Ashley Portero

91-120 (out of 994)

Ashley covers U.S. politics for the International Business Times, with a focus on civil liberties, women's issues and campaign finance. Her work has also appeared in The Boston Globe and the Boston Business Journal.

Ohio's Newest Supreme Court Judge: Death Penalty 'Inherently Cruel and Unusual'

Could Ohio become the 18th state to oppose the death penalty?

What The New FEC Rules For Political Contributions Actually Say

Individual donors will be able to contribute a total $5,200 per candidate in the next election cycle. Here's a breakdown of the new rules.

Flashback: When The NRA Was For Universal Background Checks At Gun Shows

Long, long ago -- in 1999 -- the NRA's Wayne LaPierre said it was "reasonable" to provide instant background checks at gun shows.

NRA's Wayne LaPierre To Senate: Background Checks A Waste Of Time [VIDEO]

The NRA's LaPierre told the Senate panel that "law-abiding gun owners will not accept blame for the acts of violent or deranged criminals."

Drug Offenses, Not Violent Crime, Filling Up Federal Prisons

The United States has seen an unprecedented increase in the federal prison population since 1980. The reason is not violent crime.

Gabrielle Giffords at State of the Union

Gabrielle Giffords Testifies At Gun Violence Hearing: 'Too Many Children Are Dying'

The former congresswoman, who was shot point blank in the head in 2011, urged the Senate to be bold and take legislative steps to reduce American gun violence.

Obama Immigration Speech Expected To Include Support for Binational Same-Sex Couples

In addition to encouraging Congress to adopt LGBT-inclusive language, Obama is expected to call for a realistic path to citizenship.

Texas Woman Who Cut Diamond Ring Off Finger Of Elderly Victim Faces Rare Execution

Texas death row inmate Kimberly McCarthy will be the 13th U.S. woman to face capital punishment since 1976.

9/11 Defendants Want CIA 'Black Sites' Preserved, Made Public At Trial

Lawyers for accused Sept. 11 attack conspirator say information obtained from him under torture is unreliable and urged government to discuss detention facilities.

Thousands March Against Gun Violence In Washington (Photos)

Chicago Mom Loses All Four Kids To Gun Violence, Highlighting City’s Epidemic Of Firearm Deaths

A woman who lamented the loss of her three children to guns now has lost her fourth, and final son, to the same plague.

Path To Citizenship Stressed In Bipartisan Immigration Proposal: What The Plan Includes

However, the popular DREAM Act is notably absent from a plan that aims to simplify the process of legalization for undocumented immigrants.

These US Senators Might Miss Their Paychecks Under 'No Budget, No Pay'

While many U.S. senators are very wealthy, these lawmakers would certainly miss their $174,000-per-year paychecks if a Republican measure passes.

Government Officials Can Still Own Assault Weapons Under Feinstein Bill

Not everyone is exempted from owning military-style assault weapons under new legislation proposed by the Democratic senator.

Women In Combat Units Could Help Reduce Sexual Assaults: US Joint Chiefs Chairman

Allowing women to take on front-line roles could help transform the military's misogynistic culture, Army Gen. Martin Dempsey said.

US Sen. Feinstein To Introduce Assault Weapons Ban Thursday

The Democratic senator will introduce a new assault weapons ban, which will likely be opposed by Republicans and even some Democrats.

Women In The Military: Where Can They Serve In Direct Combat?

The United States will join only a handful of countries that allow women to serve in direct combat positions.

U.S. Army Soldiers In Kandahar, Afghanistan

BREAKING: Pentagon Chief Panetta To Lift Ban On Women In Combat

Panetta is lifting the controversial ban after four female U.S. service members filed a lawsuit challenging the policy.

Clinton Gets Heated in Benghazi Testimony, Tells GOP Senator 'This Is The Biggest Fairy Tale I've Ever Seen'

The secretary of state became impatient with Republican Ron Johnson's line of questioning on the consulate attacks.

NRA: Obama Made 'Mockery' Of Constitution By Including Gun Control In Inaugural Speech

NRA CEO LaPierre said Obama trampled on the Second Amendment by insulting gun rights supporters during his second Inaugural address.

Hillary Clinton Benghazi Introductory Testimony [FULL TEXT]

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's introductory testimony for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Clinton Testifying On Benghazi U.S. Consulate Attacks

In one of her last duties as secretary of state, Hillary Clinton is appearing before the House and Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Roe v. Wade 40 Years Later: Poor Women Often Forced to Forgo Rent, Groceries To Save For Abortion

Forty years after the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision, many U.S. women still face barriers to obtaining abortion services, the Guttmacher Institute says.

Boehner Reid 17 Pelosi Nov 2012 FC post meeting 2

Fiscal Cliff Deal May Have Created 'World's Smallest' Tax Bracket

The Tax Policy Center points out that the recent "fiscal cliff" deal created a new tax bracket -- one inhabited by 500 people.

The National Debt Clock hangs on a wall next to an office for the Internal Revenue Service near Times Square in New York

Republicans Attempt To Stem Debt Ceiling Criticism, Without Actually Raising The Debt Ceiling

The House will vote on suspending the debt ceiling for four months, gaining the GOP more time to fight for spending cuts.

It's Going To Be Politics As Usual After Obama's Inauguration Weekend

After four days of ceremonial events dominating the news cycle, Obama will return Tuesday to a harsh Washington reality.

These Are The Corporations Sponsoring Obama’s Inauguration

Obama's second inauguration is brought to you by: Microsoft, AT&T, Southern Company ...

Could Inauguration Money Actually Be Funding Obama's Future Presidential Library?

President Barack Obama reversed a ban on corporate donors and upped contributions limits to fund his second inauguration. If there's a fundraising surplus, where will it go?