House staves off fiscal cliff, but more money squabbles lie ahead

(CNN) — After exhaustive negotiations that strained the country’s patience, the House approved a bill to avert the dreaded fiscal cliff, staving off widespread tax increases and deep spending cuts. In the 257-167 vote late Tuesday, 172 Democrats and 85 Republicans favored the bill; 16 Democrats and 151 Republicans opposed it. The approved plan maintains…

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Young Conservatives for the Freedom to Marry applaud Gingrich’s stance on marriage

NEW YORK — Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich shifted his position on marriage for same-sex couples this week, urging Republicans to heed public opinion and move toward acceptance of the freedom to marry. Young Conservatives for the Freedom to Marry released the following statement: “Newt Gingrich‘s new position shows that when conservatives truly examine their…

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Illinois State Bar Association Assembly approves judicial recusal rule, supports same-sex marriage, medical marijuana bills

CHICAGO – The Illinois State Bar Association’s (ISBA) 203-member policy-making assembly has adopted a proposal rule governing recusal of judges in cases in which a party has made a campaign contribution to the judge. The ISBA will recommend the proposed rule to the Illinois Supreme Court as an amendment to the Illinois Code of Judicial…

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LGBT leaders call on House GOP to stop wasting tax dollars defending DOMA

WASHINGTON – Today the leaders of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organizations called on the House Republican leadership to stop funding the legal defense of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).  DOMA forbids the federal government from recognizing the marriages of lawfully wedded same-sex couples, legally married in states…

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