Broker Regulation

House Speaker John Boehner says President Barack Obama wants a blank check from Congress to raise the debt ceiling, but that he's not going to get one.

Decrying a "partisan three-ring circus" in the nation's capital, President Barack Obama criticized a newly minted Republican plan to avert an unprecedented government default Monday night and said congressional leaders must produce a compromise that can reach his desk before the Aug. 2 deadline.

Senate Democrats and House Republicans are pushing rival plans to reduce future budget deficits and avert a potential government default next week. Neither plan raises taxes or cuts major benefit programs such as Medicare, Medicaid or Social Security.

In a fresh challenge to President Barack Obama, House Republicans unveiled reworked legislation Monday to avert a potentially devastating government default in barely a week — but along lines the White House has already rejected.

In a blunt challenge to President Barack Obama, House Republicans drafted legislation Monday to avert a potentially devastating Aug. 2 government default — but along lines the White House has already dismissed.

Sen. Mary L. Landrieu reminds feds, many health insurance agents are small business owners, too, and a new health reform provision threatens to put them out of business at a time when their clients need them most