House GOP: Defund Obamacare or shut government down
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- House GOP leaders announced their intention Wednesday to pass a bill this week that would only keep the government running after September 30 if President Barack Obama's health care reform law is fully defunded.The decision sets up a high stakes game of political chicken over the next 12 days, as Democrats have repeatedly rejected any attempt to undo the president's signature legislative achievement."We're going to continue to do everything we can to repeal the president's failed health care law," said House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio. "The law is a train wreck.""We aim to put a stop to Obamacare before it costs one more job or raises a family's out-of-pocket expenses one more dollar," said House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Virginia.The House bill, which would keep the government running through mid-December, also locks in overall funding levels at $986 billion, preserving Washington's so-called "sequester" -- forced across-the-board spending cuts that have been criticized by leaders on both sides of the aisle.Most congressional Democrats, opposed to further cuts in non-defense spending, have expressed their strong opposition to such a move.In addition, the GOP bill states that Social Security and disability payments need to receive top priority if Congress and the president are unable to raise the federal debt ceiling by mid-October.A failure to extend the nation's borrowing limit and pay bills already incurred risks an unprecedented national default.Obama and other Democratic leaders have warned they will not cave to GOP demands for new spending cuts in exchange for a hike in the debt limit."I'm happy to negotiate with (congressional Republicans) around the budget, just as I've done in the past," Obama told business leaders on Wednesday."What I will not do is create a habit, a pattern, whereby the full faith and credit of the United States ends up being a bargaining chip to set policy.
Five years later, Pres. Obama struggles with the economy
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- It's been five years since the banking and credit crisis rocked the U.S. economy, causing markets to plunge, unemployment to spike, housing values to crumble and placing more Americans in financial peril than at any time since the Great Depression.On Monday, President Barack Obama touted his administration's successes in helping to turn things around even though national economic growth remains sluggish and millions of people have given up looking for work.Obama said government's response "put a floor under the fall" and his policies set the stage for an end to economic contraction and created an environment for the economy to grow again.The president specifically pointed to the impact of the economic stimulus, creation of seven million jobs, the resurgence of the bailed out Detroit automakers, higher taxes on the wealthiest earners and an increase in exports."We've cleared away the rubble from the financial crisis and we've begun to lay a new foundation for economic growth and prosperity," Obama said.Although Obama paints a rosy scenario, there are still key questions on the economy.Larry Summers, a leading name to become the next chairman of the Federal Reserve, withdrew his name from consideration on Sunday, clearing the way for Janet Yellen, who serves as vice chairwoman at the Fed, to become the leading candidate.Also, the White House announced last week that top economic adviser, Gene Sperling, will step down as head of the National Economic Council and be replaced by Jeffrey Zients, the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget.There is also the looming showdown with Congress on funding the government, raising the ability of the nation to borrow money to pay its bills, and continuation of the drastic budget cuts that took effect earlier this year absent a deal in Washington to reduce the deficit.There is also the potential impact of the Affordable Care Act, the sweeping health care law backed by Obama that is taking effect this year and remains a political flashpoint with Republicans.It's the economy, stupidThat motto was made famous by political strategist James Carville during Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign, and rang true for Obama's first presidential campaign as well.And the American public agrees.
Syrian official declares 'victory,' thanks Russia
(CNN) -- A Syrian minister declared "victory" for his country on Sunday, thanking Russia for orchestrating a chemical weapons deal to avert U.S. military action, Russia's state-run news agency RIA Novosti reported."We welcome these agreements.
U.S. and Russia extend Syria talks another day
(CNN) -- Talks about talks on Syria provided no answers on Friday to the main question: Will the United States launch a military attack?Yet the discussions in Geneva involving Secretary of State John Kerry and his Russian counterpart did produce at least one result -- what was supposed to be a two-day meeting has been extended to Saturday."If there was no opening, we wouldn't still be here," a senior State Department official said.An Obama administration official said separately that "we are coming closer to agreement on the scope of Syria's chemical weapons stockpile."Yet that's not to say all of the many outstanding issues have been resolved.Senior U.S. administration officials told reporters on condition of not being identified that the main sticking point was what consequences Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his government should face.According to the officials, they have no expectations that Russia would agree to any U.N. resolution that included authorization for possible military force against Syria.
John Kerry begins talks with Russian Foreign Minister on Syria
(CNN) -- Diplomacy designed to end the Syrian civil war entered a new chapter Thursday as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry began talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Geneva, Switzerland.The high-stakes discussions center on a Russian initiative to avert a U.S.-led strike by having the Syrian government put its chemical weapons stockpile under international control.They are expected to come up with a blueprint on how to implement the idea and when to do it.
Latest on Syria, one day after President Obama's address to nation
(CNN) -- A day after President Barack Obama made his case for both military intervention and diplomacy in Syria, world powers worked Wednesday to defuse the crisis.Syria has agreed to a Russian plan to give up its chemical weapons, a move that could forestall international military strikes and possibly give diplomacy some positive traction.But the bloody conflict in Syria continues to rage, and roadblocks and questions remain as to what's next for the war-ravaged Middle Eastern nation.Latest developments Wednesday:-- As diplomatic efforts continued to address chemical weapons in Syria, the death toll from the nation's 2-year-old civil war continued to climb.
U.N. report on Syria should be ready early next week
(CNN) -- U.N. weapons inspectors are expected to report their findings regarding a chemical attack in Syria early next week, sources said Wednesday, but a leading human rights group is already pointing its finger at government troops.The inspectors collected evidence from the site of the August 21 attack outside Damascus, and laboratories have been processing the material for more than a week.
President Obama asks Congress to delay Syria strike vote
(CNN) -- As a Russian proposal to strip Syria of its chemical weapons began to take shape, the White House eased off the gas on Tuesday in its drive for congressional approval to strike the Middle Eastern country.President Barack Obama asked congressional leaders to delay votes on authorizing military action in Syria while the diplomatic process works itself out, the president announced in a prime-time speech to Americans.Obama said he will continue talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and will send Secretary of State John Kerry to meet with his Russian counterpart, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in Geneva, Switzerland, on Thursday.The United States will also give U.N. inspectors the opportunity to report their findings about the suspected chemical attack that occurred August 21, the president said."Meanwhile, I've ordered our military to maintain their current posture to keep the pressure on (Syrian President Bashar al-)Assad and to be in a position to respond if diplomacy fails," Obama said in his 16-minute address.Earlier, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced on the Senate floor that he had canceled a briefing for all senators scheduled for Wednesday.He said the Senate schedule was driven by developments and not by an artificial timeline."It's important that we do this well, not quickly," he said. "We'll see what's going on.
Kerry acknowledges Syrian rebel concerns, says aid reaching them now
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday acknowledged concerns by some in the moderate Syrian opposition that limited U.S. military assistance had not reached them as fast as they had wanted, but he said that issue has now been resolved for the most part."It is accurate to say that some things have not been getting to the opposition as rapidly as one would have hoped," Kerry said during a Google + Hangout discussion. "Part of that was sort of early organizational effort, but then subsequently it took a while for Congress to approve certain components of it and finally it just takes time to start it."Kerry said he was not able to disclose what specifically has been sent in the form of weapons by the United States to the Syrian opposition."A coordinated effort is being made among the many supporters of the moderate opposition to get them the assistance they need," in addition to ongoing non-lethal, medical and humanitarian assistance to the opposition Kerry said.Congress approved a limited amount of military assistance in the form of small arms and ammunition to flow to Syrian rebels after the Obama administration asserted the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had used chemical weapons on a small scale.The administration is now seeking authorization from Congress for a limited military strike against the al-Assad regime following a purported chemical weapons attack last month that the administration said killed more than 1,400 people."I can tell you that many of the items that people complained were not getting to them are now getting to them," Kerry said.As to whether any of that military assistance from the United States could find its way to any of the extremists groups also fighting the Syrian regime, Kerry said the United States is working to assure that does not happen."We have put down a firm barrier between the assistance that goes to the moderate opposition and anything to those groups," Kerry said of extremist groups in Syria. "Their numbers are not as high as some people have estimated in terms of actual real fighters on the ground and capable."
President Obama delivers address to nation on Syria Tuesday night
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Barack Obama tried Tuesday to sell a military intervention he never wanted to an American public that opposes it, telling the nation that he needed authorization to attack Syria for chemical weapons use as leverage in a newly emerged diplomatic opening from Russia.
Lawmakers predict rocky future for Syria proposal
(CNN) -- Several lawmakers argued Sunday that President Barack Obama has a steep uphill battle ahead in persuading Congress to support U.S. military action in Syria.Citing concerns about funding, fears of escalated U.S. involvement and skepticism of the president's plan, Republicans and Democrats alike said they're not convinced the U.S. should launch military strikes.Rep.
How the Syria debate in Congress could play out this week
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Congress returns to Washington on Monday after a monthlong summer break to jump right into debate and votes on a resolution giving President Barack Obama the authorization to strike Syria.How this all will unfold over the coming week is far from certain, but here's how things could play out:Monday• The House and Senate are in session at 2 p.m. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is expected to take the first procedural steps to overcome an anticipated filibuster over whether to officially take up the Syria resolution.
Amid tensions, Obama to meet with Russian gay rights advocates
(CNN) -- President Barack Obama is set to meet with Russian civil society leaders Friday, an event likely to touch on the sensitive subject of gay rights in the nation amid tensions over Syria.Earlier this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law passed by parliament that bans the public discussion of gay rights and relationships where children might hear it.
Obama cancels West Coast trip over Syria crisis
(CNN) -- President Barack Obama's trip to the West Coast next week that was set to include remarks to a labor group has been canceled so he can continue making the case for strikes in Syria, the White House said Thursday.Obama was slated to deliver an address Monday at a meeting of the AFL-CIO in Los Angeles, and attend a fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee.The president and his aides have been pressing their case to lawmakers for a military strike in Syria for the past several days.
Presidents Obama, Putin to talk about Syria at G-20 summit
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin will have an opportunity to speak "on the margins" of the G-20 summit in Russia, a White House official said.The development is a significant departure from what senior administration officials had said previously about Obama's trip to the international forum in St.
Suspend aid to Egypt, national security team tells Obama
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Barack Obama's national security team has recommended the U.S. suspend hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to Egypt over the Egyptian military's ouster of President Mohammed Morsy, U.S. officials said.The recommendation, officials said, was made in a "principals meeting" last week of the president's national security team, including National Security Adviser Susan Rice, Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel.
What's the evidence of Syrian chemical weapons attack?
(CNN) -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry calls it proof "beyond any reasonable doubt." Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says it's "very clear."President Barack Obama says the United States has "high confidence" that Syria used chemical weapons -- the strongest position the U.S. can take short of confirmation.Britain, France, and Germany say their intelligence backs up the same conclusion.But Russia has rejected those claims, insisting there's no such proof.
Sec. Kerry signals Pres. Obama Oval Office address on Syria
(CNN) -- Secretary of State John Kerry said Wednesday he has "no doubt" President Barack Obama will soon make a speech on Syria from the Oval Office.Kerry's comment came at the end of a four-hour congressional hearing before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where he faced questions on the president's proposal to take military action in Syria.Many members of Congress have been calling on Obama to make his case directly to the American public--in addition to Congress--as he seeks congressional authorization to launch limited strikes in the war-torn country.Kerry's answer Wednesday came in response to a question by Rep.
Russia 'doesn't exclude' support for U.N.-approved military strike on Syria
(CNN) -- As lawmakers in the United States and France debated the merits of military intervention in Syria's brutal civil war, Russia's president said Wednesday his country could back a U.N.-approved military strike on Syria if there's proof the regime used chemical weapons."If there are data that the chemical weapons have been used, and used specifically by the regular army, this evidence should be submitted to the U.N. Security Council," President Vladimir Putin said in an interview with The Associated Press and Russia's state Channel 1 television."It should be a deep and specific probe containing evidence that would be obvious and prove beyond doubt who did it and what means were used," he told the news agency.Putin said he "doesn't exclude" supporting a U.N. resolution on military strikes given strong evidence -- but also cautioned against the U.S. striking without one.Nations including the United States, France and Britain have concluded the Syrian government was responsible for a chemical weapons attack last month on rebel-held territory outside of Damascus.