: News
By Kate Sheehy
The U.S. Senate has followed the lead of the House... by passing the D.C. Appropriations bill without any riders restricting how the city can spend its money.
The bill passed yesterday clears the way for the District to allow medical marijuana use, approved by voters in 1998 but subsequently banned by Congress. It also frees the District to spend local tax dollars to help low-income women pay for abortions.
A federal law bars the District and states from using federal money to pay for abortions, but states can use local tax dollars. Supporters of abortion rights say private donations have helped, but they say that many women were turned away from clinics because the District government did not have enough money.
The bill would also allow the city's needle exchange programs to continue.
D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton is celebrating the passage of the bill...calling it "the biggest win for home rule in the District in decades."
President Obama is expected to sign the bill this week.
Brooks: 'I'm An EGOT; I Don't Need Any More'
The screenwriter, producer, director and actor, whose name has become synonymous with American comedy, talks about his penchant for spoofs and his decades-long friendship with Carl Reiner. Brooks is the subject of a new American Masters documentary on PBS.Washington State Butcher Spikes Pig Feed With Weed
Despite its name, the "pot pig" experiment isn't an attempt to develop a new meaty treat for stoners. Instead, a Seattle butcher is feeding marijuana seeds, stems and root bulbs to swine as a cheeky money-saving measure.Turnabout Is Fair Play: Senators Have Many Questions For IRS
The IRS gave some conservative groups extra, improper scrutiny. Now there's a bipartisan request for the IRS to answer dozens of questions. Read the queries and demands for information from the top Democrat and top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee.Tweets Capture 'Shock And Awe' At Tornado's Deadly Power
Twitter captures firsthand accounts and reaction from the massive tornado that swept through central Oklahoma.Leave a Comment
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