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In a sharp turnaround, House Republican leaders Monday dropped a key demand that the cost of extending the payroll tax cut be offset by spending cuts elsewhere in the budget.

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House Republican insists he'll be cleared in insider trading probeupdated: Fri Feb 10 2012 18:24:00

Rep. Spencer Bachus, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, acknowledged Friday that he is under investigation for possible violations of insider trading laws, but insisted he will be cleared.

Conservatives see tough challenges on road to White Houseupdated: Thu Feb 09 2012 19:13:00

Republicans looking to take back the White House in November face a challenging political environment, a trio of conservative political observers said Thursday at an annual gathering of conservative activists.

Boehner describes conservative utopiaupdated: Thu Feb 09 2012 19:13:00

Rep. Boehner painted the picture of a conservative utopia at CPAC, including a new president, senate, and lower taxes.

Senate passes insider-trading billupdated: Thu Feb 02 2012 21:51:00

Aiming to restore voters' faith in Congress, the Senate overwhelmingly approved a bill Thursday that makes clear it's illegal for members of Congress, their staffs and many executive-branch employees to trade stocks and other securities based on inside information learned on the job.

Senate to consider insider trading billupdated: Thu Feb 02 2012 21:51:00

Peter Schweizer, "Throw Them All Out" author, explains insider trading by members of Congress and the pending Senate bill.

Romney to Obama: Get out of the wayupdated: Wed Feb 01 2012 19:23:00

GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney tells Obama it is time to get "out of the way" after his primary win in Florida.

Same-sex marriage debate flares up in New Jerseyupdated: Sat Jan 28 2012 22:21:00

A political battle is shaping up in the Garden State about whether to give gay and lesbian couples the right to wed -- a move that, if approved, would make New Jersey the seventh state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage.

Giffords arrives for Obama addressupdated: Wed Jan 25 2012 22:18:00

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords receives a standing ovation prior to Tuesday's State of the Union Address.

Gabrielle Giffords resigns from Congressupdated: Wed Jan 25 2012 22:18:00

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who moved the nation with an improbable comeback after a gunman shot her in the head last year, formally resigned Wednesday in an emotional appearance in the U.S. House of Representatives.

5 things we learned from South Carolina primaryupdated: Sun Jan 22 2012 11:09:00

Newt Gingrich's stunningly strong win in the South Carolina primary capped an incredible week in the Republican presidential nominating cycle., but what did we learn from it?

Avlon: Stop stereotyping South Carolinaupdated: Thu Jan 19 2012 08:15:00

On CNN's Erin Burnett OutFront, John Avlon debunks many of the stereotypes about South Carolina and its voters.

Stop stereotyping South Carolinaupdated: Thu Jan 19 2012 08:15:00

We're in the thick of the South Carolina Republican Primary, and all the ugly old stereotypes are being deployed as shorthand for one very beautiful state.

Democrats: 1 million signatures collected for Wisconsin governor recallupdated: Tue Jan 17 2012 15:43:00

More than a million people have signed a petition to recall Wisconsin's governor, the state's Democratic Party said Tuesday.

Wisconsin's governor could face recallupdated: Tue Jan 17 2012 15:43:00

Embattled Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker could face a recall election down the line. Ted Rowlands reports.

Election-year politics will chart Congress' path this yearupdated: Tue Jan 17 2012 13:58:00

The fight over extending a payroll tax cut and long-term unemployment benefits resumes Tuesday as Congress returns to work after its winter break.

Are Democrats stalling the payroll tax?updated: Tue Jan 17 2012 13:58:00

Rep. Jeb Hensarling tells CNN's Erin Burnett the Democrats are stalling the payroll tax vote.

Will South Carolina race get candidates too dirty?updated: Tue Jan 17 2012 08:19:00

For eight consecutive presidential campaigns, from Ronald Reagan's in 1980 to John McCain's in 2008, the winner of the Republican primary in South Carolina went on to win his party's nomination. Not surprisingly, the Republican presidential candidates have begun shaping their appeals to South Carolina voters well before the primary in New Hampshire.

South Carolina conservatives brace for Romney winupdated: Mon Jan 16 2012 05:47:00

Marilee Walmer is no fan of Mitt Romney's.

Can evangelicals settle on Romney?updated: Fri Jan 13 2012 16:23:00

On Friday and Saturday, evangelical Christian leaders are in Texas to discuss how best to coordinate their efforts to ensure a true social conservative wins the Republican nomination. Struggling with Mitt Romney's moderate record as governor of Massachusetts (and, in some cases, lingering concerns about his Mormonism), socially conservative Republicans are reportedly searching for a way to stop the front-runner.

How far can Ron Paul go in 2012?updated: Fri Jan 13 2012 08:26:00

On CNN's Erin Burnett OutFront, political strategists examine the enduring appeal of Republican candidate Ron Paul.

N.J. legislator collapses in statehouse bathroom, diesupdated: Tue Jan 10 2012 11:59:00

Leading New Jersey Republican legislator Alex DeCroce has died, state police told CNN Tuesday.

White House chief of staff stepping downupdated: Mon Jan 09 2012 20:29:00

President Barack Obama announced Monday that White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley is stepping down and will be replaced by Office of Management and Budget Director Jack Lew.

Obama chief of staff steps downupdated: Mon Jan 09 2012 20:29:00

CNN's Jessica Yellin recaps the White House's announcement that Chief of Staff Bill Daley is stepping down.

Democrats stage rally on House floor urging GOP to come back to work updated: Fri Jan 06 2012 14:04:00

House Democratic leaders went to the House floor Friday morning in an effort to embarrass House Republicans for not coming back to work right after the holidays.

Obama signs payroll tax cut extensionupdated: Sat Dec 24 2011 04:19:00

President Barack Obama signed a two-month extension of the payroll tax cut Friday, ending what had been a heated political stalemate and sealing a hard-fought win for Democrats on an issue -- taxes -- that has historically favored the GOP.

Obama comments on tax cut extensionupdated: Sat Dec 24 2011 04:19:00

After signing the payroll tax cut extension, President Obama thanks Americans for their patience and persistence.

House GOP relents on payroll tax cut deal updated: Thu Dec 22 2011 21:34:00

A compromise measure to extend the payroll tax cut for two months comes before the House and Senate on Friday after Speaker John Boehner dropped his opposition under mounting pressure from the White House, congressional Democrats and fellow Republicans.

CNNMoney: What the payroll tax deal would doupdated: Thu Dec 22 2011 19:42:00

So it looks like the payroll tax holiday will continue after all.

Obama, Boehner in payroll tax standoffupdated: Thu Dec 22 2011 08:22:00

The payroll tax impasse becomes a showdown between President Obama and Speaker Boehner. CNN's Dana Bash has the latest.

Obama to talk about payroll tax impasseupdated: Thu Dec 22 2011 08:22:00

President Barack Obama is expected to make a statement Thursday on the partisan standoff over how best to extend the expiring payroll tax cut, according to the White House.

Conference committee unlikely in payroll tax disputeupdated: Wed Dec 21 2011 19:24:00

In the world of the U.S. Congress, appointing a conference committee is one option for the House and Senate to resolve their differences when each chamber has passed its own version of legislation.

Obama, Boehner square off in payroll tax fightupdated: Wed Dec 21 2011 09:53:00

The congressional impasse over extending the payroll tax cut became a showdown Tuesday between President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner.

Obama calls House to vote on extensionupdated: Wed Dec 21 2011 09:53:00

President Obama calls on House Republicans to bring a Senate-approved payroll tax-cut extension to a vote.

Boehner: 'I need the president to help'updated: Tue Dec 20 2011 20:12:00

House Speaker John Boehner says the payroll tax cut bill is now up to the president and Democrats.

Political dispute creates GOP split between House and Senateupdated: Tue Dec 20 2011 20:12:00

At the end of another long and confusing day of political wrangling over extending the payroll tax cut, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi asked a question on everybody's mind.

House leader rejects Senate payroll tax planupdated: Sun Dec 18 2011 17:33:00

House Speaker John Boehner said Sunday that he opposed a temporary extension of a payroll tax cut, saying the two-month plan passed by the Senate "is just kicking the can down the road."

Thune: We'll be back 'in two months'updated: Sun Dec 18 2011 10:38:00

On Erin Burnett OutFront, Sen. John Thune announced a deal that extends payroll tax cuts for two months.

House passes spending billupdated: Fri Dec 16 2011 23:23:00

A compromise spending bill to keep the government funded for the rest of the fiscal year won approval Friday from the House of Representatives, the first step toward averting a partial government shutdown at midnight.

White House happy with payroll tax talksupdated: Fri Dec 16 2011 23:23:00

Press Secretary Jay Carney says the administration is optimistic about the passage of the payroll tax cut extension.

Will the real tea party candidate please stand up?updated: Fri Dec 16 2011 09:28:00

With Herman Cain's departure from the 2012 field of candidates seeking the Republican presidential nomination, several contenders have sought to claim the "tea party candidate" mantle. But for those entrenched in the movement, none of the remaining candidates have a legitimate claim to the title.

Christine O'Donnell endorses Mitt Romneyupdated: Fri Dec 16 2011 09:28:00

Fmr. Delaware Senate candidate Christine O'Donnell explains why she decided to endorse 2012 GOP candidate Mitt Romney.

Tea Party member arrested on gun charge at NY airportupdated: Thu Dec 15 2011 21:09:00

A leader of a Tea Party group was arrested Thursday at New York's LaGuardia Airport while in possession of a handgun, prosecutors said.

Leaders meet over spending, tax-cut impasse as clock ticksupdated: Thu Dec 15 2011 09:03:00

In the first sign of progress in days of stalemate over the payroll tax extension and a government funding bill, House Speaker John Boehner, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell met privately for about an hour in the Capitol Wednesday night.

California to endure nearly $1 billion in midyear budget cutsupdated: Tue Dec 13 2011 17:11:00

California Gov. Jerry Brown announced Tuesday almost $1 billion in midyear budget cuts as a result of insufficient state growth.

Carney: Tax cuts won't hurt job creatorsupdated: Sat Dec 10 2011 07:09:00

White House press secretary Jay Carney says payroll tax cuts would negatively impact less than 1% of small businesses.

Pipeline showdown escalates payroll tax cut fight updated: Sat Dec 10 2011 07:09:00

Ensuring a pre-holiday collision course with the Senate, House Republicans Friday ignored criticism from President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats and formally unveiled a bill that extends the payroll tax cut and benefits for jobless Americans, but ties those items to a provision that clears a path toward approving the Keystone XL pipeline.

Justices to hear appeal over Texas redistricting mapupdated: Fri Dec 09 2011 20:04:00

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Friday to hear an appeal from Texas officials over the state's controversial redistricting plan.

Islamist parties ahead in Egypt voteupdated: Fri Dec 09 2011 05:25:00

Religious political parties in Egypt say their election success is a sign of true democracy. CNN's Jim Clancy reports.

Tensions rise between Egyptian military and Muslim Brotherhoodupdated: Fri Dec 09 2011 05:25:00

The military council that runs Egypt and an Islamist party that has done well in parliamentary elections accused each other Thursday of plotting a dictatorship.

House Republicans to offer payroll tax planupdated: Thu Dec 08 2011 18:35:00

Setting up a showdown with the White House and Senate Democrats, House Republican leaders Thursday proceeded with plans to vote next week on a proposal to extend the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits while easing the path for approval of the Keystone XL oil pipeline.

A bipartisan payroll tax plan?updated: Thu Dec 08 2011 18:35:00

Senators Collins and McCaskill propose bipartisan payroll tax cut plan

CNNMoney: Senate blocks consumer bureau chiefupdated: Thu Dec 08 2011 12:09:00

The Senate on Thursday failed to muster the 60 votes needed to confirm President Obama's pick to run the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which has become the symbol of the administration's efforts to rein in Wall Street excess.

Impasse over payroll tax cut continuesupdated: Wed Dec 07 2011 19:18:00

All kinds of ideas are flying around Capitol Hill about how to extend the payroll tax cut set to expire at the end of the year, but a long-standing battle over tax increases and divisions among congressional Republicans have prevented any from gaining traction so far.

CNNMoney: Congress takes on insider trading ... by Congressupdated: Wed Dec 07 2011 10:07:00

Is insider trading by members of Congress legal? How common is it? What's being done about it?

Young Republicans on Cain: 'It can be rough ... being a black conservative'updated: Mon Dec 05 2011 08:04:00

As the now-former presidential hopeful Herman Cain moves to Plan B, black conservatives say it's time to stick with their Plan A, and use the leverage that the GOP candidate gave them.

The battle for Herman Cain votersupdated: Mon Dec 05 2011 08:04:00

The fight is on among the remaining GOP presidential candidates for Herman Cain supporters. Paul Steinhauser reports.

Rep. Barney Frank to call it a dayupdated: Fri Dec 02 2011 07:23:00

Rep. Barney Frank, a Massachusetts Democrat, won't seek re-election in 2012, CNN's Mark Preston reports.

Obama: Campaigner in chief?updated: Thu Dec 01 2011 09:21:00

Anderson Cooper follows up on allegations that President Obama is using his office and tax dollars to campaign.

Inside Obama's re-election mathupdated: Thu Dec 01 2011 09:21:00

As President Barack Obama wraps up his eighth trip this year to Pennsylvania, some political insiders say he can't sell his brand in the Keystone State. The region's white, blue-collar voters, they say, have tuned him out.

The girl who dared to tweet about Gov. Brownbackupdated: Tue Nov 29 2011 11:06:00

There is a new scandal breaking involving an elected official, a young woman and Twitter. And, nope, it's not what you think.

Barney Frank not seeking re-election in 2012updated: Mon Nov 28 2011 15:04:00

U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, a prominent 16-term liberal Democrat from Massachusetts and arch-enemy of political conservatives nationwide, announced Monday that he does not intend to seek re-election in 2012.

First on CNN: Key social conservatives secretly meet to stop Romney in Iowaupdated: Wed Nov 23 2011 08:14:00

Representatives for leading social conservative groups in Iowa held a secret meeting Monday as part of an effort with one main goal: find and support a Republican presidential candidate who can stop Mitt Romney in Iowa.

Romney: Military cuts hurt defenseupdated: Wed Nov 23 2011 08:14:00

Mitt Romney says military cuts are hurting its ability to defend the U.S. from attacks both at home and abroad.

Clock ticks down on super committeeupdated: Fri Nov 18 2011 19:56:00

Members of Congress's so-called super committee huddled in small groups behind closed doors on Capitol Hill on Friday, battling growing pessimism over their seeming inability to meet a now-imminent deadline for a bipartisan deficit reduction deal.

Pelosi fires back at '60 Minutes' report on 'soft corruption'updated: Mon Nov 14 2011 08:37:00

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi fired back Sunday at a CBS News' "60 Minutes" report that highlighted several instances of what it suggested could be "soft corruption."

Santorum challenges Obama, Bush on Iran fundingupdated: Sun Nov 13 2011 01:49:00

Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum made numerous statements about sanctions on Iran and the Iran Freedom and Support Act during Saturday night's GOP candidates' debate on national security issues in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Why 2012 election will be very closeupdated: Wed Nov 09 2011 20:22:00

Amidst the welter of election results from voting yesterday, two conclusions seem pretty clear:

Tuesday's Ohio vote could be first skirmish in 2012 presidential raceupdated: Mon Nov 07 2011 11:00:00

On Tuesday, there will be a vote in Ohio that may turn out to be the first major skirmish in the 2012 battle for the White House.

Obama uses executive orders as a political toolupdated: Wed Nov 02 2011 06:15:00

President Barack Obama is crafting his own laws of political physics these days, insisting that inaction by a divided Congress requires White House action in order to get something done.

White House reaches out to local mediaupdated: Wed Nov 02 2011 06:15:00

A media blitz for the White House as President Obama takes his message to local TV viewers. Brianna Keilar reports.

Wash. Post : Cain accuser wants to talkupdated: Wed Nov 02 2011 06:12:00

A report in The Washington Post says one of Herman Cain's accusers is ready to go public and tell her side of the story.

Why Jon Huntsman is skipping Vegasupdated: Tue Oct 18 2011 06:09:00

Jon Huntsman tells Piers Morgan why he's skipping the Las Vegas debate and staying in New Hampshire.

Huntsman to boycott presidential debate in Nevadaupdated: Tue Oct 18 2011 06:09:00

Republican presidential hopeful Jon Huntsman said Friday he was skipping next week's CNN/Western Republican Presidential Debate out of deference to New Hampshire, which is locked in a political scheduling fight with Nevada.

House passes bill on abortion fundingupdated: Thu Oct 13 2011 20:38:00

The U.S. House passed a bill Thursday that would amend the health care law to bar federal funding for health plans that provide abortion services.

California governor allows warrantless search of cell phonesupdated: Tue Oct 11 2011 12:33:00

California Gov. Jerry Brown has vetoed a bill that would have prohibited police in that state from conducting warrantless searches of the cell phones of people under arrest.

CNNMoney: China sees trade war if U.S. passes currency billupdated: Tue Oct 11 2011 07:43:00

A bill that will penalize China for allegedly manipulating its currency to gain a trade advantage is headed for a vote in the U.S. Senate Tuesday, adding pressure on China to appreciate the yuan.

Reid to China: 'Play fair with America'updated: Tue Oct 11 2011 06:03:00

Rep. John Boehner and Sen. Harry Reid discuss their views on legislation aimed against China.

China warns of trade war ahead of U.S. currency voteupdated: Tue Oct 11 2011 06:03:00

A bill that will penalize China for allegedly manipulating its currency to gain a trade advantage is headed for a vote in the U.S. Senate Tuesday, adding pressure on China to appreciate the yuan.

CNNMoney: State tax revenue falters as economy weakensupdated: Fri Oct 07 2011 11:52:00

Just when states thought their tax revenues were finally on the mend...

Palin will not seek presidential nominationupdated: Thu Oct 06 2011 05:42:00

Sarah Palin, ending months of speculation, said Wednesday she will not run for president, either as a Republican or third-party candidate.

Obama blasts Cantor for denying vote on jobs billupdated: Tue Oct 04 2011 16:32:00

President Barack Obama blasted a top congressional Republican Tuesday for announcing that the GOP-controlled House of Representatives will not bring the administration's $447 billion jobs bill to a vote, calling the decision another setback for an already shaky economy.

CNNMoney: Obama sends trade deals to Congressupdated: Mon Oct 03 2011 17:46:00

President Obama sent trade deals with Colombia, South Korea and Panama to Congress Monday afternoon, and the House is expected to vote on them as early as next week.

Herman Cain denies GOP's horrible history with blacksupdated: Mon Oct 03 2011 06:01:00

You would think that a black man born and raised in Georgia, who was a teenager during the civil rights movement, would understand the transition of African-Americans from voting overwhelmingly Republican to strongly supporting the Democratic Party.

House set to act on disaster funds deal Thursday updated: Tue Sep 27 2011 12:22:00

The House of Representatives is expected to take action Thursday on a bipartisan agreement ending a dispute over disaster relief spending that threatened to cause a partial shutdown of the government by the end of the week.

Senate reaches agreement on FEMA fundsupdated: Tue Sep 27 2011 12:22:00

The Senate reached a bipartisan agreement to end a dispute over disaster relief spending. Kate Bolduan reports.

CNNMoney: Shutdown looms as Congress debates FEMA fundingupdated: Mon Sep 26 2011 08:23:00

The standoff continues Monday between the House and the Senate over emergency funding, which is holding up a short-term spending measure to keep government running into the new fiscal year that begins this weekend.

Senate rejects GOP spending plan as shutdown loomsupdated: Sun Sep 25 2011 11:06:00

The Democratic-controlled Senate rejected a House GOP temporary spending bill Friday, inching the federal government closer to yet another potential shutdown and risking the loss of sorely needed disaster recovery funds.

House GOP leaders propose more spending cuts to offset disaster aidupdated: Thu Sep 22 2011 22:12:00

Republican leaders will propose cutting more spending to balance the amount of additional disaster relief money in a short-term government spending measure defeated earlier by the House, two Republican sources told CNN on Thursday.

The first step to saving your lifeupdated: Thu Sep 22 2011 05:50:00

What is the first step toward making a disaster plan that could save your life? FEMA Director Craig Fugate explains.

House defeats Republican spending planupdated: Thu Sep 22 2011 05:50:00

In a major blow to the Republican leadership, the U.S. House on Wednesday defeated a temporary spending measure that would have required spending cuts to offset additional money for federal disaster relief efforts.

Government shutdown looms over FEMA fightupdated: Tue Sep 20 2011 19:28:00

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Tuesday he's not sure a potential government shutdown at the end of the month can be avoided because of a stand-off between the House and Senate over how much to spend on disaster relief.

Republicans blow off Latino concerns in debateupdated: Mon Sep 19 2011 05:55:00

While the media's political high priests have been going gaga about Rep. Michele Bachmann's lying about the effects of the HPV vaccine, and Gov. Rick Perry's cozy role with pharmaceutical giant, Merck, the biggest issue coming out the CNN/Tea Party Express debate has been virtually ignored.

Obama's push for jobs act will last months, officials sayupdated: Tue Sep 13 2011 20:57:00

High school students chanted "pass this bill" to a rousing speech Tuesday by President Barack Obama touting his $447 billion jobs plan, while senior administration officials said the push for Congress to approve the legislation would last months.

House Republicans oppose Obama's method to pay for jobs planupdated: Tue Sep 13 2011 05:45:00

President Barack Obama said Monday his $447 billion jobs plan is a common-sense approach needed right away, but House Republican leaders said they opposed Obama's intention to pay for it by ending tax relief for corporations and the wealthy.

GOP prepares for CNN Tea Party Debateupdated: Tue Sep 13 2011 05:33:00

CNN's Jim Acosta previews the CNN Tea Party Debate in Tampa, Florida.

Borger: Romney will go after Perryupdated: Mon Sep 12 2011 15:59:00

Gloria Borger predicts Mitt Romney and Rick Perry will dominate Monday's tea party presidential debate.

Angry electorate helps sustain tea partyupdated: Mon Sep 12 2011 15:59:00

On Sept. 12, 2009, frustrated tea party citizens from across the country marched upon the Capitol in Washington, energized by a shared sense of disenfranchisement in the political system and anger at a federal government they believed was taxing too much and racking up a dangerous amount of debt.

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