Gop, Senate | featured news

Congressional Republicans on Wednesday plan to mount a last-ditch challenge to the health care bill moving through the Senate, arguing that a key provision is unconstitutional.

As Senate Democrats struggle to line up 60 votes and pass their health care bill before Christmas, an attempt to debate a single-payer system fails.

A second Republican senator signaled Wednesday she's open to voting for sweeping health care legislation this year, putting President Barack Obama closer to a historic achievement that has eluded generations of Democratic leaders.

Senate hopefuls post strong totals, putting them in position to try to halt party's losing streak.

The Alabama senator leading the Republican Party's vetting of Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor said the American tradition of impartial courts is "under attack" and the pivotal question in her nomination should be whether she allows personal views to color her decisions as a judge.

Majority Leader Harry Reid indicated Wednesday he's willing to move sweeping health care legislation through the Senate with a procedural maneuver that would block a GOP filibuster. The prospect of the controversial tactic has already ignited Republicans' ire, and key Senate Democratic chairmen have said they don't want to do it.

There would be no change in the Senate's balance of power if New Hampshire Republican Judd Gregg leaves to become commerce secretary, says the Senate's top Republican, Mitch McConnell.