Political Fundraising

ATLANTA - Groups hoping to open charter schools across the country could soon have millions more dollars available.

WASHINGTON - A Georgia congressman awarded his stepdaughter, a niece and an aide's future wife college scholarships through the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, making him the second House Democrat known to use the group to steer money to relatives and associates.

AUSTIN, Texas - President Barack Obama is accusing Senate Republicans of blocking help to small businesses because of midterm-election politics.

AUSTIN, Texas - With the fall campaign season fast approaching, President Barack Obama flew to Texas Monday to raise money for fellow Democrats and give a speech emphasizing his commitment to higher education.

WASHINGTON - One talent Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan displayed in her career climb could create unique ethics questions for her as a justice: the ability to persuade Harvard Law School alumni and other wealthy donors to give hundreds of millions of dollars, more than meeting a daunting fundraising goal that came with her job as dean.