Edward Derwinski, 1st veterans affairs sec’y, dies (AP)
AP - Edward Derwinski, who represented Chicago's south side and adjoining suburbs in Congress for nearly a quarter-century before becoming the nation's first secretary of veterans affairs, has died. He was 85.
After protest, Congress puts off movie piracy bill (AP)
AP - Caving to a massive campaign by Internet services and their millions of users, Congress indefinitely postponed legislation Friday to stop online piracy of movies and music costing U.S. companies billions of dollars every year. Critics said the bills would result in censorship and stifle Internet innovation.
Rep. Giffords to resign from Congress this week (AP)
AP - Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona announced Sunday she intends to resign from Congress this week to concentrate on recovering from wounds suffered in an assassination attempt a little more than a year ago that shook the country.
INFLUENCE GAME: Online companies win piracy fight (AP)
AP - Outspent but hardly outgunned, online and high-tech companies triggered an avalanche of Internet clicks to force Congress to shelve legislation that would curb online piracy. They outmaneuvered the entertainment industry and other old guard business interests, leaving them bitter and befuddled.
Former Ga. congressman Ed Jenkins dies at 78 (AP)
AP - Former U.S. Rep. Ed Jenkins, a Democrat who represented north Georgia in Congress from 1977 to 1993, died Sunday after a long illness. He was 78.
In 2012, Obama to press ahead without Congress (AP)
AP - Leaving behind a year of bruising legislative battles, President Barack Obama enters his fourth year in office having calculated that he no longer needs Congress to promote his agenda and may even benefit in his re-election campaign if lawmakers accomplish little in 2012.
International Tourism Could Spark American Economy (ContributorNetwork)
ContributorNetwork - COMMENTARY | Is it time for the United States to ease up on visa restrictions? For the American workers' sake, I think so. International visitors are expected to spend more than $152 billion in the year 2012, according to the Los Angeles Times. This sounds like a lot, but foreign tourists could offer an even larger boost to the U.S. economy if the current bill before Congress to ease visa restrictions passes.
Nevada adopts rules for Internet poker licenses (AP)
AP - Nevada gambling regulators on Thursday unanimously approved rules that allow companies in the state apply for licenses to operate poker websites, a move that puts Nevada in a position to capitalize if Congress reverses its ban on Internet gambling.
Tax cut lives: Congress gives last-minute approval (AP)
AP - After weeks of bickering and doubt, Congress delivered a last-minute holiday tax cut extension to 160 million workers Friday along with further unemployment benefits for millions laid off in the nation's fierce recession and weak economic recovery. It was a convincing victory for President Barack Obama, a humbling retreat for House Republicans.
WP Cumulus Flash tag cloud by Roy Tanck and Luke Morton requires Flash Player 9 or better.
Conservative commentator Tony Blankley dies at 63 (AP)
AP - Tony Blankley, a conservative author and commentator who served as press secretary to Newt Gingrich during the 1990s, when Republicans took control of Congress, has died. He was 63.
Go to Source