Tom Howell Jr.

Vladimir Putin taunted George W. Bush about dog Barney

Former President George W. Bush on Friday revealed his portraits of world leaders — and the tidbit that Russian President Vladimir Putin thought he had a better dog.

April 4, 2014

Members of Congress are underpaid, can’t live ‘decently’ in D.C.: Rep. Moran

A retiring Democratic congressman from Virginia says federal lawmakers don't make enough money to get by in both Washington and back home.

April 4, 2014

Americans show little concern about climate change: Gallup poll

Most Americans continue to show low levels of concern about climate change, with little more than a third saying they worry "a great deal" about it.

April 4, 2014

Ben Carson huddles with Republicans in stepped up effort to find replacement for Obamacare

With a major Obamacare sign-up deadline past, Republicans are turning their attention to the "replace" half of their repeal and replace strategy, hoping to make up ground lost over the past four years as they seek to show voters that they have an alternative to the president's health care overhaul.

April 3, 2014

House passes bill to change Obamacare’s workweek from 30 hours to 40

Eighteen House Democrats ignored President Obama's veto threat and helped Republicans pass a bill Thursday that rewrites the health care law to define full-time work as 40 hours per week — and not 30 — out of concern the current rules are forcing Americans to work fewer hours and earn less.

April 3, 2014

George W. Bush has painted Putin, Blair and others; he’ll give a sneak peek on Friday

Former President George W. Bush will unveil 24 portraits of world leaders on Friday as part of his first art exhibit, the "Today" show said.

April 3, 2014

Obama administration tweaks Medicare to accomodate gay marriage

The Health and Human Services Department said Thursday it is taking additional steps to bring its Medicare rules in line with the 2013 Supreme Court ruling that opened up federal benefits to people in same-sex marriages.

April 3, 2014

Michael McCaul: Fort Hood shooting shows need to ‘harden’ military bases

Rep. Michael McCaul said it is too early to "completely" rule out terrorism amid the investigation into Wednesday's shooting at Fort Hood, but either way, soldiers should be able to protect themselves on base.

April 3, 2014

Former Sen. Scott Brown no longer at law firm, another sign he’s running again

Likely Senate candidate Scott Brown has left his job at a Boston law office, the Boston Globe reports.

April 3, 2014

Republican Governors Association breaks its first-quarter record for fundraising

The Republican Governors Association said Thursday it set a first-quarter fundraising record for itself by raking in $23.5 million — double the amount it raised at the same point in 2010, a comparable midterm election season.

April 3, 2014

Sen. Jim Inhofe skeptical of gun restrictions on bases after Fort Hood shooting

Sen. Jim Inhofe questioned Thursday whether restrictions on carrying firearms on Army bases left victims at Fort Hood in Texas defenseless during a mass shooting Wednesday by a suspect who was dealing with mental health issues.

April 3, 2014

‘Thermometer’ poll: N.J. Gov. Chris Christie cools off, Hillary Clinton stays hot

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is no longer the hottest politician in the nation, while former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is holding her own and Sen. Elizabeth Warren is gaining some traction, a new Quinnipiac University poll said.

April 3, 2014

Obamacare-reform bill passes key House vote

House Republicans moved along a bill Wednesday that would rewrite the health care law to define full-time work as 40 hours per week —rather than the 30 it now prescribes — out of concern the current rules give employers an incentive to slash workers' hours.

April 2, 2014

Enroll America: We’ll work right up to the next Obamacare enrollment period

Enroll America, a White House ally that spread the word about Obamacare during the past year, said it is not going to rest on its laurels now that the law's six-month enrollment period is over.

April 2, 2014

Sen. Ted Cruz tells Liberty University students to stand up for religious freedom

Sen. Ted Cruz on Wednesday told graduating students at Liberty University they should stand by their principles because religious liberty is under threat.

April 2, 2014

Scott Brown: New Hampshire Senate run to replace Shaheen

Former Sen. Scott Brown is officially running for a U.S. Senate seat in New Hampshire

April 2, 2014

Jindal unveils Obamacare replacement

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal rolled out a plan Wednesday to repeal and replace Obamacare — marking the Republican's latest attempt to claim part of the national stage as the GOP's 2016 presidential jockeying intensifies.

April 2, 2014

Many more Americans newly insured off the Obamacare exchanges: report

While the nation focuses on the 7 million people who selected a plan on the Obamacare exchanges, there are millions more newly insured people who are "hiding in plain sight," The New York Times said.

April 2, 2014

Obama approval rating at 42 percent; Americans can’t decide if he’s stronger than Putin

President Obama's overall job approval remains in negative territory but inched up 2 points to 42 percent, the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute said.

April 2, 2014

Obamacare ‘here to stay,’ president declares

President Obama on Tuesday vowed Obamacare is "here to stay" as he hailed the enrollment of more than 7 million people on the health exchanges, marking a stunning recovery after an embarrassing, glitch-filled rollout.

April 1, 2014