Lawmakers Advance Legislation Raising Penalties for Appropriations Violations

A House panel on Thursday voted along party lines to advance a measure that would strengthen enforcement of a law against agencies defying congressional appropriators, but Democrats argued the bill is a "solution in search of a problem." The Anti-Deficiency Reform and Enforcement Act , introduced by Rep. Paul Mitchell, R-Mich., prescribes stricter penalties for more serious violations of the Anti-Deficiency Act, including the firing of federal employees who break the law "knowingly" or with reckless disregard for it.

2 Democrats seek documents on White House efforts to hire banker

Two Democratic congressmen have sent a letter to the White House requesting documents relating to efforts by senior White House officials -- including senior adviser Jared Kushner -- to secure a high-level position for a Chicago banker who lent $16 million to Paul Manafort, the former chairman of Donald Trump's presidential campaign. Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland, the ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and Rep. Stephen Lynch of Massachusetts, the ranking member of the National Security Subcommittee, are asking for information related to Stephen Calk, the chief executive officer of the Federal Savings Bank.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren

The back-and-forth of the general election campaign season seems to have started Monday for Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Republican challenger Geoff Diehl. Warren, seeking election to a second term on Nov. 6, appeared on WGBH's "Boston Public Radio" where co-host Jim Braude picked up a question tweeted at the show by Diehl's campaign regarding specifics on how much Warren wants to see tax rates increase.

AHF Lauds Reps. Doggett, Welch & Cummings for Unveiling Bold, Market-Driven Plan to Lower Prescription Drug Prices

Aug 6, 2018--AIDS Healthcare Foundation welcomed the introduction last week of legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives, H.R. 6505, that would require the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate prices of prescription drugs furnished under part D of the Medicare program. "We especially want to thank U.S. Reps.

E.J. Dionne: Trump just buries his old lies with new ones

When the history of the Trump era is written, this quotation from our president will play a prominent role in explaining the distemper of our moment and the dysfunction of his administration. Trump was talking about media coverage of his trade war, but he was also describing his genuinely novel approach to governing: He believes that reality itself can be denied and that big lies can sow enough confusion to keep the truth from taking hold.

Subpoena Sought Over Allegations EPA Mishandled Records Requests

Environmental Protection Agency manipulated its handling of open records requests so that documents from the Obama years got priority over those involving the agency's embattled former chief, Scott Pruitt, and other Trump administration officials, according to congressional interviews with EPA staffers. The agency also allowed political appointees to review some planned responses to requests lodged under the Freedom of Information Act, according to interview excerpts cited by Representative Elijah Cummings, a Maryland Democrat.

EPA aide: Scrutiny of ‘politically charged’ records requests Source: AP

The Environmental Protection Agency assigns public-records requests from environmental groups or others that it sees as "politically charged" to special internal review, a top agency official told congressional staffers investigating the actions of Scott Pruitt, the scandal-plagued former administrator who resigned this month amid mounting ethical allegations. EPA Chief of Staff Ryan Jackson told congressional investigators one such records request, from the Sierra Club, was a "fishing expedition."

The Latest: Yelling, chaos over FBI agenta s anti-Trump texts

The Latest on testimony to Congress by a former FBI agent involved in the Clinton email and Russia probes : FBI special agent Peter Strzok says a text message saying "we'll stop" the election of Donald Trump was written in response to a series of events including Trump's "disgusting" insult of the family of a fallen American soldier. Strzok says in congressional testimony that the text reflected his view that the American people would not elect someone "demonstrating that behavior."

What they’re saying in Maryland about SCOTUS nominee Brett Kavanaugh

Judge Brett Kavanaugh speaks to the crowd after U.S. President Donald Trump nominated him to the Supreme Court during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House July 9, 2018 in Washington, D.C. ** OUTS - ELSENT, FPG, TCN - OUTS ** Judge Brett Kavanaugh speaks to the crowd after U.S. President Donald Trump nominated him to the Supreme Court during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House July 9, 2018 in Washington, D.C. ** OUTS - ELSENT, FPG, TCN - OUTS ** President Donald Trump nominated Marylander Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court on Monday evening.

What they’re saying about the fatal shooting at Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis

Five people are dead and several others are "gravely injured" after a shooting at the Capital Gazette in Anne Arundel County, a paper that is owned by The Baltimore Sun, according to officials. A shooter is in custody, police said.

Elijah Cummings blames Donald Trump for political climate after Red Hen boots Sarah Huckabee Sanders

Rep. Elijah Cummings , Maryland Democrat, is certainly no fan of the Trump administration , but he said Sunday that the Red Hen owner should have served White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders . "As far as the restaurant incident, I think the restaurant owner should have served her.

Baltimore’s tough-talking prosecutor a formidable candidate

During her first weeks in office as Baltimore's top prosecutor, Mosby made international head... . FILE- In this July 27, 2016, file photo, with a mural depicting Freddie Gray in the background, Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby, center, speaks during a news conference after her office dropped remaining charges a... BALTIMORE - During her first months in office as Baltimore's top prosecutor, Marilyn Mosby vowed to "deliver justice" on behalf of a black man whose death in police custody triggered massive protests and the city's worst riots in decades.

Advocates Warn Against Detaining Families Indefinitely

President Trump has reversed his zero tolerance immigration policy with an executive order that will stop agents from separating children and parents detained at the border. Immigrant advocates applauded President Trump's decision on Wednesday to end the separation of migrant families crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally but fear a return to long detentions while the families' appeals for asylum are decided.