Stephen Dinan
Articles by Stephen Dinan
Treasury: Gay couples get tax benefits, drawbacks of filing jointly
The Treasury Department said Thursday that legally married same-sex couples must now file tax returns as married people, granting them all the tax benefits — but also the same tax penalty — that other couples enjoy. Published August 29, 2013
Feds experiment with drugs, mellow out on state marijuana laws
The Obama administration cleared the way Thursday for states to carry out their own marijuana laws, including allowing use for medical reasons in 20 states and for recreational use in Colorado and Washington — as long as they take steps to keep the drug away from children and criminal gangs. Published August 29, 2013
Britain says international law permits attack on Syria
The British government released a memo Thursday laying out a legal justification for military action against Syria for a suspected chemical weapons strike even if the U.N. doesn't sanction an attack, ramping up the push among Western nations for some kind of retaliatory strike. Published August 29, 2013
Consensus grows to arm Syrian rebels, but only the right ones; Obama still weighing options
Congress is increasingly resisting the administration's case for limited military strikes against the Syrian government, though sentiment is growing on Capitol Hill that President Obama can — and must — find a way to do more to arm moderate rebels fighting to topple President Bashar Assad. Published August 28, 2013
Boehner tells Obama to make case for Syria strikes
House Speaker John A. Boehner said Wednesday that the U.S does have national security interests in Syria, but said President Obama hasn't laid out a compelling case to Congress or the American public about what those interests are and how military strikes could achieve them. Published August 28, 2013
Congress presses Obama to aid Syrian rebels
There's a growing sense in Congress that the U.S. should take more steps to arm Syrian rebels in their battle against the regime of President Bashar Assad, regardless of what decision President Obama reaches on whether to conduct military strikes against Damascus. Published August 28, 2013
McCain: Immigration bill could give foreign workers leg up on Americans
Two Republicans who helped write the Senate's immigration bill said Tuesday that they are convinced it will finally be able to get a handle on the porous southwestern border — but acknowledged it could mean problems for American workers. Published August 27, 2013
Napolitano reveals key to Homeland Security job: Advil
As she prepares to leave office, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano had some advice Tuesday for her successor, whom President Obama has not named yet: "You will need a large bottle of Advil." Published August 27, 2013
Immigration reformists gain American support, try to turn opponents
Earlier this summer, there were predictions that the outcry from conservatives would sink the chances for immigration reform. Instead, advocates have out-organized opponents, rallying in cities across the country as they try to convince House Republicans that the politics of the issue have changed. Published August 26, 2013
Lew’s message to Congress on debt ceiling: It’s your responsibility
The government will only be able to borrow money up through mid-October before the Treasury Department runs out of room and bumps up against the legal limit on U.S. debt, Secretary Jack Lew informed Congress on Monday. Published August 26, 2013
Tea party: Obamacare is now ‘BoehnerCare’
Tea party activists are planning to rally outside of House Speaker John A. Boehner's Ohio office on Tuesday, telling the Republican speaker that if he doesn't use this year's spending fight to defund the health care law, it will hence be known to them as "BoehnerCare." Published August 26, 2013
Obama asserts it’s OK for government to start spending again
In the budget showdown looming next month between Republicans and the White House, the fiscal hawks have their position — Barack Obama is bankrupting the country — and the president has his: There is no crisis, and, actually, it's time to ramp up spending. Published August 25, 2013
Republicans implore Obama: Get off the sidelines on Syria issue; U.N. to visit attack site
Congressional Republicans on Sunday ratcheted up pressure on the White House to intervene in Syria, saying the United States "has sat on the sidelines for too long" amid increasing evidence that the Assad regime used chemical weapons on civilians. Published August 25, 2013
Obama meets with security team to mull Syria options
President Obama held a meeting with his national security team Saturday to review the deteriorating situation in Syria, which saw rebels accuse the regime of President Bashar al-Assad this week of using chemical weapons in an artillery attack on suburban Damascus. Published August 24, 2013
Obama adds to list of illegal immigrants not to deport: Parents
The Obama administration issued a policy late last week telling immigration agents to try not to arrest and deport illegal immigrant parents of minor children — a move that adds to the categories of people the administration is trying not to deport. Published August 23, 2013
Obama says deficit is dropping at near-record pace
Published August 23, 2013
Obama: Law schools should offer two-year degree
President Obama, a former law student himself, said Friday that he thinks law schools should look at offering a degree after just two years of study, rather than the standard three years. Published August 23, 2013
Notre Dame to begin accepting illegal immigrants
The University of Notre Dame announced Thursday it will begin admitting illegal immigrants to the school and will provide them with financial aid, saying the move will "strengthen" the student body. Published August 23, 2013
Illegal immigrants arrested in Phoenix deportation protest
Illegal immigrants chained themselves to a gate and blocked a bus in Phoenix on Wednesday in an effort to stop the Obama administration from deporting other illegal immigrants, according to activists who said the move marks an escalation in civil disobedience. Published August 22, 2013
Holder sues Texas to stop voter ID law, congressional maps
Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. sued Texas on Thursday, escalating the battle over voting rights and saying the Legislature was intentionally trying to discriminate against Hispanics when it redrew its congressional district maps and passed a voter-ID law. Published August 22, 2013
