A military judge on Wednesday sentenced Pfc. Bradley Manning to 35 years in prison, bringing to a close the government’s determined pursuit of the Army intelligence analyst who leaked the largest cache of classified documents in U.S. history. The long prison term is likely to hearten national security officials who have been rattled by the […]
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Congress split on cutting off aid to Egypt
WASHINGTON (AP) — Members of Congress are split over whether the U.S. should cut off military aid to Egypt, highlighting the difficult choices facing the Obama administration amid spiraling violence on the streets of an important Middle East ally. Democratic leaders have generally supported the president’s approach. But on Sunday, Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., said […]
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Pentagon plan would grant benefits to same-sex spouses but deny them to unmarried gay couples
WASHINGTON (AP) — Same-sex spouses of military members could get health care, housing and other benefits by the end of August under a proposal being considered by the Pentagon. But earlier plans to provide benefits to gay partners who are not married may be reversed. A draft Defense Department memo obtained Wednesday by The Associated […]
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Sen. Susan Collins outlines ideas to reduce government waste
PORTLAND — U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, outlined steps she believes could help the federal government make progress toward resolving its budget crisis during a Thursday morning address before the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce. Among those steps, according to a transcript of her prepared remarks provided to the BDN by the senator’s office, are […]
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Obama pitches mortgage overhaul as housing rallies
PHOENIX — Buoyed by an improving housing market, President Barack Obama on Tuesday proposed a broad overhaul of the nation’s mortgage finance system, including winding down government-backed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. He declared that taxpayers should never again be left “holding the bag” for the mortgage giants’ bad bets. Obama outlined his proposals in […]
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Longtime NBC news correspondent John Palmer dies
WASHINGTON (AP) — John Palmer, a veteran reporter for NBC News who covered wars and Washington over a career that spanned 40 years, died Saturday after a brief illness at a Washington hospital. Palmer’s wife Nancy confirmed he died at George Washington University Hospital of pulmonary fibrosis. He was 77. The gentlemanly Palmer worked for […]
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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 […]
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Flight carrying U.S. Sen. Leahy to Vt. is diverted
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A commercial flight carrying U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy and 79 others to Vermont diverted to Philadelphia on Friday because of mechanical problems, authorities said. No injuries were reported. Leahy, third in line to the presidency, told The Associated Press that the US Airways flight landed smoothly and passengers were being transferred to […]
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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 […]
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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. […]