Arizona senators add millions to budget plan; CPS, universities, gene researchers among beneficiaries

PHOENIX - State senators approved their version of a new $8.8 billion budget Thursday - but not before adding millions of dollars in spending to the original Republican plan.

Arizona lawmakers approve plan to expand Medicaid

PHOENIX — In an historic move, a group of Republican senators united with Democrats this afternoon to approve the plan by Gov. Jan Brewer to sharply expand the state's Medicaid program.

Senate GOP outlines coming year's budget

PHOENIX - Senate Republicans are proposing a nearly $8.8 billion spending plan for the coming year, a 1.6 percent hike over current levels.

McCain's popularity drops in latest poll

PHOENIX - A new poll suggests the state's senior senator may have worn out his welcome with Arizona voters.

Sarah Garrecht Gassen: A good day for criminals who want to buy a gun

Too many senators support easy access to guns for criminals and people who are dangerously mentally ill.

"Shame on you," Tucson shooting survivor yells after gun vote

WASHINGTON — Senate Republicans backed by a small band of rural-state Democrats scuttled the most far-reaching gun control legislation in two decades on Wednesday, rejecting calls to tighten background checks on firearms buyers as they spurned the personal pleas of families of the victims of…

AP source: Immigration bill could exclude many

WASHINGTON — A promised path to citizenship for the 11 million immigrants in the U.S. illegally may leave out hundreds of thousands of them.

Senate group wraps up work on immigration bill

WASHINGTON — Democratic and Republican negotiators have reached agreement on all the major elements of sweeping legislation to remake the nation’s immigration laws and expect to unveil the bill next week, lawmakers said Thursday.

AP source: Senate plan would tighten border security

WASHINGTON — A bipartisan group of senators finalizing a landmark immigration bill has agreed to require greatly increased surveillance of the border and apprehensions of people trying to cross it, a person familiar with the proposals said Wednesday.

Boost for background checks: Senators compromise

WASHINGTON — Conservative senators from both parties announced their support for expanding background checks for gun buyers Wednesday, giving a burst of momentum to supporters of stronger restrictions. But big questions remain about whether President Obama can push significant gun controls t…

Ariz. Senate bans unwanted text messages

PHOENIX — Those unwanted text messages for everything from special sales to dating services could soon be a thing of the past.

Key senator urges immigration negotiators to act faster

WASHINGTON — A key Senate committee chairman on Wednesday chided bipartisan negotiators working on an immigration bill, saying their progress is too slow and the delay is setting back action on reform.

Senate vote: OK $85 billion cuts, avert shutdown

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate approved legislation Wednesday to lock in $85 billion in widely decried spending cuts aimed at restraining soaring federal deficits — and to avoid a government shutdown just a week away.

GOP senators tell Obama to tone down the attacks

WASHINGTON — Polite yet firm, Senate Republicans told President Obama on Thursday to tone down his political attacks and prod Democratic allies to support controversial changes in Medicare if he wants a compromise reducing deficits and providing stability to federal benefit programs.

Senate immigration bill may limit family visas

WASHINGTON — Senators writing a comprehensive immigration bill may dramatically limit green cards for extended families of U.S. citizens, reserving them for immediate family members instead, a key lawmaker said Thursday.

After filibuster, Senate confirms John Brennan for CIA

WASHINGTON — The Senate confirmed John Brennan to be CIA director Thursday after the Obama administration bowed to demands from Republicans blocking the nomination and stated explicitly there are limits on the president’s power to use drones against U.S. terror suspects on American soil.

Push for fast approval of CIA nominee hits snag

WASHINGTON — A bid by Senate Democrats on Wednesday for fast confirmation of John Brennan’s nomination to be CIA director hit a snag after a small group of Republican senators and a lone Democrat engaged in a lengthy discussion over the legality of potential drone strikes on U.S. soil.

Congress passes bill renewing anti-violence law

WASHINGTON — House Republicans raised the white flag Thursday on extending domestic violence protections to gays, lesbians and transsexuals after months of resisting an expansion of the Violence Against Women Act.

Hagel confirmed as defense secretary

WASHINGTON — A deeply divided Senate voted on Tuesday to confirm Republican Chuck Hagel to be the nation’s next defense secretary, handing President Obama’s pick the top Pentagon job just days before billions of dollars in automatic, across-the-board budget cuts hit the military.

McCain talks about guns, border in Green Valley

Sen. John McCain was in a humorous mood when he talked to the audience in Green Valley. "It's hard trying to do the Lord's work in the city of Satan, and so it's wonderful to be back here," he said at one point.