US Senate advances unemployment benefits extension bill

Last Updated: Wednesday, January 8, 2014, 05:31

The US Senate on Tuesday voted to advance the unemployment benefits extension bill, clearing procedural hurdle for the legislation.

Factbox: The ins and outs of Yellen's 'optimal control' policy path

Last Updated: Tuesday, January 7, 2014, 05:39

Yellen first talked publicly about an optimal control path for rates in a June 2012 speech. But the idea of a mathematical model to summarize policy trade-offs -- in this case between unemployment and inflation -- is common to economics.

Factbox: Five facts about next US Fed chief Yellen

Last Updated: Tuesday, January 7, 2014, 05:30

Yellen, 67, would be the first woman to head the Fed and one of the few to lead a central bank of a major economy.

Factbox: Yellen on rates, regulation, communication revolution

Last Updated: Tuesday, January 7, 2014, 05:21

The U.S. central bank has held benchmark interest rates near zero for five years and quadrupled its balance sheet to about USD 4 trillion through three massive bond-buying programs.

Factbox: Policy challenges loom as Yellen prepares to lead Fed

Last Updated: Tuesday, January 7, 2014, 05:08

When Yellen, an accomplished economist and the Fed's current vice chair, takes the reins on February 1 she will face a series of delicate policy challenges, starting with how quickly to wind down the Fed`s aggressive bond-buying campaign.

Dick Cheney`s daughter Liz exits US Senate race

Last Updated: Monday, January 6, 2014, 23:10

Liz Cheney, the oldest daughter of former vice president Dick Cheney, on Monday said she is abandoning her US Senate bid, citing "serious health issues" in her family.

US Senate passes budget deal, focus shifts to spending

Last Updated: Thursday, December 19, 2013, 03:18

The US Senate on Wednesday passed a two-year budget deal to ease automatic spending cuts and reduce the risk of another government shutdown, shifting the focus to a spending measure that Congress must pass by January 15.

US budget deal clears crucial test vote in Senate

Last Updated: Wednesday, December 18, 2013, 04:59

A two-year US budget deal that eases some automatic spending cuts cleared a crucial Senate test vote on Tuesday, all but assuring its passage by a simple majority later this week in the Democratic-controlled Senate.

Jeh Johnson confirmed as new US Homeland Security chief

Last Updated: Tuesday, December 17, 2013, 06:48

The US Senate easily confirmed Jeh Johnson, a former top Pentagon lawyer, to be the next head of the Department of Homeland Security.

US Senate to vote on Yellen, budget next week

Last Updated: Saturday, December 14, 2013, 09:51

The US Senate will vote next week on the new budget deal and Janet Yellen`s nomination to lead the Federal Reserve, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Friday.

Senate showdown over military sexual assault bill

Last Updated: Monday, November 18, 2013, 09:59

A female Democratic senator has secured public support from nearly half the Senate, but not enough votes, for her proposal to give victims of rape and sexual assault in the military an independent route outside the chain of command for prosecuting attackers.

John Kerry to warn US Senate off new Iran sanctions

Last Updated: Wednesday, November 13, 2013, 13:31

Kerry faces a potentially hostile reception Wednesday when he urges skeptical US lawmakers not to proceed with proposed new sanctions aimed at halting Iran`s nuclear drive.