Bruce Alpert
NOLA.com
Washington, DC, United States
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Past articles by Bruce:
Lack of research hampers gun control debate
WASHINGTON – Responding to a series of deadly mass shootings, President Barack Obama, Democrats running to replace him and congressional Democrats are mounting an aggressive new effort for gun control legislation – most specifically an expansion of background checks for... → Read More
Congress asked to probe online sports' fantasy leagues
WASHINGTON – Congressional hearings are likely into the rapid growth of online fantasy sports leagues that allow people to wage money on the performance of players they select from football, baseball, basketball or hockey teams. Rep. Frank Pallone, D-New Jersey,... → Read More
Sen. Cassidy: Doctors barred from reporting bugs with medical records systems
WASHINGTON – Electronic medical records were supposed to improve the delivery of health care by letting physicians and other professionals quickly access critical information. But there have been major problems with some of the systems, and what's worse, two senators... → Read More
With Kevin McCarthy out, will Steve Scalise run for U.S. House speaker?
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy's surprise decision Thursday (Oct. 8) to drop out of the race for speaker likely puts an end to Rep. Steve Scalise's run for the No. 2 House leadership post. But it could lead Scalise to... → Read More
Steve Scalise's run for House majority leader likely over
WASHINGTON – House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy's surprise decision Thursday (Oct. 8) to drop out of the race for speaker likely puts an end to Rep. Steve Scalise's run for the No. 2 House leadership post. McCarthy announced that he plans... → Read More
Congressional Republicans still fighting Obama administration on energy policy
WASHINGTON – There's a new battle brewing between the Obama administration and Republican-led Congress over pending legislation to lift the U.S. ban on oil and gas exports. The House is slated to vote Friday (Oct. 9) on the bill ending... → Read More
Vitter offers revised bill to deny funding to sanctuary cities
WASHINGTON – Sen. David Vitter, R-La., introduced a revised version of his legislation Wednesday (Oct. 7) that would withhold some federal funding to cities and states that refuse requests from the federal government to detain undocumented immigrants. Vitter aides said... → Read More
'Skeletons in your closet'? Don't run for leadership, House member says
WASHINGTON – A 20-year House Republican veteran is asking any candidates for his party's top leadership to pull out "if there are any misdeeds he has committed since joining Congress that will embarrass himself, the Republican Conference and the House... → Read More
Steve Scalise co-hosts 50th birthday, fundraising and 'vote for me' party
WASHINGTON – House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, co-hosted the type of multi-purpose party Tuesday night (Oct. 6) that is becoming a Washington staple. The party was a combination of Scalise's 50th birthday party, fundraiser and served as a way to... → Read More
Hillary Clinton sends GOP candidates, including Bobby Jindal, a gift: Her 2014 memoir
WASHINGTON – Hillary Rodham Clinton said Tuesday (Oct. 6) that she sent the GOP presidential candidates a gift – her 2014 book "Hard Choices" about her four years as secretary of state during the first term of the Obama administration.... → Read More
David Vitter, Bill Cassidy among GOP senators seeking probe of fetal tissue research
WASHINGTON – Louisiana Sens. David Vitter and Bill Cassidy are among 34 GOP senators asking the Department of Health and Human Service's top watchdog to investigate whether fetal tissue research supported by agency funding complies with federal laws. The request was initiated... → Read More
Vitter/Udall chemical safety bill nears Senate vote with bipartisan backing
WASHINGTON – The long stalled revamping of what industry and environmentalists agree is an outdated 1970s chemical safety law is nearing enactment, but there's still one major obstacle. Last week, the legislation gained its 60th sponsor, meaning supporters have enough support to block a filibuster. That leaves a demand from Sens. Richard Burr, R-N.C. and Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., that the bill be… → Read More
Ben Carson: Blocking gun rights worse than 'body with bullet holes'
WASHINGTON – Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson said that as a doctor he "never saw a body with bullet holes that was more devastating than taking the right to arm ourselves away." Carson, answering question Monday (Oct. 5) on one... → Read More
You're probably paying more than you think to withdraw $$ from that ATM
WASHINGTON -- Wondering why your back accounts have lower balances each month than you expected? Bankrate.com, an online news site for personal finance stories, may have an explanation. It says that depositors are paying record fees for withdrawing money from... → Read More
Attorney General Loretta Lynch: 'BP is receiving the punishment it deserves'
WASHINGTON -- Here's some of the reaction to the record $20.8 million settlement with BP announced Monday (October 5) by Attorney General Loretta Lynch: Lynch: "Taken a whole, this resolution is both strong and fitting. BP is receiving the punishment it... → Read More
Will Louisiana residents need extra ID to fly next year?
WASHINGTON -- Louisiana congressional members are asking the federal government to give the state more time to comply with a federal law tightening security for the issuance of driver's licenses. Without the exemption sought by the Louisiana congressional members, state... → Read More
Justice Department announces $20B settlement in BP oil spill
WASHINGTON — The Justice Department and five states announced a $20 billion settlement Monday (Oct. 5) in the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster that sent millions of gallons of oil spewing into the Gulf of Mexico. The agreement resolves the civil... → Read More
Scalise's race for majority leader might be delayed: Politico
WASHINGTON – The election for House majority leader, slated for Thursday (October 8), could be delayed, Politico is reporting Sunday. The contest, which pits current House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, against Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., a physician, is expected... → Read More
Obama recalls meeting 2 New Orleans gun victims as he pushes for gun control
WASHINGTON -- In continuing his push for "common sense" gun control, President Barack Obama said Friday that mass shootings such as occurred Thursday night at an Oregon community college are just one part of gun violence plaguing the United States. He... → Read More
Obama uses bully pulpit to push gun control after Oregon mass shooting
On the Hill: The week in Washington Obama uses White House bully pulpit to advocate for gun control Thursday's mass shooting at an Oregon community college has led President Barack Obama to utilize the "bully pulpit" available to American presidents... → Read More