The U.S. government will reduce the amount of money it spends on American contractors and nongovernmental organizations working in Pakistan this year, even as Washington begins to spend the first tranche of a new $7.5 billion aid package in that country, according to a report from the State Department. Instead, more of the money will go to Pakistani NGOs and contractors, a move that has raised concerns among U.S. development workers. The document, the "Pakistan Assistance Strategy Report," was sent to... (more)

Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert is getting more than $40,000 a month in taxpayer money while working as a lobbyist, Politico's Jake Sherman and John Bresnahan report. Under a federal statute enacted in 1975, Hastert -- a Republican who was speaker from 1999 to 2007 -- is entitled to a public allowance for five years to set up and run an office. That includes money for office space in Yorkville, Ill., three assistants each of whom make more than $100,000 a year, lease payments on a 2008 GMC Yukon... (more)

Democrats have stepped up defense of comprehensive health care reform, challenging Republicans to come up with a health proposal of their own. They also apparently are making efforts to counter congressional "town halls" being taken over by angry reform opponents. (more)

Republicans cleared the way Thursday for a Senate vote next month to confirm Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor, placing her firmly in line to become the first Hispanic justice. (more)

Conservative Democrats won't keep a public option from being part of the healthcare reform plan that will come out of the House of Representatives, top House Democrats promise. (more)

President Barack Obama said Tuesday U.S. unemployment figures will likely continue to climb, at least into the near future. (more)

Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor defended herself Tuesday against charges that her speeches and rulings show racial bias, telling a Senate panel vetting her nomination that critics had misunderstood her record. (more)

As Pres. Barack Obama delivered a speech Monday, one of his teleprompters fell off its stand and broke. Obama, who relies frequently on the device, apologized and continued on using the remaining prompter and a paper copy of his remarks. (more)

Sen. Lindsey Graham told Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor Monday that she will likely be confirmed unless she has 'a complete meltdown' during her confirmation hearings. (more)

On the cusp of history, Sonia Sotomayor listened intently in a packed Senate hearing room Monday as lawmakers began confirmation hearings on her appointment as the nation's first Hispanic Supreme Court justice. (more)