With political support now on both sides of the aisle on Capitol Hill, nuclear energy's long-awaited American "renaissance" is lacking one positive factor: the economy.
The Tea Party's influence on the direction of Senate Republicans in the 112th Congress is about to be put to the test. Grass-roots activism helped swell the ranks of the chamber's fiscal hawks with several newly elected members who are fired up about banning earmarks. When the Republican conference meets next week to consider South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint's resolution that would end the practice for its members, the outcome will demonstrate whether Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky or Mr. DeMint and the Tea Party have captured the heart and soul of the Senate GOP.
A group of Senate conservatives issued an early challenge to their Republican colleagues, calling on them in an open letter to support a ban on earmarks — a stance the House GOP embraced earlier this year.
For the first time in years, House lawmakers will soon have the chance to vote on a standalone measure to increase the federal debt limit next year under the new Republican majority — a vote that's shaping up as the first early test of the GOP's commitment to spending restraint.
Republican leaders pledged their willingness Sunday to go head to head with President Obama and Senate Democrats to fulfill election promises to cut government and improve the economy, but were circumspect about the importance of the "tea party" and whether the candidates it backed will have House leadership roles.
After meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. told Jewish groups on Sunday that the U.S. under the Obama administration remains a steadfast and unwavering ally to Israel.
Guest lineup for the Sunday TV news shows:
Guest lineup for the Sunday TV news shows:
While we shouldn't expect our left-wing elitist president to understand Tuesday's electoral rejection of his "progressive" prescriptions for America, we should expect Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Republican, to get it.
