WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama on Tuesday launched a public relations push for his bid to raise taxes on wealthy Americans, but U.S. lawmakers remained deadlocked over dramatic, year-end tax increases and spending cuts known as the “fiscal cliff.”

At the White House, small business leaders emerged from a one-hour meeting with Obama to voice support for his goal of extending low tax rates for the middle class beyond the end of the year, while letting rates rise for wealthier taxpayers.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Republicans in the U.S. Congress on Monday called on President Barack Obama to detail long-term spending cuts to help solve the country’s fiscal crisis, while holding firm against the income tax rate increases for the wealthy that Democrats seek.

The White House has been equally firm in its position, threatening to veto any bill that does not include the tax rate increases opposed by Republicans.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama’s re-election this month gave supporters of comprehensive immigration reform an immediate dose of optimism.

They hoped that Obama, bolstered by the 70 percent-plus support he received from Hispanic voters, might now feel ready to champion the cause he largely avoided during his first term.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama’s re-election this month gave supporters of comprehensive immigration reform an immediate dose of optimism.

They hoped that Obama, bolstered by the 70 percent-plus support he received from Hispanic voters, might now feel ready to champion the cause he largely avoided during his first term.

WASHINGTON/CHICAGO (Reuters) – Representative Jesse Jackson Jr., who has been treated for bipolar disorder and is reportedly under investigation for possible misuse of campaign funds, resigned his seat on Wednesday, citing health reasons.

“My health issues and treatment regimen have become incompatible with service in the House of Representatives. Therefore, it is with great regret that I hereby resign … effective today, in order to focus on restoring my health,” the Chicago Democrat said in a letter to U.S. House Speaker John Boehner.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama and top lawmakers agreed on Friday to work on a framework for reforming the U.S. tax code and “entitlement” programs next year, in what could be an important first step in averting the upcoming ‘fiscal cliff.”

While the congressional leaders and the president had spoken individually in the past week in public statements about a construct for going forward, Friday’s session marked the first time they sat in a room together and struck a similar chord.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama and top lawmakers agreed on Friday to work on a framework for reforming the U.S. tax code and “entitlement” programs next year, in what could be an important first step in averting the upcoming ‘fiscal cliff.”

While the congressional leaders and the president had spoken individually in the past week in public statements about a construct for going forward, Friday’s session marked the first time they sat in a room together and struck a similar chord.

WASHINGTON, Nov 16 (Reuters) – Efforts to avert the “fiscal
cliff” began in earnest on Friday as President Barack Obama met
with top U.S. lawmakers to work on a deal to head off year-end
across-the-board tax hikes and spending cuts that could push the
economy back into recession.

The hour-long session is not expected to yield much in the
way of tangible results, but it could create a template for the
coming weeks of negotiations.

WASHINGTON, Nov 15 (Reuters) – As President Barack Obama and
congressional leaders prepared for budget and tax talks on
Friday aimed at preventing the U.S. economy from falling back
into recession next year, Democrats and Republicans dug in on
their long-held opposing positions.

“What we won’t do is raise tax rates,” Senate Republican
leader Mitch McConnell warned on Thursday.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Nancy Pelosi said she will announce on Wednesday if she will end her 10-year-run as the top Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives, which included a historic stint from 2007 to 2011 as the chamber’s first and only woman speaker.

“I will see you 10 a.m., tomorrow, those of you who are interested,” Pelosi told reporters at the Capitol on Tuesday after being asked about her political future.