Senate defeats 3rd Obama bill on jobs

Senate defeats 3rd Obama bill on jobs

WASHINGTON

Republicans in the Senate Thursday dealt President Barack Obama the third in a string of defeats on his stimulus-style jobs agenda, blocking a $60 billion measure for building and repairing infrastructure such as roads and rail lines. Supporters of the failed measure said it would have created tens of thousands of construction jobs and lifted the still-struggling economy. But Republicans unanimously opposed it for its tax surcharge on the wealthy and spending totals they said were too high.

White House faces Solyndra subpoena

WASHINGTON

A Republican-led House panel on Thursday agreed to subpoena the White House for documents related to Solyndra Inc., the failed California solar company that received a half-billion-dollar federal loan. A House Energy and Commerce subcommittee voted 14-9 along party lines to authorize subpoenas of top White House officials. GOP lawmakers say the subpoenas are necessary because the White House has denied or delayed requests for thousands of documents related to Solyndra. The Fremont, Calif., company received a $528 million federal loan before filing for bankruptcy protection and laying off 1,100 workers.

Michael Jackson case goes to jury

LOS ANGELES

The case of Michael Jackson’s doctor was placed in a jury’s hands Thursday after contentious legal arguments over who was to blame for the superstar’s death — the celebrity who craved sleep at any cost or the doctor accused of providing the drugs that killed him. In final statements delivered in a packed courtroom, a defense attorney cast Dr. Conrad Murray as a victim of Jackson’s celebrity, saying he would never have been charged with involuntary manslaughter if his patient was someone other than Jackson.

Perry backs visas

AUSTIN, Texas

Texas Gov. Rick Perry proposed the federal government should extend work visas allowing illegal immigrants to move freely between the U.S. and their home countries — but stressed that he opposes amnesty or a path to citizenship. Perry said in an interview with CNN’s John King on Thursday that expectations that U.S. authorities are going to arrest and deport up to 15 million illegal immigrants aren’t realistic.

Bieber allegation

LOS ANGELES

A woman who claims Justin Bieber fathered her baby in a backstage bathroom could be investigated for having sex with a minor because the singer was 16 at the time. Though no crime has been reported, Los Angeles police Cmdr. Andrew Smith told The Associated Press on Thursday that the department could investigate after Mariah Yeater filed the paternity suit against the teen heartthrob in San Diego Superior Court.

Associated Press