Search results for

Known as a charming and witty man in private, Bork, who died Wednesday, was dour and humorless in his Senate confirmation hearings, and his answers seemed to play into the stereotype liberals painted of a man who cared little for the public. His Senate rejection changed the way future nominees have testified.

Given President Obama's embrace of the issue, there appears to be no doubt that Congress will debate gun control legislation in the coming year. Its chances for passage depend largely on the present mood of outrage sustaining itself for months to come.

If Congress fails to reach an agreement on tax increases and spending cuts this year, it will mean sharp reductions in a broad swath of federal spending, from defense and Medicare to education and unemployment benefits. Economists say the cuts would be a serious setback for the economy as a whole.

Most New York City subway stations affected by Superstorm Sandy are up and running again. But others, submerged by seawater during the storm, will need to be gutted before they can reopen. The South Ferry station in lower Manhattan alone could cost $600 million to repair.

If President Obama and Congress can't make a deal this month, the economy could fall into recession while tax bills go up for nearly every American. On the other hand, it would do a lot to erase the nation's deficit.

As the White House and Congress continue to wrangle over a deal to avoid the "fiscal cliff" and its billions in automatic spending cuts and tax increases, a look at who is spending big to influence the debate behind the scenes.

Syrian soldiers have increasingly been taking over civilian homes and apartments, and trashing and looting them before they leave.

Across the U.S., olive oil production is expanding. But domestic product accounts for only a small sliver of olive oil sold in the U.S. American producers say their foreign competitors aren't playing fair. One issue: mislabeling.

After lifting President Obama to re-election, African-American and Hispanic advocacy groups want him to champion initiatives that will specifically benefit minorities.

A campaign marked by money, fundraisers (including the infamous one that produced Mitt Romney's "47 percent" moment) and superPACs finished with spending sprees across the board, according to final campaign finance reports. In all, more than $2 billion was spent on the presidential race.