Rep. Tim Ryan: ‘Toxic’ Dems Have No Clear Economic Message

The Democratic Party does not have a clear economic message, and while social issues are important, it's the economy that will tie the party together nationally, Rep. Tim Ryan said Thursday. "When I was growing up, and you'd ask my grandfather, my grandmother, you know, why are we Democrats, and it was the Democrats are for working-class people," the Ohio Democrat told MSNBC's "Morning Joe" program .

Democrats’ disputes simmer after special election losses

Democrats were left picking up the pieces after spending millions of dollars from the party's war chest to back a young candidate in a traditionally red district outside Atlanta and pushing hard for their base of supporters from around the country to donate to him too. The loss in the high-profile, costly race was only exacerbated by a second defeat last night in a race that flew mostly under the radar: Democrats also lost a special election in South Carolina.

Ryan: GOP House candidate should apologize for altercation with reporter

Paul Ryan condemns Gianforte for 'body slam' on reporter: "There's no call for this no matter what circumstance" https://t.co/aETw13Cb2Z Paul Ryan Senators introduce new ISIS war bill Ryan: GOP House candidate should apologize for altercation with reporter Border-adjustment tax proposal at death's door MORE on Thursday condemned GOP House special election candidate Greg Gianforte for his altercation with a reporter, but did not call on Gianforte to drop out of the race. "There is no time where a physical altercation should occur with the press or with human beings," Ryan told reporters at the Capitol.

Ohio delegation praises Mueller appointment

Ohio lawmakers from both parties Wednesday praised the former FBI director who will now oversee the Justice Department's investigation of the Trump administration's possible ties to the Russians, saying his intellect and experience make him highly qualified. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein announced that former FBI Director Robert Mueller will serve as special counsel to oversee the investigation.

Rep. Tim Ryan Proposes Bill to Decentralize Federal Government

"We have a lot more employees in the federal government than we ever imagined as a country, and we are in a position where a good number of these jobs don't necessarily need to be in Washington, D.C.," the Ohio Democrat told the Washington Examiner. Ryan's plan would set up a commission to recommend federal employees to relocate outside of Washington, D.C. by the fall of 2019.

MT: ‘Poet-musician’ among Democrats running for congressional seat

"Democrats from across Montana converged in the capital Sunday to nominate a candidate to fill the state's only congressional seat, vacated by Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke to lead the U.S. Interior Department. About 150 delegates were choosing from eight candidates, including two legislators and several political newcomers, to represent the Democratic Party in a special election May 25. 'I come here not as a career politician rising through the ranks,' said Rob Quist, a well-known entertainer.

Ohio Democrats Call for Sessions’ Resignation; Republicans Say Recusal Is Enough — Or Remain Silent

Ohio's congressional delegation split - largely along party lines - on whether Attorney General Jeff Sessions did enough by recusing himself from any investigation into Russian interference in the U.S. elections last fall. WKSU's M.L. Schultze has more on the reaction to confirmation that Sessions met with the Russian ambassador twice, then told Congress he had not.

Contenders crowd potential 2018 political field in Ohio

For Republicans, that means working to avert a collision in 2018 among three high-profile gubernatorial hopefuls. For out-of-power Democrats, the challenge is to find any available candidate with the political clout and statewide name recognition to win the governor's race.

Anti-Trump wave lifts and worries Democrats

At congressional town hall meetings, on the patchy grass of the National Mall, and in the flood of comments posted on Senator Elizabeth Warren's Facebook page, it seems painfully obvious: Liberals are getting energized and exercised. They have found a rallying cry in opposing President Trump's policies on immigration, health care, and just about everything else that comes across his Twitter feed.

President Trump’s Cabinet Picks Head Toward Confirmation Despite Objections

Other panels were considering Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., to be attorney general and wealthy conservative activist Betsy DeVos to head the Education Department. All had strong Republican support, though final confirmation votes by the full Senate weren't yet scheduled.

The Latest: Lieberman returns to Senate to recommend DeVos

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut has returned to Capitol Hill to urge lawmakers to support the nomination of Betsy DeVos as secretary of the Education Department. Lieberman asked senators at DeVos' confirmation hearing to "give her a chance to change the status quo" in the nation's schools.

Paul Ryan expected to be re-elected as House speaker Tuesday

Paul Ryan is expected to be easily re-elected Tuesday as speaker of the House, kicking off the new Congress and marking a quiet end following a year that saw both parties questioning their congressional leadership. Ryan was re-elected by the House Republican conference in November to serve a second term as speaker of the House.

In Columbus, DNC Chair Candidates Map Out Roads Of Reform To Win Again In 2018 And Beyond

On a snowy, bitterly cold day Saturday, candidates who are in the running to become the next Chairman of the Democratic National Committee rendezvoused in Columbus to discuss reforms the party needs if it hopes to become relevant and win elections, big and small, again in 2018 and beyond. The results of the Nov. 8 elections were devastating to Democrats, who lost the presidency and the U.S. Senate and the House at the national level and scads of state races across the land.

Trump’s Cabinet picks unexpectedly putting Senate GOP in bind

Then-Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump appears at a campaign roundtable event in Manchester, N.H., on Oct. 28. WASHINGTON - Senate Republicans had hoped that Donald Trump's Cabinet selections could give them a leg up in the 2018 midterm races.

Democrats Grapple With Uncertain Future Following Trump Victory

Trump thanked voters in Ohio, one of several states in the industrial Midwest that helped give him his margin of victory in the Electoral College. 'In a true sense, history called and the people of this great state [Ohio] answered and you are going to be very happy,' Trump told cheering supporters.