Author: Philip Elliott
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Obama declares swine flu a national emergency
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama declared the swine flu outbreak a national emergency, giving his health chief the power to let hospitals move emergency rooms offsite to speed treatment and protect noninfected patients.The declaration, signed Friday night and announced Saturday, comes with the disease more prevalent than ever in the country and production delays undercutting…
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Same-sex partners of federal workers to receive benefits
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama, under growing criticism for not seeking to end the ban on openly gay men and women in the military, is extending benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees. Obama plans to announce his decision today in the Oval Office, a White House official said Tuesday. The official spoke on the…
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Obama confronts critics on health care overhaul
GREEN BAY, Wis. – President Barack Obama challenged Republican critics Thursday to offer alternative plans for overhauling U.S. health care, declaring he’s “happy to steal people’s ideas” but that doing nothing about out-of-reach costs and uninsured Americans is not an option. “What else do we say to all those families who spend more on health…
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Obama urges credit card reform in radio address
WASHINGTON – Send me a bill that stops credit card companies from taking advantage of consumers, and do it by month’s end, President Barack Obama is demanding of Congress. But there’s no guarantee lawmakers will deliver by Memorial Day, and the banking industry is fighting back. “Americans know that they have a responsibility to live…
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White House aide resigns over NYC flyover
WASHINGTON – The White House official who authorized a $328,835 photo-op of Air Force One soaring above New York City resigned Friday just weeks after the flyover sparked panicked workers to rush into the streets and flashbacks to Sept. 11.Louis Caldera said the controversy had “made it impossible for me to effectively lead the White…