Robert Kirchhoefer
The Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) this morning will have a significant effect on the benefits of gay members of the military. In February, following the repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell”…
The enduring fight over the Renewable Fuel Standard continues with the Supreme Court’s decision yesterday not to hear a challenge to the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2010 approval of fuel containing up to 15% ethanol. The 15% blend, E15, is only…
President Obama renewed his efforts to tackle climate change in a speech this afternoon at Georgetown University. The president outlined his strategy for reducing carbon emissions and his vision for the United States’ role in the global warming battle. “The…
President Obama reaffirmed his desire to reduce nuclear weapon stockpiles in the U.S. and Russia, and to combat climate change in a speech in Berlin on Wednesday. He also said he hoped to rekindle the spirit Berliners showed when they…
Massachusetts Senate President Therese Murray disclosed a comprehensive welfare reform bill this morning that focuses on helping welfare recipients find jobs. It includes the creation of a “full-employment program” that focuses on job placement and not monetary assistance. The bill,…
This morning the Supreme Court ruled that human genes separated from the body cannot be patented, but synthetic DNA can. The ruling was unanimous. The case involved the Salt Lake City company Myriad Genetics Inc., which held patents related to…
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, previously a stalwart opponent of Obamacare, has made a dramatic turnaround with her newfound support of Medicaid expansion. She is insistent that the expansion will save money and lives, and her office declares it will give…
In an exclusive interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, Glenn Greenwald, the Guardian journalist who broke the story about the National Security Agency’s acquisition of Verizon customers’ records, described his report and the revolt of members of Congress over their incapacity…
The 2003 winner of the Miss America Pageant is throwing her tiara, er, hat, into the ring for the Illinois 13th Congressional District GOP primary. Erika Harold, a 33-year-old Harvard graduate, is a Chicago-based civil litigation attorney who claims her…
Governor Chris Christie appointed New Jersey attorney general Jeffrey Chiesa as the interim senator to fill the late Frank Lautenberg’s Senate seat. A special election will be held on October 16, with the primary taking place on August 13. Chiesa,…
