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Schweitzer Elected Stillwater Chairman, Mum on Senate Run

Scott Bland | May 20, 2013

Stillwater Mining Company, the largest public corporation in Montana and one of the state's largest employers, announced Monday that former Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer was elected chairman of the company's board. He will help lead a search to replace the company's longtime CEO, Frank McAllister...

H-1B Visas to Have Their Day in Committee

Fawn Johnson | May 13, 2013

The tech community will have its first chance Tuesday to weigh in, carefully, on major immigration legislation being debated in the Senate. The influential lobbying force that has for years scrambled for access to highly skilled foreign workers must now carry out a rough balancing act: making sure lawmakers know that the bill, as written, does not work for it, but that it doesn’t want to kill the process, either.

Alliances Tested as Immigration Amendments Roll In

Rebecca Kaplan | May 7, 2013

Amendments to the Gang of Eight's bill were due by close of business Tuesday and already alliances are being tested among both members who support and those who oppose comprehensive immigration reform.

Marco Rubio: A Successful Salesman for Immigration Reform?

Rebecca Kaplan | May 5, 2013

Recess has been tough for Marco Rubio.

Is Obama's Legacy Great Leadership or Bad Breaks? Check the Sports Pages

Ron Fournier | May 1, 2013

An old baseball adage applies to the president: 'The great ones play above the breaks.'

Special Interests Shadow Immigration Reform

Beth Reinhard | April 26, 2013

Supporters are fending off charges that the legislation caters to the K Street crowd.

Manufacturers, Ag Interests Will Lobby for Trade Deal

Catherine Hollander | April 17, 2013

The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership won’t be focused on already-low tariffs between the U.S. and European Union. It will be focused on so-called “behind the border” measures, like regulation—and that means there will be plenty of stakeholders with strong opinions.

Keystone Pits Oil Companies Against Environmentalists

Coral Davenport | April 17, 2013

It’s likely that more corporations, coalitions, and advocacy groups have lobbied, rallied, and written letters about the Keystone XL oil pipeline than about any other pipeline ever built in the United States.

Mark Sanford Attacks Elizabeth Colbert Busch in First General Election Ad

Sarah Mimms | April 17, 2013

Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford is out with his first television ad since becoming the GOP nominee in the special election in South Carolina's 1st District, going after Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch for her ties to unions. {{ BIZOBJ (video: 4280) }} "Elizabeth Colbert Busch says she kno...

McAuliffe's $5-Million Quarter Gives Him Va. Cash Advantage

Dan Roem | April 16, 2013

The $5.1 million raised by former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe in the first quarter for this fall's Virginia gubernatorial election dwarfed the $2.4 million of Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, the Republican nominee, during the same time period. McAuliffe also reported $5...

Why a Messed Up Immigration Bill Could Still Pass

Fawn Johnson | April 14, 2013

Only one thing really matters in the immigration bill that a bipartisan group of eight senators will unveil this week—11 million immigrants living in the United States without papers who fear deportation every day. Give them a break, and the rest will sort itself out.

Ralph Nader’s Newest Crusade: Raising the Minimum Wage

Mike Magner | April 12, 2013

Consumer advocate Ralph Nader has a new crusade for 2013—raising the federal minimum wage from $7.25 an hour, where it has stagnated since President Obama took office in 2009.

Previewing the Sunday Shows

Christopher Peleo-Lazar | April 12, 2013

A deal on gun control, President Obama's budget proposal and the Senate's Gang of Eight pending immigration proposal are at the top of the Sunday show agenda. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., is hitting the airwaves with a "Full Ginsburg," including Univision's Al Punto. Sens. Pat Toomey, R-Pa. and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., will appear on State of the Union and Face the Nation talking about their bipartisan gun control deal. Check out the full listings after the jump.

Obama's Budget Garners Anger From All Sides

Nancy Cook | April 11, 2013

Roughly 24 hours after the White House released its budget, liberal Democrats were furious about its so-called chained CPI provision, which would change the cost-of-living calculation for federal benefits like Social Security. Meanwhile, Republicans were criticizing President Obama's fiscal 2014 blueprint for not going far enough on its tweaks to Medicare and other cuts.

Progressives Fight Obama on Entitlements with Eye on 2014

Rebecca Kaplan | April 10, 2013

For progressive Democrats in Congress, a fight with President Obama over the inclusion of cuts to Social Security in his budget proposal may be just a warm-up for the real looming battle: the 2014 midterms.

Is the GOP Preparing to Attack Dems on Social Security?

Alex Roarty | April 10, 2013

Are Republicans preparing to cudgel Democrats with, of all things, Social Security? That was the explicit impression left by Greg Walden, chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, during a Wednesday interview on CNN. The Oregon congressman said President Obama's budget – which...

Is Obama’s Budget Gamble Thawing the GOP?

Stacy Kaper | April 9, 2013

President Obama’s decision to include in his budget proposal cuts to Social Security and Medicare—two entitlement programs central to the Democratic base—has set off a fierce debate in Washington about whether the White House strategy will prove to be shrewd or a giant mistake.

What's Next for Immigration Reform

Rebecca Kaplan | April 7, 2013

With Congress back in session, House and Senate working groups will be putting finishing touches on their immigration plans. But there are many issues still outstanding.

3 Ways Work Visas Could Still Blow Up the Immigration Bill

Fawn Johnson | April 1, 2013

"Future Flow" has always lurked as the ogre that might not be tamed.

Previewing the Sunday Shows

Steven Shepard | March 29, 2013

The Easter Sunday lineups at the weekend public-affairs programs will add a dash of religion to the usual political fare. One political highlight: Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., will talk about immigration and guns on CNN's "State of the Union." Univision's "Al Punto" will feature President Obama in a pre-recorded interview, also addressing his immigration-reform efforts. Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, will appear on two of the Sunday shows, while Washington's archbishop, Cardinal Donald Wuerl, will visit with "Fox News Sunday."

Big Labor and Big Business Have One Big Issue: Immigration Reform

Fawn Johnson | March 26, 2013

It's a sign of the times: Immigration reform is now the number one issue for both the AFL-CIO and the Business Roundtable.

Why the Fight Over Work Visas Won't Doom the Immigration Bill

Fawn Johnson | March 25, 2013

Make no mistake. The immigration bill being crafted by the “Gang of Eight” senators will include foreign work visas despite warnings from both business and labor that their talks over the issue have broken down.

DCCC Expands Its Voter-Outreach Efforts

Alex Roarty | March 19, 2013

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee rounded out its leadership team Wednesday, announcing a plethora of lawmakers to head outreach efforts to different voter groups.

Perez in 3 Charts: Labor Nominee's Key Challenge and Role in Obama Cabinet

Jody Brannon | March 18, 2013

If Thomas Perez is confirmed as Labor secretary, he’ll bring to two the number of people of color in President Obama’s Cabinet. But his real challenge will be the national employment rate.

What You Need to Know About Obama's Labor Secretary Pick, Thomas Perez

Matt Vasilogambros | March 18, 2013

President Obama will nominate Thomas Perez, the assistant attorney general for civil rights, as the next Labor secretary, according to a White House official. Here is what you need to know about Perez.

What You Need to Know About Obama's Labor Secretary Pick, Thomas Perez

Matt Vasilogambros | March 18, 2013

Obama has chosen Thomas Perez as the next Labor secretary. Here's what you need to know about him.

House Republican Pessimistic That Immigration Reform Will Pass

Rebecca Kaplan | March 14, 2013

Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Idaho, sounded a downright pessimistic note on the prospects of comprehensive immigration reform during a panel on the subject at the Conservative Political Action Conference.

SEIU Endorses Markey in Another Setback for Lynch

Kevin Brennan | March 14, 2013

In the latest setback for Rep. Stephen Lynch's, D-Mass., Senate campaign, the Massachusetts Service Employees International Union on Thursday endorsed Lynch's Democratic primary opponent, Rep. Ed Markey. While Markey entered the race to replace Secretary of State John Kerry with the backing of nati...

Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Reported Pick for Labor Secretary

Charles S. Clark and Government Executive | March 11, 2013

President Obama is set to name Thomas Perez, a civil rights official at the Justice Department, as his new Labor secretary, according to weekend news reports.

Opinion: Immigration Reform Faces Hurdles, but Steadily Moves Forward

Tyler Reny | March 11, 2013

The debate over immigration reform may have been overshadowed by coverage of the sequester and Washington dysfunction, but the issue has hardly disappeared. In fact, the immigration reform bill is marching steadily forward.

Job Outlook Improves for All Races, Except Blacks

Doris Nhan | March 8, 2013

African-American workers are the only racial group whose jobless numbers did not improve last month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which released a month-over-month jobs report Friday.

Congress and Obama Assign Blame as Sequester Deadline Approaches

Billy House | February 24, 2013

Just four days remain until Friday’s start date for federal spending cuts that were supposed to be too painful to ever let happen, but lawmakers return to Washington on Monday with little hope for an eleventh-hour deal to avert or reshape them—or any let-up in the fighting over who is to blame.

Business and Labor Agree: The U.S. Needs Better Data on Immigration

Niraj Chokshi | February 23, 2013

In announcing their principles for immigration reform this week, two of the nation’s largest lobbies revived an old idea: creating a federal bureau to study labor shortages.

Meet the Gun-Loving, Straight-Talking, 2016 Democratic Presidential Dark Horse

Elahe Izadi | February 22, 2013

Former Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer sounds interested in running for president, and would be a dark horse candidate to watch.

The Hidden Obstacles to Legal Immigration Reform

Major Garrett | February 19, 2013

If you think questions of legalization, border security, and fundamental party politics are the biggest obstacles to immigration reform, think again.

If a Simpson-Bowles Debt Plan Drops in D.C., Will Anybody Hear It?

Niraj Chokshi | February 19, 2013

By now, Erskine Bowles and Alan Simpson must feel like two Cassandras—prophets of crisis doomed to be ignored.

A Look at Who's Sitting With the First Lady Tonight

Matt Vasilogambros | February 12, 2013

Here's Michelle Obama’s guest list for the State of the Union, broken down by the issues the attendees represent.

Why Labor Has Learned to Love Immigration Reform

Beth Reinhard | January 31, 2013

When President Obama delivered a major speech trumpeting immigration reform from Las Vegas earlier this week, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka sat in the front row, right in front of the podium.

Meet Barbara Buono, the Democrat Likely to Face Chris Christie

Dan Roem | January 29, 2013

What do you do when you're the frontrunner for your party's nomination but you're trailing in the general election by 41 points? If you're Democratic New Jersey state Sen. Barbara Buono running against GOP Gov. Chris Christie, you acknowledge your current standing but hope for the best. "If the election was held today, we know what the result would be," said Buono during a phone interview last week. "I fully expect my name recognition to grow."

The Case for Jennifer Granholm as Labor Secretary

Jill Lawrence | January 24, 2013

Granholm has the stature and the media savvy to put income inequality at the center of the national debate.

David Cameron Gambles on European Union Membership

Simone Foxman and Quartz | January 23, 2013

British Prime Minister David Cameron’s promise to hold a referendum on his country’s membership in the European Union was immediately hit with ridicule. As pundits were quick to note, Cameron seems to be angling not to leave the union (a poll showed that most Britons don’t want to, anyway) but to win the UK new freedoms in a changing Europe.

Pennsylvania Dems Search For Right Candidate To Challenge Vulnerable Corbett

Courtney McBride | January 21, 2013

Midway through his first term, Pennsylvania Republican Gov. Tom Corbett appears vulnerable, and Democrats are hoping to make him the first one-term chief executive since the state's governors became eligible for second terms in 1970. While numerous Democrats reportedly are considering bids,...

6 Potential Roadblocks to Immigration Reform

Rebecca Kaplan | January 16, 2013

There's no shortage of political will to get immigration reform done in this Congress, but attempts at an overhaul of the system have failed before, and lawmakers still have several major hurdles to overcome this time.

What Gets in the Way of Immigration Reform

Rebecca Kaplan | January 16, 2013

There's no shortage of political will to get immigration reform done in this Congress, but there are still some major roadblocks that could get in the way. Here's a look at the hurdles ahead.

Sutton, FitzGerald Meet as Both Consider Challenging Kasich

Alex Brown | January 15, 2013

Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald and former Rep. Betty Sutton spoke Saturday at a banquet for Franklin County Democrats in a possible preview of the party's gubernatorial primary contest in Ohio. Both are working to gain traction as they consider launching bids. A source in the room said the...

Chamber of Commerce Lawyers Up to Take on Key Democratic Reforms in 2013

Niraj Chokshi | January 10, 2013

The organization is beefing up its private law firm to gird for battle over new regulations flowing from recent Democratic legislative victories.

Who Might Replace Hilda Solis as Labor Secretary?

George E. Condon Jr. and Jim O'Sullivan | January 9, 2013

Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis submitted her letter of resignation on Wednesday. Here's an excerpt from a Nov. 7 National Journal magazine story on potential replacements:

Labor Secretary Solis to Step Down, Creating Even More of a Diversity Problem for Obama

Ben Terris and Kirk Victor and Ben Terris updated this story on January 9th | January 9, 2013

Hispanic official is the fifth departure from Obama's increasingly white and male-dominated Cabinet since his reelection.

Kinder, Steelman Join Field Vying To Replace Emerson

Julie Sobel | January 3, 2013

The field of Republicans vying to replace Missouri Rep. Jo Ann Emerson is taking shape, with several bigger-name contenders announcing bids. The Republicans and Democratic candidates in the heavily GOP 8th District will not be chosen by primary, but rather by 8th District party committees. Lt. Gov....

The GOP's Failed 'Plan O': Inside the Fiscal-Cliff Saga

John Aloysius Farrell and Chris Frates and Nancy Cook and Billy House | January 2, 2013

This is the story of Plan O – the congressional Republicans’ failed attempt to meet the challenge of Obama’s victory. It begins in September and ends in the fiasco of the Christmas season, when Speaker John Boehner was repudiated by his own troops and had to pull his last, desperate solution from the House floor, leaving Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell to cut the best deal he could with dramatically diminished leverage.

Lynch Telling Allies He's in for Senate Special

Jim O'Sullivan | December 20, 2012

Rep. Stephen Lynch has reached out to key allies in the labor movement and told them unequivocally he will run for Senate if Sen. John Kerry, as expected, is tabbed as Secretary of State. A source close to Lynch who had spoken with him directly said Lynch had laid out his plan for victory: “He’...

Is Social Security Still Off-Limits?

Jim O'Sullivan | November 29, 2012

The White House wants to unparcel Social Security from the fiscal cliff and a package designed to deal with the debt.

NJ Topics Worker Rights And Safety

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