Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
GOP critics point to Benghazi amid Sept. 11 ceremonies
While federal lawmakers from both parties remember the 12th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, Republicans also point to lingering questions from the attack on a U.S. consulate in Libya one year ago. Published September 11, 2013
Republicans see security, readiness problems with health care data hub
President Obama's health care law continues to drop in the polls and faces ever more pressure on Capitol Hill, where Republicans on Wednesday said they doubted the data hub at the center of Obamacare either will be ready on time or be secure enough to protect Americans' privacy. Published September 11, 2013
Sen. John McCain: Syrian rebels will feel abandoned
Republican Sen. John McCain said Wednesday President Obama struck an emotional chord with the American public late Tuesday, but he was "very disappointed" that he did not lay out a plan to arm vetted rebel groups fighting Syrian President Bashar Assad. Published September 11, 2013
Senate pressed on Obamacare
Top House Republicans on Tuesday challenged Senate Democrats to hold a vote on legislation to defund President Obama's health care law as part of any spending deal this month — but they were facing a potential rebellion within their own ranks because the move wouldn't force an all-or-nothing showdown. Published September 10, 2013
Republicans seek 1-year delay for more of Obamacare
Sen. Jeff Flake on Tuesday led a coalition of Republicans in filing a bill to delay by one year any provisions of Obamacare that are set to take effect Jan. 1 or later. Published September 10, 2013
Obamacare casualty: SeaWorld’s Shamu
The SeaWorld chain of amusement parks is cutting hours for thousands of its part-time workers from 32 hours per week to 28 hours as of November, the Orlando Sentinel reported. Published September 10, 2013
GOP rallies support to end Congress’s Obamacare exemption
Rep. Phil Gingrey, Georgia Republican, introduced a bill Tuesday that would reverse the Obama administration's decision to let members of Congress and their staffs retain an employer subsidy that will pay for the lion's share of their health premiums even as they enter new health exchanges tied to Obamacare. Published September 10, 2013
House Republicans keep their focus on Obamacare despite Syria debate
House Speaker John A. Boehner and other top Republicans said Tuesday the new health care law is at the forefront of their constituents' minds and that they will continue scrutiny of Obamacare in floor votes on Wednesday. Published September 10, 2013
Obama will stick to case for strike, yet explore diplomacy, White House spokesman says
White House spokesman Jay Carney says President Obama will continue to press his case for a U.S. military strike in Syria during his address to the nation late Tuesday, arguing the credible threat of intervention is the only reason Russia and Syrian President Bashar Assad are trying to forge a diplomatic solution. Published September 10, 2013
Capitol Hill is skeptical, yet hopeful, as diplomatic solution to Syria emerges
Sen. John McCain said Tuesday "there's ample reason to be skeptical" about an emerging plan to compel Syria to surrender its chemical weapons to international control to avert a U.S. military strike. Published September 10, 2013
GOP Sen. John Thune files bill to thwart Obamacare deal for unions
Sen. John Thune introduced a bill Monday that would thwart the White House from softening the impact of the new health care law on unions, a traditional set of White House allies who are rethinking their support for the controversial reforms. Published September 9, 2013
Blunt, Alexander, Heitkamp join growing ranks of anti-war senators
Republican Sens. Roy Blunt of Missouri and Lamar Alexander of Tennessee said Monday they are opposed to military action in Syria, adding to an ever-increasing tally of senators who will not back President Obama's bid to punish President Bashar Assad for a chemical attack on Aug. 21. Published September 9, 2013
Syrian President Bashar Assad: There’s no evidence I used chemical weapons
Syrian President Bashar Assad said Monday that Americans that they should "expect everything" in response to a U.S. military strike on his country, a declaration that many viewed as a chilling sign his regime could rely on allies like Iran and Hezbollah and does not feel hamstrung by its own limitations. Published September 9, 2013
More than half of Americans say no to military action in Syria, polls show
Americans don't want President Obama to unleash missile attacks — even if Congress give the White House the green light, a pair of new polls found. Published September 9, 2013
Obama pressed on Ariz. fatal-fire relief
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer and federal lawmakers are pressuring the Obama administration to reconsider its decision not to grant major-disaster aid to residents affected by the Yarnell Hill Fire, an early summer tragedy that killed 19 firefighters and prompted nationwide mourning. Published September 8, 2013
GOP-backed delay to Obamacare would save $35 billion, report says
Congressional auditors said Friday the House-passed bill to delay by one year the individual mandate at the heart of President Obama's new health care law would reduce federal deficits by about $35 billion over the next decade. Published September 6, 2013
Minnesota boasts of low coverage costs under Obamacare
Minnesota's insurance officials said Friday the state will offer some the lowest health insurance rates in the country on the state health exchange it will launch this fall to satisfy a key pillar of President Obama's new health care law. Published September 6, 2013
Low-cost insurance could lead to high medical bills
Health insurance plans in Obamacare's state exchanges will cost less than initially projected, according to a study released Thursday that the administration and its allies said is proof that the law is working as intended. Published September 5, 2013
Obamacare ‘employer mandate’ streamlined by Treasury, but delay stays
The Treasury Department proposed regulations on Thursday to implement reporting requirements for insurers and larger firms subject to the new health care law's "employer mandate," a controversial provision the White House quietly delayed for one year. Published September 5, 2013
American Indians need more Obamacare benefits education, says GAO
Government investigators say more than half of Americans Indians and Alaskan Natives — "hundreds of thousands" of them — will be eligible for benefits tied to Obamacare, but federal officials are not doing enough to link them with coverage options that kick in next year. Published September 5, 2013
