New Mexico lawmakers introduce bill to make paying off student loans easier

Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich joined Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren to introduce the "Bank on Students Act," which would allow people to refinance student loan debt at a lower interest rate.

The Latest: Trump to hold Iowa rally next week

Trump is in Italy for a two day visit, including a meeting with Pope Francis at... The architect of House legislation that would repeal much of the Dodd-Frank law enacted after the financial crisis has agreed to make a key change to the bill, clearing the way for the full House to take up the... The architect of House legislation that would repeal much of the Dodd-Frank law enacted after the financial crisis has agreed to make a key change to the bill, clearing the way for the full House to take up the measure in coming weeks. With just one black person seated among the first 11 jurors chosen for Bill Cosby's sexual assault trial, the defense is crying foul.

Why did Russia become such a big issue only after November? In part because of who won.

Interpretation of the news based on evidence, including data, as well as anticipating how events might unfold based on past events Donald Trump arrives for his election night rally at the New York Hilton Midtown in Manhattan on Nov. 9, 2016. The chairman and ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee informed reporters on Tuesday afternoon that the committee would issue subpoenas to businesses associated with former national security adviser Michael Flynn, subpoenas that, unlike those issued to Flynn personally , couldn't be batted away by invoking the Fifth Amendment.

Lawmakers ask feds to review progress of Hanford cleanup

Members of Congress are asking the federal government to review the progress of years of cleanup work at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, in light of the partial collapse of a tunnel containing radioactive wastes earlier this month. U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell , D-Wash., says lawmakers sent a letter Wednesday to the Government Accountability Office asking for the review.

Dianne Feinstein demands GOP follow ‘blue slip’ tradition for Donald Trump’s nominees

The top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee demanded Wednesday that Republicans follow a long-standing courtesy that allows senators to block judicial nominees from their states - and which could create an opening for Democrats to block some of President Trump 's judicial picks. Sen. Dianne Feinstein said Democrats respected the "blue slip" courtesy during then-President Barack Obama 's tenure, even when it sank some of his appeals court nominees.

Portman endorses Mandel for Senate seat in tweets, video

In two Tweets posted to his political account today, U.S. Sen. Rob Portman endorsed Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination in 2018. "I'm encouraging all Republicans to unify behind @JoshMandelOhio so we can fight 4 more jobs & restore America's leadership role in the world."

Morning Spin: City Council could address gun ranges, valet parking and the United dragging Wednesday

Darnell Hopkins, 63, of South Holland shoots a gun during a class at Glenwood Gun & Pistol Range in Glenwood on Jan. 5, 2016. There are currently no commercial gun ranges in Chicago, but a new proposal easing some of the restrictions on gun ranges in the city might change that.

Warner: Panel’s next steps on Flynn coming Tuesday

Interviewed as part of the clearance renewal process, Flynn said all of his foreign trips as a private citizen "were funded by U.S. companies", according to excerpts of a March 14, 2016, report compiled by security clearance investigators. Mark Warner , the top Democrat on the panel, told reporters they did not believe Flynn could seek Fifth Amendment protections in regard to the documents they requested, and were seeking a firm answer.

The Latest: Budget deal goes big on tax cuts, public schools

Sen. Jason Isaacson, DFL - Shoreview, speaks about how he felt the legislature was shortchanging the University of Minnesota with the funding levels in the Omnibus Higher Education Bill in St. Paul, Minn., Sunday, May 21, 2017. With roughly 24 hours remaining, the Minnesota Legislature finally broke the budget logjam Sunday night, sending several budget bills to Gov. Mark Dayton as the Democratic governor and Republican leaders worked to iron out their remaining disputes that could delay a deal and send the session into overtime.

‘Climate change musical’ is cited as tax waste at budget reveal. Wait, what?

Budget director Mick Mulvaney speaks to the media about President Trump's proposed budget May 23. Tuesday morning, during a White House conference on President Trump's proposed 2018 federal budget , Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney invoked a musical that, seven years ago, won a government grant worth nearly $700,000. When asked if the administration considered climate change programs to be taxpayer waste, Mulvaney replied, "The National Science Foundation last year used your taxpayer money to fund a climate change musical.

Trump advisers weigh privatizing some public assets to build new infrastructure

In his proposed budget released Tuesday, President Trump called for spending $200 billion over 10 years to "incentivize" private, state and local spending on infrastructure. The Trump administration, determined to overhaul and modernize the nation's infrastructure, is drafting plans to privatize some public assets such as airports, bridges, highway rest stops and other facilities, according to top officials and advisers.

Trump budget hard on ‘forgotten’ rural American supporters

Trump budget hard on 'forgotten' rural American supporters Trump's budget could be punishing for the rural, working-class voters who overwhelmingly supported him Check out this story on USATODAY.com: https://usat.ly/2rQU26R WASHINGTON - Sen. Al Franken, the former comedian from Minnesota, had a not-so-funny response to President Trump's first budget that relies on deep cuts to the nation's health care and safety-net programs: "This piece of legislation is cruel," said Franken, who co-chairs the Senate rural health caucus. It could be particularly punishing for the rural, working-class voters who overwhelmingly supported Trump, according to a USA TODAY review.

Washington lawmakers heading into second special session

Lawmakers will head into a second special session as they continue to work toward reaching agreement on a two-year state budget that satisfies a state Supreme Court mandate on education funding. The first special session was set to adjourn Tuesday, after which Gov. Jay Inslee has already said he will call them back for a second special session.