Inside Politics Archive: December 2012
-
Christmas coal for 'fiscal cliff' failure
A group of liberal Catholics plans to deliver 120 pounds of coal to House Republicans on Friday, accusing them of having ruined Christmas by leaving without getting a deal done to avoid the "fiscal cliff." Published December 21 2012
-
Pelosi says cap on ammunition 'gives somebody a fighting chance'
Nancy Pelosi said Friday that limiting firearms to 10-round magazines is better for public safety than a 30-round magazine because "at least it gives somebody a fighting chance." Published December 21 2012
-
Home for Christmas — Part II
In a reversal, it is House Republicans who have fled Washington to get home for Christmas, while the Senate remains in town Friday to continue working on its business. Published December 21 2012
-
Obama: Inouye was my 'political inspiration'
President Obama eulogized Hawaii's long-serving senator, Daniel Inouye, Friday, calling him "my earliest political inspiration" and a man of "dignity and grace." Published December 21 2012
-
Senate scolds online 'adult' ads site
Amid all the other action, the Senate took time late Thursday to scold an online classified ads website for its "adult" section, saying it was contributing to child sex trafficking. Published December 21 2012
-
Obama calls for grass-roots campaign for gun control
President Obama is calling for a sustained national grass-roots campaign for gun control and other measures to curb an outbreak of mass shootings like the one last Friday at Sandy Hook Elementary school. Published December 21 2012
-
NRA chief calls out Obama for defunding school-protection grants
In making the case for armed policeman assigned to schools around the country Friday, National Rifle Association Chief Wayne LaPierre called out several different sectors of American society as contributing to a climate that led to a string of violent shootings in recent years. Published December 21 2012
-
Rep. Hunter calls for Americans to boycott Mexico
Rep. Duncan Hunter, a California Republican and Marine combat veteran, called on Americans Thursday to boycott Mexico until that nation releases Jon Hammar, a former U.S. marine, from prison. Published December 20 2012
-
White House: Not sure whether NRA will be a part of gun-violence task force
The White House has yet to say whether the National Rifle Association will be included in Vice President Joseph R. Biden's new task force for curbing gun violence in the nation. Published December 20 2012
-
Obama's approval rating at three-year high
President Obama's approval rating is shooting up in the days following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, and is now at its highest point since 2009, according to the latest Gallup tracking poll. Published December 20 2012
-
Sanford to run for open U.S. House seat
Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, whose rising political star suddenly collapsed in a bizarre sex scandal, will reportedly attempt a political comeback starting within the next few days. Published December 20 2012
-
Congress goes home for Christmas?
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Thursday he plans to send his chamber home for Christmas and then reconvene on Dec. 27 to try to work through the "fiscal cliff" — even as House Republicans said they'll keep their troops in town to try to strike a deal. Published December 20 2012
-
White House defends Hagel's reputation
The White House publicly defended the reputation of former Sen. Chuck Hagel, a top contender for defense secretary, even though he has yet to formally be nominated to the post. Published December 20 2012
-
EPA chief faces internal audit over secret email address
The Environmental Protection Agency's internal auditor has opened an investigation into whether the agency mishandled open-records requests related to Administrator Lisa P. Jackson's emails. Published December 19 2012
-
Poll: Gun ban less effective than adding more police to stop shootings
Americans say the best way to stop mass shootings like last week's school rampage in Connecticut is to increase police at schools and focus on mental health issues — and give lower priority to banning semi-automatic guns, according to the latest Gallup polling Published December 19 2012
-
Pelosi: 'Chained CPI' is not a benefit cut
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi may not be a fan of reducing future Social Security cost-of-living increases to seniors, but she said Wednesday that it doesn't count as a benefit cut. Published December 19 2012
-
Boehner: Obama will be responsible for 'largest tax increase in American history'
House Speaker John A. Boehner said Wednesday that the House will pass his bill that would raise taxes on millionaires but extend tax cuts for everyone else, and said it's then up to President Obama to either accept that plan or be responsible for a tax increase on everyone. Published December 19 2012
-
Boehner gets an earful — on his own website
House Speaker John A. Boehner is being savaged on his own web page, with commenters fiercely denouncing him for proposing a plan that would see income tax rates rise for the wealthy. Published December 19 2012
-
Obama taps Biden to lead gun-violence curb
President Obama has tapped Vice President Joseph R. Biden to lead an administrationwide effort to curb gun violence in the aftermath of the massacre in Newtown, Conn., on Friday. Published December 19 2012
-
With 'fiscal cliff' looming, Boehner talks to troops of 'Plan B'
Concerned that the "fiscal cliff" negotiations with President Obama will not bear fruit, House Speaker John A. Boehner said Tuesday that House Republicans are prepared with a "Plan B" option that calls for higher taxes on millionaires and locks in current tax rates for everyone else. Published December 18 2012
