Jacqueline Klimas

Rand Paul hints at 2016 run in ‘Festivus’ grievances

Sen. Rand Paul, Kentucky Republican, hinted at a possible 2016 run for president Tuesday in his annual airing of grievances for Festivus. Published December 23, 2014

Targeted Facebook ads warn students of rape on campus

A women's advocacy group announced a new series of web ads Thursday to educate students applying to college about problems with rape and sexual assault on their prospective campuses. Published December 18, 2014

More than 1,000 troops have lost limbs in Iraq, Afghanistan: report

Of the more than 50,000 American troops wounded in action in Iraq and Afghanistan, 2.6 percent have suffered a major limb amputation, the majority due to an improvised explosive device. Published December 17, 2014

Bradley Stone cleared by Veterans Affairs doctor one week before murders, suicide

A Veterans Affairs psychiatrist cleared former Marine Bradley Stone of suicidal or homicidal tendencies just a week before he went on a killing spree, slaying six others and then taking his own life. Published December 17, 2014

Tom Coburn stalls veterans-suicide bill in Senate

Sen. Tom Coburn, Oklahoma Republican, stalled a bill aimed at stemming veterans suicides Monday night, saying that it carries too hefty a price tag for authority that the Veterans Affairs Department could, in most cases, already exercise. Published December 15, 2014

Veterans Affairs, Homeland Security worst places to work in federal government

The VA ranked as the second-worst place to work among large federal agencies in 2014, and a top department official has begged employees to submit ideas to try to improve the situation. Published December 15, 2014

Cheney on CIA interrogation: ‘I’d do it again in a minute’

Former Vice President Dick Cheney said Sunday that in spite of the backlash from a recent Senate report and innocent men supposedly being imprisoned, he would authorize CIA interrogation tactics again with no hesitation. Published December 14, 2014

Defense bill keeps Guantanamo Bay open for one more year

President Obama will soon sign a law that keeps a tight rein on his ability to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay, even as he's actively looking for every possible avenue to let detainees out. Published December 14, 2014

CIA tactics should take ‘human toll’ on interrogators, former director says

A former director of the CIA said Sunday that he hopes agency interrogators are effected by the disturbing tactics used to elicit information from alleged terrorists. Published December 14, 2014

Top Democrats in Congress knew of interrogation tactics in 2002, former CIA official says

Some Democrats who have criticized the actions described in the Senate report on torture were aware of each of the techniques – including water boarding and sleep deprivation – as far back as 2002, a former top CIA official said Sunday. Published December 14, 2014

Senate passes defense policy bill along bipartisan 89-11 vote, sends to Obama

The Senate passed the annual defense policy bill Friday, sending it to the president for signature. Published December 12, 2014

Tom Coburn puts hold on veterans suicide prevention bill

Sen. Tom Coburn said Friday a bill that veterans groups are trying to get passed before Congress leaves town for the year carries too hefty a price tag for authority that the VA could, in most cases, already exercise. Published December 12, 2014

Active duty suicides increase in 2014: report

More active duty service members have committed suicide in the first half of 2014 than over the same time period last year, according to a Defense Department report released Thursday. Published December 11, 2014

Senate committee passes Islamic State military authorization

A Senate committee on Thursday approved a three-year military authorization to fight the Islamic State that would ban ground troops in most cases, despite the administration asking lawmakers not limit the options available to the president. Published December 11, 2014

Carl Levin fears foreign policy to be clouded

Sen. Carl Levin, the chairman of the Armed Services who is retiring at the end of this year, said Wednesday he fears Republicans' animosity toward President Obama will make it impossible to find compromises on critical national security issues over the next two years. Published December 10, 2014