WASHINGTON, DC–(ENEWSPF)–November 21, 2013.  A bipartisan group of 14 U.S. Senators today released the following statement regarding the Senate’s consideration of Iran sanctions legislation: “A nuclear weapons capable Iran presents a grave threat to the national security interest of the United States and its allies, and we are committed to[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–November 21, 2013. Index for Today’s Briefing DEPARTMENT U.S.-China Consultation on People-to-People Exchange Meeting On-going Updates from U.S. Delegation in Geneva AFGHANISTAN Reaction to President Karzai Comments on Delay of BSA Size of American Troop Presence in Afghanistan Post-2014 Residual Force Details of the Language in the BSA AZERBAIJAN[Read More…]

Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—November 21, 2013 – 1:59 P.M. EST THE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, everybody.  It’s no secret that the American people have probably never been more frustrated with Washington.  And one of the reasons why that is, is that over the past five years, we’ve seen an unprecedented pattern of obstruction[Read More…]

“In the history of the Republic, there have been 168 filibusters of executive and judicial nominations. Half of them have occurred during the Obama Administration – during the last four and a half years. These nominees deserve at least an up-or-down vote.” “This gridlock has consequences. Terrible consequences. It is[Read More…]

Ending Abusive Filibuster on Nominations Big Step to Restoring Functionality of the Senate Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–November 21, 2013. Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement after the Senate changed its rules to allow nominations to be confirmed with a simple majority vote as provided for in the Constitution. Merkley, along[Read More…]

We Believe a Formal Notification to the Supreme Court of the Government’s Misrepresentations ? Would be an Important Step in Correcting the Public Record’ WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–November 21, 2013.  U.S. Senators Mark Udall (D-Colo.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) urged U.S. Solicitor General Donald Verrilli today to answer a series[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–November 21, 2013 – Today Reps. Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Jackie Speier (CA-14), Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) and Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) are joining in a symbolic one day fast with immigrant rights leaders who have been fasting for 10 days. On November 12th, Eliseo Medina of the SEIU, Dae Joong[Read More…]

WASHINGTON—(ENEWSPF)—November 21, 2013. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) yesterday issued a final rule requiring lap and shoulder seat belts for each passenger and driver seat on new motorcoaches and other large buses.  This new rule enhances the safety of these vehicles by significantly reducing[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–November 21, 2013. SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending November 16, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 323,000, a decrease of 21,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 344,000. The 4-week moving average was 338,500, a decrease of 6,750 from the previous week’s revised[Read More…]

Justice Department Is First Major Federal Agency to Submit Final Workplace Domestic Violence Policy in Response to Presidential Memorandum Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—November 20, 2013. Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole today announced the release of a new Department of Justice policy for employees addressing the effects of domestic violence, sexual assault,[Read More…]