WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate pushed a major anti-bias gay rights bill past a first, big hurdle Monday, a clear sign of Americans’ greater acceptance of homosexuality nearly two decades after the law prohibiting federal recognition of same-sex marriage. The vote of 61-30 essentially ensured that the Senate has the votes to pass the Employment […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Bellows kicks off Senate campaign against Collins
ELLSWORTH — In her first appearance as a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, Shenna Bellows on Wednesday morning listed civil rights, campaign finance reform, the environment and the economy as issues she hopes to address if she gets elected to Congress. Giving her stump speech its inaugural run to a standing-room only breakfast crowd […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Shenna Bellows files for U.S. Senate race
Shenna Bellows, who’s seeking the Democratic Party nomination, tweeted a photo of herself outside the Muskie Building in Augusta, declaring that she’d filed paperwork necessary to become a candidate. Bellows, 38, resigned a little more than a week ago after more than eight years with the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine. Bellows is planning […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Collins the only Republican supporting $54 billion transportation bill
WASHINGTON — Sen. Susan Collins of Maine was the only Senate Republican who voted for a $54 billion measure for transportation, housing and community development grants Thursday. The Senate Republicans killed it because it exceeded the spending limits required under automatic budget cuts that are the product of Washington’s failure to deal with its fiscal problems. […]
Posted inLetters
R. Melendy: Reform filibuster process
I have heard and read political commentary concerning filibustering and/or the “nuclear option” in the U.S. Senate. The issue involves, primarily, the responsibility of the president to appoint individuals to staffing positions in the senior levels of government. That includes ambassadorial and judicial nominations. The “nuclear option” involves a ruling from the chairman of the […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
U.S. Senate reaches a compromise on Obama nominations
WASHINGTON — The Senate stepped away from the brink of a meltdown on Tuesday, clearing the way for confirmation of one of President Barack Obama’s nominees long blocked by Republicans, nearing a deal to fill several other vacancies and finessing a Democratic threat to overturn historic rules that protect minority-party rights. “Nobody wants to come […]