U.S. Senate

Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley announced he's backing the Iran deal despite "significant shortcomings." It brings Obama within three votes of sustaining a veto against congressional disapproval.

Religious voters are a key for Republicans running for president. One candidate — Texas Sen. Ted Cruz — is making a bold play for them, promising to campaign on defunding Planned Parenthood.

The groups' targets? Democrats undecided on whether to accept or reject the deal when they vote this fall. The campaigns include tens of millions of dollars spent on TV ads in nearly two dozen states.

Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford said that Moscow poses the greatest threat to U.S. national security and that Ukraine requires U.S. arms to counter Russian aggression.

The bill still must clear the House. The measure would clear the way for President Obama's Trans-Pacific Partnership, which is unpopular with labor groups and some Democrats.

On the committee level in the Senate, Republicans and Democrats have been able to get deals done. The problem will be what happens after bills leave the committees and head to the Senate floor.

If this Senate is getting some traction, it's not yet a threat to anyone's legislative hall of fame. Much higher hurdles loom, including highway funding, spending bills and the debt ceiling.

The senator who once testified against a corrupt mayor is facing his own federal corruption charges.

The indictment of Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., could lead to Chris Christie, R-N.J., appointing a replacement. With Christie's presidential prospects, he might want to consider appointing himself.

Democrats argue the top Senate leader's retirement might be a good thing. But it's going to set off a scramble to replace him in one of the most hotly contested races in 2016.

Vice presidents have cast 244 tiebreakers in the Senate, but if Biden rescues Loretta Lynch's bid, it will be the first time it has been used for a Cabinet nomination.

Brooke was the first African-American to be popularly elected to the U.S. Senate, serving in the chamber for 13 years. He was a major champion of fair housing laws.