Congress' ability to pass a budget grows more doubtful each year - The Washington Times

		Friday, March 30, 2012 Today's Top Stories
Congress' ability to pass a budget grows more doubtful each year House Republicans powered their 2013 budget through their chamber Thursday, marking the high point for the $3.5 trillion spending plan, which would have created a deficit of nearly $800 billion next year. Feds: Crips gang ran teen prostitution ring in Northern Virginia The Crips, one of the largest and most violent street gangs in the United States, has spread its network of crime into high schools across the country, including Virginia, where gang leaders recruited young girls as prostitutes with promises of "lots of money" and then maintained their allegiance through beatings, threats, assaults and an endless supply of drugs. Afghan Local Police key to success against Taliban A small, little-noticed counterinsurgency force that was created in the ninth year of the Afghanistan War is proving to be the key for U.S. troops to leave the country in victory. HURT: Brutal week for Obama, the worst of his presidency The past seven brutal days will go down as one of the worst weeks in history for a sitting president. It certainly has been, without any doubt, the worst week yet for President Obama. Obama's campaign cash haul trailing pace of '08 With the president's re-election fundraising drive thus far coming up short of his record-breaking 2008 pace, Team Obama — with the president and first lady Michelle Obama in the lead — is pushing hard to pump up the money figures ahead of Saturday's financial-reporting deadline. Image shows activity at North Korea launch site Japan's defense minister said Friday he had issued an order to shoot down a North Korean rocket if it threatens the nation's territory, a planned launch that has raised global alarm bells. Catholic club puts faith above Vanderbilt policy A Christian student group said this week that it will not apply to be recognized as an official club at Vanderbilt University because of the school policy making it mandatory that it accept nonbelievers as members - or even officers - of the organization. Myanmar's Sunday elections could be 'political theater' Recent polls predict that democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi will easily win a seat in Myanmar's parliamentary elections Sunday, amid expectations that Washington will respond by easing economic sanctions against the Southeast Asian country long ruled by a brutal military regime. Congress passes short-term transportation bill After failing to agree on a long-range plan to keep federal highway and transit programs running, Congress on Thursday returned to one of its most tried-and-true tactics of the past year: It kicked the matter down the road by passing a stopgap funding measure. Fundraiser no stranger to finance inquiries A key figure in the federal investigation into widespread campaign irregularities in Washington has twice faced misdemeanor criminal charges over election-law complaints in Maryland, records show. Trayvon's wardrobe a hot-button topic in racial profiling debate The hooded sweatshirt — or hoodie — has emerged as an unlikely symbol of political division and racial tension as the controversy over the shooting of an unarmed black teenager in Florida by a neighborhood watch captain last month continues to simmer. Senate rejects Obama demand for end to oil tax breaks President Obama on Thursday called for Congress to jettison $4 billion in annual subsidies to oil and gas companies, but minutes later the Senate blocked just such a proposal. State Dept. plays down envoy's insinuations about Russian press tapping phone The State Department on Wednesday tried to downplay several Twitter comments in which the U.S. ambassador to Russia appeared to insinuate that the someone is tapping his phone, spying on his emails and leaking them to local reporters. NATO: Member nations should share military systems Two F-4 Phantom jet fighters under NATO control streaked off the runway at a former Soviet air base in Lithuania this week in response to a report that an aircraft had lost communications as it neared Finnish airspace. Fewer than half of Arab leaders attend Iraq summit Fewer than half the leaders of the Arab world showed up at an Arab summit in Baghdad on Thursday, a snub to the Iraqi government that reflects how trenchantly the sectarian division between Sunnis and Shiites and the rivalry with neighboring Iran define the Middle East's politics today. Online voting not secure, cyber experts say Thirty-three states are planning to allow some form of Internet voting in November's elections, but the technology is not ready for prime time, a U.S. cybersecurity official warned Thursday. Commentary PATTERSON: Obama kills coal - as promised "If someone wants to build a new coal-fired power plant they can, but it will bankrupt them because they will be charged a huge sum for all the greenhouse gas that's being emitted." LAMBRO: No one's buying Biden's Brooklyn Bridge Vice President Joseph R. Biden has begun attacking former Gov. Mitt Romney's credentials on the economy - the issue for which President Obama gets his worst marks in his job-disapproval polls. MILLER: Sticker shock at the pump Americans today are paying an average $3.92 for a gallon of regular gas. The pain of watching the number at the pump tick ever higher doesn't seem to be shared by President Obama or his allies on Capitol Hill. Democrats see the sky-high cost of petrol as a way to force other people to get around by public transportation and electric cars. Thankfully, they don't have the support to get away with it. EDITORIAL: Intemperate global warming rules It may not be cool to dispute global warming, but facts don't lie or play politics. Just as the Obama administration is proposing new restrictions on "greenhouse gases" that it claims cause the Earth to heat up, new science is shredding the theory that blames purported warming on human activity. Fact or fiction, the price for precipitous government action will be borne by the long-suffering American taxpayer. NAPOLITANO: Can government force you to eat broccoli? This week, the Supreme Court measured Obamacare to see whether it fits within the confines of the Constitution. The big picture is whether the Constitution limits the behavior of the federal government to the plain meaning and historical context of the Constitution, or whether clever lawyers and politicians can interpret language in the Constitution so as to justify whatever Congress wishes to do. Other Recent Articles Final Four brings big programs to Big Easy Smithsonian opens Civil War art from North, South Museum plays April Fools' joke on prolific forger Indians acquire RHP Asencio from Braves As more autism reported, doctors say check early Judge ends Lohan's probation, gives back freedom Apple pledge could lead to China wage hikes APNewsBreak: $7M spaceport runway extension OK'd AP source: No decision on appeal, Saints' coach FIFA glad World Cup bill advanced in Brazil Adviser to publish FIFA reforms proposals Friday Tsonga: Umpire gave Nadal preferential treatment NBA draft going back to Newark's Prudential Center Another finalist booted from 'American Idol' New CEO at IBM revives Augusta membership debate		Most Read Stories HURT: Brutal week for Obama, the worst of his presidency PATTERSON: Obama kills coal - as promised EDITORIAL: D.C.'s made-up gun laws Obama's campaign cash haul trailing pace of '08 Feds: Crips gang ran teen prostitution ring in Northern Virginia EDITORIAL: Destroy all churches Gingrich says no deal after a secret talk with Romney EDITORIAL: Another round for lead ammo Congress' ability to pass a budget grows more doubtful each year KUHNER: Obama foments racial division Latest from WT Communities Independent Social Contributors Leading Edge Legal Advice for Everyday Matters Really Man's Best Friend? 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