Senate addresses immigration issue

The Senate is in the process of debating a bill on immigration reform passed out by the Judiciary Committee. Some highlights include a blue card program in which an illegal alien could get sponsored by an employer to stay in the United States. Most that are currently here illegaly would be granted a green card which would be good for 6 years and eligible for citizenship in 11 years. The bill also makes it illegal to build a tunnel under the US/Mexico border. The Senates version faces an uphill battle in conference committee as the House version attempts to tighten border enforcement.

MA judge rules non-resident gays cannot marry in MA

A Massachusetts judge has ruled that non-resident gays cannot apply for a marriage license in the state of Massachusetts. This comes on the heels of the MA State Supreme Court ruling banning gay marriage unconstitutional. Many gay couples have traveled to married in Massachusetts in hopes that their home state will legally recognize their relationship.

Senate passes lobbying reform

The Senate today passed lobbying reform that is designed to discourage bad behavior. Opponents of the reform however suggest it doesnt go far enough. One of the provisions that failed was an amendment that would have created an office within the rules committee to investigate the potential conflicts of interests. Another provision bans former members from lobbying congress for at least two years after leaving office. If a member gets a ride on a private jet they only have to pay first class fare rather than the market rate. Many corporations and some non-profits use this to gain better access to members of congress. Part of the concern throughout the debate on lobbying was that the leadership wanted to be able to make sure that members do go on trips so that they stay informed on pending legislation while making sure that lobbyists do not have undue influence. Sometimes these trips are the only way for members to get a real assessment of what is happening out in the field.

UN Security Council demands Iran halt uranium enrichment

The UN Security Council today voted unanimously to demand Tehran halts its program of enriching uranium.

White House Chief of Staff to step down

White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card will be stepping down after 5 1/2 years of service. He will be replaced by Budget Director Josh Bolten.

Kadima party wins Israeli election

Acting P.M. Ehud Olmert's Kadima party won the Israeli election in the lowest turnout in history. While Olmert's party retains a majority they have less seats than before.

Congress tackles immigration reform

In what is expected to be one of the most controversial issues to be taken up by congress in this election this year, verbal fists were flying as congress attempts to deal with the issue of illegal immigration. Constituents are demanding that congress strengthen immigration laws and tighten the border especially on the southern border. An estimated 11 million are residing illegal in the United States. However there has been major push back by labor and business groups who say that the illegal aliens are necessary for the economy. Labor groups argue that they provide a service that other Americans will not do. Businesses want the cheap labor. Conservatives however argue that the nations security is at risk because we do not know who is coming across our border and is costing taxpayers millions of dollars in welfare benefits.

FEC exempts bloggers from campaign finance law

The FEC ruled today that bloggers are exempt from campaign finance laws. It made the ruling to clear up rumors that have been floating about for some time that bloggers would be subject to the campaign finance laws. The commission made it clear today that the campaign finance laws were not intended to apply to bloggers and would be treated like more like media entities.

Democrats rush into race to replace Sabo

Not less than a week after Congresman Sabo announced that he was not seeking another term for the 5th CD, 12 DFL candidates rushed into vy for the nomination to become the next member of congress from the 5th district. While there are likely to be republican candidates most of the action is likely to be among the DFLers.

Governor Pawlenty makes trip to Iraq

Kelly Doran drops out of Gov.'s race

Real estate developer Kelly Doran announced at a press conference today that he has dropped out of the race for governor. Doran had at one point been a candidate for US Senate but then switched to the governors race. He said that the stress of the campaign was too much on his family.

Congressman Martin Sabo announces retirement

After 13 terms as a member of the United States House of Representatives Congressman Martin Sabo of the 5th district announced he is not seeking re-election. He cited no specific reason for the retirement. He thought it was time to move on and was concerned that the level of partisanship in Washington was getting out control. Several democrats are likely to run for his seat as well as a few a republicans. Sabo's seat heavily favors democrats. Sabo's Chief of Staff and former State DFL party chair Mike Erlandson may run for the seat.

Judge agrees to allow testimony from FAA witnesses in Moussaoui case

After telling the government that they could not use the FAA as part of their witness testimony the judge agreed to do so. The government argued that suppressing that testimony would put an undue burden on the governments case which is at the heart of the governments legal strategy in their argument for the death penalty. A liaison TSA lawyer for the government is under investigation for coaching witnesses. The lawyer was previously an attorney for the FAA.

Iraqi Parliament meets for brief session under heavy security

MPLS searches for new Police Chief

The City of Minneapolis is in search of a new police chief after Bill McManus accepted that position in San Antonio. The Interim Police Chief will be the acting police chief until the mayor can find a replacement. McManus had been a police chief in Ohio before taking the job in Minneapolis.

Bush taps Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne for Interior Secretary

Congress to approve record debt ceiling limit to $9T

The Senate approved a measure that would allow the United States to borrow more money in the wake of unprecendented spending. The Treasury Dept. requested this increase because otherwise the government was on the verge of defaulting on its loans without the increase. The default would have substantially increased the cost of borrowing for the US.

Judge rules MPLS red light cameras illegal

A judge ruled today that the Minneapolis red light camera is illegal because it violates state law regarding traffic control signals. He said that the the burden of proof should be on the state and not the citizen. The City of Minneapolis has until Tuesday to appeal the ruling.

Sen. Feingold wants to censure Bush

Sen. Feingold (D-WI) introduced a bill today to censure Pres. Bush for illegally wiretapping American citizens in the warrantless wiretap controversy. Sen. Feingold is considered a candidate for president on the democratic side. The bill is not likely to gain much traction since both parties do not support the measure.

Federal judge recesses Moussaoui case after attorney misconduct revealed

The federa judge in the Moussaoui case abruptly recessed the penalty phase today after learning that an attorney for the government coached a witness for the penalty phase of the trial. Moussaoui already had pleaded guilty to the charges alleged by the government. The attorney apparently revealed a transcript of the trial to a witness for the government in preparartion for the penalty phase. The judge had already warned the government that their conduct was inappropriate. The judge may rule the testimony of the witness inadmissable. The defense now wants the death penalty to be dropped.

Former Yugoslav president Milosevic dead

Milosevic was on trial for war crimes against humanity.

Interior Secretary Gale Norton to resign

Feds charge 3 college students with AL church fires

The US Attorney's Office charged 3 college students with setting ablaze 9 churches. It was thought that the arsons were racially motivated but soon investigators realized that this was a prank that went out of control.

DP World to sell off US interest to US entity in port deal

UNC grad faces attempted murder charges in hit and run

A graduate of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill with degrees in Psychology and Philosophy is likely to face 9 attempted murder charges and 1 count of assault with a deadly weapon. The FBI and Dept. of Homeland Security are investigating the accident because the evidence suggest this may have been an act of terrorism. No known links to organized terrorism groups is determined at this time.

House GOP to challenge White House on port deal

Congresional republicans have gotten heat from constituents and as a result are doing battle with the White House over the port deal. The House Appropriations Committee voted to add an amendment to a bill for funding Katrina and the War on Terror. The White House has vowed to veto any bill blocking the port deal. Congressional republicans are up for re-election while Bush is not.

Supreme Court rules in favor of military recruiters

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously that colleges and universities that accept federal funding must also allow military recruiters on campus.

States to limit protest at military funerals

Several states have enacted legislation to limit protest at military funerals. A radical religious group from Kansas has made their presence known at many funerals in the upper midwest for soldiers who have died in Iraq. The group says that the soldiers deaths are the consequence of US supporting gay rights. The laws would keep protestors a certain distance from the site of the funeral.

Lobbying reform takes hit on Capitol Hill

The House Rules Committee voted down a measure that would create an Ethics Office enlight of the Abramoff scandal. Witnesses who testified said that the only sure way of making sure that there is no conflict of interest when it comes to lobbying is to create an office that would investigate and report on these issues to the congress. The House Rules Committee was taking testimony on how to reform the lobbying process while not hindering the efforts of Members of Congress to educate themselves on the variety of issues that they vote on. Lobbyists are often the people congress goes to because they have the research and can explain the industry practices. The question is when does informing become more like lobbying.

NWA and Pilots tentatively reach deal

Northwest Airlines and its pilots reached a tentative agreement. A federal judge allowed the parties to negotiate passed the deadline since they were making progress. A ruling by the judge would have most likely produced a strike and subsequent shutdown of the airline. With this agreement the airline can now focus on emerging from bankruptcy protection.

Bush to visit Pakistan despite recent terrorist strike

President Bush is scheduled to visit Pakistan despite a recent terrorist strike in Karachi, Pakistan. Bush is on a week long tour visiting several countries in the region to gain support on the War on Terror. He was in India today agreeing to allow sharing of nuclear technology with the United States despite the fact that India refuses to sign on to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.

NWA Pilots prepared to strike; Flight Attendants reach deal

NWA Flight Attendants reached a deal with the airline but the negotiation with the pilots will determine whether the airline survives bankruptcy. The pilots voted overwhelmingly to strike if a federal judge voids their contract and allows Northwest to impose cuts. Northwest argues that it would be illegal for the pilots to strike while the airline is in bankruptcy and is prepared to file a motion to stop it. Most experts believe that a pilots strike will permanently ground Northwest. The state and city of Duluth would also be out of millions of dollars that it loaned to Northwest.

Senate to approve reauthorization of Patriot Act

The Senate today moved to end debate and pass the Patriot Act. There were additional protections added to those who are subject to a terror investigation. The current Act which has been temporarily renewed until March 10th.