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GOP's 'Pledge to America' lays out a governing agenda
Washington (CNN) - House Republican leaders will unveil a 21-page "Pledge to America" on Thursday that presents a "governing agenda" for what Republicans would do if they win control of Congress in November.
CNN obtained a copy of the document Wednesday.
The plan focuses primarily on jobs and the economy, with a short reference in the "preamble" to the party's position on social issues.
According to the document, House Republicans want to permanently extend all the tax cuts due to expire at the end of this year, give small businesses a tax deduction equal to 20 percent of their income and require Congress to review any new federal regulations that add to the deficit.
The document lacks, however, a pledge against unrelated pet projects that members of Congress insert in spending bills to bring funding to their home districts - known as earmarks. Banning earmarks is typically a staple of Republican policy.
Some provisions matched positions of the conservative Tea Party movement that has helped defeat mainstream Republican candidates in several primary elections this year. For example, the document calls for a federal hiring freeze on nonsecurity employees and requiring all legislation to include a clause showing that it is authorized under the Constitution. FULL STORY
Atlanta pastor cancels interview about sex scandal
Atlanta, Georgia (CNN) - Atlanta-based megachurch pastor Eddie Long, accused of coercing young men into sexual relationships, will not be interviewed on a radio show planned for Thursday.
Long was scheduled to address the civil lawsuits filed against him on the "Tom Joyner Morning Show." Instead, his lawyers will speak, Long's lawyer told Roland Martin, a syndicated columnist and CNN political analyst.
Martin was scheduled to conduct the interview because he is substituting for Joyner at the radio show.
Long had also scheduled a news conference for Thursday. It is unclear whether this decision will affect the news conference.
A third lawsuit against Long was filed Wednesday, and it prompted Long to decline to do the radio interview, the lawyers said.
The new lawsuit was filed in DeKalb County, Georgia, State Court. It was brought on behalf of Jamal Parris, now 23, who was a teenager at the time he joined Long's church.
The suit, which claims Long encouraged Parris to call him "Daddy," also names the church and a youth academy as defendants.
Allegations that Long coerced young male church members and employees into sex are "a case of retaliation and a shakedown for money by men with some serious credibility issues," Art Franklin, the pastor's spokesman, said Wednesday. FULL STORY
Warren ready for work
Elizabeth Warren, Assistant to the President on Consumer Financial Protection Bureau , on being appointed to create the Consumer Financial Protection bureau, and what her priorities will be in creating the new organization.
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