Senate

President Obama Signs Law Banning Cell Phones in Prisons

President Barack Obama recently signed Bill S. 1749, which bans prisoners from having cell phones, into law. The law was approved by both the Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this year. In addition to making it illegal to have a cell phone in a prison, the law also makes it illegal to smuggle a cell phone into a prison.

Congress Passes Fair Sentencing Act; Lower Crack-Cocaine Disparity Heads to Obama for Signature

Here’s an incremental, but important victory for criminal justice, as the crack/powder cocaine sentencing disparity has shrunk: Congress has changed a quarter-century-old law that has sent tens of thousands of blacks to prison for crack cocaine convictions while giving far more lenient treatment to those, mainly whites, caught with the same amount of the drug in powder form [...]

House Approves Cell Ban for All Prisoners

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved S. 1749, which makes it illegal for prisoners to have possession of a mobile phone or other other device that can access wireless services. The Senate approved the bill in April. It only needs to be signed by the President to become law. Cell phones are already banned at prisons, but this new law will make it a punishable crime.

Rahm Emanuel expected to quit White House

Washington insiders say he will quit within six to eight months in frustration at their unwillingness to "bang heads together" to get policy pushed through. Mr Emanuel, 50, enjoys a good working relationship with Mr Obama but they are understood to have reached an understanding that differences over style mean he will serve only half the full four-year term.

Joe Biden's son hospitalized

The White House says Vice President Joe Biden's son is being treated at a Delaware hospital. In a statement Tuesday, the White House says Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden is awake and alert and communicating with his parents and wife, who are with him.