Stephen Dinan
Articles by Stephen Dinan
General: White House should have known Benghazi was terrorist attack
An Air Force brigadier general who was running intelligence at the U.S. African command the night of the Benghazi attacks said Thursday they knew immediately that the assault was not a response to an anti-Islamic video, and said that the White House either wasn't in the know or else was distorting that information. Published May 1, 2014
House schedules vote next week to hold former IRS official Lois Lerner in contempt
The House will vote next week to hold Lois G. Lerner, the former IRS employee at the center of the agency's tea party targeting scandal, in contempt of Congress, House leaders announced Thursday. Published May 1, 2014
House votes to protect its taxpayer-funded cars
The message from House lawmakers on Thursday: Don't mess with our taxpayer-funded cars. Published May 1, 2014
House GOP: Obama withholding Benghazi email is ‘criminal’
House Republicans accused the Obama administration Thursday of "perhaps criminal" behavior for having withheld for months key email that sheds light on how the administration framed its post-Benghazi talking points, potentially violating a congressional subpoena. Published May 1, 2014
House shoots down medical marijuana for veterans
The House late Wednesday rejected an effort to free up federal doctors to be able to recommend medicinal use of marijuana to their patients, with opponents saying that as long as the drug remains illegal under federal law, employees paid for by taxpayer money shouldn't be recommending it. Published April 30, 2014
GOP filibusters to stop minimum-wage hike
Senate Republicans on Wednesday filibustered an increase in the minimum wage, halting yet another key item on President Obama's 2014 agenda and giving both sides talking points heading into the November elections. Published April 30, 2014
Senate Dems vow vote to change Constitution, block campaign funding
In what amounts to a declaration of war on the Roberts Supreme Court, Senate Democrats said Wednesday that they will force a vote this year on a constitutional amendment to overturn several landmark First Amendment campaign finance rulings and give Congress explicit powers to set donation and spending limits for all federal campaigns. Published April 30, 2014
Obamacare website fix will cost feds $121 million
Fixing the Obamacare website to get it ready to handle a second round of enrollments will cost the federal government $121 million, according to Accenture, the contractor hired to repair the glitchy website after the original contractor, CGI Federal, was fired in January. Published April 29, 2014
Federal judge strikes down Wisconsin’s voter ID law
A federal judge reopened the voter identification debate Tuesday when he struck down a new Wisconsin law, saying it discriminated against blacks and Hispanics, and renewing doubts about the Republican push for stricter voting laws across the country. Published April 29, 2014
FEC lawyer used government job to campaign for Obama, investigation shows
An employee at the Federal Election Commission, the nonpartisan agency that oversees campaigns, has resigned after admitting to campaigning for President Obama in 2012, in violation of federal laws. Published April 29, 2014
Boehner: Immigration depends on Obama’s actions
House Speaker John A. Boehner said Tuesday that getting a big immigration deal remains on hold until President Obama takes some steps to prove he will enforce any law Congress passes — once again tamping down on expectations his chamber will get a bill done this year. Published April 29, 2014
No comment on petition to deport Bieber
The White House on Friday said it wouldn't comment on the petition to deport Justin Bieber, which was filed in January and became the second-most popular petition on the president's website. Published April 20, 2014
Red-state Democrats blast latest Keystone delay
The Obama administration's latest Keystone pipeline delay had barely been announced late last week when red-state Democrats began to howl, calling the move everything from ridiculous to irresponsible and vowing to explore ways to force President Obama's hand. Published April 20, 2014
‘Deport Bieber’ petition draws no comment from White House
In an unsigned answer, the White House said commenting could interfere with ongoing criminal investigations into Mr. Bieber's behavior — and instead, the White House used the chance to pontificate on the need for immigration reform. Published April 18, 2014
Obama signs law denying Iran ambassador’s visa, but says law is ‘advisory’
The president, who took office saying he would curtail use of signing statements to reinterpret laws, issued just such a statement on this latest law, which Congress hastily passed to target Hamid Aboutalebi, who the U.S. says was involved in the 1979 hostage crisis. Published April 18, 2014
Keystone XL pipeline still on hold after State Dept. decision
A Nebraska judge ruled earlier this year that the state cut corners in its permitting process for the pipeline, which left the project in limbo there, even as the federal government was still considering whether to approve the pipeline. Published April 18, 2014
Immigration still on hold: Boehner’s office
A day after reports that House Speaker John A. Boehner is telling fundraisers he is determined to get an immigration bill done this year, the Ohio Republican's spokesman walked those comments back slightly, saying any action will still depend on President Obama. Published April 18, 2014
CBO shows it’s Paul Ryan 4, Obama 0 on budget targeting
Soon after the tea party era began in Congress in 2011, President Obama and House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan each released their budgets, proposing how much the government should tax and spend over the rest of the decade. Published April 17, 2014
Obama conciliatory on immigration
President Obama sounded a more conciliatory note on immigration Thursday, a day after he issued a statement criticizing House Republicans for "extreme" votes on the issue and angering a top GOP lawmaker who said it further poisoned chances for a bill to get done this year. Published April 17, 2014
IRS emails reveal discussion with Justice about suing nonprofits for election activities
IRS emails released Wednesday show that just before the tea party targeting scandal was revealed last year, Lois G. Lerner and her colleagues at the tax agency were talking with the Justice Department about making examples out of nonprofit groups that they felt were violating campaign laws by playing political roles. Published April 16, 2014
