Political parties
The surprise victory of Democratic candidate Kathy Hochul in New York's special election has sent a warning signal to the Republican Party, suggesting that Tea Party candidates could play a spoiler role in the 2012 presidential and Senate elections. The outcome has raised concerns among Republican senators that
Political parties
Lawmakers in the House have been focusing on health-related amendments to the fiscal 2012 defense authorization bill, while Senate deliberations on budget proposals remain stalled. On Wednesday, the House rejected several budget plans, with the House-passed budget blueprint, which includes a call to restructure Medicare, failing to attract enough support
Political parties
Last week, after months of budget debates, Congress approved a bipartisan compromise budget for the remainder of the 2011 fiscal year. This compromise was negotiated by Republican House Speaker John Boehner, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and the President. However, Congress soon turned its attention to the 2012 fiscal
Political parties
Republican Senate candidates have enthusiastically endorsed the GOP's radical plan to end Medicare for seniors, despite non-partisan analysis from the Congressional Budget Office confirming that the plan actually increases the federal debt. These candidates have prioritized special tax breaks for big oil companies and the very rich over
Medicare
The American Diabetes Association warns of a dire situation facing the country, with nearly 26 million Americans living with diabetes and another 79 million with prediabetes. The Association strongly opposes the FY 2012 House budget resolution due to its drastic cuts in funding for vital diabetes research and prevention programs.
Medicare
President Barack Obama has put forward a plan to reduce the national deficit by $4 trillion over the next 12 years, while attacking Republican proposals to end traditional Medicare and give states near-total control over Medicaid. Obama's plan calls for $2 trillion in spending cuts, $1 trillion in
Senators
Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz recently praised Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for including breast cancer provisions in sweeping health insurance reform legislation. The EARLY Act, which aims to educate young women about breast health and detect breast cancer early, was included in the Manager's Amendment to the Patient
Senators
Arkansas leaders from various sectors have expressed strong support for the final Senate version of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The bill is expected to provide hundreds of thousands of Arkansans with health insurance coverage, reduce health care costs for small businesses, and extend the life of Medicare.
Legislative bills
The Senate has passed the Defense Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2010, which includes funding for important statewide projects and extensions of crucial programs. According to U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD), the bill includes more than $36 million for defense funding, as well as funding for emergency unemployment insurance,
Political parties
Senate Democrats' latest health care proposal aims to provide affordable health insurance to millions of Americans, but its implementation is fraught with challenges. The plan, which has been met with skepticism by some lawmakers and concerns from health insurance experts, would allow individuals ages 55 to 64 to "
Political parties
The Senate has voted 58-42 to reject an amendment that would have stripped over $400 billion in Medicare cuts from the health care overhaul bill. Despite polls showing seniors are concerned about their benefits, Democrats argued that the cuts will help keep Medicare solvent and that no guaranteed benefits will
Health care reform
Senate Democrats' proposed health care reform plan has drawn criticism from Republicans, with Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson labeling it a "disastrous" plan that will raise taxes, cut Medicare services, and force states to cover $28 billion in new taxes. Isakson, who will vote against a procedural motion
