kill an American not engaged in combat on U.S. soil.
Hoover: Paul's filibuster is substantive
Margaret Hoover, Peter Beinart and Gloria Borger discuss Sen. Rand Paul's filibuster to stall a confirmation vote for President Obama's nominee for CIA Director, John Brennan. He began speaking at 11:47 a.m. on Wednesday and continued until 12:38 a.m. Thursday morning.
Paul used his time on the Senate floor to question the Obama Administration's use of drones against American citizens abroad, and the ability for the president to authorize a drone strike within the United States.
"This filibuster ... is all about getting attention," says Borger. "Because he knows he's not going to stop the nomination of John Brennan to head the CIA."
McCain: Everyone shares blame for spending cuts
Sen. McCain says he accepts blame for the spending cuts but thinks Pres. Obama should lead to protect the defense budget.
|
|
Post by: Filed under: Congress • Economy • President Barack Obama • Senator John McCain |
Police chief: Slow motion mass murder in U.S.
Anderson Cooper talks to Milwaukee Police Chief Flynn about his heated exchange with Senator Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina at a Senate hearing on a proposed assault weapons ban.
The debate began when Graham questioned why law enforcement doesn't prosecute people who fail background checks when applying for a gun. His point was that the government should enforce current laws rather than enact new legislation.
Flynn's response was that the background checks are working in those cases by preventing someone who shouldn't have a gun from getting one. He explained there simply aren't enough resources to go after everyone who fails a background check.
|
|
Post by: Filed under: Congress • Connecticut School Shooting • Guns |
Lawmakers leave town before spending cuts deadline
CNN's Dana Bash talks to legislators leaving Washington for a long weekend a day before the $85 billion in spending cuts takes effect.
Playing politics with forced cuts
David Gergen, Margaret Hoover and Charles Blow argue who's responsible for forced spending cuts taking effect March 1.
Read David Gergen's op-ed "Americans sick of budget soap opera."
|
|
Post by: Filed under: Congress • David Gergen • Economy • President Barack Obama |
Newtown victim's dad: 'I'm Jesse's voice'
Neil Heslin testified at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the proposed assault weapons ban Wednesday. His son Jesse was murdered in the Sandy Hook school shooting along with 19 other children. Anderson Cooper spoke with Mr. Heslin about his loss and the gun law changes he believes will make school safer.
"I just feel that it's something I have to do...I feel there's got to be changes made," Heslin said about his decision to speak to lawmakers. Despite the difficulty of being exposed to the political tension over gun control during a time of mourning, he believes he would be letting his son down if he didn't testify.
Read "Survey: Teachers don't want to carry guns, do support armed guards."
|
|
Post by: Filed under: Congress • Connecticut School Shooting • Guns |
Spending cuts blame game continues
Lawmakers pepper their forced spending cuts arguments with salty language as the deadline looms. Dana Bash reports.
On Twitter
