Stephen Dinan
Articles by Stephen Dinan
Chuck Schumer breaks with Obama, opposes Iran deal
Sen. Charles E. Schumer announced his opposition Thursday night to President Obama's deal to halt Iran's nuclear program, dealing a major symbolic blow to the White House, which is struggling to find enough support to preserve the deal in the face of congressional opposition. Published August 6, 2015
Donald Trump clashes with field in Republican debate
Donald Trump kicked off the first prime-time debate of the 2016 presidential contest by saying he cannot agree to support the eventual Republican presidential nomination, and would consider running as an independent or third party if he is not the nominee -- drawing some boos from the audience and a fierce rebuke from Sen. Rand Paul. Published August 6, 2015
Donald Trump jabs Rosie O’Donnell when confronted about disparaging comments about women
"I think the big problem this country has is being politically correct," Donald told Fox host Megyn Kelly, who asked him about disparaging comments he's made toward women. "I don't frankly have time for total political correctness and to be honest with you, this country doesn't have time either." Published August 6, 2015
Jeb Bush defends call for legal status for illegal immigrants
Jeb Bush had to explain his statement last year that illegal immigration was an "act of love" during Thursday night's Republican debate. Published August 6, 2015
Pro-lifers declare Carly Fiorina winner of debate
Pro-life advocates declared Carly Fiorina the "stand-out" candidate in the afternoon GOP debateThursday, and said the field overall shows pro-life stances continue to advance within the Republican Party. Published August 6, 2015
Carly Fiorina thumps Trump as GOP second-tier candidates defend place in 2016 field
The second-tier GOP presidential candidates kicked off the first debate of the 2016 presidential contest Thursday by trying to convince voters they belong in the race, insisting they bring outsider's credentials, deep experience or the right message to surmount the odds and win the race. Published August 6, 2015
IRS can’t verify illegal immigrant IDs, vulnerable to fraud: Audit
The IRS cannot verify that illegal immigrants are who they say they are, the tax agency's inspector general reported Thursday in a new study that says the government doesn't have the tools to validate foreign governments' identity documents, and could be paying refunds without truly knowing who it's sending them to. Published August 6, 2015
Mitch McConnell says no immigration deal this year
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Thursday that the prospect the 114th Congress passing an overhaul of the broken immigration system is dim thanks to President Obama's unilateral push to grant amnesty to some illegal immigrants. Published August 6, 2015
Chuck Grassley blocks more Obama’s State Dept. nominees over stymied Hillary Clinton probe
Sen. Charles E. Grassley on Thursday escalated his confrontation with President Obama over the administration's failure to answer questions about Hillary Rodham Clinton's tenure at the State Department, saying he would block more nominees to the agency. Published August 6, 2015
Scott Walker, Rick Perry, Chris Christie, Bobby Jindal didn’t penalize sanctuary cities
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has said mayors who run sanctuary cities should be held criminally liable -- but he did not stop Orleans Parish, in his own state, from becoming a sanctuary itself in 2013. Published August 5, 2015
10 tea party groups still awaiting approval from IRS
Ten tea party groups are still awaiting approval by the IRS years after they applied for tax-exempt status, Senate investigators revealed Wednesday in a report that recommends the tax agency issue a ban preventing employees who work on nonprofit applications from engaging in political activity. Published August 5, 2015
Grassley to block Obama’s State Dept. nominee until Huma questions answered
A top Republican senator announced Wednesday he will block one of President Obama's State Department nominees until the administration does a better job of answering questions surrounding former Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton's tenure. Published August 5, 2015
Former Ron Paul staffers indicted on corruption charges
Three of former presidential hopeful Ron Paul's 2012 campaign staffers, one of whom also worked for top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell's 2014 campaign, were charged in an indicted unsealed Wednesday that accuses them of paying off an Iowa state senator to switch allegiance in the last presidential race. Published August 5, 2015
Donald Trump’s rise, staying power turn 2016 Republican contest on its head
Donald Trump has not only survived but thrived in nearly two months as the must-watch presidential candidate by easily surmounting controversies and high-profile clashes with fellow Republicans and making an ascent in the polls that has confounded pundits, pollsters and political opponents alike. Published August 4, 2015
Congress sets dramatic September votes on Iran nuclear deal
GOP leaders in the House and Senate both said Tuesday they will hold votes in September on resolutions to disapprove of President Obama's Iran nuclear program deal, setting up a dramatic showdown that will test the White House's ability to keep its allies on board in the face of stiff political pressure. Published August 4, 2015
GOP fails to cut off Planned Parenthood funding
Congressional Republicans lost the first battle of the new war over federal funding for Planned Parenthood on Monday as Democrats successfully filibustered to keep money flowing to the controversial organization in the wake of videos seemingly showing its employees negotiating over the sale of fetal body parts. Published August 3, 2015
Bobby Jindal cancels Planned Parenthood contract in wake of videos
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal canceled Planned Parenthood's Medicaid contract with his state Monday, moving to strip the organization of funding in the wake of disturbing undercover videos that appeared to show employees haggling over selling fetal tissue obtained from abortions. Published August 3, 2015
Jeb Bush calls for sanctuary crackdown, local enforcement of immigration laws
GOP presidential hopeful Jeb Bush announced a six-point plan to improve border security Monday, calling for a series of basic steps that draw general agreement -- and a controversial crackdown on sanctuary cities. Published August 3, 2015
Mark Everson, former IRS chief, challenges Fox News debate
Mark Everson, a former chief of the IRS who is making a long shot bid for the GOP's presidential nomination, said he is filing a complaint with the Federal Election Commission on Monday challenging the method Fox News is using to pick the candidates on stage for Thursday's first primary debates. Published August 3, 2015
Obama revokes 22 illegal immigrants’ amnesties; unclear if they will be deported
Homeland Security has revoked 22 Dreamers' amnesties, but officials would not say this weekend whether that means they will be actively deported or whether they will be allowed to remain in the U.S. without the ability to work. Published August 1, 2015
