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In Monday case, Supreme Court weighs whether life in prison for juveniles is cruel and unusual

High court to look at life in prison for juveniles

FDA chief warns industry, part of drive to restore agency’s image after Bush-era product woes

WASHINGTON — A pledge Thursday by the Food and Drug Administration’s new chief to crack down on companies that break the law reflects her effort to restore the agency’s image after high-profile safety problems during the Bush administration.

Senate roll vote: Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation as a Supreme Court associate justice

The 68-31 roll call Thursday by which the Senate confirmed Sonia Sotomayor, of New York, to be a Supreme Court associate justice.

Reid calls protests ‘destructive’ as negotiators hunker down to seek bipartisan deal

WASHINGTON — The Senate’s most powerful Democrat on Thursday scolded health care protesters dogging his party’s lawmakers at local meetings, arguing that some critics on the political right have run out of ideas — and ditched their civic manners. Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada accused the protesters of trying to “sabotage” the democratic process.

Sotomayor watches Senate’s confirmation vote among colleagues at US courthouse in NYC

NEW YORK — Sonia Sotomayor bathed in applause from friends and colleagues at a federal courthouse in lower Manhattan Thursday as the Senate voted to confirm her appointment to the Supreme Court.

Automakers scramble to replace dealer stocks depleted by sales from clunker program

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Under normal circumstances, it would take Ford Motor Co. about a month to replace a Focus sold at one of Richard Bazzy’s two Pittsburgh-area dealerships.

Sotomayor confirmed as first Hispanic Supreme Court justice in historic Senate vote

WASHINGTON — Sonia Sotomayor won confirmation Thursday as the nation’s first Hispanic Supreme Court justice, a history-making Senate vote that capped a summer-long debate heavy with ethnic politics and hints of high court fights to come.

Obama praises his choice for ambassador to Japan for “superb judgment”

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says his nominee for ambassador to Japan will be able to communicate directly with him on U.S.-Japanese issues.

Obama hails confirmation of Sotomayor as Supreme Court justice

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is lauding the barrier-breaking confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor to be the first Hispanic justice on the Supreme Court.

Vacation looming, Senate readies more money for ‘cash for clunkers’ program

WASHINGTON — Acting with unusual haste, the Senate readied a $2 billion fill-up Thursday night for “cash for clunkers,” the economy-boosting program that caught the fancy of car buyers and instantly increased sales for an auto industry long mired in recession.

Senate confirms Sotomayor, first Hispanic Supreme Court justice, in historic vote

WASHINGTON — The Senate confirmed Sonia Sotomayor Thursday as the first Hispanic justice on the Supreme Court.

THE INFLUENCE GAME: Health insurance lobby uses money, allies to fight government coverage

WASHINGTON — Cast as a profit-hoarding villain by Democratic foes, the insurance industry still has a fighting chance to fend off the part of health care overhaul it most despises — creation of a government-run plan to compete with private insurers.

‘Cash for clunkers’ car rebates to survive this weekend; House votes $2 billion rescue

WASHINGTON — Attention car buyers: There’s still time to get in on the “cash for clunkers” rebate rush.

GAO finds flaws in study moving research lab from offshore to America’s heartland

WASHINGTON — The government’s study of the risks of moving foot-and-mouth disease research from an island off New York to Kansas failed to adequately track the potential spread of the virus and its economic impact if accidentally released, congressional investigators said in a draft report.

Democratic senator says GOP needed for health care overhaul many Republicans oppose

WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats alone cannot pass President Barack Obama’s ambitious overhaul of how Americans receive health care, a top lawmaker acknowledged on Sunday. Republicans said they will continue their opposition to a plan they say is simply a government takeover of private decisions.

Alaska Gov. Palin exits national stage as she entered it: facing questions

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Gov. Sarah Palin gained fame — and to some infamy — since she embarked on a vice-presidential bid less than a year ago.

Budget-balancing paradox: States spending big to hold special sessions aimed at saving money

ATLANTA — States are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars apiece on special legislative sessions whose chief purpose, ironically, is to trim more funding from their eroding budgets.

Senate measure would allow carrying of concealed weapons across state borders

WASHINGTON — A measure taken up by the Senate Monday would give people the right to carry concealed weapons across state lines as long as they obey the concealed gun laws of the state they are visiting.

Senator looks for answers from Sotomayor on treatment of terror suspects

WASHINGTON — A member of the Senate Judiciary Committee appears to be trying to determine how Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor might rule in cases involving U.S. treatment of terror suspects.

Former GOP senator, presidential candidate Bob Dole hospitalized for heart check, leg surgery

WASHINGTON — Former GOP presidential candidate Bob Dole remained hospitalized Friday following leg surgery performed after he initially sought medical treatment for heart problems.

Comedian-turned-politician Franken sworn in as Democratic senators from Minnesota

WASHINGTON — Al Franken became a senator on Tuesday, completing the transformation from comedian to politician.

Big polluting nations head to Italy, hope to break deadlock in climate talks

AMSTERDAM — Developing countries with big polluting industries are joining the world’s wealthiest nations at the G-8 summit this week, trying to unblock troubled climate negotiations just five months before a deadline on limiting global carbon emissions.

Official says nuclear weapons agreement expected from summit in Moscow

MOSCOW — Presidents Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev end a seven-year hiatus in U.S.-Russian summitry on Monday, with each declaring his determination to further cut nuclear arsenals and repair a badly damaged relationship.

Senate to hold hearing on college football’s Bowl Championship Series

WASHINGTON — The Senate plans to hold a hearing next week looking into antitrust issues surrounding the Bowl Championship Series. It’s the second time this year that Congress is shining a light on the polarizing system college football uses to crown its national champion.

Gay Pride Parade marks 40th anniversary of NYC Stonewall uprisings

NEW YORK — Decades after a riot at a Greenwich Village bar sparked a movement for equal rights, gay New Yorkers celebrated their gains at Sunday’s gay pride parade and lamented the state has not legalized same-sex marriage.

GAO: Federal Railroad Administration lacks plan to oversee high-speed rail projects

WASHINGTON — The U.S. agency in charge of $8 billion in stimulus money for high-speed rail projects doesn’t have an adequate plan to oversee the projects, and the system of super-fast trains ultimately will cost much more than even the $8 billion, a government watchdog official told Congress on Tuesday.

Attorney General Holder says immigration agents will get new powers to fight drug cartels

WASHINGTON — More federal agents will be able to investigate drug cases under a new agreement between government agencies battling Mexican cartels, Attorney General Eric Holder told Congress on Wednesday.