![Senators to tour U.S-Mexico border: Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., left, and Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., confer as they and a bipartisan group of other leading senators announce their agreement on the principles of sweeping legislation to rewrite the nation's immigration laws during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 28. IMAGE]({"default":{"load":"defer","src":"http://newsbcpcol.stb.s-msn.com/amnews/i/c1/c667cda62480edd9dcdf673885c9d/_h309_w628_m6_utrue_otrue_lfalse.jpg"}} "Senators to tour U.S-Mexico border: Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., left, and Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., confer as they and a bipartisan group of other leading senators announce their agreement on the principles of sweeping legislation to rewrite the nation's immigration laws during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 28. IMAGE (AP Photo: J. Scott Applewhite, File)")
![Health claim costs: Marcelas Owens of Seattle, left, Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., right, and others look on as President Barack Obama signs the health care bill in the East Room of the White House in Washington, March 23, 2010. IMAGE]({"default":{"load":"defer","src":"http://newsbcpcol.stb.s-msn.com/amnews/i/42/fb94fc9e483420cb81ffda51263bef/_h309_w628_m6_utrue_otrue_lfalse.jpg"}} "Health claim costs: Marcelas Owens of Seattle, left, Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., right, and others look on as President Barack Obama signs the health care bill in the East Room of the White House in Washington, March 23, 2010. IMAGE (AP Photo: J. Scott Applewhite, File)")
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Kerry heads home after Iraq, Afghanistan visits
Secretary of State John Kerry is on his way back to the U.S. after a Mideast trip that took him to Iraq, Afghanistan and Jordan.
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High court takes up federal benefits for gays
The Supreme Court will hear arguments in a constitutional challenge to the federal Defense of Marriage Act, a day after it heard a challenge to California's voter-approved ban on gay marriage.
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ND governor OKs 6-week abortion ban
North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple also signed into law another measure that would make his state the first to ban abortions based on genetic defects such as Down syndrome.
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Supreme Court rules for Comcast in class-action case
A group of subscribers cannot collectively sue Comcast for allegedly overcharging them as part of an effort to monopolize the market, according to Wednesday's ruling.
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Oklahoma lawmakers OK slaughter of horses for meat export
Oklahoma had been shipping about 160,000 horses each year to Mexican slaughterhouses.
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Obama gives Secret Service its 1st female director
Julia Pierson does not need to be confirmed by the Senate.
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Supreme Court hears arguments on Calif. gay marriage ban
On Tuesday, lawyers representing two couples from California will try to persuade the Supreme Court to strike down the state's ban on same-sex marriages and to declare that gay couples can marry nationwide.
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Q&A: The Supreme Court and gay marriage
California's Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage and the federal Defense of Marriage Act are being argued before the Supreme Court this week. A look at potential outcomes for both cases.
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Va. gov. signs bill requiring ID to vote
The legislation signed by Gov. Bob McDonnell provides for a free valid ID with the bearer's photo to any registered voter who lacks one.
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Congressional ethics office investigating Rep. Bachmann
Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann faces financial questions about her 2012 bid to be the Republican contender for the White House.
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Petition asks Congress to wear corporate sponsor logos
A new petition to the White House wants members of Congress to wear suits similar to NASCAR drivers to show their corporate backers.
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High court gay marriage tickets cost time, money
California's ban on same-sex marriage and the federal Defense of Marriage Act will be argued this week before the Supreme Court.
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US spent nearly $3.7M in 2012 on ex-presidents
The bills cover the four former U.S. presidents still living.
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Silent or supportive, conservatives give gay marriage momentum
Shifting attitudes among some conservatives is altering the landscape around gay marriage, long considered a uniquely liberal and political issue, at one of its most crucial junctures: its review by the U.S. Supreme Court.
