U.S. intelligence mining data from nine U.S. Internet companies in broad secret program  —  The National Security Agency and the FBI are tapping directly into the central servers of nine leading U.S. Internet companies, extracting audio, video, photographs, e-mails, documents and connection logs …

Christie names N.J. attorney general Jeffrey Chiesa to fill Lautenberg's seat  —  TRENTON —Gov. Chris Christie today named state attorney general Jeffrey Chiesa to fill the Senate seat left vacant by the death of U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg.  —  Chiesa said he won't seek election later this year.

Manhunt over, Deval Patrick tied one on  —  Candid gov discusses attacks  —  By:  —  Gov. Deval Patrick gave a candid, behind-the-scenes look at the horrific days after the Boston Marathon bombings, telling employees at a Cambridge marketing firm yesterday he got “quite drunk” the day after the intense manhunt finally ended.

House votes to defund Obama's ‘administrative amnesty’ for immigrants  —  The House voted Thursday morning to defund President Obama's orders that allow officials to focus deportation efforts on illegal immigrants who have been convicted of crimes.  —  Republicans have argued that these orders amount …

In Gay Marriage Debate, Both Supporters and Opponents See Legal Recognition as ‘Inevitable’  —  OVERVIEW  —  As support for gay marriage continues to increase, nearly three-quarters of Americans - 72% - say that legal recognition of same-sex marriage is “inevitable.”

Jury acquits escort shooter  —  Ezekiel Gilbert denied he meant to kill Craigslist escort.  —  A Bexar County jury on Wednesday acquitted Ezekiel Gilbert of murder in the death of a 23-year-old Craigslist escort.  —  Gilbert, 30, embraced defense attorneys Bobby Barrera and Roy Barrera Sr …

Revealed: Letters From Republicans Seeking Obamacare Money  —  It's the height of hypocrisy: They call for repeal of the law but plead for its dollars on behalf of constituents.  —  This article appeared in the June 24-July 1, 2013 edition of The Nation.  —   

Atheist Chaplains Would Call Fallen Soldiers ‘Worm Food,’ GOP Congressman Says (VIDEO)  —  WASHINGTON — There are no atheists in foxholes, the saying goes.  Republicans in Congress don't want them in the military chaplain corps, either.  —  That's after New Jersey Democratic …

‘War on women’ returns  —  Still, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is cooking up state-by-state releases calling on possible GOP Senate candidates to condemn remarks from GOP leaders.  —  “These comments make Todd Akin look moderate.  Republicans have offended women across the country,” said DSCC spokeswoman Regan Page.

‘Soon’: Charlie Rangel Predicts the Death of the Republican Party  —  Charlie Rangel.  (Photo: Getty)  —  The Grand Old Party will collapse in the near future, veteran Congressman Charlie Rangel prognosticates.  —  “There are a lot of Republicans that I know are not proud of this period …

Susan Rice and John Kerry Will Battle For Obama's Ear  —  John Kerry beat out Susan Rice for the secretary of state job they both wanted.  But as national security adviser, Rice will effectively be Kerry's boss, report Josh Rogin and Eli Lake.  —  Earlier this year, John Kerry seemed …

Senate Passes Bill Making the Harassment of a Police Officer a Crime  —  The New York State Senate today passed a bill that creates the crime of aggravated harassment of a police or peace officer.  The bill (S.2402), sponsored by Senator Joe Griffo (R-C-I, Rome) would make it a felony to harass …