WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senate Democrats have begun preparing a backup plan to extend a tax cut for workers if a special congressional negotiating committee fails to reach quick agreement, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said on Friday. Reid#39;s comments, in a conference call with reporters, were seen by some congressional aides as a signal to Republicans that he is prepared to play hard ball on ...

The Minnesota Senate voted along party lines Monday to reject the confirmation of Public Utilities Commission Chairwoman Ellen Anderson, a move top Republicans broadcast late last week. Gov. Mark Dayton appointed Anderson, a former state senator from St. Paul interested in renewable energy issues, to the post in March . She served on the commission without a vote on her confirmation until today ...

Despite support from virtually all Republicans, the Senate blocked an attempt to deny President Obama an increase in the debt ceiling, ensuring that the administration has the funds to pay the nation’s bills through the November election.

As House Republicans prepared to release a spending proposal intended to overhaul the federal transportation system, Senate Democrats on Thursday rushed to complete a bipartisan effort to end a stalemate that has undermined transportation programs for almost three years. Read full article gt;gt;

Despite support from virtually all Republicans, the Senate blocked an attempt to deny President Obama an increase in the debt ceiling, ensuring that the administration has the funds to pay the nation’s bills through the November election.