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Inside Politics Archive: June 2013

• N.J. Gov. Chris Christie ramps up 2016 speculation with late-night antics

  Speculation about whether New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will run for president in 2016 heated up late Wednesday. Only this time, slow jams and Bruce Springsteen were the culprits. Published June 13 2013

• Report: Capitol Hill lawmakers, aides, may quit over 'Obamacare' provision

  Dozens of lawmakers and aides on Capitol Hill are considering retirement, or simply quitting, over a unique provision in the President Obama's law that requires them to get their insurance through state-based exchanges next year, according to a Politico report. Published June 13 2013

• Rubio: 'I'm done' if immigration bill includes gay marriage

  Sen. Marco Rubio said Thursday that if Democrats expand his immigration bill to extend benefits to gay spouses, he'll have to scuttle the legislation. Published June 13 2013

• Pelosi: Role of government is 'fulfillment'

  House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that one of government's functions is to help Americans achieve "fulfillment." Published June 13 2013

• Immigrants use less health care than native-born Americans

  As Congress spars over what types of health care coverage to extend to illegal immigrants, a new report Thursday says immigrants overall are less likely than native-born Americans to go to the doctor or show up in the emergency room. Published June 13 2013

• Speaker John Boehner highlights new Capitol statue honoring Frederick Douglass

  House Speaker John A. Boehner released a video on Thursday that previews the dedication of abolitionist leader Frederick Douglass' statue next week at the Capitol Visitor Center. Published June 13 2013

• House panel OKs proposal to ban abortion after 20 weeks nationwide

  The House Judiciary Committee has approved a bill that would ban abortion in the United States after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Published June 12 2013

• Many nations see Iran unfavorably on the cusp of its election: survey

  A new survey has found that majorities in more than three dozen countries have a negative view of Iran, a nation that is preparing to elect a new president on Friday and faces near-constant scrutiny over its burgeoning nuclear program. Published June 12 2013

• NYC Mayor Bloomberg says public pressure will force Congress' hand on gun measures

  New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Wednesday he thinks public pressure will eventually overwhelm federal lawmakers who have voted against extended background checks prior to gun sales. Published June 12 2013

• Ex-Cincinnati mayor: Don't blame us for IRS scandal

  Former Democratic congressman and Cincinnati Mayor Tom Luken said his city has been besmirched, unfairly, as a result of reports the IRS field office there targeted conservative groups for extra scrutiny from 2010 to 2012. Published June 12 2013

• Rep. Trent Franks: Pregnancies from rape are rare

  Wading into delicate political territory, Rep. Trent Franks on Wednesday said the rate of pregnancy resulting from rape is "very low." Published June 12 2013

• George W. Bush gets favorable rating for first time since 2005: poll

  More Americans view former President George W. Bush favorably than unfavorably for the first time since 2005, a new poll stated. Published June 12 2013

• ICE Union: Immigration problems go beyond border security

  Border security has dominated the early part of the immigration debate but the union representing immigration agents says the key to solving the problem lies not along the U.S.-Mexico line, but with better interior enforcement. Published June 12 2013

• Sen. Toomey: Girl's lung-transplant case puts focus on flawed policy

  Sen. Pat Toomey said his "thoughts and prayers" are with a 10-year-old Pennsylvania girl who is in surgery after her desperate need for an organ transplant set off a debate on Capitol Hill. Published June 12 2013

• House Dems: Pentagon should help safeguard working conditions in Bangladesh

  Two House Democrats have filed a measure that would require garments made in Bangladesh and sold at American military bases to come from factories that meet certain fire and building codes. Published June 12 2013

• Rep. Justin Amash calls on National Intelligence Director James Clapper to resign

  An outspoken House conservative is calling on National Intelligence Director James Clapper to resign over comments he made before Congress related to recently disclosed surveillance programs. Published June 12 2013

• Senate bill seeks to reduce VA backlog, shift away from paper-based claims

  A bipartisan pair of senators filed a bill on Wednesday that aims to reduce the backlog of claims for veterans' disability benefits by pointing applicants to filing methods with the quickest turnaround. Published June 12 2013

• Americans deeply split over government spying programs: poll

  A new poll finds Americans have divergent opinions on whether it is all right for the government to track telephone records in the name of fighting terrorism. Published June 11 2013

• Former Rep. Ron Paul defends spy program leaker Edward Snowden

  Former Rep. Ron Paul says the man who leaked information about secret spying programs may have broken the law, but criticism should be directed at government officials who might be skirting the limits of the law. Published June 11 2013

• Sen. Tim Kaine speaks in Spanish on Senate floor, pushes immigration bill

  Sen. Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, delivered a speech on the Senate floor in Spanish on Tuesday as he made his push for the chamber to pass his immigration bill. Published June 11 2013