News Stories
The Atlantic - Nora Kelly
When Americans go to the ballot box, they expect the congressional candidates they support to take their interests to the Hill—to fight for the political issues and programs they prefer with an enthusiasm and dedication that’s deeply personal. That doesn’t always happen. But in the last year or so, members of Congress responded to what one member called a “constituent-driven movement” to rally around the National Institutes of Health and the biomedical research it funds.
KGOU Radio - Biran Hardzinski
Oklahoma's Congressional delegation roundly criticized President Obama's final State of the Union address last night.
Both U.S. Sens. Jim Inhofe and James Lankford recorded video responses after the annual message to Congress concluded.
Lankford said he appreciated the president's praise of the military and optimism about curing cancer. But he called the economic growth over the past seven years "sluggish" and "anemic."
The Oklahoman - Chris Casteel
Members of Oklahoma's all-Republican congressional delegation dismissed President Barack Obama's final State of the Union speech on Tuesday as another defense of the policies they claim have failed.
The Republican lawmakers criticized the president's economic, military, health care and environmental positions, all of which were showcased in the president's address. Rep. Markwayne Mullin, R-Westville, also blamed the president for the partisan gridlock Obama bemoaned in his remarks.
Huffington Post - Laurie H. Glimcher, MD
Are we at the dawn of a new era in medical research? The 2016 federal spending bill gives us good reason to hope that the answer is yes.
Right in the midst of the holiday season, Congress passed a $1.8 trillion spending measure to fund all federal agencies for the rest of fiscal year 2016. Signed into law by President Obama on December 18, the bill was a promising step toward a continuing investment in the nation's long-term health.
Washington Examiner - Susan Ferrechio
House Speaker Paul Ryan wants to give anti-poverty legislation a prominent spot on the Republican agenda in 2016, a move that would give the party ownership of a traditionally Democratic issue and put it prominently in the congressional spotlight for the first time in decades.
Republicans last took the lead on welfare reform two decades ago and hope to do it again this year, kicking off the effort at a major anti-poverty forum Saturday in Columbia, S.C., hosted by Ryan and Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C.
Tulsa World Opinion - By Harold Hamm
Oklahomans should applaud the members of our state’s congressional delegation who voted to pass the omnibus bill, which lifted the 40-year-old ban on U.S. crude oil exports and set the stage for a market recovery.
Tulsa World - Randy Krehbiel
First District Congressman Jim Bridenstine said Tuesday he is cosponsoring legislation to block a portion of President Barack Obama’s gun initiative intended to include information about Social Security recipients prohibited from possessing firearms for mental health reasons in the background check system.
Bloomberg - Erik Wasson
A proposal to switch to a two-year fiscal cycle is pitting House appropriators and Budget Committee members against a majority of House members, some of whom who have argued the current annual process is ineffective and wasteful.
The fight over two-year budgeting comes as the House embarks on a rewrite this year of the 1974 Budget Act, which governs the annual spending process.
NewsOK Blog - Chris Casteel
Members of Oklahoma's congressional delegation on Tuesday blasted President Barack Obama's proposals to increase background checks for gun buyers by expanding those who would be defined as gun dealers under federal law.
Obama made a tearful pitch at the White House to take action to stop mass shootings, urging Congress to fund more federal agents to police gun sales and legislation to ensure mentally ill people can't purchase guns.
The Oklahoman - Chris Casteel
President Barack Obama, fighting back tears over lives lost in mass shootings, said Tuesday he will require more gun sellers to conduct background checks.
Obama's move to "clarify" current law on background checks is the centerpiece of the executive efforts he announced at the White House to reduce gun violence.