Nolan bill forcing PolyMet land swap clears House

The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday, Nov. 28, passed legislation that orders the U.S. Forest Service to move forward with a land exchange giving PolyMet Mining access to the site where it hopes to build Minnesota's first-ever copper-nickel mine. The bill passed 309-99 and would, if it becomes law, nullify lawsuits filed by environmental groups to stop the land exchange.

Fitzgerald: Those who draw the ‘race’ card are the least deserving to use it

SLUR? U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren joins a rally outside the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in Washington, D.C., yesterday. When Englishman Samuel Johnson suggested "patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels," he was referring to sunshine patriots, those who would wrap themselves in the flag for personal advancement as opposed to those who actually fought beneath it for love of country.

Conservative speaker arrested at UConn blames students

A group of wealthy homeowners whose private street was auctioned off after years of unpaid property taxes is asking San Francisco leaders to reverse the sale. A group of wealthy homeowners whose private street was auctioned off after years of unpaid property taxes is asking San Francisco leaders to reverse the sale.

LA County homeless encampments to get toilets and wash basins as hepatitis A threat looms

A homeless man takes food from a trash can in Los Angeles' Skid Row area, home to the nation's largest concentration of homeless people, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, in Los Angeles. At least 10 cities have declared official states of emergency, and California declared a statewide emergency due to a hepatitis A outbreak linked to homeless encampments.

More pressure on Conyers to resign after new accusations

A former staffer to John Conyers says the Michigan congressman made unwanted sexual advances that included partially undressing in front of her in a hotel room and inappropriate touching, prompting more calls for the longest-serving member of the House to resign. Deanna Maher, 77, who ran a Michigan office for Conyers from 1997 to 2005, told The Associated Press Tuesday that the first incident occurred in 1997 during a three-day Congressional Black Caucus event in Washington, which she said she "felt honored" to attend.

Comstock stands up for victims of sexual harassment: ‘I can be their voice’

Rep. Barbara Comstock , who is emerging as a leader in Congress on the issue of sexual harassment, talks about the issue Tuesday in her office in Washington. Wherever Rep. Barbara Comstock goes these days, she's stopped by women who thank her for speaking out about sexual harassment on Capitol Hill.

Senators debate likely effects of GOP tax plan

Republican Sens. Ted Cruz and Tim Scott face off against Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell and independent Sen. Bernie Sanders at CNN's tax reform debate on November 28, 2017. WASHINGTON -- While Congress continues to push for tax reform, senators from across the aisle debated Tuesday evening over the likely ramifications of the GOP tax bill.

Former Conyers staffer accuses him of inappropriate touching

A former staffer to Rep. John Conyers says he made an unwanted sexual advance toward her and touched her inappropriately twice in the late 1990s, the Detroit News reported Tuesday, in the latest sexual misconduct allegations against the veteran lawmaker. Deanna Maher, 77, who ran a Michigan office for Conyers from 1997 to 2005, told the newspaper that there were three instances of inappropriate conduct.

Rep. Gutierrez of Illinois says it’s ‘my time to move on’

Rep. Luis Gutierrez of Illinois, a Democratic party leader on efforts to overhaul the nation's immigration laws, announced Tuesday he won't seek re-election next year after 13 terms. "This is my time to move on," the congressman said at a Chicago news conference.

Panel: Washington governor should not approve oil terminal

A state energy panel has unanimously voted to recommend disapproving a massive oil-by-rail terminal proposed along the Columbia River in Washington. The state's Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council, which has been evaluating the project since 2013, decided Tuesday to tell Gov. Jay Inslee to reject the project.

Democrats pull out of White House meeting after Trump tweet

Congress' top Democratic leaders abruptly pulled out of a planned meeting Tuesday with President Donald Trump after he attacked them on Twitter, casting doubt on the prospects for a quick agreement to avert a government shutdown at the end of next week. Trump tweeted early Tuesday that ''I don't see a deal!'' with Senate Minority leader Charles Schumer and top House Democrat Nancy Pelosi of California and accused them of being soft on crime, taxes and illegal immigration.

Fed chair nominee Powell pledges to a respond decisivelya to economic threats

The U.S. Federal Reserve should "respond decisively" to any new economic crisis, Fed chair nominee Jerome Powell told the Senate Banking Committee on Tuesday, positioning himself as an heir to the central bank policies of current chair Janet Yellen and her predecessor Ben Bernanke. At his confirmation hearing before the banking panel, President Trump's nominee to take over as Fed chair endorsed the core ideas that have defined U.S. central banking since the financial crisis of 2007 to 2009 - a willingness to move aggressively against a downturn, and an insistence on flexibility and independence from political influence in setting policy.

Trump bad-mouths Dems ahead of White House talks with them

President Donald Trump took to Twitter on Tuesday to bad-mouth Capitol Hill's top Democrats in advance of an afternoon meeting at the White House, casting doubt on the prospects for a quick agreement to avert a government shutdown at the end of next week. "I don't see a deal!" Trump tweeted just hours before a meeting with Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and top House Democrat Nancy Pelosi of California.

Rep. John Conyers accused of sexual harassment by another former staffer

A former deputy chief of staff for Rep. John Conyers Jr. of Michigan has accused the Detroit Democrat of unwanted sexual advances. Deanna Maher said the congressman harassed and touched her on three occasions while she ran the congressman's Michigan office between 1997 to 2005, the Detroit News reported.

At Capitol, Franken apologizes and sees long fight for trust

Choose your news! Select the text alerts you want to receive: breaking news, prep sports scores, school closings, weather, and more. AP photo Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., returns to his office after talking to the media Monday on Capitol Hill in Washington.

Longtime advocate for immigration reform to retire from house

Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., speaks during the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia , Monday, July 25, 2016. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., speaks during the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia , Monday, July 25, 2016.

Former top staffer accuses Conyers of inappropriate touching

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi is defending Conyers as ... Meghan Markle became an advocate for women when she was an 11-year-old elementary school student, and achieving gender equality remains a driving force for the fiance of Britain's Prince Harry and self-described... Meghan Markle became an advocate for women when she was an 11-year-old elementary school student, and achieving gender equality remains a driving force for the fiance of Britain's Prince Harry and self-described "feminist." . Pennsylvania's highest court will decide whether a Pittsburgh man's anti-police rap lyrics are protected free expression or amount to witness intimidation and making terroristic threats.

Conservative group linked to woman who falsely accused Moore

Former Alabama Chief Justice and U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore speaks at a news conference, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017, in Birmingham, Ala. A former deputy chief of staff for Rep. John Conyers says the veteran lawmaker made unwanted sexual advances toward her, including inappropriate touching.

Senator Franken, on groping allegations, vows ‘this will not happen again’

"I know that I am going to have to be much more conscious when in these circumstances, much more careful, much more sensitive and that this will not happen again going forward," Democratic Senator Al Franken told reporters outside his office on Capitol Hill. WASHINGTON: US Democratic Senator Al Franken returned to Congress on Monday to begin what he called a process of rebuilding trust shattered by allegations he had groped or inappropriately touched women, vowing "this will not happen again."

Ivanka Trump’s India visit raises questions about her brand

The event - co-hosted by the United States and India - ru... . A motorist rides past a hoarding of US President daughter Ivanka Trump as a statue is erected at the entrance of HITECH city, venue of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Hyderabad, India, Monday, Nov. 27, 2017.