Rep. Susan Brooks helps put spotlight on civil legal aid
Civil legal aid providers got a boost Tuesday with the announcement of the formation of a Civil Legal Services Caucus in the U.S. Congress.
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House staff told by judge to obey insider probe subpoenas
The U.S. House Ways and Means Committee and a former top staff member must obey subpoenas in a Securities and Exchange Commission insider-trading investigation tied to health-care legislation, a federal judge ruled, rejecting their claims of immunity from such an inquiry.
Congress OKs bill banning Guantanamo detainees from US
Congress sent President Barack Obama a $607 billion defense policy bill Tuesday that bans moving Guantanamo Bay detainees to the United States — something Obama has been trying to do since he was sworn in as president.
House passes defense bill that still hampers closing Gitmo
The House of Representatives on Thursday overwhelmingly passed a revised $607 billion defense policy bill that restricts President Barack Obama's efforts to close the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Senate blocks legislation to undercut EPA clean water rules
Democrats have blocked a Senate bill that would have forced the Obama administration to withdraw new federal rules to protect smaller streams, tributaries and wetlands from development and pollution.
Court rejects ACLU’s request to stop phone record collection
A federal appeals court in New York has rejected the American Civil Liberties Union's effort to stop bulk collection of its phone records while a more limited collection system is put in place.
Dennis Hastert pleads guilty, acknowledges hush-money scheme
Dennis Hastert pleaded guilty Wednesday to evading banking laws in a hush-money scheme, averting a potentially lurid trial that could have dredged up sexual allegations by agreeing to a deal with prosecutors that recommended he serve no more than six months in prison.
Hastert attorney says former speaker intends to plead guilty
Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert intends to plead guilty in a multimillion-dollar hush-money case linked to allegations of sexual misconduct from decades ago, a defense attorney told a federal judge Thursday.
Zoeller, other attorneys general urge OK of addiction law
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller and 37 other attorneys general are urging the Senate to pass the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2015.
Congress passes bill easing small business health law rules
Congress approved bipartisan legislation Thursday aimed at preventing premium increases that some smaller businesses were expecting next year under President Barack Obama's health care law.
US senators reach deal to reduce prison time for some offenders
A bipartisan group of senators unveiled legislation on Thursday that would overhaul the nation's criminal justice system, allowing some nonviolent drug offenders to get reduced prison sentences and giving judges greater discretion in sentencing.
Ex-US House speaker’s lawyers talking possible plea deal
Former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert's attorneys are talking with prosecutors about a possible plea deal in the Republican's hush-money case, both sides told a federal judge Monday.
Embrace immigrants, Pope Francis urges Congress
Standing before a rapt Congress, Pope Francis issued a ringing call to action on behalf of immigrants Thursday, urging lawmakers to embrace "the stranger in our midst" as he became the first pontiff in history to address a joint meeting at the U.S. Capitol.
Indiana AG Zoeller enters congressional race
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller is looking for a return to Washington by seeking the congressional seat that Republican U.S. Rep. Todd Young is giving up to run for the U.S. Senate next year.
US personnel chief resigns in wake of massive data breach
The head of the U.S. government's personnel office resigned abruptly on Friday, bowing to pressure for her to step down following a massive government data breach on her watch.
Indiana attorney general asserts state laws in national data breach debate
Warning that a national data breach law would “make consumers less protected,” Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller has joined 46 other state and territorial attorneys general in asking Congress to preserve states’ ability to respond to cyber theft.
Court ruling spurs backers’ hopes for redistricting changes
Groups trying to curb the partisan sculpting of U.S. House of Representative districts are hoping their Supreme Court of the United States victory will prompt more states to create independent commissions to redraw congressional lines.
High court rules against Spider-Man toy inventor
The inventor of a popular Spider-Man web-shooting toy can't keep reeling in royalties after his patent ran out, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled Monday.
Court strikes down ‘born in Jerusalem’ passport law
The Supreme Court of the United States struck down a disputed law Monday that would have allowed Americans born in Jerusalem to list their birthplace as Israel on their U.S. passports in an important ruling that underscores the president's authority in foreign affairs.
Expected changes to Patriot Act better, says IU Maurer cybersecurity expert
The failure of the U.S. Senate to reauthorize parts of the Patriot Act surprised cybersecurity expert Fred Cate, but he hesitated to describe the expiration of the legislation as a major shift in current policy.