US and Global Political Developments in Recent Years

US and Global Political Developments

Senate Democrats and the Filibuster

After making a deal with Republicans over the filibuster at the beginning of the current session, some Senate Democrats are threatening once more to eliminate the procedural tactic.

Texas and Driver's Permits for Undocumented Immigrants

The amendment was a bill by Rep. Roberto Alonzo, D-Dallas, that would allow undocumented immigrants to have driver's permits for the purpose of purchasing insurance.

President Obama Hosts Naturalization Ceremony

In a Fourth of July ceremony at the White House, brimming with political undertones, President Obama hosted a naturalization ceremony for more than two dozen active-duty service members.

Italy's Presidential Election

Italy's Parliament began casting votes in April for a new president to take the place of the incumbent Giorgio Napolitano, whose term expires this month.

US Representative Edward M. Markey's Campaign

US Representative Edward M. Markey has been absent from the campaign trail and hiding from roiling the Democratic administration in Washington, DC.

The Individual Mandate and Healthcare Reform

The individual mandate might prove to be the death knell for President Barack Obama's healthcare reform.

Graham and Ayotte's Stance on UN Ambassador Susan Rice

Lindsey Graham and Kelly Ayotte really want us to believe that their shameful behavior toward United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice is all about getting to the truth about what happened in Libya, but the truth is that this is the first salvo in a GOP war against President Barack Obama over the next four years.

President Obama's Trip to the Middle East

President Barack Obama's former special envoy to the Middle East lauded the president's trip to the region, describing it in an interview on CNN "Newsroom" in March as "both significant and successful."

President Obama's Approval Rating

President Obama at 53% approval despite a week of controversies, and polls also show Congress not overreaching in criticism.

Pakistan's Elections

Pakistanis cast ballots in Karachi on Sunday, a day after the slaying of a well-known political leader who had accused rivals of vote-rigging.

Bipartisan Agreement on Immigration Reform

After months of intense negotiations, a bipartisan US House group has reached an "agreement in principle" on immigration reform, according to Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida, one of the GOP members of the group.

Philippines Election Decided by Coin Flip

In the high-tech era of electronic voting, election authorities in the Philippines settled a dead heat between two candidates for mayor in a decidedly old-school way by flipping a coin.

Belize Deputy Prime Minister on Mayan Pyramid Destruction

The deputy prime minister of Belize is calling for full prosecution of those responsible for destroying a 2,300-year-old Mayan pyramid to turn it into rock for roads.

Honduras Adds Impeachment Process to Constitution

Nearly four years after the Honduran president was deposed in a coup, the country's congress will add an impeachment process to its constitution, hoping to deter future political crises.

Arizona's Driver's License Policy for Immigrants

Arizona lets some immigrants with work permits obtain driver's licenses, the plaintiffs note, while denying the same benefits to other immigrants protected by President Obama's program.

Syrian Jihadist Group's Allegiance to Al Qaeda

A Syrian jihadist group appears to have pledged allegiance to al Qaeda's leader but also stressed it can achieve a Syrian Islamic state only by working with other rebels, including secularists.

Federal Judge Blocks Arkansas Abortion Law

A federal judge on Friday ordered a preliminary injunction blocking an Arkansas law that would ban abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy, a court official told CNN on Friday.

"Cuban Five" Member Renounces US Citizenship

A member of the "Cuban Five" spy group renounced his United States citizenship at the US diplomatic mission in Havana on Monday, removing the final obstacle to his permanent return to the island.

Russia Detains Suspected CIA Member

Russia said it detained a suspected member of the CIA before handing him over to the US Embassy per formal protocol.

US and South Korea Alliance

The US and South Korea have stood together for 60 years. Repeatedly during her visit, Park affirmed the continuing need for the alliance that has kept peace on the Korean Peninsula for decades.

President Obama on Diplomatic Security Measures

President Barack Obama called on Congress Thursday to fully fund administration requests for additional diplomatic security measures in the wake of the 2012 attack on the US Consulate in Benghazi, Libya.

Obama Recess Appointee's Decision Struck Down

Another circuit court has struck down an Obama recess appointee's decision by declaring his appointment invalid.

WikiLeaks Founder on GCHQ

The WikiLeaks founder, who has spent the past 11 months in the Ecuadorian embassy in London to avoid arrest and extradition to Sweden, claimed GCHQ had been unaware that it might have anything on him that was not classified.

President Obama on Counterterrorism Bureaucracy

President Barack Obama said Tuesday his counterterrorism bureaucracy "did what it was supposed to be doing" before the Boston Marathon bombing as his top intelligence official began a review into whether sensitive information was adequately shared and whether the US government could have disrupted the attack.