Amul Thapur nomination questioned by Democrats over cash as political speech

Democrats weren't able to derail Justice Neil M. Gorsuch, but they haven't abandoned the pointed questions they aimed at him, recycling those questions Wednesday for a hearing with appeals court nominee Judge Amul R. Thapar. From campaign finance reform cases to his ties to the conservative Federalist Society, Judge Thapar fended off the inquiries during his confirmation hearing, asking to be evaluated on the reputation he amassed during more than a decade on the federal bench.

White House briefs Senate amid tense times with North Korea

This photo distributed on Wednesday, April 26, 2017, by the North Korean government, shows what was said to be a "Combined Fire Demonstration" held to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the North Korean army, in North Korea. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the Korean Central News Agency via Korea News Service.

5 more senators Gorsuch no votes

Five more Democrats said Friday that they will vote against Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch and will support a filibuster against him. Sens. Kamala Harris of California, Patty Murray of Washington, and Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, both of Rhode Island, said they believe that the Denver-based appeals court judge has ruled too often against workers and in favor of corporations.

Gorsuch refuses Whitehouse’s request to ask shadowy backers to reveal themselves

Sheldon Whitehouse Gorsuch refuses Whitehouse's request to ask shadowy backers to reveal themselves Dem senator: Gorsuch must be 'independent' Live coverage: Day two of Supreme Court nominee hearing MORE 's request that he publicly ask conservative donors funding a $10 million advertising campaign run by the conservative Judicial Crisis Network to identify themselves. Whitehouse asked Gorsuch as a "matter of courtesy to the process" to ask his anonymous backers to reveal themselves so that the public could know what interests favor his confirmation.

Pingree: Trump’s Coast Guard, FEMA Cuts ‘Reckless’

US senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island were among the lawmakers from both parties who on Thursday were publicly questioning whether the potential cuts to the Coast Guard that were reported by the New York Times, Politico and other media outlets would serve Trump's stated goals. Terry McAuliffe says President Trump would be "foolish" to cut the Coast Guard's budget to help fund a wall along the U.S. -Mexico border.

Senators seek evidence to support Trump’s wiretapping claim

The leaders of a congressional inquiry into Russia's efforts to sway the U.S. election called on the Justice Department Wednesday to produce any evidence that supports President Donald Trump's explosive wiretapping allegation. Declaring that Congress "must get to the bottom" of Trump's claim, Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., asked Acting Deputy Attorney General Dana Boente and FBI Director James Comey to produce the paper trail created when the Justice Department's criminal division secures warrants for wiretaps.

Records show EPA’s Pruitt used private email, despite denial

Environmental Protection Agency administrator Scott Pruitt occasionally used private email to communicate with staff while serving as Oklahoma's attorney general, despite telling Congress that he had always used a state email account for government business. A review of Pruitt emails obtained by The Associated Press through a public records request showed a 2014 exchange where the Republican emailed a member of his staff using a personal Apple email account.

Senate Democrats seek answers about a Trump higher ed task force

Betsy DeVos greets Sen. Patty Murray before her confirmation hearing on Jan. 17. DeVos took office as education secretary on Feb. 7. Senate Democrats are asking Education Secretary Betsy DeVos for details on a higher education task force that the president of Liberty University says the Trump administration has asked him to lead. In a letter to DeVos released Thursday, six lawmakers said they are concerned that there has been no public explanation by the president or the administration about the purview of the task force.

Scott Pruitt may sound reasonable on TV – but Trump’s EPA …

Trump's pick to safeguard the environment may seem more normal than his boss but he still holds anti-science views With the nonstop drama regarding President Donald Trump's Russia connections hogging the headlines, it's easy to overlook the fact that Senate Republicans are still rubber-stamping the den of crooks and conspiracy theorists Trump is drawing from to stock his Cabinet. Early nominees like Betsy DeVos and Jeff Sessions, who managed to sneak in before stories about secret phone calls to Russia took over the headlines, encountered some pushback and protest, and were confirmed by narrow party-line votes.

Franken: Flynn was ‘lying’ or ‘forgot’ about Russia talks

JUNE 9: Sen. Al Franken speaks to reporters at a news conference dubbed #WeThePeople outside the Capitol on June 9, 2016 in Washington, D.C. Senate Democrats unveiled a new legislative proposal that will reform campaign finances and ensure fairer elections. WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 9: Sen. Al Franken speaks to reporters at a news conference dubbed #WeThePeople outside the Capitol on June 9, 2016 in Washington, D.C. Senate Democrats unveiled a new legislative proposal that will reform campaign finances and ensure fairer elections.

Fueled by protest, liberals push for blockade of Trump picks

In this Jan. 29, 2017, photo, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., tries to calm the audience after shouting matches erupted during his community meeting at Nathan Bishop School in Providence, R.I. Protesters shouted down Whitehouse during the community event as they protested his vote in favor of President Donald Trump's nominee for CIA director. National Democrats are racing to respond to the wave of liberal outrage unleashed by President Donald Trump, jumping into protests, organizing rallies and vowing to block more of the new president's nominees.

‘Obstruct!’ Democratic senator gets earful on Trump nominees

Protesters shouted down Rhode Island Democratic U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse during a community event as they protested his vote in favour of President Donald Trump's nominee for CIA director and pushed him to vote against other nominees. A video of Sunday's event posted by the group Resist Hate RI shows hundreds of people at the event, and the crowd chanting "Just Say No!" and "Obstruct!" while demanding an explanation of his vote for Mike Pompeo as CIA director.

Senators Test Limits on Donald Trump at Jeff Sessions Confirmation Hearing

Senators used the first day of Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions' hearings to test the boundaries of Donald Trump's executive power and highlight areas where Sessions would need to limit him as Attorney General. While several questions at looked back at Sessions' civil rights record, the backdrop to questions about Sessions' future relationship with Trump was set early Tuesday, when Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley asked Sessions whether he would be comfortable saying "no" to the President-elect, given their close relationship on the campaign.

News | Sen. Whitehouse Was Investor in For-Profit Charter School Company

U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse , who is opposing President-elect Donald Trump's pro-school choice nominee for Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, has had substantial financial interests in for-profit charter school outfit Edison Schools dating back to 2000. Rhode Island State Ethics filings show that Whitehouse held a 10% or greater ownership interest, or a $5,000 or greater ownership investment interest in Edison Schools a for-profit company that was launched by Christopher Whittle and whose leadership included Benno Schmidt - the former President of Yale.

UT researchers speak at climate change panel, call out climate change deniers

State Rep. Elliott Naishtat and U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse hosted a discussion on climate change at the State Capitol on Monday involving UT researchers Kerry Cook, a professor from the Jackson School of Geosciences, and Charles Jackson, a researcher with the UT Institute for Geophysics. Cook pointed out the danger climate change denial poses for the developing world and brought up the difference in damage between regions affected by Hurricane Matthew.