Liberal Democrats Unveil Five Election Priorities
YOU CAN WATCH MANY VIDEOS ABOUT LATEST WORL NEWS The Liberal Democrats revealed the front page of their election manifesto on Thursday, February 12. The junior party in the current ...
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Liberal Democrats Unveil Five Election Priorities - Video
Boehner Certainly Prepared to Let DHS Funding Expire: Senate Dems Would Be to Blame
Follow Me @denvernewb https://twitter.com/denvernewb Visit ME @ http://www.dennewbie.com/ Boehner: DHS funding can run out; Democrats are to blame Chris Wallace repeatedly questioned ...
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Boehner Certainly Prepared to Let DHS Funding Expire: Senate Dems Would Be to Blame - Video
The official sign-up season for President Barack Obama's health care law may be over, but leading congressional Democrats say millions of Americans facing new tax penalties deserve a second chance.
Three senior House members told The Associated Press that they plan to strongly urge the administration to grant a special sign-up opportunity for uninsured taxpayers who will be facing fines under the law for the first time this year.
The three are Michigan's Sander Levin, the ranking Democrat on the Ways and Means Committee, and Democratic Reps. Jim McDermott of Washington, and Lloyd Doggett of Texas. All worked to help steer Obama's law through rancorous congressional debates from 2009-2010.
The lawmakers say they are concerned that many of their constituents will find out about the penalties after it's already too late for them to sign up for coverage, since open enrollment ended Sunday.
That means they could wind up uninsured for another year, only to owe substantially higher fines in 2016. The fines are collected through the income tax system.
This year is the first time ordinary Americans will experience the complicated interactions between the health care law and taxes. Based on congressional analysis, tax preparation giant H&R Block says roughly 4 million uninsured people will pay penalties.
The IRS has warned that health-care related issues will make its job harder this filing season and taxpayers should be prepared for long call-center hold times, particularly since the GOP-led Congress has been loath to approve more money for the agency.
"Open enrollment period ended before many Americans filed their taxes," the three lawmakers said in a statement. "Without a special enrollment period, many people (who will be paying fines) will not have another opportunity to get health coverage this year.
"A special enrollment period will not only help many Americans avoid making an even larger payment next year, but, more importantly, it will help them gain quality health insurance for 2015," the lawmakers added.
So far, administration officials have deflected questions about whether an extension will be granted. Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell has authority to grant special enrollment periods under certain circumstances.
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APNewsbreak: Democrats Seek Relief From Health Law Penalties
By KEN THOMAS, Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) Democrats have selected Philadelphia as the site of the partys 2016 national convention, choosing a patriotic backdrop for the nomination of its next presidential candidate.
The Democratic National Committee said Thursday the convention will be held the week of July 25, 2016. The two other finalists were Brooklyn, New York, and Columbus, Ohio.
Philadelphias deep-rooted place in American history provides a perfect setting for this special gathering. I cannot wait to join Democrats across the country to celebrate our shared values, lay out a Democratic vision for the future, and support our nominee, said Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the DNC chief, said in a statement.
The site could serve as a passing of the baton from President Barack Obama to Hillary Rodham Clinton, the leading contender for the partys nomination should she run for president, as is widely expected.
The event will come the week after Republicans hold their national convention in Cleveland.
For Democrats, the choice came down to whether to set the stage for the next nominee in a big city or in another closely contested state. Obama was nominated in Denver in 2008 and in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2012, allowing his campaign to use the events to register new voters and recruit volunteers in states crucial to his political map.
Philadelphias organizers pointed to the citys heritage as the home of the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were adopted, along with its convenient East Coast location and compact, easy-to-navigate community.
Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter said the city has a proven track record of hosting big events safely and efficiently and offered tremendous amenities, its accessible location and historical significance.
Philadelphia has been the home to a variety of large events and played host to the Republican convention in 2000. The Vatican chose Philadelphia as the site for the World Meeting of Families, which Pope Francis will attend in September.
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Democrats to hold 2016 national convention in Philly
Democrats block GOP bill that would gut executive actions on immigration
Lawmakers are back at square one Wednesday morning after Democrats united to block the Homeland Security funding bill the GOP recently put through because it...
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Democrats block GOP bill that would gut executive actions on immigration - Video