WSJ.com: Politics And Policy

U.S. Mortgage Program Gathers Steam

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:43:46 EST

The Obama administration said its mortgage-modification program has enrolled one in five eligible homeowners, but so far few of those trial modifications are turning into permanent fixes.

Bill Clinton Presses for Health Overhaul

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:06:00 EST

Bill Clinton warned Senate Democrats of the political consequences of failing to pass a health bill as the Senate braced for a floor battle.

Congress's History of Reversing Cuts

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:27:28 EST

History shows why some critics believe billions of dollars in budget savings Congress is promising through its health-care overhaul might never materialize.

U.S. Mortgage Program Gathers Steam

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:43:46 EST

The Obama administration said its mortgage-modification program has enrolled one in five eligible homeowners, but so far few of those trial modifications are turning into permanent fixes.

Streamlined Broadband Process Set

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:04:07 EST

The Obama administration will speed up awards under a $7.2 billion broadband stimulus program in response to complaints the process is overly complex.

Aid for Elderly May Raise Costs for Young

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:13:23 EST

A provision in the House health-care bill sets up a stark choice for Democrats between the interests of younger voters and older ones.

Unions Push Issues in State Capitals

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:34:21 EST

Unions are pushing lawmakers to pass legislation that would make organizing workers easier, as efforts to rewrite organizing laws stalled in Congress.

Venture Capitalist to Lead Energy Loan Programs

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:21:15 EST

The Obama administration has hired a Washington-based venture capitalist to speed its efforts to choose alternative-energy companies and car makers that will win loan money and loan guarantees from the federal government.

Thousands Honor Fort Hood Fallen

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:20:34 EST

President Obama paid respects to the 13 slain at Fort Hood by remembering what they left behind and their service to their country.

U.S. Lowers Goals for Asia Trip

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:12:57 EST

Obama jets to Asia for a four-nation swing, but White House officials say that he isn't likely to bring along tangible concessions on hot-button issues.

U.S. Aims to Expand Trade in Asia

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:12:05 EST

The U.S. remains committed to expanding trade in Asia, but will insist that China and other countries "play by the rules" as it contemplates future trade agreements, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk said.

Health Bill Faces Senate Heat

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:28:34 EST

President Obama's health-care bill faces an uncertain Senate battle after the House passed the measure by a 220-215 vote.

Netanyahu Offers No Advance in Talks

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:34:09 EST

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for an "immediate" resumption of Mideast peace talks, but Palestinian and Arab leaders responded coolly to the speech.

Requests Rise for Jobless-Aid Program

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:41:13 EST

A U.S. program that pays generous benefits to jobless people displaced by global trade has been swamped with applications in recent months, leaving potential beneficiaries in limbo.

Utilities Urge Action on Emissions

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:26:59 EST

Utilities are stepping up calls for legislation to cap greenhouse-gas emissions, fearing that if Congress doesn't act, the EPA will establish rules that would be costlier and less effective.

Gen. Casey Backs Request for Troops

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:41:02 EST

The Army's top general, who has raised concerns that deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan could damage the military's readiness, said he backed an increase in U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

Blue Dog Democrats Hold Key

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:06:31 EST

A group of fiscally conservative House Democrats is set to vote on a health-care bill that virtually all of its members think does too little to rein in health costs and keep the federal budget deficit under control.

Obama Praises Bravery at Fort Hood

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 06:18:10 EST

President Barack Obama, in his weekly radio address, deplored the violence at Fort Hood and extolled the bravery of the soldiers who quickly came to the aid of victims.

Job Losses Cloud Agenda for Obama

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:05:09 EST

Obama said his economic team was examining additional infrastructure spending, energy incentives, business tax cuts and other measures to spur job creation.

New Friction Awaits Obama in China

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:13:10 EST

Obama will face new friction in China over his choice to limit Chinese imports to the U.S. and views that he hasn't done enough to overhaul the financial system.

Democrats' Ethics Targeted by GOP

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:05:09 EST

Republicans are accusing House Speaker Pelosi and her colleagues of failing to make good on their pledge to clean up Washington when they regained control of Congress.

Gay-Marriage Fight Heads to New Jersey

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:05:09 EST

The battle over gay rights will move to New Jersey and the federal government, advocates said, after Tuesday's narrow rejection of same-sex marriage by Maine voters in a hard-fought contest.

Treasury Blocks Fannie Tax Credit Sale

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:42:58 EST

The Treasury blocked Fannie Mae's proposed sale of $3 billion in housing tax credits to Goldman Sachs and Berkshire Hathaway.

Democrats Pose Health Bill Hurdle

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:28:31 EST

As Democratic leaders try to pass health reform, they must satisfy the individual priorities of all the Democrats in the Senate and two independents.

California May Limit Placement Agents

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:05:09 EST

California's state controller and treasurer are drafting legislation that could curb pay for financial middlemen, whose fees have sparked an internal investigation at giant public pension fund Calpers.

Senate Votes on Detainee Trials Measure

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:44:00 EST

The Senate voted 62-36 against a measure that would have barred funding for U.S. civilian court trials of 9/11 detainees.

Political Clash Looms on Banks

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:24:37 EST

Sen. Dodd is shaping a bill that would shift almost all bank-supervision powers from existing agencies to a new one in charge of even the most complex institutions.

Climate Bill Shows Democrats' Unease

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:38:07 EST

Divisions among Democrats were on display in a Senate committee vote, as Sen. Max Baucus voted against his own party's climate-change bill.

Senate Alters Taxes for Big Firms

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:11:57 EST

The Senate passed a bill giving tax breaks to big companies hit by the recession, while raising other corporate taxes, particularly for multinationals.

Dodd Unveils Financial Overhaul

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:27:57 EST

Sen. Dodd introduced a financial-regulatory-overhaul measure seeking more ambitious changes in some areas than the regime envisioned by the White House.

Bills Would Set Limits on Big Firms

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:00:16 EST

Democrats are advancing proposals in Congress designed to limit the size and complexity of financial companies so that any collapse wouldn't damage the broader economy.

Credit-Raters Face Stiffer Oversight

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:10:43 EST

Senate Banking Chairman Chris Dodd's regulatory measure would make it easier for investors to win lawsuits against credit-raters that knowingly or recklessly conduct shoddy ratings.

SEC Would Patrol Hedge-Fund Advisers

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:12:35 EST

The financial-regulatory bill unveiled Tuesday by Senate Banking Chairman Chris Dodd would require advisers of hedge funds and certain other private pools of capital to register with the SEC.

Fed District Bank Changes Sought

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:27:48 EST

Dodd's proposal to revamp regulation includes provisions that would change the way the Fed chooses directors at its 12 regional banks, putting more power in Washington.

Dodd Bill Stiffens Trading Rules

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:12:35 EST

Senate Banking Chairman Chris Dodd's regulatory package would require many over-the-counter products to be cleared and traded on regulated platforms.

Abortion Foes Take Aim at Health Bill

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:17:42 EST

The abortion issue could impede a Senate health bill. Sen. Nelson, a swing vote, is "highly unlikely" to back a bill that lacks tough antiabortion curbs.

Catholic Church Sways Health Fight

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:07:38 EST

The Roman Catholic Church in America has emerged as a major political force with the potential to upend Obama's health-care agenda.

Fishing License Has Colonial Catch

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:38:06 EST

Long Island towns are suing New York over fishing-license requirements and basing their argument on a 313-year-old document.

Likely Error in Stimulus-Jobs Count

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:52:28 EST

The number of jobs the Obama administration credits to federal stimulus money could be overstated by at least 20,000 of the 640,000 claimed.

Lawmakers Score World Series Tickets

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:31:24 EST

Federal lawmakers and aides have gotten their hands on scores of tickets to the sold-out World Series games courtesy of a perk not available to the public.

In Vote, Watch the Intensity Factor

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:57:07 EST

Polls have a hard time measuring intensity: Yes, people will tell a pollster whom they prefer, but do they feel strongly enough to actually go out to vote?

Supreme Court's New Season

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:59:10 EDT

Questions before the Supreme Court, which begins its new term Monday, include dog-fighting videos, a cross in the desert -- and whether a more unified conservative bloc emerges.

Irving Kristol Paved Way for Reagan

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:26:13 EDT

Irving Kristol, who died Friday at 89, was an editor, political essayist and provocateur universally known as "the Godfather of Neoconservatism."

U.S., Canada Dismiss Trade Spat

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 06:14:55 EDT

Obama and Harper concluded a Washington meeting by playing down their biggest bilateral dispute: what to do about protectionist "Buy American" provisions.

Prison Closures Are Trial for States

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 07:34:18 EDT

The recession and collapsing budgets are forcing states to shut prisons, but moving 1,100 inmates – beds and all – is a trial.

States Shut Down to Save Cash

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:08:47 EDT

Across the country, cash-strapped state governments are shutting down business for a day at a time.

A President as Micromanager

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 05:57:58 EDT

Many presidents have directed policy from on high, shunning the details of most issues. But Obama's style is to dive into the minutiae, particularly on the economy.

Clunker Program Shrinks Inventories

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 22:32:53 EDT

People trading in clunkers may not get the car they want for the price they want unless car makers order up more production.

Obama Saw Successes, Then Harder Times

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 13:23:42 EDT

At his six-month mark, Obama has had few defeats. But much of his agenda has recently gotten bogged down in the Washington morass he vowed to change.

The Key to Afghanistan

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 19:50:46 EDT

The U.S’s attempt to build a strong centralized government in Afghanastan is doomed to failure. The key to stability is forging alliances with tribal and other local powerbrokers.