Jacqueline Klimas

Harlem explosion a result of gas leak, not terrorism: Rep. Rangel

"I talked to Con Ed, and they indicated that they received complaints of the smell and odor and soon after that, the buildings exploded," he said. Published March 12, 2014

NRCC chair: If I were a Democrat, I’d worry

Rep. Greg Walden, Oregon Republican, said Wednesday that the outcome of the special election in Florida's 13th district would make him worried if he was a Democrat facing a tough election in November. Published March 12, 2014

DCCC chair hopes Alex Sink will run again in November

Rep. Steve Israel, New York Democrat, said Wednesday that he hopes Alex Sink, the Democrat who lost the special election in Florida's 13th district to David Jolly, will run again in November. Published March 12, 2014

Climate change not a top concern of Americans, poll shows

Though climate change is a priority for senators, who spent close to 15 hours discussing it on the Senate floor earlier this week, it's not a top concern for constituents, a poll released Wednesday found. Published March 12, 2014

John Brennan eager to put CIA Senate spying issue behind him

He declined to comment on remarks Sen. Dianne Feinstein, California Democrat, made on the Senate floor Tuesday morning, saying that he hadn't yet watched her speech. Published March 11, 2014

Colorado lawmaker touts need for stoned-driving laws

Rep. Jared Polis, Colorado Democrat, said Tuesday that the federal government needs to ensure states that legalized medicinal or recreational marijuana have laws to prevent driving while high. Published March 11, 2014

Ukraine sanctions package expected in Senate next week

Sen. Barbara Boxer, California Democrat, said Tuesday that a full sanctions and aid package for Ukraine may not be finished until next week, when the Senate is expected to be on vacation. Published March 11, 2014

Sen. Tim Kaine: Climate change discussion already underway

Sen. Tim Kaine, Virginia Democrat, said Tuesday that the government is already dealing with climate change by debating issues like flood insurance, which the Senate considered earlier this year. Published March 11, 2014

House Democrats trying to force unemployment insurance vote

House Democrats will use a parliamentary tactic Wednesday to try to force a vote to renew unemployment benefits, but Republicans say it's just a "futile" attempt to seem relevant in an election year. Published March 11, 2014

Sen. Claire McCaskill to tackle sex assault at college next

Sen. Claire McCaskill, Missouri Democrat, said Tuesday that she will now work to eliminate sex assault on college campuses following the "major, sweeping reforms" to the military sex assault system that passed the Senate on Monday. Published March 11, 2014

Unanimous Senate passes bill on military sex assault to give victims more say in prosecution

The Senate on Monday approved a bill giving victims of sexual assault in the military more say in how the crimes are prosecuted, building on other revisions last year as Congress pushes to reform a system all sides acknowledge is broken. Published March 10, 2014

Climate talkathon meant to raise awareness, spur action

Sen. Bernard Sanders, Vermont independent, said Monday that the planned Democratic talkathon Monday night is to raise awareness among the general public that climate change is an urgent issue. Published March 10, 2014

Democratic Rep. Meeks: Dick Cheney should ‘keep his mouth shut’

Rep. Gregory Meeks, New York Democrat, lashed out at former Vice President Dick Cheney, who said Sunday on CBS's "Face the Nation" that Russian President Vladimir Putin sees President Obama as weak. Published March 10, 2014

McCain: Putin will not leave Crimea

Sen. John McCain, Arizona Republican, predicted Monday that Russia will not back out of Crimea, even if a vote by the peninsula's residents finds they would rather be part of Ukraine. Published March 10, 2014

Rep. Tom Cotton: I didn’t learn entitlement chasing cattle

Rep. Tom Cotton, Arkansas Republican, denied having any “sense of entitlement” from serving in the military, which Sen. Mark Pryor, Arkansas Republican, accused him of last week. Published March 10, 2014

Americans don’t support sending U.S. troops to Ukraine

Americans support economic sanctions and aide for Ukraine, but only a small percentage think President Obama should involve the U.S. military in the international conflict, said a new poll released Monday. Published March 10, 2014

Senate Democrats, Republicans spar over restoring unemployment benefits

Senate Democrats and Republicans both say they want to renew benefits for the long-term unemployed, but in their newest proposals the two sides are still far apart on details such as how to pay for an extension and how long it should last. Published March 9, 2014

Senate rejects Gillibrand’s overhaul of military’s handling of sexual assaults

The Senate agreed Thursday to begin debating a proposal to better protect victims of sexual assault in the military but rejected broader changes that would have turned prosecution decisions over to an independent military lawyer. Published March 6, 2014

Dalai Lama’s ‘favorite’ prayer reaches few in U.S. Senate

Only about a dozen senators were in the chamber when the Dalai Lama offered the opening prayer in the Senate on Thursday morning. Published March 6, 2014