Politics

House Democrats Will Ban Earmarks for Companies in Election-Year Crackdown House Democrats announced they are banning so-called earmarks for defense contractors, energy firms and other private companies in an election-year attempt to crack down on the much-criticized funding process.

Obama's Health-Care Push Gets Challenge From Coalition of Business Groups President Barack Obama is facing a renewed push against his health-care legislation as a coalition of business groups plans to spend as much as $1 million a day on advertisements to pressure lawmakers into opposing the bill.

Obama Proving Pessimists Wrong as Rebounding Economy Converges With Stocks The political consensus may be that President Barack Obama’s handling of the economy has been weak. The judgment of money in all its forms has been overwhelmingly positive, and that may be the more lasting appraisal.

Biden Says Israel, Palestinians to Be Held Accountable for Peace Obstacles Vice President Joe Biden said Israel and the Palestinians will be held accountable for actions jeopardizing peace efforts, such as Israeli approval of a plan for new homes in east Jerusalem.

Christie May Propose 14% Cut in New Jersey's 2011 Budget to Shrink Deficit New Jersey Governor Chris Christie may propose a budget that is as much as 14 percent smaller than the current spending plan and includes cuts to property tax rebates and school aid, according to two people with knowledge of budget talks.

Pelosi Says Democrats Didn't Pressure Massa to Give Up His U.S. House Seat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi dismissed claims by former Democratic Representative Eric Massa that he was pressured to leave Congress because of his opposition to health-care legislation.

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