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Lynn Sweet biography

Lynn Sweet is the Chicago Sun-Times Washington Bureau Chief. She writes a column, a blog and files on Twitter. Find and follow her at http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet …Read More

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Washington could finally be ready for immigration reform

WASHINGTON — Prospects for immigration reform are improving: A bipartisan group of senators — including Illinois’ Dick Durbin — will announce the broad outlines of a deal soon as President Barack Obama on Tuesday kicks off his push for a comprehensive plan. “We are committed …

Lisa Madigan ‘seriously thinking’ about run for governor

WASHINGTON — Sen. Dick Durbin told me Tuesday that Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is “seriously thinking” about running for governor. I talked to Madigan about a gubernatorial bid on Saturday night — she was here for President Barack Obama’s Inauguration festivities — and my …

Sweet: Ode to progressive politics

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama’s inaugural address Monday saluted the ideals of liberalism and the minorities whose votes were critical to his winning a second term. The speech, to sum up, was an ode to progressive politics in the United States. Never having to stand …

Seeking that elusive ‘common ground’

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama launches his second term determined, top adviser David Plouffe said Sunday, to try to change the highly partisan tone in Washington and seek out “common ground.” Sound familiar? Obama’s vault to the White House started with his “No Red State, …

AFTER SWEARING-IN, BACK TO THE DEBT

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is officially sworn in to his second term Sunday — the Monday celebration is a re-enactment — and after the festivities are over, his second term starts where the first term ended: With Republicans trying to leverage the looming debt …

Senate panel wants “aggressive oversight” of Boeing 787 Dreamliner to be focus of hearing

WASHINGTON — In the wake of the FAA grounding Boeing Dreamliners, the Senate panel overseeing aviation safety is planning “aggressive oversight” with the new plane to be a focus of a hearing, the Sun-Times has learned. Here is the latest, as Boeing announced Friday no …

Obama urges tougher gun laws: ‘A majority of Americans agree with us on this’

In the wake of unending shootings, from massacres to murders in the Chicago streets, President Barack Obama unveiled sweeping plans Wednesday to curb gun violence, including actions he is taking right away and others needing congressional approval. “A majority of Americans agree with us on this,” Obama said in urging Congress to act and anticipating opposition from the gun lobby.

Obama to nominate Chuck Hagel for Defense secretary

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama intends to nominate former Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) as Defense secretary on Monday, according to an administration official, with neither Illinois senator offering a ringing endorsement of the pick. Hagel, a Vietnam veteran, faces a potential confirmation battle with senators from both parties expressing reservations about his record on Iran, Israel and gays.

Plum assignments for Chicago Dems

WASHINGTON — Rep. Mike Quigley snagged an Appropriations Committee spot while Rep. Luis Gutierrez switched to the Judiciary panel in order to push immigration reform, as House Democrats on Friday finalized assignments for the new Congress. The Chicago Democrats had lobbied for the slots. The …

Sen. Kirk walks in to next stage of career

WASHINGTON — With much tenderness, Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Joe Manchin helped Sen. Mark Kirk take off his coat, no easy task for a recovering stroke victim, much less one coming back to work Thursday for the first time in almost a year. …

President Obama after fiscal-cliff drama: ‘The deficit is still too high’

The drawn-out fiscal cliff drama ended late Tuesday with the House sending President Barack Obama legislation that averts tax hikes that would have socked every earner in the nation. The bill passed the House on a 257-167 bipartisan vote, coming with only hours to spare since the new Congress is being sworn-in at noon on Thursday.

  • Senate OKs deal to avert ‘fiscal cliff’ tax hikes, spending cuts

    WASHINGTON — The Senate voted 89-9 to approve a fiscal cliff deal early Tuesday morning in an unusual New Year’s Eve session, sending the measure to an uncertain fate in the House. “This historic vote protects working families from an income tax increase and spares our economy from a devastating political disaster,” Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said.

  • Biden to greet Kirk at Senate return

    WASHINGTON — Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), absent from the Senate almost a year because of stroke, plans a triumphant return next Thursday, walking up the steps of the Senate to be greeted by Vice President Joe Biden, the Sun-Times has learned. Unless there is a …Read More

  • Fiscal cliff: Progress, but no promise of deal that could pass House, Senate

    WASHINGTON — Congress returns to work Monday — with only hours to go until the looming year-end “fiscal cliff” deadline — with some progress Sunday, but no promise of a deal that could pass the House and Senate. Almost all of the action Sunday was in the Senate — behind the scenes, on the Senate floor and in closed-door separate meetings for Democratic and GOP senators.

  • Sun-Times exclusive: Obama urges Illinois Legislature to legalize gay marriage

    WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is urging the Illinois General Assembly to legalize gay marriage in his home state as lawmakers are poised to take up the measure as early as this week in Springfield. “While the president does not weigh in on every measure …

    Senate takes stab at averting cliff

    WASHINGTON — The House and Senate will be in session on Sunday to try to avoid the looming Monday fiscal cliff deadline as President Barack Obama is daring GOP senators to filibuster a Democratic-drafted bill. Obama said after meeting with the four top congressional leaders …

    Frustrated Obama pushes Senate vote to break cliff logjam

    WASHINGTON — After meeting with the four top congressional leaders, President Barack Obama said Friday he was “modestly optimistic” a deal could be made to avoid the looming Monday — New Year’s Eve — fiscal cliff deadline. “The American people are watching what we do …