Congress

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- President Barack Obama says Republican obstructionism in Congress is keeping intact a system that is "rigged" against average people who are trying to do the right thing.

The announcement that the U.S. government had secured the release of missing U.S. Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl and that it was freeing five senior Taliban figures from Guantanamo Bay has been portrayed first and foremost as a prisoner exchange. But the four-year history of secret dialogue that led to Saturday's release suggests that the main goal of each side may have been far more sweeping.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Top members of Congress were briefed more than two years ago about the possibility of exchanging an American soldier held captive by the Taliban for five terror suspects at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, senior Democrats and Republicans said Tuesday.

Frustrated by criticism of President Barack Obama's foreign policy, White House officials have been holding private meetings this week aimed at soothing lawmakers' concerns over the U.S. posture in Syria, the future of the American military presence in Afghanistan, and defense spending.

The surprise retirement announcement by Rep. Rush Holt in February set off a scramble to fill the 12th District seat held by the Democrat for nearly 20 years.

As a roller-coaster sign-up season winds down, President Barack Obama's health care law has indeed managed to change the country.

Congress spoke with one voice on Thursday against Russia's annexation of Crimea, passing legislation in the House and Senate giving help to cash-strapped Ukraine and imposing sanctions against Russia.

With several congressional seats up for grabs in New Jersey this November, the primary race has become a crowded one for both parties.

U.S. Rep. Rush Holt, a Democrat and former college professor who has represented New Jersey's 12th Congressional District since 1999, announced Tuesday that he will not seek re-election this November.

President Barack Obama on Saturday signed separate measures into law to lift the federal debt limit and restore benefits that had been cut for younger military retirees.