Senators want $20 million for JCCs and other faith-based community centers

The “Faith-Based Community Center Protection Act” could help Jewish Community Centers and other houses of worship offset the cost of increased security. This enhanced security – already in place at many JCCs in the wake of scores of bomb threats in recent weeks – will tax nonprofits budgets and divert funds that could be used for the preschools, gyms and programs for the elderly offered to Jews and non-Jews alike.

Republican lawmakers face rising anger at town halls

Republican lawmakers hoping for a break from the politically charged atmosphere in Washington, D.C., have instead been met with protests at home. From California to Florida, liberal activists are bringing the fight to the doorsteps of GOP lawmakers, marching on the streets of their hometowns and making legislators’ lives miserable as they attend meetings and town halls with constituents.

Congress Swamped With Calls in Era of Trump

President Donald Trump has promised to shake up Washington, but so far he’s produced gridlock – at least with the phone lines on Capitol Hill. Whether constituents are calling to request congressional flags, get help with a local issue – or, more likely, to register their support or displeasure with the latest move by President Donald Trump – these days they are more likely to get a busy signal or voice mail than a live human, at least if they’re calling their senator.

Trump’s Treasury pick facing criticism over foreclosures

Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Treasury Department, Stephen Mnuchin, built his reputation and his fortune as a savvy Wall Street investor. But one of those investments has put him in the crosshairs of Democrats as he heads into his confirmation hearing Thursday: sub-prime mortgage lender IndyMac bank.

Nevada senator, congressman seek to limit national monuments

With some rural Nevadans angry that President Barack Obama designated two sprawling national monuments in the state in 2016, two Republican congressional lawmakers have introduced a measure to restrict the ability of future presidents to do the same. U.S. Sen. Dean Heller and U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei said their proposal would make Nevada off-limits to new monuments that don’t have approval from Congress.

US considers mining limits in West to save sage grouse

The Obama administration offered five possible plans Thursday for limiting mining on federal land in the West to protect the vulnerable greater sage grouse, but it isn’t saying which it prefers. The options range from banning new mining activity on approximately 15,000 square miles for up to 20 years to imposing no additional restrictions on mine locations.