David Sherfinski
Articles by David Sherfinski
Western embassies remain closed in Yemen; 19 U.S. posts shuttered amid al Qaeda threat
Western embassies in Yemen and 19 U.S. diplomatic posts across the Arab world and Africa remained closed Monday following reports that al Qaeda might strike Western targets around the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan this week. Published August 5, 2013
McAuliffe associate removes car claim from Web; no record of Defense Department approval
A firm funding the car company founded by Virginia gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe has claimed on its website for months that its MyCar electric vehicle had been approved by the Defense Department "for U.S. military installations worldwide" — but government officials say they have no record of such an approval. Published August 4, 2013
Nearly 20 U.S. embassies, consulates to remain closed
Nineteen U.S. posts will remain closed this week due to a heightened security threat, the State Department announced Sunday. Published August 4, 2013
Congressional leaders agree on drastic response to al Qaeda terrorist threat
Key Democratic and Republican members of Congress said Sunday that the terrorism threat reportedly triggered by an intercepted message between senior al Qaeda operatives is the most serious threat in years, with some warning that the threat is an indication the terrorist group responsible for the 9/11 attacks still poses a significant danger to the U.S. Published August 4, 2013
Eric Cantor: House will address immigration ‘according to our terms’
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor says the House of Representatives will vote on a series of immigration bills in the fall, but wouldn't commit to a vote on a measure similar to what the Senate has passed that provides a pathway to citizenship for the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the country. Published August 4, 2013
Obama to skip meeting with Putin if no change with Snowden: report
President Obama does not plan to meet one-on-one with Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of a trip to Russia next month if the asylum situation with NSA leaker Edward Snowden does not change. Published August 4, 2013
SEC investigating company co-founded by Terry McAuliffe
The Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating the green car company founded by Virginia gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe over concerns that it allegedly guaranteed returns for its investors. Published August 2, 2013
Reid: ‘Almost certain’ Senate will revisit gun-purchase background checks next year
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says the chamber will likely take up a measure to expand gun-purchase background checks next year after failing to pass one in April. Published August 2, 2013
McCain: Immigration crucial to GOP 2016 hopes
Sen. John McCain appears cautiously optimistic that the House of Representatives will ultimately pass some kind of immigration reform — and says that the GOP is doomed in the 2016 presidential contest if the effort fails. Published August 2, 2013
Congress exempts itself from Obamacare, can keep subsidized plans
Members of Congress and their staffs won't face potentially massive hikes in their health care premiums next year as many had feared because of a clause in President Obama's health care overhaul — causing at least one Republican senator to ask, literally, "What the flip?" Published August 2, 2013
NSA whistle-blower Edward Snowden granted asylum in Russia, leaves airport
Edward Snowden, the man at the heart of the National Security Agency information leak, was granted asylum from Russia Thursday and finally left the airport. Published August 1, 2013
Senate approves Jones as permanent ATF director
After the intense lobbying of one senator and an hourslong wait for another to fly in from North Dakota, the U.S. Senate voted Wednesday to confirm B. Todd Jones as permanent director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, fulfilling a major priority for President Obama in his response to the Connecticut school shootings. Published July 31, 2013
Rand Paul makes dramatic pivot, now ‘happy’ to ‘ratchet down’ feud with Christie
Sen. Rand Paul on Wednesday offered an olive branch of sorts to fellow Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, with whom he has been engaged in a highly public feud in recent days over national defense and federal spending. Published July 31, 2013
Va. Gov. McDonnell to return all gifts from businessman
Gov. Bob McDonnell said Tuesday he plans to return all the gifts a donor supplied Virginia's first family — ending months of legal wrangling and a smattering of calls for his resignation. Published July 30, 2013
GOP Sen. Bob Corker: Obamacare defunding plan a ‘silly effort’
Sen. Bob Corker became the latest member of the GOP to dismiss an effort by a rump group of congressional Republicans to oppose any new spending bills that include money to implement or enforce President Obama's health care overhaul. Published July 30, 2013
Sen. Rand Paul: ‘Sad and cheap’ for N.J. Gov. Chris Christie to use ‘cloak’ of 9/11 victims
Sen. Rand Paul is upping the ante in his ongoing spat over national security with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, calling it "sad and cheap" for Mr. Christie to invoke victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to make his point. Published July 30, 2013
GOP ties McAuliffe to visa probe involving his former car company
Virginia Republicans on Monday called on Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe to reveal more information about his former car company's ties to a federal official under investigation about his role in a visa financing program. Published July 29, 2013
Ron Paul: House leadership voted for ‘police state’
Former Rep. Ron Paul says that even had an amendment to defund some of the surveillance programs of the National Security Agency (NSA) had passed last week in the U.S. House of Representatives, it would have been a "significant symbolic victory," but possibly little more than that. Published July 29, 2013
Sen. Rand Paul slams N.J. Gov. Chris Christie, N.Y. Rep. Peter King over Sandy relief
The war of words between Sen. Rand Paul and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie escalated Sunday, with Mr. Paul slamming Mr. Christie and Rep. Peter King, New York Republican, for spending priorities that he says endanger national security. Published July 29, 2013
Gay immigrant partners to get equal treatment in applying for visas
Both the Obama administration and the GOP have pivoted swiftly on key regulatory and legal issues in the wake of last month's Supreme Court decision on gay marriage that invalidated a key portion of the federal Defense of Marriage Act. Published July 26, 2013
