By Douglas Holtz-Eakin
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Independent voices from the TWT Communities

U.S. authorities tried three times in recent years to get more information from Russian officials about the activities of Tamerlan Tsarnaev, but the Kremlin did not reply, according to a U.S. lawmaker briefed Wednesday night about the investigation into the Boston Marathon bombings.

U.S. authorities tried three times in recent years to get more information from Russian officials about the activities of Tamerlan Tsarnaev, but the Kremlin did not reply, according to a U.S. lawmaker briefed Wednesday night about the investigation into the Boston Marathon bombings.

President Obama's use of unmanned drones to kill Americans who are suspected of being al Qaeda allies deserves closer inspection, lawmakers said Sunday, as even some of the president's allies suggested an uneasiness about the program.

John O. Brennan, President Obama's pick to lead the CIA, defended the administration's drone execution program before Congress on Thursday, saying that in war the commander in chief has the right to order a targeted killing — but agreeing that Congress should be more involved in knowing what is happening.

Maine Sen. Angus S. King Jr. sees no strong reason to oppose President Obama's pick for secretary of defense.

After two years marked with partisan gridlock, the Senate kicked off the new Congress on Thursday with 13 new members and welcomed back Sen. Mark Kirk, who made an emotional return to the Capitol after suffering a stroke almost a year ago.
"It wasn't shoveled under the rug as near as I can tell," Mr. King said. "I think it's important to put this into context. Apparently we get something like 20,000 tips a year about people who might potentially be involved in terrorism, and they were followed up as they were in this case with a rather detailed background check."
Russia never replied to U.S. requests for more info on Tsarnaev warning →
Sen. Angus S. King Jr., Maine independent, said he prefers a review before the remote-operated aircraft fire on someone.