Jacqueline Klimas

Sanders excuses VA: ‘Not the case that health care in the rest of America is just wonderful’

While most lawmakers demanded the Veterans Affairs Department use the allegations in Phoenix as a wake-up call to take action, Sen. Bernard Sanders, Vermont independent, defended the department and pointed out the good care it provides to veterans. Published May 15, 2014

Veterans group announces whistleblower protection ahead of Shinseki testimony

Veterans and government oversight groups announced a new project to protect whistleblowers in the Department of Veterans Affairs ahead of Secretary Eric Shinseki's testimony before Congress Thursday morning. Published May 15, 2014

Stiffer mandatory sentencing sought for military sex crimes

Even as many in Congress are pushing back against mandatory minimum sentences, there's one area where they are popular — sexual assaults in the military. Published May 13, 2014

Engel says Democrats should make voice heard on Benghazi

Rep. Eliot Engel, New York Democrat, said Friday that Democrats should participate in the Benghazi investigation to be able to call out Republicans on their politicization of the four American deaths. Published May 9, 2014

Russian economy will create dissent, Sen. Chris Murphy says

Sen. Chris Murphy, Connecticut Democrat, said Friday that Russian President Vladimir Putin's triumphant return to Crimea doesn't signify that things are going well for the country. Published May 9, 2014

Boehner names members to Benghazi probe as Dems hedge on joining

Speaker John A. Boehner announced the GOP members of the House Benghazi committee, but Democrats said they still haven't made a decision on how much they'll cooperate with the investigation. Published May 9, 2014

Harry Reid doesn’t condemn all billionaire donors — just the Koch brothers

Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, said Friday that all wealthy donors to the GOP should not be condemned the same way the Koch brothers should be. Published May 9, 2014

Mitt Romney: It’s fair to fundraise on Benghazi issue; probe wouldn’t happen without GOP

Former Gov. Mitt Romney said Friday that it's fair for Republicans to point out to fundraisers that their party is the reason questions are still being asked about a 2012 Benghazi attack that killed four Americans. Published May 9, 2014

Sen. Pat Toomey: Minimum wage hike will destroy jobs

Sen. Pat Toomey, Pennsylvania Republican, said Friday that he doesn't support raising the minimum wage because it'll benefit some while harming others. Published May 9, 2014

Iraq, Afghan vets demand answers from VA

Lawmakers need to get to bottom of what happened at the Phoenix VA health facility to make sure other Veterans Affairs facilities aren't “cooking the books,” said Paul Rieckhoff, co-founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. Published May 8, 2014

Rep. Thom Tillis, N.C. GOP Senate candidate, says no amnesty in immigration reform

North Carolina Rep. Thom Tillis, who will be the GOP Senate candidate in November, said Wednesday that the border needs to be secured before he can support any further immigration reform. Published May 7, 2014

Sen. Claire McCaskill: Lawmakers losing sight of fixing consulate security

Sen. Claire McCaskill, Missouri Democrat, said Wednesday that the attack on Benghazi has become so political that lawmakers have forgotten that they still don't have enough information to prevent it from happening again. Published May 7, 2014

GOP-majority Benghazi panel can still be fair, Rep. Trey Gowdy says

Rep. Trey Gowdy, South Carolina Republican, said Wednesday that Democrats would criticize the committee to investigate the 2012 Benghazi attack whether or not Republicans had a majority. Published May 7, 2014

House to vote Wednesday on Women’s History Museum commission

Rep. Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee Republican, said the House will vote Wednesday on whether to authorize a commission to explore placing a National Women's History Museum in Washington. Published May 7, 2014

Calls mounting to oust VA chief Eric Shinseki

The top Republican of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee said Tuesday that the Obama administration's Department of Veterans Affairs is so dysfunctional that it's time to fire Secretary Eric K. Shinseki. Published May 6, 2014

Boehner taps rising star to lead Benghazi investigation

Rep. Trey Gowdy, a former federal prosecutor and up-and-coming member of the House GOP, will lead the new select investigative inquiry into the Benghazi attack, Speaker John A. Boehner said Monday. Published May 5, 2014

Benghazi committee shifts focus off quest for justice: Rep. Schiff

Rep. Adam Schiff, California Democrat, said Monday that a committee to investigate the Benghazi attack is shifting focus from the most important goal: getting justice for the four Americans who died in the attack. Published May 5, 2014

Republican Sen. Coats: Russia sanctions ‘too little, too late’

Sen. Dan Coats, Indiana Republican, said Monday that the Obama administration shouldn't wait until the May 25 elections to impose more sanctions on Russia. Published May 5, 2014

Boehner warns not to quit too early in Afghanistan

Speaker John A. Boehner, Ohio Republican, warned the administration on Sunday not to quit and leave Afghanistan before the job is done. Published May 5, 2014

Santorum: GOP needs to focus on blue-collar workers

Former GOP Sen. Rick Santorum said Monday that the GOP needs to focus on blue-collar workers to have a chance at victory in 2016. Published May 5, 2014