Mattis Says Iran Risks Escalating War With Israel as Trump Mulls Nuclear Deal
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Thursday that Iran’s destabilizing actions in Syria risk an escalation with Israel that could spark a larger regional conflict.
Senate
Republican plan to confirm Trump nominees quicker advances in the Senate
Senate Republicans on Wednesday advanced a resolution that would shorten debate time on most presidential nominees, after complaints that Democrats have been using the arcane Senate debate rules to stall Trump administration nominees.
One Step Closer to Law: Could a California Bill Ultimately Lead to the Banning of Bibles?
A pro-LGBTQ bill is quickly making its way through the California state assembly after it was approved on the floor Thursday. The bill now goes to the state Senate for a vote.
6 Things You Need To Know About The Released Comey Memos
On Thursday, contemporaneous memos written by then-FBI director James Comey regarding meetings with President Trump were revealed to Congress…and within minutes, were leaked to the media. There wasn’t much in the memos we hadn’t already heard from Comey, of course.
As GOP balks, McConnell shuts down bill to protect Mueller
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday thwarted a bipartisan effort to protect special counsel Robert Mueller’s job, saying he will not hold a floor vote on the legislation even if it is approved next week in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Senators introduce new war powers resolution days after Syria strike
Lawmakers on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee introduced new Authorization for the Use of Military Force legislation to replace current war authorizations from 2001 and 2002 that have not been revised since they were passed.
CIA chief confirms U.S. strike killed ‘hundreds’ of Russian mercenaries in Syria in February
CIA Director Mike Pompeo confirmed Thursday that U.S. forces killed ‘a couple hundred’ Russian mercenary troops in Syria in a strike earlier this year that he said sent a distinct signal to Moscow.
Senate bill to protect Robert Mueller from Trump firing could see Thursday vote
Four U.S. senators, including Republicans Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, introduced legislation Wednesday that would make it hard for President Trump to fire special counsel Robert Mueller.
Key moments from Mark Zuckerberg’s Senate testimony
Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder, chairman and CEO of Facebook, appeared before lawmakers for the first time on Tuesday to answer questions about how his social networking juggernaut handles its 2.2 billion users’ private data, as well as the role the company played in Russia’s meddling in the 2016 election.
Senate ready to change the rules to speed up Trump nominees
Senate Republicans, frustrated by delaying tactics imposed by Democrats on President Trump’s judicial and executive branch nominees, are on the verge of altering the Senate rules in order to speed up the process.
Illinois Senate advances plan requiring public schools to teach LGBT history
The Illinois Senate has advanced a plan requiring public schools teach a unit on the role and contributions of gays, lesbians and other LGBT individuals in society.
Nancy Pelosi says Democrats will work with Republicans on new tax law after they win House
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said Wednesday that Democrats will work with Republicans to rework the GOP tax overhaul after taking back the majority next year.
Trump, GOP could claw back omnibus spending with little-used budget tool
President Trump and congressional Republicans could claw back parts of the just-signed spending bill for fiscal 2018 using a budget tool that has fallen into disuse in recent decades.
Judge’s death gives Trump the opportunity to overhaul the liberal 9th Circuit
The death this week of 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Stephen Reinhardt gives President Trump the opportunity to boost the number of Republican-appointed judges on the famously liberal-leaning court, with seven seats now open.
James Dobson Says Republicans Betrayed Christians by Funding Planned Parenthood
Prominent evangelical leader James Dobson has voiced his disapproval with Republicans in Congress for passing a spending bill that he considers to be a ‘betrayal’ to those who voted for them.
Hawaii Lawmakers Legalize Medically Assisted Suicide
Hawaii lawmakers approved legislation Thursday that would make it the latest liberal-leaning state to legalize medically assisted suicide.
Documents suggest possible coordination between CIA, FBI, Obama WH and Dem officials early in Trump-Russia probe: investigators
Newly uncovered text messages between FBI officials Peter Strzok and Lisa Page suggest a possible coordination between high-ranking officials at the Obama White House, CIA, FBI, Justice Department and former Senate Democratic leadership in the early stages of the investigation into alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, according to GOP congressional investigators on Wednesday.
Congress Gives Itself a Bonus in Omnibus
The House and Senate increased their own budgets in the $1.3 trillion omnibus spending package.
Congress clears massive spending bill in midnight vote
The House approved a $1.3 trillion spending bill Thursday to fund the government for the rest of fiscal year 2018 and the Senate followed suit early Friday morning, beating the shutdown deadline and leaving Republicans and Democrats to fight over credit and blame.
Congress introduces $1.3 trillion, 2,232-page funding bill, hopes for passage this week
House and Senate lawmakers introduced a $1.3 trillion fiscal 2018 spending bill late Wednesday night, and hope lawmakers can pass it all in the next day or two.