This bipartisan bill would permanently ban earmarks

Republican Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona and Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri introduced a bipartisan bill Wednesday to permanently eliminate earmarks, a system of spending in Congress that allows funds for a specific purpose to be drawn into a larger federal spending bill. "The swampiest of swamp creatures is what earmarks are," McCaskill said.

Trump slams Democrats as third day of government shutdown begins

The government shutdown headed into the workweek Monday as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he would consider allowing a floor debate on immigration issues in mid- to late February if leaders do not strike an agreement before then, an offer most Democrats appeared to reject. As the Senate prepared for a vote at noon that could pave the way to ending the shutdown, President Trump went on Twitter to argue Democrats are acting at the behest of their "far left base" in demanding protections for young undocumented immigrants in negotiations to reopen the government.

Democrats Force Senate Vote on Net Neutrality Rules

A Senate bill that would stop the Federal Communications Commission from repealing its net neutrality rules has 40 co-sponsors, Senate Democrats announced on Tuesday according to The Hill. Since the GOP has a majority in the Senate, it does not appear that the bill will pass, but Democrats now can force Republicans to vote on the issue in hopes of embarrassing them, because polls indicate that a large majority of the public supports keeping the net neutrality rules.

Equifax not off the hook for devastating breach, lawmakers say

Equifax is not off the hook for its massive 2017 data breach, lawmakers told FOX Business, despite a noticeable lack of progress on new legislation. Lawmakers conducted a series of hearings on Capitol Hill throughout the final months of 2017, which featured former Equifax CEO Richard Smith and Interim CEO Paulino do Rego Barros Jr., as well as a slew of expert witnesses.

Sanchez: America’s Party of God doubles down on Trump

After stating his pride in his Presbyterian beliefs, Donald Trump appeals to evangelical and religious voters by again calling to repeal the Johnson Amendment, stating the tax rule infringes on religious groups' free speech. Aug. 27, 2016.

Senate Passes Republican Tax Bill

The Senate narrowly passed Republicans' tax reform legislation early Saturday morning with no Democratic support, following a marathon voting session overnight. The bill , approved just before 2 a.m. in a 51-49 vote, next heads to conference, where House and Senate negotiators will work out the differences in their bills.

Republicans Praise Presidenta s Tax Plan During Missouri Visit

Missouri congressional members are expressing their views after President Trump's address on tax cuts at the St. Charles Convention Center Wednesday. Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer says the plan passed by the House offers major tax cuts to two important groups - small businesses, and those making $200,000 or less.

Effort seeks to fix quirk: Missourians with Iowa addresses

For decades, an idiosyncrasy in the mail delivery system has forced some rural northern Missouri residents to have Iowa mailing addresses, which has created roadblocks and red tape for residents when they vote or pay taxes - even when they die. Local officials have been asking for help for years from local politicians and postal officials to no avail.

MO: AG launches Google ‘investigative subpoena’ to promote his US Senate campaign

"Missouri's attorney general announced Monday that his office is investigating Google for potential violations of the state's consumer-protection and antitrust laws. Republican Attorney General Josh Hawley, who also is running for Democratic U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill's seat in 2018, told reporters that he issued an 'investigative subpoena' to the tech giant to gather information.

Bannona s forces may not like him, but Mitch McConnell is here to stay

Conservative activists eagerly hope the November 2018 election delivers a strong rebuke to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, whom they blame for stymieing President Donald Trump's agenda. When a new Senate convenes in January 2019, the Kentucky Republican will almost certainly remain in charge of Senate Republicans.

Marc A. Thiessen, Washington Post: It’s time for Trump to put Democrats on the spot with tax reform

When Republicans brought their budget to the Senate floor last week, they were bracing for what is known on Capitol Hill as a "vote-a-rama," in which Democrats would keep the Senate in session till the wee hours, forcing Republicans to cast dozens of politically toxic votes on everything from gun control to legalizing the immigration status of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients. Why? Because they knew that what was toxic for Republicans would be even more toxic for vulnerable Senate Democrats running for re-election in states President Trump won by double digits.

Trump administration disavows Puerto Rico power contract

The Trump administration said Friday it had no involvement in the decision to award a $300 million contract to help restore Puerto Rico's power grid to a tiny Montana company in Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke's hometown. White House spokesman Raj Shah said Friday that federal officials played no role in the selection of Whitefish Energy Holdings by the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority.

Hawley alleges McCaskill has ruled out tax reform. The record is more complicated.

Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley, in one of his first major media events as a Republican U.S. Senate candidate, on Wednesday slammed incumbent Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Missouri, for what he alleged was her pre-emptive dismissal of any GOP tax-reform proposal. "President Trump is out there trying to lower taxes for the middle class," Hawley told reporters in a media conference call.

McCaskill, Blunt pitch Missouri cities for Amazon HQ2

Seattle-based Amazon is considering opening a second headquarters somewhere in North America, and Missouri politicians are making a pitch for it to be in the Show-Me State. Missouri's U.S. senators are pitching the Kansas City and St. Louis metropolitan areas as potential sites for Amazon's second headquarters.