WASHINGTON — The GOP-controlled House voted Friday to cripple President Barack Obama’s health care law as part of a risky ploy that threatens a government shutdown in a week and a half. U.S. Reps. Chellie Pingree and Mike Michaud, both Maine Democrats, voted against the bill. The fight is coming on a stopgap funding measure […]
Congress
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Advocates turn to Obama for action on immigration
WASHINGTON (AP) — With immigration legislation stalled in Congress, advocates are intensifying pressure on the Obama administration to act unilaterally to stop deportations or grant legal status to some of the 11 million people now living in the U.S. illegally. Activists are stepping up acts of civil disobedience like one last month in Phoenix, where […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Raye files for 2nd Congressional District bid
AUGUSTA — Former Maine Senate President Kevin Raye has filed his paperwork for his bid to fill the 2nd Congressional District Seat. Raye, a Republican, said in a release on Thursday that it’s crucial that the party nominate a candidate who will appeal broadly to Maine residents and has the “ability to hit the ground […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Syria conflict: Obama acknowledges challenges
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) — Beset by divisions at home and abroad, President Barack Obama candidly acknowledged deep challenges Friday in pursuing support for a military strike against Syria from international allies and the U.S. Congress. He refused to say whether he might act on his own, a step that could have major implications for […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
House shows opposition to Syria attack
WASHINGTON (AP) — Suggesting an uphill fight for President Barack Obama, House members staking out positions are either opposed to or leaning against his plan for a U.S. military strike against Syria by more than a 6-1 margin, a survey by The Associated Press shows. The Senate is more evenly divided ahead of its vote […]
Posted inLetters
E. Ayer: Not the best candidate
Here we go again. Members of Congress are home on vacation to listen to people’s complaints of having Obamacare shoved down their throats with no regard for the consequences. But there are still no meetings scheduled to talk about it that I have heard about. Just another example of elected officials’ total disregard for the […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Kevin Raye says he will run for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District
AUGUSTA — Former Maine Senate President Kevin Raye says he’s running for Maine’s open 2nd Congressional District Seat and plans a formal announcement after Labor Day. Earlier this week, former Republican state treasurer Bruce Poliquin announced his candidacy. Raye, also a Republican, said at the time he wasn’t ready to make an announcement. But he […]
Posted inLetters
R. Lacombe: Time to restore America
When reflecting on the politicians who represent America, I feel no pride; nor do I feel safe. They make me feel sick and deeply depressed. Today’s America is not the America that I knew and loved. This isn’t the America my ancestors staked their lives upon. Today, big government reigns, enslaving the people, denying freedoms. […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Congress: Divided, discourteous — taking a break
WASHINGTON (AP) — The accomplishments are few, the chaos plentiful in the 113th Congress, a discourteous model of divided government now beginning a five-week break. “Have senators sit down and shut up, OK?” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid blurted out on Thursday as lawmakers milled about noisily at a time Sen. Susan Collins was trying […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Michaud, Pingree sponsor bill requiring 2-person train crews
PORTLAND — U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud on Friday introduced a bill that would mandate a minimum crew of two for freight trains in the aftermath of a runaway train derailment that killed 47 people in Canada. Canadian transportation officials already issued a directive banning solo-operator crews for trains hauling dangerous materials following the July 6 derailment […]