Stephen Dinan
Articles by Stephen Dinan
Student loan subsidies in a tangled budget web
Student loans versus oil companies. Or student loans versus high-paid lawyers and consultants. Or student loans versus Democrats' health care law. Published April 26, 2012
Justices suggest Arizona is helping on immigration
The Supreme Court took a dim view of the Obama administration's effort to halt Arizona's immigration-crackdown law, with the justices signaling an inclination during oral arguments Wednesday to approve requiring police to check the status of those suspected of being in the U.S. illegally. Published April 25, 2012
Supreme Court casts doubt on Obama’s immigration law claim
Supreme Court justices took a dim view of the Obama administration's claim that it can stop Arizona from enforcing immigration laws, telling government lawyers during oral argument Wednesday that the state appears to want to push federal officials, not conflict with them. Published April 25, 2012
Vegas scandal drives Senate to police agency conferences
Reacting swiftly to the scandal over a Las Vegas spending spree by employees at the General Services Administration, the Senate moved Tuesday to require federal agencies to do more to justify conferences and imposed a $500,000 limit on spending for each meeting. Published April 24, 2012
Democrats to intercept Supreme Court ruling on immigration
The Supreme Court hears arguments Wednesday over Arizona's immigration-crackdown law, but Democrats are already preparing for a potential loss by saying they'll try to pass legislation stripping states of the power to enact their own immigration rules. Published April 24, 2012
Power is top prize in Arizona immigration battle
The Supreme Court's health care showdown last month was all about Constitution theory and prerogatives. Wednesday's arguments between Arizona and the Obama administration over the state's tough immigration law looks to be all about power. Published April 22, 2012
Obama goes to battle with Reid over NRC appointment
A day after a very public prodding by Senate Republicans, the White House said Thursday that President Obama will renominate Kristine Svinicki to serve on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission — a move that puts him at odds with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, who vehemently opposes her appointment. Published April 19, 2012
Obama backs GOP over Reid in bitter personnel fight
The White House will renominate Kristine Svinicki to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in a move that puts him on the side of Senate Republicans and against Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, who vehemently opposes her. Published April 19, 2012
Battlegrounds established for Hispanic votes
Dream Act students rallied outside Mitt Romney's campaign speech in North Carolina on Wednesday, accusing him of forsaking Hispanic immigrants and vowing to make him pay in the November election — even as President Obama's campaign announced its own outreach efforts to try to shore up his support among Hispanic voters. Published April 18, 2012
McConnell, Reid spar on status of nuclear appointee
A simmering proxy fight between the top Republican and Democrat in the Senate spilled onto the chamber floor Wednesday when Minority Leader Mitch McConnell accused opponents of stonewalling a female appointee to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission because she blew the whistle on bullying by the commission's male chairman, a longtime Democratic staffer. Published April 18, 2012
Hunters win in vote about dead polar bears
House Republicans on Tuesday rode to the rescue of 41 hunters who shot polar bears in Canada at least four years ago but have been unable to bring their trophies back into the U.S. because the bears were subsequently declared an endangered species. Published April 17, 2012
Obama’s recess actions spur Republicans to join lawsuit
Escalating a simmering constitutional feud, Senate Republicans on Tuesday said they're joining a lawsuit against President Obama's January recess appointments, which were made even as Senate Republicans said they were still in session. Published April 17, 2012
Democrats punt on Senate budget bill for third year
In a stunning backtrack that virtually guarantees Congress for the third year will be unable to produce a budget, Senate Democrats' top budget writer Tuesday canceled this week's expected votes on a 2013 fiscal blueprint. Published April 17, 2012
Miguel Estrada, victim of Democrat filibuster, to fight Obama appointments
Senate Republicans on Tuesday turned to Miguel Estrada, a man whom Democrats denied a presidential appointment in 2003, to be their lawyer as they fight to overturn some of President Obama's own appointments. Published April 17, 2012
Obama loses vote on ‘Buffett,’ gains tool
Republicans on Monday banded together in the Senate to block President Obama's "Buffett rule" tax, halting one of his chief legislative goals but leaving him with what the White House believes is a potent political weapon heading into November's elections. Published April 16, 2012
Obama’s push for Buffett millionaires’ tax falls short
Republicans on Monday banded together in the Senate to block President Obama's "Buffett Rule" tax, halting one of his chief legislative goals but leaving him with what the White House believes is a potent political weapon heading into November's elections. Published April 16, 2012
Romney team ducks women’s pay discrimination bill
Mitt Romney's campaign stumbled last week when it couldn't immediately say whether he supports a 2009 law that grants women more chances to sue over pay discrimination — and his staff still cannot say whether he would sign the follow-up legislation, the Paycheck Fairness Act, which is currently pending in Congress. Published April 15, 2012
House GOP to tie oil pipeline to highway bill
Seeking to a stronger negotiating position, House Republicans said Friday they will demand any eventual long-term federal highway funding bill also include approval of the massive Canada-to-Texas Keystone XL pipeline project. Published April 13, 2012
New Mexico firm applies for first horse meat slaughterhouse
A New Mexico slaughterhouse has petitioned the federal government to become the first business to offer horses for slaughter since an effective ban on the practice ended last year, according to state officials and animal welfare groups. Published April 13, 2012
Romney tags Obama for N. Korean defiance
The White House late Thursday criticized North Korea's failed missile launch, saying it jeopardizes the region's security — but President Obama's likely Republican opponent in the election said the current administration is to blame for the situation getting this far. Published April 12, 2012