GOP sees political fortunes rise and fall with tax cuts

In this Nov. 8, 2017, photo, from left, Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., speak informally on tax reform and the elections with reporters in the Senate Press Gallery at the Capitol in Washington. It's an article of faith among Republicans that the GOP's electoral fortunes next year hinge on whether they succeed in their longstanding dream to redraft the nation's complex, inefficient tax code.

Senate bill to unwrap with tax cuts, end to local deduction

The Senate version of the Republicans' high-stakes tax overhaul is set to be unveiled with billions in tax cuts for people and corporations, repeal of the federal deduction for state and local taxes, and a likely compression of the personal income tax brackets from seven to four. The legislation pulling the attention of lawmakers in both chambers would bring the first major reshaping of the U.S. tax code in three decades.

Donna Brazile wasn’t even allowedto swear in front of Clinton’s people

Donna Brazile wasn't even allowed to swear in front of Clinton's people New York Post, by Maureen Callahan "Hacks," Donna Brazile's memoir of the 2016 election, opens with a seemingly minor conflict: Months after the election, Brazile keeps checking her cellphone, waiting for her old friend Hillary Clinton to call. "On Election Day, the tradition in politics is that candidates personally thank the people who helped most in the campaign," Brazile writes.

Forget Donna Brazile & Hillary: the Single-Payer Army Can Lead the Way

Only a few days ago, the Old Guard, elitist leaders of the Democratic National Committee , began showing their teeth to the thousands of Berniecrats they once signaled might fill cavities in a rotting party . Add thousands more Bernie Sanders diehards in dozens of grassroots movements-Our Revolution to BerniePDX-or the thousands joining party affiliates such as the Working Families Party and the Democratic Socialists of America.

Hospital exec who worked for Corzine to head Murphy transition

On an Election Night when the results exactly tracked what public-opinion polls had projected, one of the few surprises was the unexpected appearance at Gov.-elect Phil Murphy's victory party of former Gov. Jon Corzine, who has kept a low profile since leaving office in 2010 - especially after the bankruptcy of his Wall Street brokerage a year later. Then another reminder of the Corzine era surfaced Wednesday, when Murphy made his first appointment as governor-elect in naming Jose Lozano the executive director of his transition committee.

In election glow, Dems see health care as winning issue

Emboldened by election wins, Democrats are starting to see a political edge in health care, particularly widening Medicaid access for more low-income people. In Virginia, Democrat Ralph Northam promised a vigorous push as governor to expand Medicaid.

Voting results show political shift contributed to close Erie County Executive’s race

Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper edged out Art Oligeri by just 300 votes during Tuesday's election, a much tighter contest than her first bid for that office four years ago. But final voting results released by the Erie County Dept.

Democratic senators propose military-style weapons ban

Sen. Chris Murphy, center, speaks during a news conference about gun violence on Capitol Hill in Washington, Oct. 3, 2017. Sen. Chris Murphy, center, speaks during a news conference about gun violence on Capitol Hill in Washington, Oct. 3, 2017.

Americans United Disappointed By House Committee Vote To Undermine Johnson Amendment

Americans United for Separation of Church and State today expressed disappointment over a vote by a House committee on a provision in the new tax bill that threatens to draw America's houses of worship into partisan politics. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act contains a provision that will exempt houses of worship from the Johnson Amendment - the six-decades-old law that has safeguarded all tax-exempt organizations, including houses of worship, charitable nonprofits, and foundations, by ensuring that candidates and campaigns cannot pressure them for political endorsements.

A year after defeating Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump’s approval at 41% in Florida

A new Florida Atlantic University poll has some good numbers for Gov. Rick Scott and better approval ratings for President Donald Trump than he gets nationally. A year after Florida flipped from blue to red and helped Republican Donald Trump to his stunning presidential victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton , President Trump has a 41 percent approval rating in a new poll of Sunshine State voters.

House GOP blocks Dems on child taxes as Senate bill emerges

As the House's tax-writing committee feverishly sprints toward a completed bill by week's end, the Senate's tax bill is starting to take shape. That version is expected to completely repeal the federal deduction for state and local taxes but retain the medical expense deduction.

Bipartisan lawmakers join problem solving group in a divided Congress

Maine's Republican Senator Susan Collins and West Virginia's Democratic Senator Joe Manchin joining the group No Labels. A group that describes themselves as a movement of Democrats, Republicans and Independents working to solve problems in Congress.

GOP blocks Democratic efforts to boost tax benefits for parents

From left, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, and Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., speak following a weekly strategy session, on Capitol Hill in Washington today. WASHINGTON>> House Republicans today blocked Democratic efforts to secure bigger tax benefits for parents' costs of raising or adopting children, as they drove toward wrapping up their tax overhaul by week's end.

GOP blocks Dem efforts to boost tax benefits for parents

Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., left, joined by Rep. John Larson, D-Conn., questions House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, about tax relief provisions for disaster victims as the panel begin the mar... . Volumes of tax regulations are stacked on the dais as the House Ways and Means Committee begins the markup process of the GOP's far-reaching tax overhaul, the first major revamp of the tax system in three decades, on Cap... .

Lawmakers ask Dept. of Ed to extend student loan discharge for Charlotte School of Law students

The Department of Education has the authority to extend enrollment requirements for school loan discharges if there are "exceptional circumstances," which is what should happen for students at the now-shuttered Charlotte School of Law, say a group of North Carolina U.S. Congress members. The letter to U.S. Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, dated Oct. 26, is signed by U.S. Reps.