Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Residents of the Dakotas lead the nation in well-being: Gallup poll
The Dakotas led the nation in well-being in 2013, according to a new index that knocked Hawaii off the top spot and placed West Virginia and Kentucky at the bottom for the fifth year in a row. Published February 20, 2014
Federal judge in Virginia rejects challenge to Obamacare subsidy
A federal judge in Virginia has thrown out a lawsuit, which mirrors one under appeal in the District, that claims Obamacare subsidies should only flow to residents who live in a state that decided to run its own insurance market under the law. Published February 19, 2014
Canada leader to bring up Keystone with Obama
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper spoke Wednesday to officials with the TransCanada company that wants to build the Keystone XL pipeline, shortly before he meets with President Obama at the "Three Amigos" summit in Mexico. Published February 19, 2014
California’s Obamacare market says it’s reached projected enrollment goal
California's state-run Obamacare market says its exceeded its 2014 open-enrollment goal with six weeks left to go in the sign-up period. Published February 19, 2014
Obama-style campaign efforts don’t always translate into Obamacare success: report
The door-to-door tactics that helped get President Obama re-elected have not worked as well when it comes to selling his signature health care law, The New York Times reported Wednesday. Published February 19, 2014
Sen. Marco Rubio condemns violence in Ukraine
Rubio on Wednesday urged the Obama administration "to use every diplomatic means at its disposal" to punish Ukraine officials involved in acts of violence amid continuing unrest in Kiev, the capital city. Published February 19, 2014
Ohio Gov. John Kasich’s lead over possible challenger tightens: survey
Republican Ohio Gov. John Kasich enjoys a positive job approval rating but hasn't been able to shake his possible Democratic challenger, the "largely unknown" Cuyahoga County Executive Ed Fitzgerald, according to a Quinnipiac University survey. Published February 19, 2014
For first time, Americans split on whether Afghan war was a mistake, poll shows
For the first time since the conflict began in 2001, Americans are just as likely to say the war in Afghanistan was a mistake as to say it was not, Gallup said. Published February 19, 2014
Federal judge in Va. delivers another setback for legal theory about Obamacare subsidies
A federal judge in Virginia has tossed a lawsuit, which mirrors one under appeal in Washington, that claims Obamacare subsidies should only flow to residents who live in a state that decided to run its own insurance market under the law. Published February 19, 2014
Stimulate job growth with Keystone XL, not minimum-wage hike: Sen. Thune
Sen. John Thune said Wednesday there is "low-hanging fruit" to stimulate job growth — the Keystone XL oil pipeline project for one — that would help Americans climb out of tough economic times without accepting a Democrat-led bid to increase the minimum wage. Published February 19, 2014
Md. Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown leads race to succeed O’Malley, despite troubled Obamacare role
Maryland Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown, who led the rollout of the state's troubled Obamacare portal, enjoys a 2-to-1 lead over his closest opponent in the Democratic primary, although many voters may still change their minds before casting their ballots in June, according to a new poll. Published February 19, 2014
Democrats file brief in Obamacare exchange subsidies lawsuit
Top Democrats who orchestrated the new health care law said they always intended for those in the health exchanges to be eligible for subsidies no matter whether they enrolled through a federal or state program — a key issue in an ongoing lawsuit over Obamacare. Published February 18, 2014
Rush Holt to retire from Congress at end of term
Mr. Holt, a former arms control expert at the State Department and research director at Princeton University, arrived on Capitol Hill in 1999 served as chairman of the Select Intelligence Oversight Panel from 2007 to 2011. Published February 18, 2014
Newt Gingrich calls on Secretary of State John ‘Kerrey’ to resign
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich used his Twitter account Tuesday to call on Secretary of State John Kerry to resign, citing the former senator's recent comments on climate change. Published February 18, 2014
Popular L.A. eatery adds 3 percent surcharge, cites Obamacare
A popular French-style bistro in Los Angeles has added a 3 percent surcharge to each guest check to cover their workers' health coverage under Obamacare's mandates. Published February 18, 2014
Report finds big gaps in Utah health coverage
Republican state lawmakers in Utah represent six of 10 state Senate districts and seven out of 10 House districts with the greatest share of people caught in the Obamacare "coverage gap" affecting states that refused to expand Medicaid under the health overhaul, according to a report in the Salt Lake Tribute. Published February 18, 2014
Insurers lobby goes to bat for Obamacare
A major trade group for America's health insurers is supporting the Obama administration's defense against a lawsuit that questions whether Congress intended to let Obamacare tax credits flow to states that opted to let the federal government run their new insurance markets. Published February 18, 2014
N.J. mayor won’t cooperate with Christie attorneys over Bridgegate: report
The mayor of a New Jersey town at the center of the "Bridgegate" scandal overshadowing Gov. Chris Christie's second term said Tuesday he will not talk to lawyers hired by the governor to look into lane closures last September near the George Washington Bridge, according to a new report. Published February 18, 2014
Republican Governors Association launches website to attack Democratic candidates
The Republican Governors Association has launched a new website called Blue State Madness to take on Democrats in 2014 gubernatorial races. Published February 18, 2014
‘Joe the Plumber’ lands a union job, report says
The conservative hero known as "Joe the Plumber" announced on Facebook this week that he's landed a union job in Ohio with Chrysler Group LLC. Published February 18, 2014
