Stephen Dinan
Articles by Stephen Dinan
Federal judge says NSA phone program violates Fourth Amendment
A federal judge in Washington ruled Monday that the government's phone records collection program is likely unconstitutional, setting up a major legal hurdle for the Obama administration, which is desperately trying to preserve the intelligence gathering tool. Published December 16, 2013
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi calls for Obama to halt deportations
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has privately urged the Obama administration to halt deportations for some illegal immigrants, saying that President Obama needs to use more "discretion" to reduce the number of people he's kicking out of the country. Published December 16, 2013
Protesters try to shut down deportations in Virginia
Immigrant-rights activists blocked a deportation office in Fairfax County Monday morning in protest of Congress's failure to pass a bill legalizing illegal immigrants and trying to pressure President Obama to stop removing immigrants until Capitol Hill does act. Published December 16, 2013
Federal deficit shrinks 20 percent in fiscal 2014
Federal spending continues to drop and, combined with this year's tax increases, are making a dent in the federal deficit, according to the latest numbers released Friday by the Congressional Budget Office. Published December 6, 2013
Wind farms: Interior Department sacrifices eagle protection for alternative energy
The Interior Department will finalize a rule Monday that would grant permits to let wind farms kill eagles for up to 30 years, six times longer than current permits allow. Published December 6, 2013
Activists urge Obama to go rogue, sidestep Congress
President Obama's repeated use of presidential powers is causing a tough problem — his own supporters now expect him to use it to achieve everything they want. Published December 5, 2013
Bipartisan House votes against ‘patent trolls’ who file lawsuits against innovators
Even as it is under fire for lack of accomplishments, the House struck a bipartisan note Thursday by easily passing a bill designed to crack down on bogus patent lawsuits that lawmakers say are sapping innovation. Published December 5, 2013
Bipartisan House votes to stop patent ‘trolls’
Even as it is under fire for lack of accomplishments, the House struck a bipartisan note Thursday, easily passing a bill designed to crack down on bogus patent lawsuits that lawmakers say are sapping innovation. Published December 5, 2013
Medal of Honor case goes to 3rd defense secretary; Rep. Duncan Hunter says system broken
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is taking another look at the case of a Marine sergeant who fell on a grenade, smothering the blast and saving the lives of his squadmates in Iraq, but who has been denied the Medal of Honor by the two previous defense secretaries. Published December 4, 2013
John Boehner says blame for slow Congress lies with Democrats
Pushing back against claims he's leading a do-nothing Congress, House Speaker John A. Boehner on Wednesday ticked off a half-dozen significant bills he and his colleagues have passed but that are awaiting Senate action. Published December 4, 2013
Hola: Boehner prepares to push amnesty bill through House
House Speaker John A. Boehner announced Tuesday he has hired a longtime advocate of immigration legalization to be his policy adviser, encouraging immigration activists but angering those who want to see a crackdown and who say Mr. Boehner's move signals he still wants an "amnesty" bill to pass. Published December 3, 2013
Adios muchacho: Christie threatens veto of NJ’s Dream Act
After saying he would sign a Dream Act in New Jersey, Gov. Chris Christie on Tuesday raised new objections to the version his state Assembly is getting ready to send him — raising questions about whether he is playing politics or trying to win the best possible deal from the Legislature. Published December 2, 2013
Issa: FBI impeding inquiry into IRS targeting of conservative groups
The House's chief investigator says the FBI is stonewalling his inquiry into whether the agency and the Internal Revenue Service targeted conservative group True the Vote for special scrutiny, and Rep. Darrell E. Issa is now threatening subpoenas to pry loose the information from FBI Director James B. Comey Jr. Published December 2, 2013
Retailers plead for federal help in war against ‘patent trolls’
You wouldn't normally think of bricks-and-mortar stores as major innovators concerned about patent lawsuits, but Eddie Bauer is one of a number of traditional companies warning Washington it's worried. Published December 1, 2013
Media feasting on Bush ‘fake’ turkey claim; false story still repeated 10 years on
It wasn't exactly the disastrous rollout of Obamacare, but 10 years ago this week, Washington was consumed with another scandal, dubbed by one CNN newscaster as "Turkey-gate": Was that a fake turkey President George W. Bush was photographed with during his first surprise visit with troops in Iraq? Published November 27, 2013
Park Service pulls objection to fracking; used op-ed instead of scientific evidence
The National Park Service has officially withdrawn a controversial document objecting to fracking, scrubbing the record and acknowledging that it broke its own rules on sticking to strict science in its zeal to pressure a fellow federal agency. Published November 26, 2013
IRS moves to clean up scandal of tea party targeting
Months after it acknowledged improperly targeting conservative political groups for scrutiny, the IRS on Tuesday proposed new guidelines it said will better define political activity and make it clearer when a nonprofit group has crossed the line. Published November 26, 2013
GOP urges Fla. Rep. Trey Radel to resign after cocaine charge
Embattled Republican Rep. Trey Radel's own party asked him Monday night to step down from Congress, saying the congressman should focus on his rehabilitation after he admitted he bought and used cocaine. Published November 26, 2013
Obama hears the discontent over immigration loud and clear, rebukes heckler
Immigration-rights protesters interrupted President Obama's speech Monday demanding he use executive powers to immediately halt all deportations, but he rebuked them, telling them he doesn't have that power. Published November 25, 2013
Lawmakers question ban by some military branches on troops related to illegals
Members of Congress on Friday challenged a military policy that bans troops who have illegal immigrant spouses or children, saying it amounts to unfair discrimination against people who are volunteering to serve their country. Published November 24, 2013
