2018 California Senate race expected to get more crowded

California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who announced earlier this week she would seek a fifth full term in 2018, is all but guaranteed to face a serious challenger next year. The question now: who can emerge from a potentially crowded field of ambitious progressives to take on the Democratic establishment favorite? Kevin de Leon, the state Senate president, who CNN reported on Thursday intends to enter the race, is the early frontrunner to advance beyond June's open primary, along with Feinstein, into a one-on-one general election campaign.

Oregon officials say they sidestepped Trump’s ‘sabotage’ of health insurance market

President Donald Trump signed an executive order early Friday that eliminated cost-sharing subsidies that helped low- and moderate-income Americans afford health insurance. About 50,000 eligible Oregonians stood to lose about $48 million a year in federal assistance.

Ex-congressman: The truth can’t get me fired anymore

Retiring Sen. Bob Corker's recent comments about the White House -- that it's an adult day care center and that President Donald Trump's temperament could set us "on the path to World War III" -- reveal a basic truth about what happens to you when you leave Congress: You get to tell the truth. Many of us who've left elected life feel a sense of liberation, as if our tongues are no longer strapped to the right or left sides of our mouths.

Trump nails Obamacare with decision to cut off billions in subsidies

U.S. President Donald Trump moved to undermine Obamacare dramatically late on Thursday by cutting off subsidies to health insurance companies for low-income patients, sparking threats of legal action and concern of chaos in insurance markets. The decision is the most dramatic action Trump has taken yet to weaken the Affordable Care Act, President Barack Obama's signature healthcare law, which extended insurance to 20 million Americans.

Lujan Grisham plans roundtable talk on New Mexico film industry

Lujan Grisham will join a handful of Hollywood heavy hitters, including author and Santa Fe resident George R.R. Martin, for a roundtable discussion about the future of New Mexico's film industry, which generates millions of dollars annually for the state's economy. At the Oct. 19 event, which will be held at the Jean Cocteau Cinema in the Santa Fe Railyard, participants will discuss Lujan Grisham's "plans to ensure New Mexico can continue to attract investment from television and film productions."

Border Patrol tests camera-toting balloon

The U.S. Border Patrol is considering a surveillance balloon that can be quickly moved to spot illegal activity, part of an effort to see if more eyes in the sky translate to fewer illegal crossings. Agents in Texas recently finished a 30-day trial of the camera-toting, helium-filled balloon made by Drone Aviation Holding Corp., a small startup that named former Border Patrol chief David Aguilar to its board of directors in January.

Trump to halt subsidies to health insurers

In a brash move likely to roil insurance markets, President Donald Trump will "immediately" halt payments to insurers under the Obama-era health care law he has been trying to unravel for months. The Health and Human Services department made the announcement in a statement late Thursday night.

Michigan governor stands by congressional testimony on Flint

Michigan's governor insisted Thursday that his congressional testimony regarding the Flint water crisis "was truthful and I stand by it," shortly after a committee pointed out a potential discrepancy and warned him about committing perjury. Republican Gov. Rick Snyder sent the letter to Reps.

Congressman wants to investigate Rick Perry’s use of private flights

A Democratic U.S. congressman is asking the Energy Department's watchdog to investigate Energy Secretary Rick Perry's travel on chartered aircraft, the congressman said at a hearing on Capitol Hill on Thursday. U.S. Representative Frank Pallone said Perry's trips on chartered planes need scrutiny in light of the "extreme" budget cuts the department faces in a 2018 federal budget proposed by President Donald Trump.

Commerce chief: Billions more dollars needed for 2020 Census

The Trump administration acknowledged on Thursday that billions more dollars are "urgently needed" to ensure a fair and accurate count during the 2020 Census. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross told a House panel that new cost estimates show the 2020 Census will cost $15.6 billion, about 27 percent more than earlier projections.

The Latest: Hill Dems blast Trump energy plan

Congressional Democrats are accusing Energy Secretary Rick Perry of pushing an energy plan that unnecessarily helps the coal and nuclear industries. Perry told a House energy subcommittee Thursday that his proposal would strengthen the country's energy supply so it can withstand storms and other crises.

Former Trump aide Bannon had ties to Harvey Weinstein

Bannon is the latest politico touched by the widening tentacles of the Harvey Weinstein sex abuse scandal... . FILE - In this May 25, 2017 file photo, producer Harvey Weinstein appears at the amfAR charity gala during the Cannes 70th international film festival, Cap d'Antibes, southern France.

Democrats Rising? Early Statehouse Wins Test New Faces

Democrats desperate to rebuild after losing the White House last year have scored a string of election victories for statehouse seats, testing a new generation of candidates and activists eager to resist President Donald Trump's conservative agenda. From New Hampshire to Oklahoma, Democrats have flipped eight Republican-held seats in special legislative elections, having spent millions of dollars on low-turnout contests mostly being fought over local issues.

McConnell promises to speed pace on judicial nominees

The Senate's top Republican, facing increasing pressure from conservative groups, is seeking to upend a longstanding Senate tradition in order to speed the confirmation pace on a backlog of President Donald Trump's judicial nominees. Conservative activists such as the Judicial Crisis Network have been increasingly frustrated with the slow pace on judicial nominees.

Democrat stops just short of forcing House vote on Trump’s impeachment

A Democratic congressman stopped just short of forcing a House vote on President Trump's impeachment Wednesday, pulling back under apparent pressure from his own party. Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, read his impeachment resolution on the House floor Wednesday afternoon, bringing it up under rules that would force a rapid vote.

McConnell signals he will end the practice of allowing senators to block judges

Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has signaled he will end the long-held practice of giving senators a chance to block judicial nominees who would have jurisdiction over their states - a move that comes as McConnell is facing increasing pressure from conservative groups to make the Senate more responsive to President Trump's wishes. In an interview with the Weekly Standard, McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, stressed that the use of so-called ''blue slips'' - named after the piece of paper senators from a potential federal judge's state must sign to indicate their approval - is a custom, not a rule, and that the use of them will no longer be enforced.