President Obama obviously relished slamming the present-day robber barons of Wall Street last week for paying out billions in bonuses even as taxpayers are bailing out their failed businesses. He demanded that they begin to show some sense of discipline and responsibility in the management of their companies. ...more

February 3, 2009

A children's health care bill that set congressional Democrats against President George W. Bush's administration in 2008 now appears headed for passage with Florida's two senators splitting their votes. ...more

January 27, 2009

A children's health care bill that set congressional Democrats against the Bush administration last year now appears headed for passage – but with Florida's two senators splitting their votes. The bill uses tobacco taxes, including an extra 61 cents a pack on cigarettes, to expand an existing program providing health insurance for children of the working poor. It's one of the most divisive issues Congress has considered recently. The Democratic majority passed it in 2008 but couldn't muster the votes to override former President George W. Bush's veto. This year, President Barack Obama says he'll sign the bill. The House passed it Jan. 14, and it's expected to come up for a Senate vote this week. ...more

January 26, 2009

A recent secret survey of the House Republican minority by the party's whip organization showed a two-to-one margin opposed to imposing a moratorium on earmarks. ...more

May 5, 2008

The U.S. Senate gave final approval Thursday to the first congressional override of a veto by President Bush, putting into law a $23 billion water-resources bill that authorizes billions for Everglades restoration and tens of millions for Tampa Bay area projects. ...more

November 9, 2007