Legislation would make attack aboard train federal crime

U.S. Sens. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois and John Hoeven of North Dakota marked the anniversary of the shooting of an Amtrak conductor in suburban Chicago with the introduction of legislation that would make such an attack a federal crime. On Wednesday, the Democrat Duckworth and the Republican Hoeven introduced the Passenger Rail Crew Protection Parity Act that calls for those suspected of assaulting or intimidating rail crewmembers to be charged under federal law.

Rick Santorum falls apart while trying to defend Trump slurring immigrants as ‘animals’

Former Republican Senator Rick Santorum on Thursday tried to defend President Donald Trump's declaration this week that he was deporting a lot of "animals" from the United States - but his defense fell apart when confronted by several of the president's other past statements about immigrants. During a panel with CNN host Chris Cuomo and guest Ana Navarro, Santorum tried to claim that Trump was only referring to MS-13 gang members as "animals" on Wednesday.

‘Legislative act of cruelty’ used as method to get farm bill…

The conservative House Freedom Caucus is pushing hard for an immigration bill despised by many advocates for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals participants - an effort that has a chance of getting a House vote as soon as next week. If that vote occurs, it would make it far more difficult for DACA backers to get votes on legislation they've been seeking.

Time For Positive Change In 6th District GOP Leadership

ON MAY 19, THOSE WHO were "lucky" enough to prefile to become a delegate to the 6th District Republican Convention, will not only vote for the next nominee to replace Congressman Goodlatte, but they will also be voting for the next chair of the 6th District Republican Committee. If you want someone who will not be biased toward any candidate and manipulate a federal election for that candidate, vote for Jennifer M. Brown.

Democrats hope net neutrality issue will win votes this fall

Senate Democrats, joined by three Republicans, pushed through a measure intended to revive Obama-era internet rules that ensured equal treatment for all web traffic, though opposition in the House and the White House seems insurmountable. Republicans on the short end of the 52-47 vote described the effort to reinstate "net neutrality" rules as "political theater" because the GOP-controlled House is not expected to take up the issue and the Senate's margin could not overcome a presidential veto.

Democrats hope net neutrality issue will win votes this fall Source: AP

Senate Democrats, joined by three Republicans, pushed through a measure intended to revive Obama-era internet rules that ensured equal treatment for all web traffic, though opposition in the House and the White House seems insurmountable. Republicans on the short end of the 52-47 vote described the effort to reinstate "net neutrality" rules as "political theater" because the GOP-controlled House is not expected to take up the issue and the Senate's margin could not overcome a presidential veto.

Confirmation vote for CIA nominee exposes Democratic rift Source: AP

The political schism in the Democratic Party is playing out in the confirmation vote for Gina Haspel as CIA director, as support from red-state senators facing re-election bumps up against a more liberal flank eyeing potential 2020 presidential bids and rejecting the nominee over the agency's clouded history of torture. Haspel's confirmation became all but certain with a favorable 10-5 vote Wednesday by the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Senate Democrats push to reinstate ‘net neutrality’ rules

Don't expect the House to go along with the Senate's expected passage of legislation that would revive an Obama-era rule requiring equal treatment for all web traffic by internet providers. Opponents such as Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., said the Senate's vote later Wednesday on a measure reversing the Federal Communications Commission's decision that scrapped the "net neutrality" rule amounted to "political theater" with no prospects of approval by the GOP-controlled House.

Senate panel: Russia intervened in 2016 election to help Trump, hurt Clinton

Donald Trump Jr. told the Senate Judiciary Committee last year he did not recall ever discussing the Russia investigation with his father and said he didn't think there was anything wrong with meeting a Russian lawyer at Trump Tower ahead of the 2016 presidential election, according to transcripts released today of his interview with the panel. The committee released more than 1,800 pages of transcripts of interviews with Trump's son and others who attended a June 9, 2016, meeting at which they expected to receive dirt about Trump's opponent, Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Consumers brace for premium hikes while lawmakers grasp at remedies

As some insurers angle for hefty premium hikes and concerns grow that more Americans will wind up uninsured, the federal health law is likely - once again - to play big in both parties' strategies for the contentious 2018 election. Candidates are already honing talking points: Is the current dysfunction the result of the law or of GOP attempts to dismantle it? The impact of changes to the law made by Republicans over the past year - modifications short of the "repeal and replace" they promised - is becoming clear.

Email challenges Pruitt account on motorcade lights, siren

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt appears before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies on budget on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 16, 2018. Pruitt goes before a Senate panel Wednesday as he faces a growing number of federal ethics investigations over his lavish spending on travel and security.

Senate backs effort to restore ‘net neutrality’

Senate Democrats, joined by three Republicans, pushed through a measure Wednesday intended to revive Obama-era internet rules that ensured equal treatment for all web traffic, though opposition in the House and the White House seems insurmountable. Republicans on the short end of the 52-47 vote described the effort to reinstate "net neutrality" rules as "political theater" because the GOP-controlled House is not expected to take up the issue and the Senate's margin could not overcome a presidential veto.

Congressman Lewis to hold three town halls

Congressman Jason Lewis, who has been criticized for ducking the public by not having town hall meetings, plans to hold three town halls this Saturday, including one in Jordan. The conservative Republican represents Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District, and his race is expected to be among the toughest in the mid-terms.

Gina Haspel, Trump’s pick to lead CIA, wins support of Senate Intelligence Committee

The Senate Intelligence Committee moved Wednesday to recommend Gina Haspel for CIA director, setting up a floor vote that her opponents say will signal to the world whether the United States condemns or condones torture. With two of 51 Republicans committed to voting against Haspel, and five Democrats already indicating they will support her, it appears she is set to become the agency's first female director.

GOP Senator Trusts That Trump Won’t Let Jeff Sessions Stop Colorado Pot

Of the 33 state legislators from Colorado who signed a recent letter to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions calling for congressional action "to protect the sovereignty of states like Colorado and ensure that marijuana businesses and consumers will be free from undue federal interference," none were Republicans. Given that Republican U.S. Senator Cory Gardner was among the document's original signatories and is currently working with the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws , aka NORML, to prepare legislation on the subject, the reticence of GOP state reps and senators seems surprising.

Virginia Republicans at odds – and throats – in Trump era

The vicious tenor of the 2016 GOP presidential primary - which included attacks on a spouse's looks, demeaning nicknames and veiled talk of a candidate's ... ahem ... hand size - is being matched by Virginia's raucous congressional primaries. A GOP House candidate said he's been the target of fake stories about his advocacy for penis enlargement techniques.

Trump Jr: Can’t recall discussing Russia probe with father

Donald Trump Jr. told the Senate Judiciary Committee last year he did not recall ever discussing the Russia investigation with his father and said he didn't think there was anything wrong with meeting a Russian lawyer at Trump Tower ahead of the 2016 presidential election, according to transcripts released Wednesday of his interview with the panel. The committee released more than 1,800 pages of transcripts of interviews with Trump's son and others who attended a June 9, 2016, meeting at which they expected to receive dirt about Trump's opponent, Democrat Hillary Clinton.