Inside Politics: Warren says she told schools of American Indian heritage

BOSTON — Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren has publicly acknowledged for the first time that she told officials at Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania that she had American Indian heritage.

The Harvard Law School professor’s campaign said in a statement that she gave that information to the schools only after she had been hired.

Mrs. Warren has provided no documentation of American Indian heritage, which she has said was part of family lore.

She is running for the Senate seat from Massachusetts held by Republican Scott P. Brown.

ILLINOIS

State lawmaker’s outburst creating online stir

SPRINGFIELD — An Illinois lawmaker screamed profanities and referenced the Bible during a videotaped tirade directed at the state’s powerful House speaker. And it’s creating a stir online.

Republican Rep. Mike Bost said Thursday he’s been surprised by the mostly positive reaction he’s received. He says his frustration has been building for years.

Mr. Bost’s outburst came as House members were preparing to vote Tuesday on a contentious plan to overhaul Illinois’ pension system without a chance for debate or amendment.

Mr. Bost says that’s standard procedure in the Democrat-controlled House, but it shouldn’t be.

In reference to House Speaker Michael Madigan, Mr. Bost yelled: “You should be ashamed!”

Mr. Madigan chalked up the outburst to late-session frustration.

Mr. Bost voted in 1995 for the rule now used to prevent debate. He says that was a mistake.

LABOR

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