WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The top Republican in Congress voiced support on Tuesday for an emerging overhaul of immigration laws, which includes a controversial pathway toward U.S. citizenship.

Speaker of the House of Representatives John Boehner said “there are a lot of issues in here that have to be dealt with” but the tentative proposal by a bipartisan group of eight House members “is frankly a pretty responsible solution.”

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A bipartisan group in the House of Representatives is close to completing work on a comprehensive immigration reform bill that would include a pathway to citizenship for 11 million illegal immigrants living in the United States, according to congressional aides.

Two of the aides confirmed on Friday that the negotiators were still trying to agree on the issue of how to handle temporary laborers coming into the United States.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Eight senators aim to cap months of talks next week with a comprehensive deal to overhaul the U.S. immigration system, a member of the bipartisan group said on Thursday.

Democratic Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey, a longtime reform advocate, said once the agreement is done, aides will draw up legislation that could be considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee in April.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama’s bid to renew a ban against military-style assault weapons narrowly won the backing of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday, sending it to the full Senate where bipartisan opposition is expected to kill it.

On a party-line vote of 10-8, the Democratic-led panel approved a bill to outlaw the sale of such weapons. The measure would also limit high-capacity ammunition clips to 10 bullets.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A divided Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday backed President Barack Obama’s call to require criminal background checks for all gun buyers, yet it remained uncertain if it would become law.

On a party-line vote of 10-8, the Democratic-led panel sent the measure to the full Senate where it faces a possible procedural roadblock that could kill it.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday backed President Barack Obama’s call to crack down on the clandestine trafficking of firearms, marking the first votes in Congress on gun-control since a school massacre last year prompted calls for action.

On a largely party-line vote of 11-7, the Democratic-led committee approved a bill to make it a federal crime to engage in “straw purchasing,” or buying of guns on behalf of those who are prohibited from owning them.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Democratic Senator Carl Levin of Michigan, a leading voice on national security who opposed the Iraq War and has fought corporate abuse during more than three decades in the chamber, said on Thursday he would not seek re-election next year.

“This decision was extremely difficult because I love representing the people of Michigan in the U.S. Senate and fighting for the things that I believe are important to them,” Levin, 78, said in a statement issued by his office.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Less than three months after the Connecticut school shooting, a campaign to tighten gun laws that is backed by President Barack Obama will go to its first votes in Congress on Thursday when a Senate panel meets.

The Democrat-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to approve the four bills that make up the gun-control package in voting over the next day or so.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The top Republican on the Democrat-led U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee said on Tuesday that he may back at least two of the four gun-control bills that the panel will consider this week.

Iowa Senator Charles Grassley’s support could help both measures – one aimed at cracking down on illegal gun trafficking, the other designed to bolster security at schools – pass the Senate.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Congress is getting an earful about the big spending cuts beginning to hit government services from worried and irate constituents, including one senator’s own spouse.

Democratic Senator Thomas Carper of Delaware said his wife, “my most important constituent,” asked him, “Why can’t you guys get your act together? Do you know what people think of you guys?”