Politics: U.S. Senate

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Sen. Saxby Chambliss, a defender of U.S. farm subsidies, faces a strong challenge for re-election in Georgia in a top race among several contests that could affect congressional handling of farm issues.

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Retired US senator George Mitchell, who steered the tough negotiations that led to lasting peace in Northern Ireland, threw his support Thursday behind fellow Democrat Barack Obama in the US presidential race.

The rebellion of conservative House Republicans that greatly complicated efforts to enact the financial industry "rescue" (or "bailout") plan came in the midst of one of the most fiercely contested national elections in years, as Republicans fight to stave off a Democratic takeover of the White House and big gains that would reinforce the Democrats' current majorities in the House and the Senate.

BOSTON - Sen. John Kerry's GOP challenger called on him to sell any stock he has in insurance giant AIG and donate all campaign contributions from officials at the company to taxpayers.

With exactly four weeks to go before Election Day, CQ Politics' Balance of Power scorecards for the Senate and House of Representatives establish one certainty -- that the Democrats will maintain control of both chambers when the 111th Congress is sworn in come January -- and the very strong likelihood that the Democrats will expand the majorities they won by dominating the 2006 elections.

CINCINNATI, Ohio (AFP) - With his presidency in its final months, George W. Bush called Monday on the "lame duck" US Senate to approve his nominations for federal court judges.

CINCINNATI - President Bush reminded Americans Monday that his eight years of appointing conservative judges will affect the nation for decades, hoping to secure his legacy but also help fire up Republicans in must-win Ohio a month before the presidential election.

As the 110th Congress comes to a close, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he's feeling pretty good about the work he and his colleagues accomplished.

ROCHESTER, Minn. - Republican Sen. Norm Coleman and Democratic challenger Al Franken exchanged barbs in their first Senate debate Sunday night over the ailing economy and the war in Iraq, while a third-party challenger seat kept both on their toes.

The possibility that Democrats will build a muscular, 60-seat Senate majority is looking increasing plausible, with new polls showing a powerful surge for the party’s candidates in Minnesota, Kentucky and other states.

The phrase "a week is a long time in politics" is one of the most oft-repeated cliches among folks who follow elections. If that's true, the past month must seem like an eternity for Republican strategists trying to prevent a second consecutive disaster in elections for the U.S. Senate and House.

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US senators Thursday sent a sweetened 700-billion-dollar Wall Street bailout back to the House of Representatives where the last holdouts were under intense pressure to support the deal.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is stepping back from a claim he made Wednesday that a major insurance company is on the “verge of going bankrupt.”

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Senate late on Wednesday approved legislation extending billions of dollars in tax credits for the solar, wind and biodiesel industries as part of a $700 billion rescue plan for Wall Street.

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US senators passed a new 700-billion-dollar bailout of the debt-stricken financial system but failed to lift Wall Street's gloom Thursday while Europe appeared divided over how to battle the crisis.

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The US Senate has endorsed a landmark US-India nuclear agreement, removing the final legislative hurdle for resumption of civilian nuclear trade between the two countries after three decades.

The 74-25 roll call by which the Senate approved a $700 billion rescue package for Wall Street aimed at preventing a credit crisis.

The 74-25 roll call by which the Senate approved a $700 billion rescue package for Wall Street aimed at preventing a credit crisis.

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The US Senate on Wednesday approved a 700-billion-dollar Wall Street bailout package by a vote of 74-25 amid a widening global crisis sparked by the collapse of the US housing market.

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The US Senate girded for a crucial vote Wednesday on a revised 700-billion-dollar financial rescue package as Europe struggled with its own banking crisis and global markets remained on edge.

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The top Democrat in the US Senate said Wednesday that a revised Wall Street bailout plan his colleagues plan to vote on later Wednesday also had a good chance in the House of Representatives.

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The US Senate warned about the prospects of further nuclear tests by India before a vote Wednesday that could clear the final hurdle to a landmark agreement overturning a three-decade ban on civilian nuclear trade with New Delhi.

NEW YORK (AFP) - Global stock markets wobbled in cautious trade Wednesday, reflecting investor anxiety over the fate of a US finance sector rescue package pending in Congress and a widening banking crisis in Europe.

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The US Senate votes Wednesday on a revised 700-billion-dollar Wall Street bailout after the House of Representatives rejected the original package, sending shockwaves through global markets.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Tuesday scheduled a vote for Wednesday evening on a deal to end the three-decade ban on U.S. civilian nuclear trade with India, a Senate aide said.

WASHINGTON - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says differences have been resolved over a U.S.-India nuclear cooperation agreement, clearing the way for a Senate vote Wednesday.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The top Democrat and top Republican in the Senate on Tuesday promised swift action to pass a bipartisan financial rescue plan that the White House says is vital to protect all Americans as well as Wall Street.

WASHINGTON - A sweeping rail safety reform bill that includes billions of dollars for Amtrak cleared a key vote in the Senate Monday, as lawmakers invoked the Sept. 12 train collision in Los Angeles that killed 25 people.

DENVER - Two prominent Senate hopefuls from Colorado accused each other in a heated, nationally televised debate Sunday of sharing the blame for a financial industry meltdown that triggered negotiations for a $700 billion government bailout.