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Michael Bowman

Produced by Michael Bowman

June 16, 2015
US Senate Votes to Ban Torture in War on Terrorism

Measure codifies into federal law President Barack Obama’s executive order
June 15, 2015
Top Democrat Nixes Fix for Failed US House Vote on Trade

Senator Ron Wyden dismisses any suggestion chamber vote again on TPA that would be stripped of worker assistance provisions
June 14, 2015
After Setback, Trade Backers Seek Another Round on Capitol Hill

New efforts underway to save President Obama’s trade agenda, after lawmakers of his own party scuttle vote on trade pacts spanning Atlantic, Pacific
June 14, 2015
After Setback, Trade Backers Seek Another Round on Capitol Hill

This week will feature concerted efforts to save President Barack Obama’s trade agenda, after lawmakers of his own Democratic Party scuttled a vote critical for eventual congressional approval of blockbuster free trade pacts spanning the Atlantic and the Pacific. VOA’s Michael Bowman reports, the Republican-led House of Representatives could vote again on a worker retraining program tied to the trade promotion authority (TPA), which subjects deals to simple up-or-down votes.
June 09, 2015
Top US Inspector 'Deeply Concerned' About TSA Terror Vulnerability

Homeland Security Inspector General says his team has uncovered 'significant vulnerabilities' in Transportation Security Administration’s conduct of airport screenings
June 07, 2015
Uncertainty Persists on US House Trade Vote

While President Barack Obama discusses trade and other matters with his G7 counterparts in Germany, the fate of two blockbuster international trade pacts could hinge on an upcoming vote in the U.S. House of Representatives. VOA’s Michael Bowman reports, it remains to be seen whether a bipartisan majority will emerge to pass the trade promotion authority (TPA) that would facilitate congressional approval of a Pacific Rim as well as a trans-Atlantic free trade accord.
June 07, 2015
Uncertainty Persists on US House Trade Vote

Proposed deals spanning Atlantic, Pacific regions have firm backing of America’s business community but are strongly opposed by labor, environmental groups
June 04, 2015
US Senate Mulls Barriers to Closing Guantanamo

Bill allows for closing terror combatant facility, but only if President Obama submits plan for doing so that both houses of Congress approve
June 02, 2015
Obama Signs Bill Reforming Lapsed Surveillance Program

Measure will restart bulk collection of phone records and other expired anti-terror tools
June 02, 2015
US Senate Set for New Votes on Surveillance Programs

Senate majority leader schedules votes Tuesday on amendments to USA Freedom Act; House of Representatives, which has already approved measure, says they won't accept changes
June 01, 2015
With Data Collection Halted, US Senate Debates Surveillance Reform

Senators debate bill to restart collection of phone records for anti-terrorism purposes, but to have telecommunications companies store them
May 24, 2015
Congressional Inaction Could End Controversial Domestic Spying Program

This week, a US spy agency is reportedly winding down its collection of Americans’ telephone records after Congress failed to reform or extend the once-secret program that expires June 1.
May 24, 2015
Congressional Inaction Could End Controversial Domestic Spying Program

Lawmakers left Washington for a weeklong recess without addressing the NSA’s snooping capabilities
May 21, 2015
US Lawmakers Scramble to Avoid Lapse in Domestic Surveillance

Unless Congress acts, NSA will cease collecting Americans’ phone records June 1 - expiration date of Patriot Act passed after 9/11
May 21, 2015
Hard-Fought Trade Bill Advances in US Senate

Trade Promotion Authority, also known as 'fast track,' is a mechanism that mandates simple congressional votes to approve or disapprove trade pacts
May 20, 2015
Surveillance Dispute Prompts Rare Spectacle at US Senate

Rand Paul, who is also Republican candidate for president in 2016, is outspoken critic of National Security Agency’s bulk collection of Americans’ telephone records
May 19, 2015
Catfish Battle Erupts in US Senate Trade Debate

Fish commercially farmed in US faces competition from Asian imports of a similar species
May 19, 2015
Crunch Time for US Senate on Trade, Surveillance

Republican majority leader urges senators to 'keep the ball moving' as lawmakers have just a few days to act on three major bills
May 17, 2015
US Senate Faces Deadline on Domestic Surveillance

At issue are activities of the secretive National Security Agency exposed by fugitive former contractor Edward Snowden that created a political firestorm at home and abroad, and were recently ruled illegal by a federal appeals court
May 17, 2015
US Senate Faces Deadline on Domestic Surveillance

At issue are activities of the secretive National Security Agency exposed by fugitive former contractor Edward Snowden that created a political firestorm at home and abroad

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