The Obama administration on Tuesday said it "strongly supports" a Senate bill that would increase taxes on oil companies, which the Senate was debating Tuesday afternoon but was expected to reject in a vote Tuesday evening.

In a Statement of Administration Policy, the White House said it has put forward a plan to cut U.S. oil imports by one-third by 2025 and increase domestic production. "It is also clear that there are much more responsible ways to utilize the billions in taxpayer dollars provided to oil and gas companies through unwarranted tax breaks," it said.

Members of Congress this week will be closely listening to President Obama's Thursday speech at the State Department for a clarification on whether U.S. military forces will continue operations in Libya beyond late May, which many believe would require congressional approval.

The United Nations on March 17 voted to enforce a no-fly zone in Libya, and military operations began on March 19. The Obama administration authorized the participation of U.S. military forces under the War Powers Resolution, which allows the president to commit U.S. forces for up to 60 days without congressional approval.

The Senate confirmed the nomination of Susan Carney, 71-28, on Tuesday to serve on the second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Carney is the third circuit court nominee confirmed this year and the 24th overall judicial nominee.

President Obama nominated Carney for the seat being vacated by Judge Barrington Daniels Parker Jr. on May 20, 2010 — almost exactly one year ago. 

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) suggested Tuesday that the Democrats' bill eliminating tax breaks for the big five oil companies could be the first step in helping bring down "exorbitant gas prices.”

“We have to do something about the exorbitant gas prices, and the best way to start with that is to do something about the five big oil companies getting subsidies they don't need,” Reid said on the Senate floor Tuesday morning.

But two different studies concluded the bill would have no affect on gas prices.

This is the second time the Congressional Budget Office has presented the idea as an option for generating revenue.

Senate minority leader called the administration's plan a public relations stunt that omits vital steps needed to allow increased drilling.

Six Senate Republicans on Monday introduced legislation that would hit doctors with heavy fines and imprisonment if they fail to inform parents when their minor daughters seek an abortion.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.), said that state laws requiring parental notification have helped to reduce teen abortion rates, but that these laws can be dodged when abortions are sought across state lines. He said a federal law covering all states would solve this problem, and that the proposal is widely supported across the country.

"Polls show nearly 80 percent of Americans agree parents should have the legal right to stop an abortion from being performed on their minor daughter," he said.

The legislation is unlikely to reach the 60-vote threshold needed to advance to a final vote.

U.S. debt is funding a “who’s who” of dictatorial regimes and threatening national security, Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.) said Monday in comments on the Senate floor.

 “Along with the Chinese, a portion of the list of foreign creditors reads like a 'who’s who' of dictatorial regimes,” said Boozman, who was reacting to news that the U.S. hit the federal debt limit on Monday. Read more...