GOP names members of Benghazi committee
WASHINGTON – Despite Democratic complaints, Republicans jumped into a new election-season investigation of the deadly Benghazi assault on Friday, naming majority members of a special House committee. Democrats mulled a boycott of the panel, which is inspiring bitter partisanship before even starting its work.
House Speaker John Boehner immediately took to social media to highlight his seven-member Republican team. Democrats have five seats to fill, if they decide to participate at all in what Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi derided as a “political stunt.”
Arkansas judge tosses ban on gay marriage
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – An Arkansas judge on Friday struck down the state’s ban on gay marriage, opening the door for gay couples to wed.
Pulaski County Circuit Judge Chris Piazza said the 2004 amendment’s definition of marriage as allowable only between a man and a woman is unconstitutional and violates the rights of same-sex couples.
The ruling came nearly a week after state Attorney General Dustin McDaniel announced he personally supports gay marriage rights but he will continue to defend the constitutional ban in court.
McDaniel’s office is expected to quickly appeal Piazza’s ruling to the Arkansas Supreme Court.
New EPA rules on soot survive challenge
WASHINGTON – A federal appeals court on Friday rejected an industry challenge to stronger health standards for soot.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit says the Clean Air Act gives the Environmental Protection Agency substantial discretion in setting air quality standards.
The revisions followed a determination by the EPA that existing standards for fine particulate matter did not sufficiently protect public health. Fine particles can lodge deeply into lungs and cause serious health problems.
The court said the EPA offered reasoned explanations the rules.
Associated Press
