GOP senators plan boycott of committee votes on climate change, want more economic studies

GOP senators talk of boycotting climate bill

Gibbs: Ahmadinejad ‘elected leader’ of Iran, election results a matter for Iranians

WASHINGTON — White House spokesman Robert Gibbs says Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is “the elected leader” of the Islamic republic.

DOT declines to release data on ‘cash for clunkers’ that would show impact on US carmakers

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is refusing to quickly release government records on its “cash-for-clunkers” rebate program that would substantiate — or undercut — White House claims of the program’s success, even as the president presses the Senate for a quick vote for $2 billion to boost car sales.

Reid says Senate will vote to replenish ‘cash-for-clunkers’ program before August vacation

WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is predicting swift approval for an extension of the popular “cash-for-clunkers” program, which is rapidly running out of money after surging demand from consumers eager to purchase new cars with federal help.

‘Cash for clunkers’ gains support in the Senate

WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says the Senate will vote to replenish the popular “cash-for-clunkers program” before leaving on a monthlong vacation later this week.

Senate to start historic debate on Sotomayor, in line to become Supreme Court’s first Hispanic

WASHINGTON — The Senate’s top Republican said Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor fails the test of impartiality despite her impressive background while the leading Democrat defended her as a mainstream moderate Tuesday.

Iran’s opposition calls for street protests during Ahmadinejad’s inauguration

TEHRAN, Iran — Opposition groups called for protesters to prepare for a new round of street demonstrations Wednesday to coincide with the inauguration ceremony for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

In step forward, House committee prepares to take final action on health care overhaul

WASHINGTON — Democrats on a key House committee said Friday they have patched up their differences on a health care overhaul, and went back to work confident they can advance the complex legislation.

In Iran’s election crackdown, human rights activists fear arrest at any time

BEIRUT, Lebanon — Iran’s human rights activists say they live in dread of the midnight knock on the door or the car that pulls up next to them on the street, fearing that at any moment they might be arrested in the government’s post-election clampdown.

Anti-abortion measure goes down after passing in initial vote in House committee

WASHINGTON — An anti-abortion amendment to a sweeping health overhaul bill was voted down in a House committee late Thursday — a dramatic reversal just hours after the measure initially was approved.

House Democrats clear 1 obstacle to health care bill, but others loom

WASHINGTON — House Democrats announced agreement Friday on far-reaching steps designed to rein in the relentless growth of Medicare, part of a concerted effort to counter the impression that President Barack Obama’s health care legislation is in deep trouble.

Conservative House Dem says health care talks break off between his group and leadership

WASHINGTON — The head of a group of fiscally conservative Democrats says negotiations with House leaders on health care have collapsed.

Senate rejects bill making concealed gun permits valid in other states

WASHINGTON — In a rare win for gun control advocates, the Senate on Wednesday rejected a measure allowing a person with a concealed weapon permit in one state to also hide his firearm when visiting another state.