Search results for

Senior officials have been deployed by the Bush administration to plead for more time for a troop surge to show results, after Congress voted in favor of a U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq. But two Republican senators have introduced a bill calling for a pullout.

The Senate enters the second week of debate on a defense bill setting military policies and authorizing next year's Pentagon spending. Some senators are pushing to restore the legal protections of foreign detainees deemed to be "unlawful enemy combatants."

Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) is making a weekend campaign swing through South Carolina. The state's January presidential primary will be the first held in the southern U.S. and could provide a key test of Obama's viability with black voters.

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales was "extremely upset" by statements his subordinates made as the U.S. attorneys scandal took over the front pages of newspapers, according to Department of Justice e-mails released Monday. The agency turned over some 3,000 pages to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Opening statements began today in the penalty phase of the trial of Zaccarias Moussaoui, the only person charged in connection with the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Moussaoui has pleaded guilty to conspiring with al-Qaida to hijack planes and commit other crimes.

Air Force Gen. Michael Hayden says he consulted both his lawyers and his conscience in approving the National Security Agency's domestic surveillance program. Hayden defended the spying during Senate confirmation hearings for his nomination to be the next director of the CIA.

Embattled Attorney General Alberto Gonzales goes to Capitol Hill this week to defend the decision to fire eight federal prosecutors. The Justice Department released his prepared testimony over the weekend. In it, he concedes that mistakes were made.

Democratic leaders are to meet Wednesday with President Bush to discuss war funds. Congress is likely to send the president a funding bill with a timeline for troop withdrawal. The president says he will veto any such bill.

President Bush held a news conference Wednesday for the first time in almost two months. He discussed a variety of issues, but refused to comment on some key topics — including the ongoing trial of former vice presidential aide Lewis "Scooter" Libby.

The House of Representatives begins debate Tuesday on a nonbinding resolution expressing disapproval of President Bush's plan to increase U.S. combat troops in Iraq. The debate could extend through the end of the week.