Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Bush: Art is for library, not for ego
Former President George W. Bush said he decided to exhibit his portraits of world leaders to spruce up his presidential library — not to show off, he said Friday. Published April 4, 2014
Obama admin.: 3 million enrolled in Medicaid from Obamacare launch to end of February
The Obama administration announced Friday that 3 million people enrolled in Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program from the start of Obamacare enrollment on Oct. 1 through the end of February. Published April 4, 2014
Boulder, Colo., retains title as least obese place in America: Gallup poll
The city of Boulder, Colo., still has the lowest obesity rate in the nation, Gallup said in a new survey that finds a tri-state metropolitan area on the Ohio River is the fattest, with a nearly 40 percent obesity rate. Published April 4, 2014
Report: Did North Korea rip off NASA’s logo?
North Korea may view the United States as the great imperial enemy, but that didn't keep it from cribbing off NASA's logo in designing its own space agency's graphics, the Guardian reports. Published April 4, 2014
Vladimir Putin taunted George W. Bush about dog Barney
Former President George W. Bush on Friday revealed his portraits of world leaders — and the tidbit that Russian President Vladimir Putin thought he had a better dog. Published April 4, 2014
Members of Congress are underpaid, can’t live ‘decently’ in D.C.: Rep. Moran
A retiring Democratic congressman from Virginia says federal lawmakers don't make enough money to get by in both Washington and back home. Published April 4, 2014
Americans show little concern about climate change: Gallup poll
Most Americans continue to show low levels of concern about climate change, with little more than a third saying they worry "a great deal" about it. Published April 4, 2014
Ben Carson huddles with Republicans in stepped up effort to find replacement for Obamacare
With a major Obamacare sign-up deadline past, Republicans are turning their attention to the "replace" half of their repeal and replace strategy, hoping to make up ground lost over the past four years as they seek to show voters that they have an alternative to the president's health care overhaul. Published April 3, 2014
House passes bill to change Obamacare’s workweek from 30 hours to 40
Eighteen House Democrats ignored President Obama's veto threat and helped Republicans pass a bill Thursday that rewrites the health care law to define full-time work as 40 hours per week — and not 30 — out of concern the current rules are forcing Americans to work fewer hours and earn less. Published April 3, 2014
George W. Bush has painted Putin, Blair and others; he’ll give a sneak peek on Friday
Former President George W. Bush will unveil 24 portraits of world leaders on Friday as part of his first art exhibit, the "Today" show said. Published April 3, 2014
Obama administration tweaks Medicare to accomodate gay marriage
The Health and Human Services Department said Thursday it is taking additional steps to bring its Medicare rules in line with the 2013 Supreme Court ruling that opened up federal benefits to people in same-sex marriages. Published April 3, 2014
Michael McCaul: Fort Hood shooting shows need to ‘harden’ military bases
Rep. Michael McCaul said it is too early to "completely" rule out terrorism amid the investigation into Wednesday's shooting at Fort Hood, but either way, soldiers should be able to protect themselves on base. Published April 3, 2014
Former Sen. Scott Brown no longer at law firm, another sign he’s running again
Likely Senate candidate Scott Brown has left his job at a Boston law office, the Boston Globe reports. Published April 3, 2014
Republican Governors Association breaks its first-quarter record for fundraising
The Republican Governors Association said Thursday it set a first-quarter fundraising record for itself by raking in $23.5 million — double the amount it raised at the same point in 2010, a comparable midterm election season. Published April 3, 2014
Sen. Jim Inhofe skeptical of gun restrictions on bases after Fort Hood shooting
Sen. Jim Inhofe questioned Thursday whether restrictions on carrying firearms on Army bases left victims at Fort Hood in Texas defenseless during a mass shooting Wednesday by a suspect who was dealing with mental health issues. Published April 3, 2014
‘Thermometer’ poll: N.J. Gov. Chris Christie cools off, Hillary Clinton stays hot
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is no longer the hottest politician in the nation, while former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is holding her own and Sen. Elizabeth Warren is gaining some traction, a new Quinnipiac University poll said. Published April 3, 2014
Obamacare-reform bill passes key House vote
House Republicans moved along a bill Wednesday that would rewrite the health care law to define full-time work as 40 hours per week —rather than the 30 it now prescribes — out of concern the current rules give employers an incentive to slash workers' hours. Published April 2, 2014
Enroll America: We’ll work right up to the next Obamacare enrollment period
Enroll America, a White House ally that spread the word about Obamacare during the past year, said it is not going to rest on its laurels now that the law's six-month enrollment period is over. Published April 2, 2014
Sen. Ted Cruz tells Liberty University students to stand up for religious freedom
Sen. Ted Cruz on Wednesday told graduating students at Liberty University they should stand by their principles because religious liberty is under threat. Published April 2, 2014
Scott Brown: New Hampshire Senate run to replace Shaheen
Former Sen. Scott Brown is officially running for a U.S. Senate seat in New Hampshire Published April 2, 2014
